Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Before and after. Questions often arise as to “improving” a deteriorated dial. The answer is, “depends”. When the dial is fair, with only minor deterioration the answer is (IMO) is to remove any loose smutz, but leave the dial alone. However, when the dial is a bad as it can get, you can’t make it any worse! In fact, you may improve it a bit by a stroke of luck. Case in point. These two pictures are of a dial on a Gruen pocket watch acquired by @Duracuir1 . The before, and the after.

I have added a third picture of a dial I found in my stash on a very close version of the subject watch. This dial is on a donor watch, which I was unaware that I had until I stumbled on it, looking for something else. This dial would be a perfect fit on the subject watch. @Duracuir1 has decided to stay with the “improved” dial for the time being.

RR Grade 229, The Studebaker by Southbend, 1912
In display case.....who'd want to hide this movement?
Had my watchmaker swap in this dial I've had a long time at the last visit.

It occurs to me that I don’t recall ever seeing a double sunk vitreous enamel dial on a 12-size watch. So I suspect you’ll have difficulty building a collection of 12-size watches with double sunk dials. Otherwise, the movement is as nice as I’ve seen, in any size of watch.

I need one of those South Bend 229s to go with my c1930 railway station gate sign