Watchmaker damage

Happened to me, experience was much different. The watchmaker was up front and honest about it, gave me options, and the remedy was satisfactory to me and them. I sold it many years later and have moved on from vintage because I don't have the time to find ones that I want, analyze every listing and then steward it along. I also like how newer watches look and I like wearing my watches. It's good that you've decided to just carry on as it would lkkely just get uglier and more frustrating.

Agreed! If I can’t get a stress free service, worrying about permanent dial damage, then I’m probably out of the vintage game.

I honestly do not understand how that should happen. Even as a hobbyist, I have removed over 100 dials and even more sets of hands, and I have never caused even a minor scratch to a dial.

I would guess that if the hands are insanely tight or heavily corroded or rusted, you might need more force than usual to remove them, which could leave a mark. But under normal circumstances, even when using inexpensive tools, by applying the expected amount of care, there should be no damage whatsoever to the dial at any stage of a service. At least that is my opinion.

That watchmaker’s behavior was unprofessional, and I also would not have sent him the watch anymore, especially after the “call me Mister” nonsense.