Ep 1. War Watch, Louis Vuitton Trunk, Butter Churn

In the first episode of season three of The Repair Shop, War Watch, Louis Vuitton Trunk, Butter Churn, viewers are introduced to three fascinating restoration projects, each with its unique story to tell.

The episode opens with Marc Allum bringing in a WWI era wristwatch that has been passed down through his family for generations. The watch, a treasured heirloom, is in disrepair, and Marc hopes that expert horologist Steve Fletcher can restore it to its former glory. Steve rises to the challenge and takes the time to explain, step-by-step, the intricate process of disassembling, repairing, and reassembling the watch's inner workings. Not only does Steve succeed in repairing the watch, but the story of the watch's significance to the Allum family makes for an emotional and heartwarming segment.

Next up is a Louis Vuitton trunk owned by artist and designer Lady Manners. Dating back to the early 1900s, the trunk is in dire need of restoration due to years of wear and tear. Saddled with damaged leather and missing brass details, Lady Manners entrusts the task of restoring the trunk to Lucia Scalisi. Lucia, an expert restorer with over 25 years of experience, takes great care in matching the new leather to the existing material, seamlessly repairing the trunk's exterior. The focus then shifts to Will Kirk, a specialist in brasswork, who takes on the task of crafting historically accurate replacement parts for the trunk. As the restoration process reaches its final stages, Lady Manners is in awe of the trunk's transformation.

The final project tackled in this episode is a butter churn belonging to tinkerer and collector George Taylor. The churn, an antique contraption used to separate butter from cream, is broken, and George is hoping that engineer Nikki Fox can help him get it working again. Nikki quickly identifies the issue but soon realizes that the churn's intricate inner workings require a more considerable effort than initially anticipated. As she works to repair the churn's rusted parts and cogs, viewers are treated to a fascinating look into the history and design of this unique piece of equipment. George is delighted with the churn's new lease on life and can't wait to test it out in his own butter-making adventures.

Overall, War Watch, Louis Vuitton Trunk, Butter Churn is a satisfying and heartwarming start to The Repair Shop's third season. Each of the three projects tackled in this episode is testament to the skill and artistry of the show's expert craftspeople. Whether it's repairing a treasured family heirloom, restoring a luxury piece of luggage, or fixing an obscure historical object, The Repair Shop's dedication to preserving and reviving the past is nothing short of remarkable.