The word "refinished" for dials ??

[astintrew]

does anyone know what is the meaning of refinished for wath dials?

i have always stumbled on this word in purchasing of watches

what does it exactly mean? and anyways to tell them apart?

[Dan Pierce]

As I understand it a refinished dial is one that's had it's face repainted w/ logos and indies possibly replaced.
It great diminishes the value of any watch.
dP

[astintrew]

thats pretty scary. how would i know if a watch is refnished?...any telltale signs?

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by astintrew

thats pretty scary. how would i know if a watch is refnished?...any telltale signs?

That is when you need to educate yourself on Rolex watches. That is what TRF is all about, education.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by astintrew

thats pretty scary. how would i know if a watch is refnished?...any telltale signs?

You will not have to worry with modern day dials, to refinish a dial is mostly in the vintage world.Now if a dial is badly damaged and say a very rare dial than cannot be replaced.Then the dial could be refinished which is very expensive if done correctly.Although it could take some value from a vintage watch,its better to restore a dial if its very badly damaged and cannot be replaced by a dial from the same period of time.Now we come the fake refinished dials again mainly vintage,like turning a white dial Sub or SD into a double red etc.Or putting extra fonts on dial to make out watch is say a Middle east Sultan dial with a coat of arms on dial.Now that type of refinishing is nothing more the fraud and these re-finishers should be roasted in hell..

[AWATCH]

A refinished dial is as already stated a dial that has been re coated, repainted, re plated and emblems and/or markers replaced. when repairng or restoring a watch one must decide whether the dial is reusable or if it is deteriorated where it just looks terrible. Sometimes a nice patina just looks good, sometimes it is so bad that one has no choice but to replace or refinish. In the case of vintage watches we sometimes have no choice as they are just no longer available. here is a picture of one of my vintage Omegas with a refinished dial done by International Dial...

[Safetrends]

[QUOTE=padi56;1674135]You will not have to worry with modern day dials, to refinish a dial is mostly in the vintage world.Now if a dial is badly damaged and say a very rare dial than cannot be replaced.Then the dial could be refinished which is very expensive if done correctly.Although it could take some value from a vintage watch,its better to restore a dial if its very badly damaged and cannot be replaced by a dial from the same period of time.Now we come the fake refinished dials again mainly vintage,like turning a white dial Sub or SD into a double red etc.Or putting extra fonts on dial to make out watch is say a Middle east Sultan dial with a coat of arms on dial.Now that type of refinishing is nothing more the fraud and these re-finishers should be roasted in hell..[/QUOTE]

X2

Do not forget Tulex dials.

[mcubed]

For obvious reasons, many collectors will stay away from a refinished dial, but for "regular people" it can be an good (sometimes the only) option to get a watch back to working condition.

When purchasing a watch, there is certainly nothing wrong with a refinished dial, as long as that is disclosed. It does not make the watch worthless or anything-nor to you need to necessarily "stay away from them". Especially if the watch is not particularly rare. A refinished dial "red sub" is not going to have anywhere near the value of an original, but if you are just looking for a reasonably priced Datejust or older "run of the mill" Sub, then you can take the discount and enjoy.

Refinished dials, just like any restoration, can be of varying quality from really awful to spectacular.

[Safetrends]

I am different, I want a Rolex that is all authentic, My Rolex 1601 DateJust dial was in poor shape and within 2 months I located an authentic Rolex dial exactly the same as mine and had it switched out.

[TheBluePrince]

Back when Tritium was used, it's relatively short half life (when it has a useful glow) meant that dials were often relumed.

[ParisDakarBmw]

If it's 50 years old, and still glows bright, something is abnormal. Look up Gilt dial threads, and redial threads here on TRF. You'll learn plenty.

[astintrew]

thanks for the replies guys...

as for a 1 6660 matt dial dwelller is there any reason to worry about refinished dials?

i heard some refinished dials have very thick lume indices..true?

and some dials are refinished in a way they do not glow anymore.(ie brown tritium or tritum and what not)

[TheBluePrince]

Yes, often when they were relumed it means the indices became thicker than normal.

I don't really see a problem with buying an old watch that had been relumed, if you still like the look if it. Also don't see a problem selling one like that as long as the seller is open about it. It was a normal, common practice for many years and shouldn't be confused with refinishing that is intended to alter the apppearance of the dial/watch to be something it is not.

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

If it's 50 years old, and still glows bright, something is abnormal. Look up Gilt dial threads, and redial threads here on TRF. You'll learn plenty.

Well it could be nuked if it glows after 50 years.

[PeteNYC13]

It's these threads that remind me over and over how much fun TRF is, I love learning this type of information.

Thanks guys!

-Pete