Thank you everyone for your kind comments, but Bob Ridley really deserves the accolades. This was an interesting project, first researching the watch to verify its authenticity, trying to determine the scope of the restoration, locating someone to take the project on after a couple of false starts, discussing options regarding every facet of the restoration.
I'm very pleased with the results of this job. Untold hours of international phone calls and countless e-mail messages and pix culminated in what should probably be called the W&D Phoenix. This watch almost literally rose from the ashes of what it formerly was.
As I mentioned in the original post, I've not been able to locate another verified 1908 W&D watch, running or not. Mine (Nancy's
) might be the only survivor. If anybody has a lead on one, please PM me.
P.S. I have another serious milestone Rolex restoration project coming up soon. Stay tuned!