Is it normal for the jeweller to beat the shit out of your wristwatch with a hammer?

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I took a watch to get a few links taken out of the bracelet and the guy was rude, as to be expected (I really don't like NYC small business owners) and just immediately started beating the shit out of it with a small hammer. I could not really see what he was doing since his back was turned and figured it is necessary to get the metal pegs back in through the links. There is a small scratch on the front metal now and another on the back of the bracelet clasp.

I've had my watches fixed before and they generally take them in the back. I think I can even vaguely remember hearing pounding when I got my previous watch resized, but I think I just figured something else was going on.

It's not a big deal, really, but when I pointed out that he scratched the watch, his response was, "Where? You will get many more, don't worry." He then went on to tell me I "should get titanium watch" which is bullshit. Titanium watches scratch more easily than just about anything else.

Do you ever deal with small business owners anymore (besides record shops and cool clothes?)

― Placebo Effect, Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I spit upon your piffling wristwatch. Like so - pfoooeee! Now take your whining about scratches and your miserable heinie from out of my sight, you... thing... with legs.

― Aimless (Aimless), Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

piffling?

― Placebo Effect, Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm 24, next birthday.

― RJG (RJG), Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:18 (twenty-one years ago)

24?

― Placebo Effect, Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

next birthday.

― RJG (RJG), Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

That's pretty young, RJG. Good for you.

― Placebo Effect, Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

thanks a lot.

― RJG (RJG), Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:23 (twenty-one years ago)

You're welcome.

― Placebo Effect, Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, well done, RJ,G.

Placebo, get a dab of toothpaste, smear it onto your watchface, then polish it a bit. Scratches will shrink, if not vanish.

(p.s. I think the answer to your original question is "no")

― Sean Thomas (sgthomas), Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmm... that sounds like a trick for fixing CD scratches! I wonder what kind of toothpaste - baking soda? Tartar control?

Are you sure they don't have to smack the pin back in? He was using a little jeweller's hammer.... I figure they must use if for something.

― Placebo Effect, Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I guess it is normal after all:

http://www.clockworks.com/watchtls/thumbs/wt76.jpg
"Link
Removing Kit

The watch band goes into the slot in the wood, then the pin tool gets lined up with the pin of the watch band, then the hammer taps this until the watch pin is removed and the links are separated."

I was surprised how damn hard he had to "tap." That's what threw me. It was like that old magician's trick.

― Placebo Effect, Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Unless the watch already has a serious tartar problem, I'd say just try the regular stuff. The key is the granularity, tho, so no gels!

― Sean Thomas (sgthomas), Saturday, 6 November 2004 20:42 (twenty-one years ago)

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