Dial refinishing

[Edward Pellew]

I am sure there are other threads here concerning dial refinishing but I cannot find anything too current, so I’ll ask . . .

Can anyone recommend a dial refinisher qualified to correct the dial on my vintage 6305/2?

I like the watch but the dial had been done by the previous keeper and the result was diabolical.

If I can get the dial sorted I’ll wear the watch occasionally.

Thank you.

[Dan S]

Unfortunate, that's a special reference. TBH, I don't know of any dial refinisher that does work I'd find satisfactory. In your place, I would be scouring the world for replacement dials.

[offrdmania]

The odds of finding a replacement dial in good condition will be nearly impossible.

https://www.watchrepair.cc/mechanica...finishing.html

I had Terry do some work for me a few years back on a watch that I inherited. He specializes in the early stuff and is familiar with these older dials. Its a bit pricey ($500-700) but they do amazing work.

The dial wont look perfect (by todays standards) but it will look as it should have been originally. The older dials were screen printed by hand, one at a time and each line of text, minute track, etc. was a separate screen. Even when new, they weren't perfect. Sometimes angles were off, text didn't get enough ink so it was filled in by hand. These dials weren't printed by precise machines like they are today. There is a degree of error which makes then unique to the time.

[TuRo]

They are rare, but have seen a couple pop on on eBay last few years.

Here's one (not had time to check it), and clearly less than perfect with hand shadow (which practically disappears if you leave in shaded, but light area so the Ozone/ UV can do it's magic for 1-2 yrs I've found on a couple of pieces)

1950s Vintage Rolex Datejust Ovettone Bubbleback 6305 Dial. ... in United Kingdom https://search.app/1Bf5H7tYWygYEZKM6

[502 to Right]

Nm

[one80]

There are some people that will be able to refinish to its original quality (or extremely close to), but would not expect the price to be small.
Just depends on how much you are willing to spend...

[omar-rye]

Mind sharing a pic of the dial’s current state?

[PaulMiami]

I had a badly damaged dial on a family heirloom 5513 gilt that Rik Dietel of www.timecareinc.com sent to “his dial refinished” in London. Six months and $3,000 later the dial came back like a NOS 5513 gilt, other than that the lume is not fluorescent. This is truly a gilt dial using the original Rolex Singer process, etching the letters into the black, almost chocolate, enamel, so the brass plate shines through in a gold tone, clearly Not painted on. You can find photos if you search my prior posts, although they don’t do justice to how crisp the dial is in person. That was back in 2017, I suspect it’s more expensive now.