How much do you think a repainted dial decreases in value compared with an original painting. My watchmaker want to repaint my watch, which he injured during servicing. Should I leave it as is, or should I repaint it. The watchmaker has offered to reimburse the service cost and he would pay the repainting. Before Best regards Anders
An original dial is always more attractive than a repainted. Is he talking about only repairing the small nick shown? OR repainting the whole dial? I think I would leave as is.
My dad's 1960 Croton Aquamatic had the dial scratched in a similar way. He has since refused any offer to have it refinished. I'm not familiar with that brand, is it newish or vintage? If it's new-ish, I would see about sourcing a new dial. Tom
I don't know anything about that beautiful watch (e.g. are parts available), but I know a lot about acting in haste and repenting at leisure. You can refinish it as often as you like, but it's only original once. And from what I see of the more knowledgeable folks on this forum, even a good redial can be spotted a mile away.
I'd leave it, or if you find it bothers you I'd consider selling it and buying something else. I know that later part sounds extreme but something like that you can find yourself noticing over and over on the watch because you saw it before it was there, the next owner won't notice it in the same way and will just see it in the scope of the watch's overall condition. That's why occasionally when I've had a watch that was damaged or had something wrong that I noticed constantly I sold it to someone else with a different perspective. Its also why I tend to prefer used watches as a SS Daytona that was brand new with 1 scratch I put on it would bother me, while a used SS Daytona with 50 scratches that were already there doesn't bother me at all
I suspect he is suggesting a "repair" not a redial or refinish. It all depends on the skill of the person doing the repair. You need to know more precisely what he is offering to do. The dial is the heart of the value. If that is damaged so is the entire value.
Hi Anders. I would definitely leave it. It is very minor and not visible except with magnification as far as I can see. I assume the watchmaker is not sending any invoices for the job altogether?! A redial would be a shame on a nice and original dial like that. A huge shame it went like that but life is full of dangers.
If he damaged it, how do you know he won't do a worse job? however, either way, id leave it the way it is! don't repaint it!
I have to go with leave it alone also. The chances of further damage, no matter how skilled the repairer, is just too great. Beautiful watch by the way, love it! (Even with the scratch)
I know I could live with your beautiful watch and that little scratch. However I have no way of knowing if I could live with your watch after an unknown "repair". Once it's "repaired" there's no going back. Now if you can't live with it, then do as Dsio suggests.
Hi You reason like that I think about it. I can not have it anymore when the damage bothers me so much. I'll try to find something else to console myself with Best Anders
Well, glad to see no one is suggesting you assault the watchmaker physically like they have on another forum where you posted this... Although very unfortunate, the mark appears to be very small in real life, and I think any attempt to repair it will just be doing further damage and make it more visible. Certainly a complete refinish would not be advised as others here have stated. I would take his offer of no charge for the service, and know that he probably feels sick about this - maybe more than you do. No one is perfect, and if you service enough watches, despite the best precautions, sometimes things happen. Sometimes you get lucky and no visible damage is done when something slips, but sometimes not. Cheers, Al
Hi The watchmaker was not dishonest who first denied that he caused the damage and that was when I presented photographic evidence which he admitted that he damaged the watch. I think this is bad behavior of a watchmaker, sure everyone can make mistakes, but you should assume their responsibilities immediately. Best Anders
For sure I would not let him touch this or any watch of mine again! Totally agree with Al: "Stuff happens"! Just man-up and do the right thing.
Archer said: ↑ Well, glad to see no one is suggesting you assault the watchmaker physically like they have on another forum where you posted this... I am not a man of violence /Anders
I have seen you write about this misfortune of yours on 4 different watch forums by now. I'm curious to hear more about why you make such fuzz about it, in so many places? Make a fair deal with the watchmaker and lay it behind you. Watchmakers make errors like every other human being, and myself I wouldn't dream of challenging my watchmaker in the way you do. OK, I have worked with my watchmaker for nine years now, so maybe it's special, but I do think that everyone interested in vintage watches should have a longterm relationship with a skilled watchmaker, and stick to him, not only when it goes well, but also when shit happens
Leave it! It is much less noticeable in real life than when you see it in your head. A refinish will be much more noticeable.
