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Redials: who's the man?

bananapeanut
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I'd like to have the dial of a vintage Connie repainted in a dark blue tone (Korea style like the Genèves they sell on eBay). However, I'm having a hard time finding a good dial refinisher. In your opinion, who's the best dial refinisher in the US?
Edited:
 
Ocean
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I am just curios how your dial will look after this redial. Maybe you will post some pictures later here.
 
bananapeanut
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Ocean Ocean
I am just curios how your dial will look after this redial.

I'm hoping in this kind of dark blue color:
Genève.png


but on the same reference as that one:
const.png
 
dsio
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That could actually come out looking really superb. Redial or not it’ll look awesome on the wrist.
 
Archer
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Interesting date window border on the El Primero dial they have on the front page...

6DA9E129-3BEB-43CE-A06E-895E4D53160B.jpeg
 
noelekal
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Before and after photos would be nice.
 
Bruce235
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Agree that you will not be losing much from a redial. The blue will look good.
 
bananapeanut
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Archer Archer
Interesting date window border on the El Primero dial they have on the front page...

Screen Shot 2022-10-19 at 7.08.56 AM.png


Good catch, and you see that's the problem with dial refinishers, even the examples they showcase on their website are not always 100% convincing. If that's their best work, it makes you wonder what their average work looks like. That said, the El Primero has a more complex dial than the Connie.
Edited:
 
noelekal
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Thanks bananapeanut.

As is, that dial doesn't have much to recommend ir.
 
UWG
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bananapeanut bananapeanut
For now, here is the BEFORE photo:

View attachment 1493974

The hands will have to be refinished too.

If you ask me, that dial is a "real" one.
Quite evenly patinated and interesting / good looking in my eyes. I would leave it as it is. I think the Connie will lose its character.
 
Archer
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UWG UWG
If you ask me, that dial is a "real" one.
Quite evenly patinated and interesting / good looking in my eyes. I would leave it as it is. I think the Connie will lose its character.

I would at least try cleaning the dial before going to a full redial...
 
pmontoyap
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I beg to differ on this one. That dial is in original condition and that is most likely tabacco build up. Even as it is I think it tells a story, a more interesting one that what the repainted dial will say.

I am sure there are a few expert watchmakers that can clean that up with their little magic recipe. I know a couple in the UK, and ages ago I read an article about a restoration by a guy in Miami but all I can recall is he had a last name of Indian heritage.
 
UWG
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And even the condition of the hands are matching with the dial. It would not bother me.
Just another leather strap...
 
Evitzee
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bananapeanut bananapeanut
Screen Shot 2022-10-19 at 7.08.56 AM.png


Good catch, and you see that's the problem with dial refinishers, even the examples they showcase on their website are not always 100% convincing. If that's their best work, it makes you wonder what their average work looks like. That said, the El Primero has a more complex dial than the Connie.
The 'before' pic had the same treatment around the date window so all the refinisher did was duplicate what was already on the dial.
 
Archer
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Evitzee Evitzee
The 'before' pic had the same treatment around the date window so all the refinisher did was duplicate what was already on the dial.

Nope - you are missing the spot that is very different...

Before.jpg
 
noelekal
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I'd be willing to make the attempt to have the dial cleaned before going the re-dial route. If it wouldn't clean up or was further ruined then a refinish would be in order

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
 
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