Why and How to Avoid a Vintage Watch That Has Had the Dial Restored
Sometimes cleaner and serviced is not always better.
When it comes to purchasing your next vintage watch, there are tons of things to look out for. Obviously included artifacts like certificates, original boxes, bands and receipts are all desired, but when it comes to the watch face itself, most prefer a watch dial that has been kept as original as possible, even if it includes a fair bit of patina. Horology expert site HODINKEE breaks down the four tips on how to spot a “redial”; that is, a watch that has had the dial refinished by a third-party. The advice given includes checking the consistency of the watch dial’s print (as redials are typically done by hand), the use of incorrect fonts and designs for logos, consistency in the luminescent elements (for example between the hours and the hands) and even simple errors and omissions that can be found on the tachymeter or the dial’s rear casing. The article states that while a redial may appear to be cleaner and more functional, an all-original Rolex can fetch up to as much as four times the price of a similar but re-lumed version of the same watch at auction.
Educate yourself with the full article found here and learn more about watch collecting before you pick up your next vintage timepiece.
