Watchmakers - Dial Restoration

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Hello Omega Forums!


I was wondering if there was a list of good and respected watchmakers who offer Dial restoration services. I know there are hundreds of watchmakers who can restore a bracelet, case, movement, and crystal. But only a few can do good work on Dials.

I have put a list, please help me with your recommendations.

•Classic Watch Repair (Hong Kong) (http://www.classicwatchrepair.com/english/dial-restoration)
•Roberto Tarabella Watchmaker (Italy) (https://www.instagram.com/roberto.tarabella_watchmaker)
•C&F Dial Restoration (England) (https://www.watchdialrestoration.co.uk/asp-pages/dial-restoration-gallery.asp)
•LA Watchworks (Los Angeles, CA USA) (http://www.lawatchworks.com/service.html)
 
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Looking at their examples, some are quite good, some are just plain wrong and sloppy.

Agree, the example below is odd because it went from No Date -to- Date.
What impressed me was the quality on the Pie Pan figure. Is very hard to keep it in the restoration process.


Source: C&F Dial Restoration
 
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Roberto Tarabella seems to be well-recognised and pretty skilled in dial restoration and relume work as I just recently found out.
Here you can see an example of a SM 300 he relumed: https://omegaforums.net/threads/roberto-tarabella-and-advice-on-relume.104158/

I have seen that one, the only problem is that there is no "Before" photo to adequately compare. I checked his social media accounts and I have not been able to find Before/After photos.
 
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Updated List (11/13/2019)

•Classic Watch Repair (Hong Kong) (http://www.classicwatchrepair.com/english/dial-restoration)
•Roberto Tarabella Watchmaker (Italy) (https://www.instagram.com/roberto.tarabella_watchmaker)
•C&F Dial Restoration (England) (https://www.watchdialrestoration.co.uk/asp-pages/dial-restoration-gallery.asp)
•LA Watchworks (Los Angeles, CA USA) (http://www.lawatchworks.com/service.html)
•Rene (Germany) (https://www.instagram.com/of_golden_times)
•Aldo (Italy) (http://www.milwatchmaker.com/lavori.php?lavoro=lavoro8)
 
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I think they are pretty impressive! I know that the Electron-Microscope-Brigade will pretend to find fault but I' happily wear one of those.

The trouble is, how much do those dials cost? How many of them cost more than the whole watch is worth?
 
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I think they are pretty impressive! I know that the Electron-Microscope-Brigade will pretend to find fault but I' happily wear one of those.

The trouble is, how much do those dials cost? How many of them cost more than the whole watch is worth?

I think somebody planning to resell his/her watch in the near future should not send the dial to go through this process. Is expensive, it starts at around 120 Euros, and it can go up to 500 Euros.

This work should be done only by someone who plans to keep the watch for a very longtime or is not worth it.
 
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I have used C&F in Norwhich on about 6 occasions and the quality of the work is impresive, I say the rather the theirs because the actual clean and reprint is done in Italy hence the rather long wait. I have one with them at the moment,
 
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this one of C&F reprints from about 2 years ago from my collection case
I have used C&F in Norwhich on about 6 occasions and the quality of the work is impresive, I say the rather the theirs because the actual clean and reprint is done in Italy hence the rather long wait. I have one with them at the moment,
 
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this one of C&F reprints from about 2 years ago from my collection case

Thank you for sharing! Beautiful work.

I send them an email, but I have received not reply.
 
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I'm sorry , but it's not what I would expect for a redial.
You can see here that white paint is partially covering index and black is blurry.

Personally, I would expect something better for a redial.
 
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Sorry for the muliple photos - my shakey hands
Well edit and delete them then!! Instead of effectively blocking this useful thread
 
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Well edit and delete them then!! Instead of effectively blocking this useful thread
Take a chill pill. The presence of multiple photos doesn't disable a scroll bar.
 
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I'm sorry , but it's not what I would expect for a redial.
You can see here that white paint is partially covering index and black is blurry.

Personally, I would expect something better for a redial.

I concur - poor example...
 
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Does anyone have any recommendations for dress watches?

I recently acquired an Omega Centenary that needs its lacquer removed and part of the minute track restored/reprinted. (Pictures below)
However, information on non-sports watch dial restorations is rather sparse. Desmond's recommended dial re-lacquerer no longer offers the service anymore, so I'm curious if anyone has any personal experience with a watchmaker who has done this type of restoration.