Restoration of a Cartier creation

[XCCX]

Hello!

I hope everyone is safe and well.

I am wondering if anyone knows any details about the “restoration” service of an item (I’m mostly interested to know about jewelry like love bracelets and rings).

There’s some information on the website but I went ahead and inquired via online chat and the representative told me that a “reproduction” involves creating a new piece (for example if resizing is not possible) and restoration involves polishing and shining to bring back to “normal” condition as much as possible which confused me. I asked her what is the difference between restoration and polishing then but didn’t get a clear answer.

I emailed CS and will update here but meanwhile does anyone know?

Thank you in advance!

 

[periogirl28]

I would think restoring means they try to bring the existing piece back to as new as possible. Reproduction likely refers to a completely new item, for example a discontinued piece, as Paris gave me a quote to make one specially for me. It wasn’t too bad a price but I have not gone ahead as I have found a few vintages pieces I can consider. To be specific it is a Panthere ring in a model which is no longer being produced. HTH!

 

[XCCX]

I would think restoring means they try to bring the existing piece back to as new as possible. Reproduction likely refers to a completely new item, for example a discontinued piece, as Paris gave me a quote to make one specially for me. It wasn’t too bad a price but I have not gone ahead as I have found a few vintages pieces I can consider. To be specific it is a Panthere ring in a model which is no longer being produced. HTH!

Thank you for replying

I guess what I’m trying to know is the way they fix scratches.. we know there’s polishing which takes away from the metal and is not recommended often, does restoration include adding metal??

The customer service replied to me that I need to bring my item in for diagnosis and recommendation. Which is expected but I guess what I am trying to know is a general option and whether or not it’s doable.

 

[Jetsetmax]

I'm curious to hear what they tell you they would do with your Love bracelet. I think most times, as long as the scratches are not too deep - they polish it. You do lose some metal, but its very tiny amount. You don't want to do this frequently, otherwise those tiny amounts will add up and the edges of the bracelet may start to look more rounded or the screw motif may not look as deep and distinctive as they originally did. I never get my Loves polished because they will only get scratched over and over again, because gold is a relatively soft metal.

After reading they description of on the website, I doubt the restoration process is used on Love bracelets unless it is a bracelet that lost a stone, or maybe if it was a newer bracelet and the "attached screw system" to open and close it, got damaged it would need restoration.

There is a process of adding metal to metal, called "Laser welding." I do not know if they ever do that to repair scratches in a Love bracelet. I've seen it done to restore crisp edges to wristwatch lugs that have either been badly over polished and are rounded when they should not be, or if part of the watch has been gouged. See the photos below. Maybe you should ask if they ever use Laser welding to repair the jewelry you own?

Here is a before and after of a Rolex watch lug after laser welding.

 

[XCCX]

Thank you so much for chiming in!

I do not plan on sending any of bracelets off now, they’re all in good condition and as you said, they’ll always scratch again. I was just curious when I read the services description on the website and I always feel it’s good (and relieving) to know your options.. some of my OCD shows here lol

I'm curious to hear what they tell you they would do with your Love bracelet. I think most times, as long as the scratches are not too deep - they polish it. You do lose some metal, but its very tiny amount. You don't want to do this frequently, otherwise those tiny amounts will add up and the edges of the bracelet may start to look more rounded or the screw motif may not look as deep and distinctive as they originally did. I never get my Loves polished because they will only get scratched over and over again, because gold is a relatively soft metal.

After reading they description of on the website, I doubt the restoration process is used on Love bracelets unless it is a bracelet that lost a stone, or maybe if it was a newer bracelet and the "attached screw system" to open and close it, got damaged it would need restoration.

There is a process of adding metal to metal, called "Laser welding." I do not know if they ever do that to repair scratches in a Love bracelet. I've seen it done to restore crisp edges to wristwatch lugs that have either been badly over polished and are rounded when they should not be, or if part of the watch has been gouged. See the photos below. Maybe you should ask if they ever use Laser welding to repair the jewelry you own?

Here is a before and after of a Rolex watch lug after laser welding.
View attachment 5014980

View attachment 5014983

 

[880]

Thank you for replying

I guess what I’m trying to know is the way they fix scratches.. we know there’s polishing which takes away from the metal and is not recommended often, does restoration include adding metal??

The customer service replied to me that I need to bring my item in for diagnosis and recommendation. Which is expected but I guess what I am trying to know is a general option and whether or not it’s doable.

ALange &sohne told DH that when they spa his Zeitwork (and possibly his wg Odysseus) they will fill in the metal that is taken away. But the cost of service is much more than what I’ve typically paid for Rolex, Cartier, Breguet or JLC service. To my general knowledge the other companies I mentioned will not typically add metal, but I haven’t specifically inquired for my watches. I don’t know if it’s the same as laser welding, but that’s an amazing before and after shot @Jetsetmax !

Cartier did mention (when I mentioned that I loved the link on a discontinued watch — the Dona) that if they have links in stock, they can customize a bracelet or other jewelry.

 

[XCCX]

ALange &sohne told DH that when they spa his Zeitwork (and possibly his wg Odysseus) they will fill in the metal that is taken away. But the cost of service is much more than what I’ve typically paid for Rolex, Cartier, Breguet or JLC service. To my general knowledge the other companies I mentioned will not typically add metal, but I haven’t specifically inquired for my watches. I don’t know if it’s the same as laser welding, but that’s an amazing before and after shot @Jetsetmax !

Cartier did mention (when I mentioned that I loved the link on a discontinued watch — the Dona) that if they have links in stock, they can customize a bracelet or other jewelry.

Thank you for the input! Cartier keeps on replying with “the item will be serviced to be as close to original as possible following the diagnostics” even though I specifically asked about adding metal..