Dial Repair

[chris mabbott]

I’ve recently acquired a Waltham that has a horrible repair on the dial, looks like it was made with a soup spoon. I do have a replacement dial that is 98.87% correct (the numbers aren’t as bold as the original) but I would like to use the original as this pair has been together a long time and I loathe to ditch something that is repairable, or old in the antique sense.

Is there anyone here who practices this dark and forgotten art OR can recommend a reputable shop?

[david pierce]

Chris,
I think Mark Lovick (THE WATCH REPAIR CHANNEL) mentioned a service he uses in England to do his dial restoration. I cannot remember if it was in one of the videos or the comment section. In any case he answers comments in the comment section and if you ask him he can steer you in the proper direction. I don’t think that the art is forgotten but it requires some expensive equipment that would be unreasonable to invest in for a small number of dials. If you watch the Hamilton Watch Factory video on Youtube they show their dial making operation.
david

[chris mabbott]

Thanks David, I’ll check out Mark’s channel and drop him a line..

Here’s the victim, and although it isn’t a HUUUGE thing, but to me, it feels like a spotlight on a dark stage. I think that even I could do a better “patch job”. I mean beige on white, really 🙄

[david pierce]

Holy mainspring, it looks like it was patched up with chewing gum.
david

[chris mabbott]

😆 My first thought was everyone’s bestest friend in the WHOOOLE wide world…. Bathroom grade silicon in public toilet yellow 😆 cause’ using silicon means never having to say…… Sorry.

[david pierce]

Chris,
As I am sure you already guessed the dial was cracked because somone tried to gorilla the dial off of the watch with a crow bar and sledge hammer. Once acomplished, the next logical step was to patch up the damage with toilet putty.
david

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