| Author | Message | ||
     Steve Brown Rating: N/A |
Don and Zaf: I've had discussions with watch sellers about when it's best to refinish the dials on vintage watches. Some sellers believe that it diminishes the value of the watch and you should stay with the original. Others say is a cosmetic issue and if the dial is dirty or worn you should go ahead and get it refinished. What are your thoughts as to what this does to the value of a watch. I've had some of my worst dials redone but have kept most original out of concern about value. Th | ||
| zaf Rating: N/A |
I think you are on the right track. Personally I only redial when the "dirt" is completely un-even or the dial is damaged to the point where the watch is cosmetically repulsive. I have serveral pieces in my collection that have very heavy even age that I would not even consider redialling, though some would find the watch un-attractive. Generally, values for most Swiss makes are lower when the dial has been redone, particulalry if the dial is complictated (i.e. two tone, chronograph, etc.) Redials impact American watches a little less (or not at all) on makes such as Hamilton, etc. I find that a little even age (or patina) on a 40-80 piece gives vintage watches a certain charm that distinuish them from new ones. Most new collectors tend to want to over-restore their pieces, which is a mistake. Thanks for the post, Zaf | ||
| Gabe Rating: N/A |
In order to try to clean uneven patina or staining off a dial, has anyone tried any of the products that paper preservation people use to clean paper? | ||
| zaf Rating: N/A |
I have not. I have been successful in flash dipping aged dials in "Tarn-X" style liquid silver cleaner. It can only stay for a few seconds and it needs to be rinsed and dried immediately. In some case with amazing results, in others ruined dials. Only to be tried when you have nothing to lose. I'd be very curious in what you come up with, since the above is obviously a risky proposition. Zaf | ||
| Richard Sexton New member Username: Richarde Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2003 Rating: N/A |
If I can still read the numbers I won't refinish it. I've tried the silver dip thing too - once - it actually worked quite well on an old Angelus chrono, BUT the dial will tarnish pretty much instantly and needs to be clear-coated. |