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

Posts
928
Likes
507
To each their own depending on needs, wants and likes! I'd pass on all redials no matter how well done. Most seek full originals. IMHO
 
Posts
441
Likes
538
Rarity as noted offsets it.
As a bargain basement collector my pieces if they doubled in value wouldn't register much so a redial could mean the difference between owning a specimen or not. Even then I'm leery.

It should be noted that redialing seems to have once been the norm as part of servicing. A well aged redial that is suggestive of a prior owner engaged in regular upkeep may strike me different.

From what I've seen, in eastern markets buyers seen more inclined to desire vintage watches not show wear.

Skimming around I see numerous eastern market Seikos that appear to be redialed and difficult to find vintage Seiko Kings Grands and Divers with appropriate patina.
 
Posts
779
Likes
2,447
I have one I can live with and one day I will find a original dial for this watch.馃槈
Ref 2494

tamura
Edited:
 
Posts
29,236
Likes
75,589
Like many other things in life I will leave this to the guy who pays for the watch.
Not everyone carry watchmaker loupes in their pockets on a regular basis.
A well executed redial (they do exist) can save a watch from otherwise being butchered or discarded.
I have friends that could not care less for the thickness of the print for a given character in some logo. But they like a cool looking vintage watch, and will live happily with a well redialled Seamaster as they do not carry said loupe.
That leaves more good ones to the few others of us. 馃榾

Completely agree, as long as they know what they are getting and are not paying "original" prices for "redial" watches...
 
Posts
2,326
Likes
1,884
You guys remind me of something.

My father has a Croton Aquamatic that he bought, along with a matching lady's watch, for he and my mother as wedding presents to each other.

At some point during a service, the dial got scratched. To this day, he has declined to get it refinished (they ask him every time).

When I inherit this watch, I shall do the same out of respect for my father. Won't look for a replacement, either.

Tom
 
Posts
7,635
Likes
21,906
Here's a Certina with a repainted dial you don't want to buy:
s-l1600.jpg

Courtesy of a seller in Bulgaria.... (Apologies for diverting the conversation from serious matters, it was irresistible.)
 
Posts
7,225
Likes
24,428
Here's a Certina with a repainted dial you don't want to buy:
s-l1600.jpg

Courtesy of a seller in Bulgaria.... (Apologies for diverting the conversation from serious matters, it was irresistible.)

Just for education and reference (and continued diversion馃槈) here's how that Certina should look!

 
Posts
6,712
Likes
18,570
Agree that redials are to be shunned...BUT, here's one I got in a moment of weakness, with full knowledge and with an appropriately discounted price. The seller - who I suspect was also the redialer, or the one who ordered the redial - was all sorts of evasive about whether it was a redial or not. I told him I thought he could make a buck doing redials aboveboard - there are enough ruined dials out there for which one has no recourse. He stared at me as if such a thing had never occurred to him.

 
Posts
255
Likes
440
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.
 
Posts
1,706
Likes
5,684
Really depends on what your future plans are for the watch, and what type of cole for you are. If you like it and plan to keep or don鈥檛 mind selling low, then redials are fine. For most collectors (myself included) original is best (even with HEAVY patina) soyou might be limited in your resale market. But should always be about what you enjoy and what you will wear first!
 
Posts
29,236
Likes
75,589
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.

I would not say 90% of the value of this watch is in the dial, but it is certainly significant, at least to me.



As for the "rare mechanics" I guess we will agree to disagree on that one, since Rolex has made millions upon millions of 1575 movements, so there's nothing "rare" at all about them. I wouldn't call it any kind of masterpiece either, but that's just my opinion as a watchmaker...
 
Posts
329
Likes
484
I would not say 90% of the value of this watch is in the dial, but it is certainly significant, at least to me.



As for the "rare mechanics" I guess we will agree to disagree on that one, since Rolex has made millions upon millions of 1575 movements, so there's nothing "rare" at all about them. I wouldn't call it any kind of masterpiece either, but that's just my opinion as a watchmaker...

Now that you are at it, what non-haute horlogerie movements would you call a masterpiece, as watchmaker?
 
Posts
122
Likes
64
I would simply say it depends on the watch. if someone invested 300 USD into a good reprint on a low value model (lets day 600 USD total value) and he sells it for 600 USD or even lower - it appears to be a pretty good deal. if you "refurbish" a red sub or a steel patek 575 its either fraud (red sub) or plain stupid (in case of the patek)

so I think you simply can't (or shouldn't) compare the refurbishment of a regular 1601 datejust to the "refurbishment" of a red sub or DRSD.
 
Posts
25,980
Likes
27,692
90% of the value of a watch is the dial ..Now that is absurd.

That's Hodinkee's estimate, told here in this thread by a member who only believes he remembers that quote. However, I'd say I'm being conservative when I estimate a dial is 30% to 40% of the value.

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.

An opinion not exactly shared by many collectors. Both Omega's 56x series and 32x series were two of the more ubiquitous groups of movements in the 60's, yet the watches they power certainly command a premium despite not being rare or scarce in any stretch of the imagination.
 
Posts
25,980
Likes
27,692


How much should it be?

Hahahahahaha! How much would a 30 series caliber and a 2365 (?) case for it be worth without the scientific dial?
 
Posts
3,368
Likes
6,570
What is a recommended place, other than the forums or Ebay, to buy used Omega Speedmaster dials? I think have seen in the past websites that specialized in selling dials but cannot find one that has Speedmaster dials
 
Posts
13,124
Likes
18,000
What is a recommended place, other than the forums or Ebay, to buy used Omega Speedmaster dials? I think have seen in the past websites that specialized in selling dials but cannot find one that has Speedmaster dials
I know of no such place. 90%+ of dials I see for sale on eBay or online are either damaged beyond reasonable repair or total redials that were purchased from the first lot.

You are searching for a unicorn website that likely does not exist.
gatorcpa
 
Posts
12,955
Likes
22,428
Agree with @gatorcpa however, there is a seller who seemingly strips down vintage Speedmasters and sells the parts separately. Certainly not cheap though.

Goes by the name of speed-meister.

@michael e also occasionally has loose, original dials as well.
 
Posts
3,368
Likes
6,570
l
Agree with @gatorcpa however, there is a seller who seemingly strips down vintage Speedmasters and sells the parts separately. Certainly not cheap though.

Goes by the name of speed-meister.

@michael e also occasionally has loose, original dials as well.

Thanks