RESTORATION VACHERON CONSTANTIN | HOW NOT TO REPAIR A VERY EXPENSIVE WATCH ~ service tutorial 

I’m not a wristwatch or pocket watch guy, but I watch all of his videos because in an age of cutting corners, he does things right, proper, and thorough. It is comforting to see someone patiently turning back the tide of chaos and entropy in some small corner of the universe.

That's a light refurbishment?! You have completely transformed the watch for the better. Your skill and attention to detail are incredible. I am not a watchmaker nor do I plan to become one, but I love your videos so much. I hope you will continue your recovery and regain your strength. Congrats on 200K!

The 80s.....BMX bikes, fantastic music, Atari-ST, endless summers, people with less aggro. Happiest days of my life.

Is that what you call a “light refurbishment”? I'd call that a museum-quality refurbished timepiece. The care you take to point the shortcomings of others without sounding too harsh is humbling. You are a truly humble man, and that's why I love your channel. You dish out some wonderful poetry while at the same time restoring masterpieces to their former glory, that is quite an accomplishment, my friend - if I may be frank.

Mr. Nekkid is a wonderful illustration of what we all would want in a watchmaker, especially his patience and attention to fine details. You’re a great artisan sir and watching your work is a pleasure. Edit: Beautiful watch and incredible transformation. The owner will be ecstatic!

What a remarkable line "Don’t go to sleep with a full belly, while your labour goes to sleep hungry". A very kind heart person your are sir.

Such a gifted, skilled, and kind man. I could watch these all day. The problem is I can watch them more quickly than he can make them. Thank you.

I would put you as the most skilled watch maker on RU-vid. Anyone making their own screws to fit perfectly, deserves praise. Nice to see a quality Quartz having a premier service.

I lost my dad to cancer when I was very young, so it warms my heart to see you together. ❤️

I am glad you recovered and live to fight another day! Also nice to see your apprentice is doing more of the little jobs. Such good memories and experiences you are providing. Blessings to you and your family!

I've only discovered your channel recently but what an absolute pleasure it is to watch you work. I have nothing but admiration for your many skills, your great patience both with your work and your wonderful little son. If he grows up to be the same type of man and father as you then the world can only be a better place because of it. Your funny comments and jokes are also great. May God keep you and your family safe and keep up the fantastic and fascinating workmanship.

Your interaction with your children while working displays great character. Good on ya .

Magic, alchemy and a smattering of engineering. Congratulations on 200,000 !!!!

It might be a quartz but there's still some craftsmanship there. Looks like it was worked on by a heavy equipment mechanic. Great job and glad to be a part of this channel

This channel is so much more than mere watch repair/refurbishment, which is exquisite by itself. It’s almost an aside. There’s so much love, decency and affection. So much wisdom and care. The repair itself is like giving hope to so many of us, like the timepieces, are worn out, damaged or broken, but with love and care from a master, we can be restored. It’s just beautiful and I learn so much from you. Thank you.

I look at watches differently now because of you. They are a mechanical marvel and are so much more beautiful than I realised before.

Thank you for sharing this amazing renovation and repair. Some of those parts were sooooo tiny. I hope your recovery continues in a positive direction. Your skills and your sense of humor add to the joy of watching your videos.

Spectacular, once again. You are a treasure, and your patience inspires me to do my best. I repair guitars, which is so simple compared with your profession. When I am faced with a challenge, I think of how you would handle it, and it becomes easier right away. The time you put into making screws for the case back, as an example, shows capacity few people can even imagine having. A million blessings to you and your family (to be distributed accordingly by the family accountant).

1980s is spot on, but a refined and respectful approach befitting your ethos. Kudos! Again!

Greetings from the Napa Valley CA. Wow and double wow. Talk about turning a sows ear to a silk purse.You are one great watchmaker even with a sense of humor inspite of dealing with abused masterpieces. Thanks ol chap.

OMG finally another video from my favourite youtube channel!

Worth the wait. I was worried when I saw the condition of the screws on the back. As usual you met the challenge and gave the customer more than they could have hoped for.

A Gentlemen, honest and perfectionist.. Rare person in the world..👍👍👍.

I had quartz watches as a kid (we all did) and then got into manuals and automatics...would never been seen dead with a quartz. Then I bought a certain quartz last year (Bulova Lunar Pilot)...and I'm a convert now. It's so nice to just pick up a watch and have it still be within 1 second after two weeks of not wearing it and still running! I now have 4 quartz in my collection. I've even converted a couple of my watch buddies to get one and now I see them wearing them all the time for the reasons I gave. Keep up the good work!

Another excellent video. To me, It doesn't matter if the piece is quartz, manual or automatic. They all have a place and a lifelong story to tell! Great work as always!

Just what the doctor ordered for a bedtime relaxation video. Thank you , Peace too you and your family.

I've only stumbled on this channel by accident yesterday, and I've already nearly set my house on fire because glued to your videos.

So good to see a real craftsman at work.

14:10 The size of those wheels and screws is just madness. Can’t even wash the screws in a basket. Much respect for working with them with such a steady hand!

Congratulation on reaching 200K subscribers; "a major achievement that is well deserved". Hard work always prevails along with the outstanding craftsmanship.

I'm not sure which is most impressive, your skill, your diligence or your mellow vibes and sense of humour. Whatever it is it keeps me coming back so don't go changing it buddy!

I seen alot of watch repairs or service on RU-vid of automatic watches, but rarely I see a quartz been strip down and also got bum fluffed n put back 2gether. Very enjoyable to watch your marvelous skills and patience on these time piece thanks for sharing.

To be able to work on a watch with a small child running around, my friend you have the patients of a saint. Its seems your children have a very cool father. Oh yea great video. I have to cringe tho when thinking vacheron uses quartz movements.

I absolutely love you including your son and letting him learn from you. Makes this channel amazing. Love your work!

A light refurbishment😄😄😄😄😁🤣😃!! Man, you‘re awesome !!! Thanks, I fully appretiate to see a quartz - movement „slightly refurbished“ from time to time. This made me love my quartz-watches again and I have started to re-energize and clean them one after the other…… The mechanicals seem to have no problem with them🙏🏻😃…..🎵Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony….🎵

The watch was waiting for you to give it a new life. Polishing skills are first class. Technical and Craft Skills first class. Pleasure to watch you do things the right way once properly. Relaxing.

I've been binge-watching your videos, but I think this one impresses me the most so far. The Richemont factory repair center would have replaced the dial, replaced the movement, replaced the case, and replaced the bracelet. It would have taken them a year, and it would have cost as much as replacing the watch (which they did, one piece at a time), except that the watch is no longer available. If the service parts weren't available, which they probably would not be, they would return the watch with their (pretended, it must be assumed) regrets. The alternative is to throw it away after salvaging the gold bits for their metal value ("metal---oooooh!")--which would simply be irresponsible. Given what independents like you do to keep the major brands looking good, you would think they would be more willing to support your efforts with access to parts. Thank you for giving this lovely little watch a new life.

I rebuild Holly carburetors in my spare time. Jets and needles of a Holly are gigantic compared to watch movements. As usual you do wonderful work.

Yes the thing-with-no-name that rhymes with “almost gone” finally caught all 3 of us over the past few weeks here. A relatively gentle reminder that IT is still lurking about. Be safe my friend, all the best for you and yours.

I never cared for that style of watch.BUT you have shown me that they are just as beautiful as the rest of the high quality watches out there.I had the impression that the quartz watch was cheaper.IT's not ,what it is ,IS SIMPLER.The way you serviced this watch shows that they do have there own class of quality's.the exterior is just as beautiful as any mechanical timepiece and in some case better.you are amazing,I'm glad to see your son is taking an interest in your hobby.GREAT VIDEO>

I am so sad that you caught the plague but I am extremely happy that you are on the road to recovery. Great job on the restoration! I was just talking with a coworker last night about my current projects of mechanical watches and mentioned that I have never done anything with quartz movements. Your video has inspired me to look into doing one sometime.

So happy to have you back, glad you have beaten the name we will not speak. Love watching you bring these watches back to life and inject your humor throughout. You have the patience of a saint.

Congratulations on achieving the 200k, your kindness and expertise saved this piece from the bungling of a ham fisted hooligan

hmm, I just watched this one again and it was just as good the second time around. When you get to be my age, you don't remember what you had for lunch let alone a video you watched 6 months ago. Very nice work on the dial, surround and bracelet!

A once beautiful watch awesomely restored to original state (or better)! Great workmanship! It is so good to see watches restored rather than disposed. It is so good to see a true craftsman at work. 👏👏👏👏👏🙂🍁🇨🇦🍁

Great to see you and your apprentice back on the job!

Too many think OCD is beyond but we’ve improved the world. I was a finished contractor and they got it.

Vacheron Constantin, what a beauty! Great "light refurbishment"!

As always, Joe, an incredible job of repair and restoration on this beautiful time piece! You never cease to amaze me with your skill sets! You cracked me up with the "looks like the minute hand is excited about something." Great video and looking for lots more to come. Cheers!

Beautiful work and results as usual. Great job on the new screws and smoothing down the back of the watch. Not saying the word we should not speak, I’m sincerely happy you are semi-recovered. Keep sleeping, that is usually the best medicine and also the way your body tells you you are still recovering. Good to have you back.

Especially enjoy seeing glimpses of all the watches on your workbench ... That's the sign of a true master by my measure.

Extraordinary attention to detail and patience. Outstanding micro surgery.

i enjoy seeing you work on these beautiful watches but i also enjoy seeing how you interact with your children and the love and patience you show to them. i wish that there were more fathers out there that are as wonderful as you are. much love to you and your family!☺

What an amazing channel this is. When you post a vid I just put my feet up and relax! Thank you!

I watch your videos not because of the watches, but because your dialog is entertaining and intelligent and your accent is soothing. Good job.

When I was about 11 or 12 I took apart my Casio watch just to see if I could get it back together. Casio is so generous! Did you know when I was finished putting it back together I had so many spare parts leftover that I probably could have assembled another watch or two out of it. Now that's a company that cares about their customers! 😂 Glad you're feeling better! God bless you for your positive attitude and your loving and caring spirit! ❤️

What a beautiful job you have done. I have such emvy at your patience and skill and dedication to not only bring back to life something so precious, intricate and a combination of two mediums! Also rectifying someone elses bodge/butcher job. If i had my time over again, this is exactly what i would do. My great great grandfather was a watch maker, when i researched my family i finally found out the reason i love watches so much. Thank you for your videos, and your Godly words.

Big CONGRATULATIONS on reaching a milestone of 201K; I said it in one of my comments, our goal on this channel as a family is to achieve 500K by the end of 2022, and we can make it, we can do it in as much as we invite our friends and families to join us on this great channel. I am happy and delighted about the progress. Wishing all of us and our family a great time as we sail to the end of this year.

In the beginning I thought it didn't look too bad, but the end result is just glorious!

Transformed an ordinary watch into an extraordinary watch!

Thanks for another great video Joe, and thanks for being here. I'm sure it's been said before but just watching your skill in making relics from the past (quartz or manual) come back to life is refreshing.

The tiny delicate nature of this movement makes your work all the more impressive. Another nice job sir. I always come away with more appreciation for the watches and your dedication.

This actually helped me feel better about wanting to get a vintage electric watch.

I love the type of relationship you have with your little ones! 🙂

Congratulations on 200k! That's really amazing. I'm sorry that you suffered having caught the dreaded you know what. I hope your fatigue lifts soon. That slim watch is beautiful.

Stunning how you handle such small items so gently and accurately.

Even if I personally don’t like the watch, I still really enjoyed watching the restoration.

To take something from junk drawer looks back to showroom elegance is incredibly impressive and doing it while filming is just amazing . Beautiful workmanship .

Amazing restoration. It's always a joy watching you work - you're a true artisan.

Great video. I personally would love to see a 1960's era Omega seamaster on the channel. I have one that is dear to my heart, and would love to see the inner workings stripped down and explained. Such a great watch.

Breath taking. Does he ever take one? Spellbinding as well. No end to the surprises and ingenuity not to mention the tools! Ranging from a vice sourced from a locomotive repair shop (came in handy here) to micro-mini lathe. The wonder, no, the breath of it all. Keeps us coming back Mr. Kid.

There are many horror ologists on youtube, but you are the best, never tire of you videos, thank you and good night from Australia

One of the top channels on RU-vid. So nice to see you working your magic and breathing life into these little gems. YOU earned the 200,000 subscribers due to your hard work, precision and genuine care you demonstrate to task (and family). Thanks for making these as for us viewers they make the world a better place.

A true craftsman at work. I look forward to your video's every month.

There’s a name for people like you. Genius, craftsman and human come to mind.

Nice to see the workshop supervisor keeping you inline. 😋

I was just thinking earlier in the week, it was time for another video from my favorite RU-vidr. Congratulations on the 200K subscriber mark. Well deserved and I'm sure it's just a small stepping stone to greater heights for you on this platform. This watch restoration (as you put it light) shows why you are at 200K. That sir, was a brilliant piece of work. Even your "light" restorations are works of art. Not only did you repair the piece, you restored the beauty and elegance. You elevated the watch to the place it once held when it was new. I swear I thought I saw the piece smile at the end with its head held high. Outstanding work. I tip my glass to you and bow my head. Get well, my friend. Take care.

It's been too long! Loving your work as always. Peace and love my friend. Be good to yourself.

So happy to see you back and in better health. Prayers to you and your family. Now get to work! We’re eager to see the best teacher and entertainer on you tube 😃. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work and your kind heart. Always a positive message from you. Lots of love from USA’s west coast.

What a worthwhile piece to put all of that Love Labor into. One of the best looking VCs IMO

The skills on display in this vid, are a joy to behold. Beautiful work resulted in a beautiful watch refurbished in all it’s former glory. I bet the owner was overjoyed with the result. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Absolutely superb work and attention to detail, never more contrasted than by the work done previously. Beautiful words too, Joe. 200,000 is a great milestone, but not nearly what the channel deserves. And great to see your apprentice at work on such a venerable piece, too. Best wishes to you and the family.

I love the fact that you don't disdain working on quartz watches from time to time. Not everybody gets overexcited by mechanical timepieces. I mean, there is a fair amount of exquisitely designed high end quartz watches out there.

Your sense of ‘Humour’ runs in the family!!………..I LIKE!!

I've got so much respect for what you can do and what you say, well done and keep it up, looking forward to the next one, thank you for the time you share and feel well soon

Thank you for this and congratulations on your milestone. I'm also thankful for your recovery. Take care!

200K well deserved. Speedy recovery and thank you for the great videos and positive messages

Fantastic restoration the watch didn’t look like a quality watch at first and I wouldn’t have given you a tenner for it but what a lovely piece it is after you have worked your magic on it. Nice to see you passing on your knowledge to the next generation of Nekkid watch makers

This is a crazy cool refurbishment! It came out amazing. Glad you are recovering from that which will be named. And a great big congratulations on 200k!

Your work and willingness to share what you do is amazing. I’ve read a lot of the comments and it never amazes me of how you inspire us. Your calm voice and gentle reminders of how to treat others is heart warming. Never loose sight of that. Rest up recover and take care of yourself. Ps if you ever want to try something else why not narrate books, I’d listen to your voice happily.

Tell Trouble, when I was his age, long long ago, we didn't have Pokemon. We played the Hokey Pokey. LOL . My father wouldn't let me help him with his work. I sure his patients didn't want me digging around in their intestines and organs. Beautiful work as always.

Glad you didn't mention the name mate. The world has gone mad, glad you made a swift recovery 👍 oh yeah and lovely restoration by the way 😎

Wow...You truly have a gift as a watchmaker. I never would have thought you could have restored it to the level you did...including some training for the little one along the way ;-). That was nice to see. Great way to celebrate 200K! Congrats. Well deserved.

Your videos are always so good. You can tell the fatigue was strong in this episode. Hope you get back to 100% real soon. Looks like trouble has a pokemon joke up his sleeve ready to be spread across the school campus. Oh and congrats on the 200k, you deserve much more!

Who would have thought a man wearing an old vest could do such beautiful job .

I don’t have the mental fortitude to work with watches. But I greatly admire your work! You are a saint to do this work….while also little ones in your shop. Although they are the greatest treasure of all….It takes a real man to do both as well as you. I love to see how you retraced the steps of the previous repairman… And the effects it had on the watch. I do work with some sensitive test equipment and it is always fun to retrace the steps of previous meteorologists. And sometimes very naughty folks get into this equipment… Because with this type of stuff you’re “supposed to be certified” and have special lab equipment and stuff like that… So they are very naughty folks who try to sneak around and break the seals and hidden marks hoping to find a quick fix. 😁 but I don’t blame them because that’s how I got started and the bug bit me. And I became addicted to test equipment or anything incredibly engineered. So I don’t blame them as long as it’s nothing real important like nuclear lab equipment or some thing that’s really dangerous. It’s always fun to retrace their steps and I try my hardest not to get anyone in trouble or report their exploration and less I absolutely have to. But sometimes it is fun to talk to the lab guys or techs when the boss isn’t around… and play a game of duck duck goose😂 I can always tell who it was because as soon as I mention that someone had been in there someone always gets a nervous look on their face 😂. But I never scold them I always try to encourage them that maybe they have a natural curiosity and maybe they should work with that equipment on a more intimate level like I do. Instead of working with it only pushing buttons every day…… Maybe crack it open and have a look, maybe start doing some work repairing it. And I always try to encourage, give advice, and point them in the right direction. There is plenty of poor sad homeless test equipment out there for hobbyists. Some really incredible and beautiful things just waiting to be found! I love to see hobbyist Metrology labs that folks have set up at home in a spare bedroom. There’s a huge community of them online, some who are very serious about it. And it’s a really growing trend….Just like hobbyist watchmakers! Both I am very happy to see I’ve had three separate businesses working with meticulous things. First I was a machinist, then making meticulous reproduction violins for symphony players and studio musicians, and now I do a bit of the woodworking still but mostly just the lab and metrology stuff. I still struggle greatly with developing my own character. I am not naturally calm or patient. And although I have learned those two skills over the last two decades… I still lack the most important thing….. it’s impossible to do work like yours without living a very clean and wholesome life. Maybe some folks can get by for a few years, but to do that work or any meticulous work on a daily basis, year after year, consistently… Its something that can’t be bought or faked without daily choices and purposeful life to back it up. I salute you!

Fantastic work and stunning watch!

That's the closest to my wanting to find a video on the making of the parts themsevles - that I've seen. I wanna see how they make the screws from the very start. Imagine the tools that are needed to make something THAT tiny. And, how did they do it many decades ago compared to the electronics of today's machining. And, though this one isn't the thinnest, it sure looked mightily thin to me! Impressive. Thanks for the upload.

Talk about a ravaged old watch...daunting. This watch is a perfect example of the desperation of the quartz crisis. That a brand like VC, with its supposedly elite reputation, would make a watch like this and still charge thousands for it is amazing. I loved your comment on the prestigious materials used on the inner case, the luxurious "metal." Thanks VC, thanks for stamping that in there for us. Anyway, excellent work as always.

Master craftsman with a sense of humour working on masterpieces, subscribed.