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Watchmakers Said This Reverso was "Scrap"

Nekkid Watchmaker

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The "Impossible" JLC Reverso Restoration: Laser Welding a Legend

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is my favorite dress watch, but finding one in a "battered" enough state for a proper Nekkid Watchmaker makeover was a challenge—until now. This 1930s icon arrived with deep case damage, previously botched polishes, and a faded case back that most watchmakers would call "scrap."

In this episode, we take a road trip to Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter. I'll show you how we use a £53,000 laser welding machine to add metal back to a 90-year-old case and a high-tech laser engraver to perfectly recreate the original Art Deco factory markings. It’s a mix of old-school craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology to save a watch that means the world to me.

https://www.patreon.com/Nekkidwatchma... (Join for bonus segments on hairspring tweaking and organization tips!)

Featured Tech & Tools:
Laser Welding Machine (£13k "Samosa-Bribed" Special)
5-Axis Laser Engraver (The Matrix)
The "Ant's Pube" Oiler

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Legendary JLC Reverso 01:30 A "Can of Worms" Case Assessment 04:24 The Botsched Polish Problem 06:35 Road Trip: Birmingham Jewellery Quarter 09:40 Neo in The Matrix: Laser Scanning 11:05 Bribing the Masters with Jumbo Samosas 13:10 Extreme Precision: Laser Welding the Case 16:45 Correcting the "Dog's Dinner" Finish 21:30 Straight Graining a 90-Year-Old Classic 24:28 A Quick Break for Cakes & Banter 26:00 JLC Caliber 846: Movement Teardown 31:50 Mirror Polishing the Lugs 35:25 Oiling with the "Ant's Pube" Oiler 41:40 The Hairspring Disaster (4 Hours of Faffing) 45:15 THE REVEAL: High-Tech Laser Engraving 48:00 A Message for the Clan & Final Hero Shots

R.F Bevan, 53a Frederick st, Birmingham B1 3HS - 0121 2369263
H S Walsh & sons, 0121 236 9346

Some tools and starter kits available here https://amzn.to/3VZ1Jcx

Fancy a nice nekkid watchmaker T-shirt?
https://my-store-9611913.creator-spri...

#WatchRestoration #JLCReverso #Watchmaking #JewelleryQuarter #NekkidWatchmaker

20 Comments

@NekkidWatchmaker Creator 2 months ago Pinned

The Jewellery Quarter road trip was one of my favorite days out. That laser welder really saved this piece from being a 'dress bulldozer' forever! Which part of the restoration surprised you the most—the laser welding or the hairspring save? 🛠🍪

@MrShaysArtRoom 3 years ago

I love watching your videos as a rank amateur tinkerer. But it's your commentary that makes it entertaining, and sometimes, touching. Your gentle philosophies and warm regards for everything/everyone take us all out of the noisy world for an hour. Great work.

@TheSupertecnology 3 years ago

This is hands down the best watch restoration video I've seen on YouTube, ever. Period.

@taterporkchop 3 years ago

"What do you know?" "You don't know anything." Said EVERY Dad to his son, at one point or another, in one tone or another, many times in both their lives. I love it.

@LS-uv9gg 2 years ago

"...they brushed the part that was supposed to be mirrored, and mirrored the part that was supposed be brushed..." Well it is called a "Reverso", so maybe they took up that challenge literally, hee hee

@bw4593 3 years ago

The machine shop was truly a gem. The pure efficiency of what they do in that small foot print is so incredible impressive

@benholmes5275 2 years ago

A master. The hands of a neurosurgeon, a love of beauty, a great dad, funny and a deliverer of fine foods to fellow craftsmen. Excellent.

@patriciaarroni2142 2 years ago

I've inherited my mother lecoultre 1930s , non reversible, and have just got it cleaned. I chose the same strap! It's now being used daily after being silent for over 55 years. I am very proud to wear it.

@danmcdaniel1069 1 year ago

Beautiful. Proud to wear it anywhere any time. You lads in the UK are alright

@user-tc3qd2pk6x 3 years ago

...in our time of mindless consumerism, seeing you revive such a battered masterpiece with such competence, endurance and passion is comforting and mesmerizing, well done!

@danamcreynolds9456 2 weeks ago

Watchmakers' watchmaker is correct. When I show one of the Rolex drones my JLC, and they tell me they never heard of the company, I tell them JLC supplied some of the movements for early Rolexes. Then, I tell them JLC has supplied ebauches for each of the holy trinity. That's where I lose them.

I love your work. This was especially interesting.

@gerdriechers8426 3 years ago

Watchmaker, storyteller and philosopher. Every king must be proud of such a watch!

@fakenewsisthenews3542 3 years ago

Pure watch genius. Always amazing craftsmanship.

@graemefield8983 3 years ago

Now i understand why watch repairs can be so expensive , having watched your video ,it's worth every single penny.Thank you.

@panther105 3 years ago

A lifetime ago, I was working for a small engineering company that designed and manufactured giant tents and band shell structures, so there were a lot of huge industrial sewing machines among other fabric cutting and joining equipment. My boss was huge into polo and when he found out I had some sewing experience, would get me to patch up his polo saddle which had seen many battles and was showing it.

@steveloiacano1657 2 years ago

I received a Grande Reverso Ultrathin 1931 tribute as a wedding gift 8 years ago and it is my most precious watch. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for this video ❤

@gjkozy 5 months ago

I learn so much watching professionals like you.

@pjb5757 3 years ago

This is one of your best videos yet, it's great to see all the skills and resources available in your locality. It's amazing what you can find if you are prepared to look. God bless and best wishes to you all from NZ