Metal Dial Restoration

[DaveyG]

I have a very nice 12 Sz Illinois Mdl 410 (4477685) now in good condition and in a very nice case. The only outstanding issue is the metal dial which is very untidy. I have approached a dial restoration company here in the UK (there is effectively only one left that I know of) and they have quoted me a reasonable price to refinish the dial but they do not have a die with which to restore the Illinois logo. They tell me that if I pay a (quite large) sum they will have a die made which, after they have applied the lettering will be their property. Not happy with that option at all.

I can't figure out how to search on the forum since the revamp, and I have had to re-invent myself, I suspect as a consequence of the Intel chip debacle as this is not the only space from which I had disappeared. So, can anyone please advise of a dial restoration company in the USA who might have the wherewithal to re-finish this dial for me, complete with lettering.

many thanks

daveyG

 

[musicguy]

Welcome to the NAWCC forum, I would love to see a photo of your watch.
Refinishing can be more expensive than a particular watch is worth(but yours is a 23 jewel!!!), If it's
one that you like very much, or a family watch, or high grade like yours that is a great reason to have
it look like you want it to. For me, I'm personally not a big fan of refinishing modern(post 1900) watch dials.
That being said there are many here who I know would disagree with what
I just said. You may want to also look at other options like finding another dial.
I would look on ebay for a 12s dial they usually sell for less than $20.00(US Currency)
There are always broken movements, dials without movements for sale.

*****EDIT******
RE "I have had to re-invent myself" sorry I didn't read your post as carefully as I thought
I thought you were a new member.

Watch Dial Restoration and Repair | The Clockmaster
Watch Dial & Hand Refinishing | Carignan Watch Company | Belmont NH
Pocketwatch 101 - Pocket Watch Dials, Types and Materials Used, Part 1
Vintage and Mechanical Watch Dial Refinishing Services

and from the NAWCC
http://www.nawcc-index.net/Repair-CasesAndDials.php

Good luck
Rob

 

[DaveyG]

Hi Rob, and thanks for the warm welcome, although I've been here for around 15 yrs under another guise it's still good to feel at home.

Thanks also for the pointers to restoration, oh and I've just discovered the search function. The problem with trying to find a replacement dial is that the Mdl 410 has no seconds bit and, despite searching for a long time I haven't seen one for sale anywhere. As you say it is a nice quality watch and I feel that it's a shame to have the dial let the rest of the watch down.

thanks again

daveyG

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

Can you post a photo of the dial ?

 

[DaveyG]

Pictures as requested.

 

[4thdimension]

While many here regard the cleaning of metal dials as a "third rail" in my opinion this dial could be markedly improved by it. If you intend to have it refinished anyway why not give it a go? Swish it in basic jewelry cleaning solution for 10 seconds followed by a rinse in water and a blow dry. This sort of dial responds well to treatment and the metallic center area will glisten. -Cort

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

Dave, the reason your 410 doesn't have a seconds bit is because your 410 is a hunter movement no doubt cased as an open-face watch.

 

[DaveyG]

Certainly worth a try Cort although I think that there are areas where the finish on the chapter ring has either worn or oxidised back to base. However, nothing ventured .............

You are quite right Ethan and the extended pivot on the fourth has been properly reduced, by machine it looks like, with a very clean and precise cut. The pocket watch database shows several reports of these movements housed in open faced cases so I assume that this was done at the factory.

Thanks to all for your help.