| Author | Message | ||
     Jeffrey M. Fine New member Username: Jeff Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2004 Rating: N/A |
I am a fairly new collector so please pardon my ignorance. What is involved in cleaning or restoring a dial like the one attached? Is this kind of patina cleanable, or does it require replacement? Any cost estimates, etc. would also be helpful. Thanks, jeff  | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 822 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
What is generally done is that dials are re-painted to match the original as much as possible. Unless the dial is very dirty, this generally reduces the value of the watch. A repaint will cost anywhere between $20 to $200 depending on the skill of the repainter and the complexity of the dial. | ||
| Jeffrey M. Fine New member Username: Jeff Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2004 Rating: N/A |
Very helpful. Thank you | ||
| Jeffrey M. Fine New member Username: Jeff Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2004 Rating: N/A |
A couple more questions if you could indulge me further: 1) does repainting (done well) hurt the value of the piece? In other words, if the dial has marginal imperfections will the value be increased or decreased by a quality repaint? 2) Would you advise sending watches away to a specific quality craftsman, or looking for someone locally (in Cincinnati)? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 826 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
1) It really depends and it is a judgement call. If the dial is shot, a redial enhances value. If it's marginal, like yours appears to be, the purist will prefer the original dial and the general consumer will prefer the re done one. 2) Not sure what's in cincinnati, but known rediallers in the US are "Kirk Rich" in Los Angeles, Kirk Diak Seattle and International dial in Ohio I think. They'll all require that only the dial be sent to them rather than a whole watch. |