I need a better understanding of how the dial refinishing process works. I've been advised to use International Dial Co. to do the job. I have two questions about how to deal with them, but any other advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated, and I'm getting ready to do this for the first time. I need to send them at least half a dozen dials.
First, I need clarification on what you can ask them to do. Let's say you have a great case but the dial has already been refinished and it's all wrong. I mean everything about it is way wrong--background color, number placement, number style, you name it. Can you ask International to wipe it clean and do it the way it should have been done, or will International only pretty up what's already there?
Second, assuming you can get International to radically change what's already there, how do you tell them what you want? Can you simply say, I want an authentic 1930 Sky King dial, or do you send a picture, or do you provide a detailed written description of each aspect of what you want, e.g., background color and style, numbering style, etc.?
Nova, Have you visited their website yet? If not here's the link http://www.internationaldialco.com/Pages/Public/Default.aspx
They encourge you to call and speak with them about what you want done. From what I have heard they are the best place to get this service done in the U.S.
Bob B
In reply to Nova, Have you visited their by Bob Bruno
They are the only ones I have personally used, but Scott has used others who do a better job on some dials but are considerably more expensive. Some of the Butler finish dials that come back from international leave a bit to be desired, and I have had two or three that have tarnished within weeks of being fitted.
Having said that, they will refinish an average Bulova dial for less than $30 which I think is amazing value, and if you have a problem they have no hesitation in putting it right.
So don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to continue using them but if it's a very special watch it might just be worth having a look round.
I had a dial refinished when I first started collecting last year. I didn't deal directly with the refinishing Co. Went through a third party here in Chicago. They never told me who did the job, but said this was the only Co. they would use for a redial job. I suspect it was IDC. Thy charged me 300.00 dollars for the redial which I thought was reasonable at the time. Well after a year of learning about collecting and restoring vintage watches I realize I could have had IDC do the job for me myself for about 30 or 40 dollars. I guess the best lessons in life are learned the hard way sometimes.
Bob B
Dial refinishing is exactly that. - The original finish is completely removed and a new finish applied.
Only refinish as a last resort, for a Watch to be considered 'Mint' by a Collector the Dial finish must be original. As Bob has probably mentioned a vintage Dial showing even age patina adds character and is more desirable than a refinished.
Once You register with Int Dial Co they will send pricing information via mail and an envelope to send the Dial in. Dial tins are recommended but not necessary.
Registering with them should be Your initial step and will allow You to keep record of Your orders online.
Kirk Dial is very good also.
In reply to Dial refinishing is exactly by FifthAvenueRes…
That's good to know, as I did register with them the other day but didn't know they would be sending me something in the mail. Their Web site could be a whole lot more informative.
Also, knowing that they completely remove the old dial is helpful. That means I can have some of these terrible refurbs corrected.
When you send a dial to International, how do you tell them what you want? Do you just give them a year and a model name, and then they know what to do? Do you send a picture? Give specific details about each aspect of the job?
As for not refinishing original dials, I do get what you're saying. Some of the old dials, however, are so bad that I don't see how the watch could be considered "mint". Original, yes, but mint? Doesn't the old dial have to be in great condition to achieve that rating? Also, it seems like the really good refurb jobs are the ones that sell for top dollar on the Bay. I watched some go yesterday for $400+, and they were definitely refurbs.
In reply to That's good to know, as I did by NOVA
'refinish to original' is all You need to tell them Nova, they have the plates.
'Mint' is a judgement call and no it does not have to be perfect. The dial can show wear endictive of age but no scratches or stains.
Obviously a Mint 1976 Dial is not going to be in the same condition appearancewise as a Mint 1926 Dial as there is 50 Years age difference.
In reply to That's good to know, as I did by NOVA
Can of worms woman! haha.. it's a matter of prefrence. Some guys like them refurbed so they look new.... other purists want the look and feel of it's age... anything else is blasphemy and you've ruined the watch! I'm somewhere in the middle... if it looks like crapola then I say redial... if it's older but still correct and functional... passable.. meh.. keep it. Though I like the refurb look myself.
Oh and if you send them the whole watch they'll charge you and extra 30 bucks to take the dial off and replace it. I haven't done it myself but I'd like to figure out how to take the dials off so I can just send them in by themselves.
In reply to Can of worms woman! haha.. by plainsmen
In reply to Dial refinishing is not a by FifthAvenueRes…
Haha... of course so you can't be in the "hardcore Collectors circle" unless you believe that way. I see... I should really get that rulebook on collecting Bulova's. Were do I find that anyway? Heh... to each his own brutha! I like the look of a fresh dial as opposed to an old nasty one.
Heck.. I've seen you put fresh dials on refurbs such as your Senator cased Spencer... so in your opinion that watch having a new dial wouldn't be orginal to the watch... therefore could never be mint eh?
Interesting...
Yes I know exactly what you mean. I tried to get cases and dials re done here in the UK and they wanted so much to do them. Friend of mine took a little modern ladies watch into a local jewelers to have a new battery and crystal fitted, they insisted it had to have a service as well or they wouldn't touch it and they only wanted £350 to do it. It took me all of ten minutes to fit a $3 crystal and a battery.
Makes yer think!!!
I'll ask Scott who he uses when it's not International, he has told me but I don't remember.
Just write your instructions on the envelope and they will do the rest. I've always sent in dials that were worn, but original, and assumed that they would refinished it based on that. So I'm not sure if you sending something that's already wrong will affect the final product.
In the past I've sent a couple that did not have much of the original numbering left, so I included a picture of an original and my color selection. I received back exactly what I wanted.
Also, they used to send you a sampler of all their colors, which consisted of small disks painted in the different colors. I don't know if they do that anymore.
I hope this helps.
Cuad