Is buying a repainted dial (redial) a big no-no?

gemstar

90% of the value of a watch is the dial ..Now that is absurd. The value of the watch is the rare mechanics scarcity and demand and historical importance. Not just a thin sheet of metal sitting on top of a masterpiece movement
No offence but that is my opinion.

Joe_A

I'm a new guy here, but I do have opinions based upon reading, some experience . . . and application of common sense.

Naturally an all original watch in near-perfect condition is highly valued, but I have been around this and other watch forums long enough to learn that even those people who exhibit or who can demonstrate experience and discernment, may argue among themselves over whether a watch has a redial or not.

One may wait half a lifetime or more for a perfect example of the watch one wants, perhaps never finding one.

Obvious redial is obvious, but when people with a lot of experience have a difficult time making a determination, then either the dial is original or it is a very fine restoration. I have no problem personally buying a watch with a dial that has been restored to a high standard of workmanship and art.

Of course, disclosure by a seller of known or likely conditions that may effect resale value is to be encouraged and respected. That said, I am sure that watches are often sold where the seller genuinely believes the watch to be original and authentic.

This place and others do provide a service to the less experienced and so I am happy to be visiting here often.

I've seen people gush passionately over watches that to me look badly beat up and are scratched, dinged, with missing lume and are perhaps a tropicalized or slightly water damaged dial and such folk would rather have a watch as described over a finely restored watch with some polishing.

To each his own as they say.

papajan

Think about it. Would you repaint a Rembrandt painting? Or is it better to make drawings on a poster which you can find in any boutique?

I guess it’s all about the rarity of the item. So in my opinion there is not a strict yes or no.

gemstar

Paintings are repainted all the time during conservation

gemstar

Paintings are repainted all the time during conservation

kkt

Yes, and even damage that seems like it should dramatically hurt the value of a master's painting doesn't actually reduce its value very much. That's because masters' paintings are unique individuals. There aren't 10,000 other mass produced paintings made on the same assembly line in the same year for you to hunt down and buy instead.