Vintage watch 1954 ref 6205

[6205 RP]

I finally save up enough to get my watch serviced and a new dial put in (not original as far as I know). I received the watch from my grandmother after my grandfather passed. I was hoping someone could give me advise. Ref 6205

1. How much should I expect to pay for this to be done
2. Should I get the hands refurbished, replaced or do nothing
3. After the work is done how much should it be worth (insurance reasons)

Thanks for the help, I a new to vintage watches

[Dr.Smellody]

Very cool.

As you suspect, the dial was poorly refinished. The purists around here will have all kinds of issues.

What you have going for you is:
*Original bezel (appears)
*original hands

I have a 54' 6205 as well. I purchased it with a refinished dial. I could not justify $7k to $30k for an original dial.

I had my refinished dial "refinished."



Before the peanut gallery chimes in, it is not a fake dial, it is not a Franken watch. It is a 66 year old watches that someone spent $10 with a service to keep their ROLEX on their wrist 60 years ago. I'd estimate 90% of these watches have had their dials refinished.

The original dials (all 20-50 of them) in their watches are valuable. Pieces.

I'd wear it as is and enjoy it!

[Dr.Smellody]

Oh, to answer your question about your hands... leave them be!

[offrdmania]

OP. I would leave it as be and only have the dial redone and service to the movement. Phillip Ridley comes to mind for the service.
Most likely it is the original dial but with a poor repaint, probably done decades ago.
Instead of spending possibly 10s of thousands to replace the dial, have yours repainted to a period correct style and enjoy the watch. The hands look original, the insert looks original (from the picture we can see)
Do not replace the hands or bezel insert as they are a big chunk of the watches value and do not polish the case unless there is significant damage.

Please post some more detailed pics for us to evaluate more.

[HERITAGE82]

I’d leave it as is and service the movement only. It’s real and actually shows the story if it’s life.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

I’d leave it as is and service the movement only. It’s real and actually shows the story if it’s life.

OP: Good advice, I would do exactly the same!
Btw, welcome to the forum!

[6205 RP]

Thanks for the advise, see attached for attentional pictures.

[vintagewatch]

I'm in a similar situation, although with a 6204. I acquired the 6204 about 25 years ago, also with a poorly redone dial, incorrect bezel insert, and replacement hands. I tried to acquire a period correct replacement dial to no avail, all the period correct dials I encountered would have cost 10x plus what I paid for the watch. The watch remains unchanged.

[interestedwatcher]

Cool story, enjoy it as it sits after a service !

[1watch]

Since it was your grandfather’s, it has sentimental value as is. The insert alone is very rare and valuable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[offrdmania]

Looks like it still has its original crown as well which you want to save if possible.