5508 Dial Help Needed

[Caracal25]

I have a very nice 1959 5508 that is complete with the box, warranty paper, chrono certificate, anchor, receipts and tags that came with it new. It was only serviced once in 1966 and the dial and hands were replaced at that time. I've found an original dial and hand set that I'm considering as a replacement for the service parts. The set is going to cost between $10-12k and I'm trying to decide if it's the right move. My dial and hands now have great patina so it's not as if they look bad. I'm attaching some photos of the set I'm looking at, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Juhuatai]

No. Your service dial and handset look much better than the handset you're thinking of buying.

[reedzpainter]

A documented and honest 50+ year old service and the resulting parts from that era - this piece not only looks great but is the true story of this watch. A fortunate time to have a servicing as it looks like the watch wound up with a glossy gilt tritium dial; rare in its own right.

[Zhaodan920]

Your dial looks great, +1 to leaving it as is!

[fmc000]

Definitely keep what you have.

[Vincent65]

Leave it - the other one you're considering isn't appealing, IMHO; moudly-looking plots, hand-drag marks. And 10-12 grand? Erm....nah.

[/16610]

Would much rather have your more attractive dial and handset for the same money, let alone at 10 grand more.

As already said, it is an historically satisfying service replacement, part of the natural history of this watch.

Avoids any of the radium concerns too..