The other day, I was wearing the custom watch I made in the Casio Pepsi Duro Challenge post. I was admiring it in the sunlight and did a quick wrist roll to see the brilliant blue sunburst dial shimmer in the sunlight. As the light reflected around the dial I saw a fingerprint on the crystal. I pulled out the microfiber cloth from my pocket and wiped the crystal clean and proceeded to roll my wrist again in the sunlight. The fingerprint was still there. How did I miss it? I wiped the dial again with extra vigor. Held it up to the light at an angle to confirm the crystal was clean, and rolled my wrist again. To my dismay, I saw the fingerprint again. It is inside the watch. I didn't remember touching the inside of the crystal. It bothered me the rest of the day. How could this have happened. I got home and showed my son, he couldn't see it. I got out a bright flashlight and suddenly we both could see it. From the O in CASIO to the 1 o'clock marker and down a little past the 2 o'clock marker is a faint finger print. My son looked at it with his eagle eyes and told me, it is not on the crystal, it is on the dial. He could tell because the second hand covered it up when it went over it. Then I remembered that when I popped it out of the case it slid across the table and I grabbed it to make sure it didn't fall on the floor. The guilt cascaded over me. This was my fault.
I knew what I needed was Bergeon Rodico cleaning putty. I had a mental list of stuff I wanted to order and had been researching. I wanted a Bergeon spring bar tool and spare tips because I wanted to see if the tips would fit in the Vario Travel Spring Bar Tool. I wanted some Polywatch to polish out scratches. I want a Bergeon 8 ball case back removal gripper ball. Plus a dozen other items. I went on to Esslinger's website and started adding to my cart. I got the green Bergeon 6033 Rodico cleaning putty and the white Bergeon 7033 Premium Rodico cleaning putty because you never know. Then I got distracted looking at pegwood and polishing cloths. Added some of those to the cart. Finger cots are definitely in order, throw a couple packs of those in the cart. Got side tracked again, this time with adhesive swabs and swab cleaners, couldn't decide so put a pin in that idea. But I need one of those puffers, decided on a Bergeon 5733 Deluxe Rubber Dust Blower. Grabbed some Polywatch and checked out before I went broke.
Esslinger was fast on the delivery and before I knew it, my package had arrived. I opened it up with excitement and anticipation. I pulled the items out and realized I forgot to order the spring bar tool and spare tips. Whoops! Oh well, I have what I need right now. I pulled out the watch and began to open it up. Remembered to put the finger cots on to avoid making the same mistake twice. The parts inside a watch are so small. Finding the release for the stem proves difficult. Eventually I get it apart. I start with the Premium cleaning putty. A simple light dab and it is clean as new. I get a bright light and inspect it closely. It took a lot more dabs to get it perfect and I found a second print between 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock that I didn't even see in the bright sunlight. It was only when the dial was uncased and a bright light was shined on it at an angle that it showed up. Several more dabs and it was completely clean. I also cleaner the inside of the crystal and used the blower to puff any dust off the dial and out of the case. There is something about seeing an uncased dial that is both thrilling and nerve-racking at the same time. When blowing any dust off the dial the hands seemed to flutter. In my mind I could imagine them flying across the room never to be seen again. But the hands held strong. I quickly put it together. I function checked it. Changed the date and time. Sealed up the case. Then I went to changed the date and time to the correct time and the crown and stem fell out. Took it apart again and install the crown and stem. Verified it was locked into place. Sealed it up again. Now I could finally admire the work.
When I was in college, I studied Criminal Justice and my all time most favorite class was Forensic Science. I learned about Locard's Principle. Locard's Principle sometimes called Locard's Exchange Principle holds that the perpetrator of a crime will bring something into the crime scene and leave with something from it. The first time I was inside the watch, I exchanged the original black dial and movement for a blue dial and movement and I accidentally added some fingerprints. I left with temporary happiness and then frustration when I discovered my mistake. This time, I left it cleaner than I found it, and I even went so far as to inspect it with a UV light to be sure and to light up the lume! I am sure there is some microscopic trace evidence of the cleaning done with Rodico premium cleaning putty. And I know the cleaning putty has the fingerprint I pulled off the dial. But what I really left with is the joy and satisfaction that comes from doing something to the best of your ability and not leaving a known mistake uncorrected. Before when I looked at the watch, knowing it had a fingerprint that was invisible most of the time, the mistake was all I saw. Now, when I look at it, I beam with pride knowing I fixed it. Forgive yourself and fix your mistakes. Take joy in the journey and you will do better next time!