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CH30. Yes - it's a redial. I did it.....

  1. Northernman Lemaniac Nov 28, 2016

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    Bought this Longines ref 7414 CH30 some time back.
    18k case is very good. Still facets well visible, and no major dings or scratches.
    Original crown.
    The thing that really got me looking in the first place was the accompanying box (including outer cardboard box) and instructions/guarantee book. And having lusted for a Longines chronograph for a while.

    What was seriously bad was the dial.
    If it had only been tired, but someone had already "restored" it. And done so badly.
    ::facepalm1::
    IMG_1790.JPG

    Well. After a bit of research I decided to send the already mangled dial of for a second lick of paint.

    I have no problem seeing where the freshly redone dial differs from an original one, but at lest I find it very wearable now.
    Perhaps more so than if it was too "perfect"?
    And I can always hope that an all original dial miraculously surfaces in the future.
    ::popcorn::
    (Don't forget to PM me when you see one:whistling:!)

    IMG_1993.JPG IMG_1994.JPG IMG_1995.JPG IMG_1996.JPG IMG_1998.JPG IMG_1999.JPG IMG_2001.JPG
     
    Edited Nov 28, 2016
    DaveK, longlifegoods, trim and 28 others like this.
  2. Finrod Felagund Nov 28, 2016

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    Very well executed! :thumbsup:
     
    Northernman likes this.
  3. Maganator Nov 28, 2016

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    Nice. Do you mind me asking who did the redial for you?
     
  4. Northernman Lemaniac Nov 28, 2016

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    Absolutely no secret. It was done by Betghe & Sohn in Germany.
    Not the easiest communication, but I am very pleased with the way it turned out.
     
    trim, JohnSteed, kkt and 5 others like this.
  5. Maganator Nov 28, 2016

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    I think it looks really good and yo made the right choice. Thanks for the info!
     
    Northernman likes this.
  6. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Nov 28, 2016

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    This is amazing. Brilliant work.
     
    Northernman likes this.
  7. billving Nov 28, 2016

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    I love it. It looks great. Congrats.
     
    Northernman likes this.
  8. Edward53 Nov 28, 2016

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    It worries me that chrono redials can be that good. How can you ever know what you're buying?
     
    patrick1616 and Northernman like this.
  9. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Nov 28, 2016

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    Obvious crowding of applied hour markers and hour / minute index. Leverage the experts here. Look for benchmark examples here. @Northernman made lemonade out of lemons ( at a significant investment no doubt) for a fine daily wear watch. Should he sell it, he as a good OF member will state that it is a restored dial.
     
  10. Northernman Lemaniac Nov 28, 2016

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    No use to try passing it off as anything but a redial. It is not identical to the original and it was never the aim. I think it is close enough.
    This is how I believe it should have looked/what I supplied to the guys who did the work:

    IMG_2003.JPG

    Some guys hates redials like flies in their fav wine. I think for me I will be able to live with this dial for a long time.
    And I will still strike if an all original dial shows up.
    :)
     
  11. Edward53 Nov 28, 2016

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    The crowding's not obvious to me but presumably I haven't got my eye in properly. What I do see on careful examination is a long-tailed 5 and a short 1 in the 10 on the red track, and a sanserif 1 in 100, a short 1 in 110 and a couple of floating zeros in 1000 on the blue track. And just as I'm writing this, I see Northernman's reference picture above and suddenly it all becomes clear. But clarity is always easier with knowledge and hindsight.
     
  12. Northernman Lemaniac Nov 28, 2016

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    Bottom line is that I need a macro shot or a loupe in order to really tell the difference.
    :oops:
     
  13. Maganator Nov 28, 2016

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    So long as you are not trying to pass off a redial as an original - i see no issue in having the procedure done.

    It would be a bigger crime to discard a watch that had a dial that was illegible or damaged. If you are going to do it get it done well and be open about it - just like @Northernman
     
    khmt2, Larry S and Northernman like this.
  14. NT931 Nov 28, 2016

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    Gosh I need not just a loupe but some serious Longines kungfu to tell why it's a redial! Experience matters so much.
     
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  15. Northernman Lemaniac Nov 29, 2016

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    Or a picture search on Google from a computer with a proper quality monitor.
    Comparing high res shots of various dials is a time consuming affair.
    It makes me question what really matters.
    :confused:
     
    Larry S likes this.
  16. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Nov 29, 2016

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    IMO it doesn't. Check out Ulackfocus pics of his factory restorations done by JLC. They are stunning and I'd defy anyone who'd call them redials. This dial falls into that category. Yea it's a bit different but it's a nice 30CH. Yea it would need to be sold as a redial but it's a far cry from a run of the mill restoration.
     
    Edited Nov 29, 2016
    billving and Northernman like this.
  17. naidu Dec 5, 2016

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    It is really a very good example of restoration of the dial, and if I had been in your place I would have done the same. This watch is much more beautiful with this new dial, even redone.
    Mine says hello :)

    287120-d716949c72685e5ae7f6a04fd594bc16.jpg
     
  18. Adri Wonders why he can't edit this message Dec 5, 2016

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    Right address and the right choice:thumbsup:
     
    auxpomme and Northernman like this.