To re-dial or not to re-dial?

Rogerg · May 29, 2023

I have a 2353.20 with dead lume and I like to wear my watches at night so I am considering a re-dial. I know a lot of you like originality and as purists probably wouldn't consider it. My questions to you all are what is the projected collectability of this Ref? What would it do to that collectability? Lastly are service dials even available for them? Are inserts available as well?For full disclosure the previous owner already replaced the hand set. Opinions please...

Dan S · May 29, 2023

No re-dial, just have the dial replaced with a new one by Omega.

Losi11 · May 29, 2023

It's up to you, but I would consider a relume. The dial itself looks clean to me.

dsio · May 29, 2023

I’d get a new dial from Omega, they’ll let you keep the old one so then you’ve got the choice down the line if you like.

Tekashi_145.022 · May 29, 2023

What’s wrong with the dial? Why not just re-lume?

masteroftime · May 29, 2023

You could try getting it relumed, but I’ve never seen a dial with markers like these relumed and looking right afterwards. I’m not sure if a gen-like appearance is possible. Omega has service dials but they cost almost $600USD. My dad has one of these and recently opted for a service dial.

By the way, that looks like water damage and not just aged tritium on the markers. Either way, you should probably get the watch pressure tested and serviced. When my dad got his serviced, Omega declined to service it without switching the dial because they said the moisture had damaged the dial lacquer and it was likely to flake off into the movement.

Rogerg · May 29, 2023

Thanks guys! I take it that no one thinks it will diminish the watch if I get a service dial put in. I realize it's not cheap but at least I'll be able to see the darn thing at night (I hope the old eyes keep up their end). I hadn't thought about the fact I could add the dial to the other replaced parts from the last factory service to maintain as much "originality" as possible. Now it can take it's place in the que after all the vintage pieces I've been getting. Thanks again all!!!

Mouse_at_Large · May 30, 2023

My limited experience is that the cost of a competent relume may well be more than getting a service dial installed. By all means hang on to the original dial with the dead lume and should you move the watch on at any point it can be part of the offer. After all, and as you say "at least I'll be able to see the darn thing at night"

It's your watch and it needs to function to your satisfaction.

Dan S · May 30, 2023

Rogerg
Thanks guys! I take it that no one thinks it will diminish the watch if I get a service dial put in. I realize it's not cheap but at least I'll be able to see the darn thing at night (I hope the old eyes keep up their end). I hadn't thought about the fact I could add the dial to the other replaced parts from the last factory service to maintain as much "originality" as possible. Now it can take it's place in the que after all the vintage pieces I've been getting. Thanks again all!!!

It's not a collectible model, and I think the value will actually be higher with a service dial.

masteroftime
By the way, that looks like water damage and not just aged tritium on the markers.

I agree it looks like water damage, but I don't know if it's tritium.

Rogerg · May 30, 2023

Dan S
It's not a collectible model, and I think the value will actually be higher with a service dial.

I agree it looks like water damage, but I don't know if it's tritium.

I can't remember what it looked like exactly when I purchased the watch. It had just been serviced and the hands were replaced and I do remember the dial lume was dark and dead (not sure how dark). I don't think they mentioned water damage then and it was the factory that re-sealed it. Could moisture infiltrated over the last ten years while mostly in a drawer?

padders · May 30, 2023

I'm almost certain it would have been a tritium dial model. The white and blue dial, shiny bezel Bond style models were quite early and I think discontinued not long after the lume change, or even before. As such a service dial will be detectable by a future user but would be a big improvement in look and utility. Whether it would hurt the value is debatable though. It’s not the most collectible configuration as noted above.

You asked about the bezel insert. Assuming that insert is solid gold, and I think there weren't any plated ones used, then the replacement cost of the bezel assembly inc steel shell (they don't sell just the insert but that is the expensive bit being gold) is more than the value of the watch. I'm sorry to say that isn't a watch to buy as a doer upper, the cost of the repairs will very quickly exceed its value. It might be one to wear and enjoy as it is, though a careful going over with a cape cod cloth will bring the insert up nicely. That isn't all that bad and can probably be polished up well.

Donn Chambers · May 30, 2023

A couple of points. The hands have already been replaced with service hands, and they don’t match the dial. The lume is not that attractive.

Get a service dial and enjoy the watch.

WatchTimes · Jun 1, 2023

Service dial, keep the original

To re-dial or not to re-dial?

Rogerg

Dan S

Losi11

dsio

Tekashi_145.022

masteroftime

Rogerg

Mouse_at_Large

Dan S

Rogerg

padders

Donn Chambers

WatchTimes

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