This is an intresting example of many watches that I see that are used for a (first) life time. Often these are heirloom or estate watches. They are mostly considered an item for everyday use. They received maintenance when needed, but not on a sceduled basis. The owner often did not notice an extra scratch or bump after it had accompanied him for several years. Well you know how this goes. This is the "everyday watch" as an comparison to the "special occasions watch".

This watch was brought to us by the doughter of the original owner. He had bought this watch himself in the late 60's. She could still rember the original steel straps with holes in it that he always had on it when she was young. Now it was on a replacement steel strap. Also it had not been running nor worn in almost a decade. The crystal was scratches and the crown was a non-signed replacement crown. She asked if I could bring it back to it's original luster and perhaps even get an original strap for it. YOU BET!

Well everything started with taking the watch apart. The crystal needed replacement. Also the gasket in the back was worn and was replaced. These are the generic parts. Not hard to get. But we also needed a replacement crown with original -T- logo. Fortunately I have a little stash of these original Tissot crowns. You do need to know that there are several 100's of different types of crowns (vorm, thread, thickness, watertight, dustproef, screw-down, etc..). I think Tissot used around 50 different ones on all there models. I am not even sure I had exactly the right one, but it fitted the watch and keeps the water out! And it is signed! Also I one spare Tissot original strap. These where used on the PR516 model range over a periode of circa 15 years. So you do find them now and then, but they also wear out when used a lot. But if I can make someone happy...I will!