replacing a dial?

[hitokirishinji]

Hi folks,

New to the forum here. I'm a long time horophile but just recently started to appreciate rolex a bit more when I snapped up a Tudor Submariner and my grandmother's old oyster perpetual was given to me.

Anyways this old watch from my grandmother is in rough shape. It has a cracked crystal, discolored dial and isn't winding. I took to a reputable watchmaker in the area who has a Rolex parts account. He suggested I either leave the dial as is or search for a used replacement part.

Would replacing this dial turn it into a "fraken" watch in most collectors opinion? Should I just leave the discolored dial in? It's a 6917 26 mm. Sorry for the terrible picture quality.

[crowncollection]

It would not effect value on that particular model it would likely increase value IMHO

[linesiders]

Let's see the Tudor sub ')

Finding a suitable factory ladies dial for that piece would be fine.

[hitokirishinji]

Turns out the movement looks pretty solid so it's not as in bad shape as I assumed.

[hitokirishinji]

Oops forgot to attach the pictures.

[hitokirishinji]

Here's a picture of the Tudor. When I get it back I'll post a few more. it's a 75090 midsize with a sapphire glass. Still looks great and will be running well when it comes back from service.

[R.W.T.]

The good thing is all those dials interchange. They are all without feet and snap over...so 1161 2035 2135 will fit.

What type of dial are you looking for I have several.

[eightbore]

For a "family watch" I would absolutely leave the dial as-is and enjoy the character. Of course, replace the crystal and give it a full service. If one wasn't too concerned about value (as an heirloom piece) you might even have the bracelet stretch fixed (if any).

[hitokirishinji]

I would probably be looking for a replacement dial as close as possible to the original. I know it's hard to tell but it's actually a blue dial with gold markers.

It's unclear how the watch was damaged but we suspect it was water damage from firefighters. The watch was in a tragic house fire.

[motoikkyu]

As others have said, it only really becomes a factor when the watch is worn or sold. If you purchase a year-appropriate dial on the secondary market, you don't have to give up your original dial. It's a relatively easy operation for most watchmakers to switch the dial. If the replacement dial is year/model appropriate, I personally would NOT consider it an act of "frankenification".

[Lgear080]

That watch would be great to send to mike young. A fresh authentic dial can be had for $100, and a band repair is mandatory.

[hitokirishinji]

Any advice on authenticating dials? I see a lot of them online but I don't know if there's a way to verify a genuine rolex dial from that time period.

I'm not planning to sell it really but rather give it to my mother since it was her mother's watch. Eventually it may come to my wife when the time comes.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by hitokirishinji

I would probably be looking for a replacement dial as close as possible to the original. I know it's hard to tell but it's actually a blue dial with gold markers.

It's unclear how the watch was damaged but we suspect it was water damage from firefighters. The watch was in a tragic house fire.

Hi, let me check and see what we have. We have a lot of take off dials from the 70's 80's. Dials are up the road a few miles at the shop I won't get there till later in the week.

I can also service that watch for you and install the dial or just sell the dial to you either way.

I probably have a good hands as well.

[JohnBaker3]

Replacing a dial on a Ladies Datejust is pretty straight forward.

My wife's 69173 came with a dark blue/purple dial that seemed somewhat gloomy and dated....

Tracked down a nice Champagne Drapery Dial plus a diamond bezel; I'm happy and she's estatic....

Only took my watchmaker about 20 minutes for the whole change-over.

Life is good....

[Lgear080]

Just post some off Ebay and we will tell you what is legit. Most mother of pearls
Are not as a rule of thumb. The bracelet is wasted unless you send it to mike.
Anyone else can handle the head, dial, acrylic and service.

[hitokirishinji]

I came across this one on ebay. Does this look legit at all? Does it look appropriate with the watch?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Ladies...item4adc22a2af