The watch restoration process has many different elements. From the repair of the intricate mechanism to case repairs and polishing, each area is its own specialisation. Dial restoration is one such area. We work with one of the leading dial restorers in the UK to restore a huge range of different watch dials – both modern and vintage – back to excellent condition.
Dial restoration may be required if a watch is, for example, water damaged. If water enters a watch it is not only bad news for the mechanism, but it will damage the dial too. Water can affect the dial lacquer, damage the lume and even the dial furniture (such as the batons used to indicate the hour).
To restore a watch dial, it is first photographed before it is stripped down and cleaned. The dial is matched up with a corresponding dial in an extensive library of dial plates. If an exact match is not available, it may be a very similar plate will still be acceptable. In most cases we are able to match the original dial typeface exactly – again, all thanks to a huge library and wealth of knowledge. We strive to restore the dial back to its original state and that includes every detail as close as we can get.
Once the dial is fully matched up, work on the surface of the dial itself begins. This is needed to remove any damage such as scratches or pitting. If the dial is very worn we may not be able to get rid of every imperfection, though we always achieve the best result we can without compromising the integrity of the dial.
Now it’s time for some colour – specifically the background colour. This is applied and our dial restorer can even apply specialist finishes such as sunburst and graining, depending on the dial in question. After this is done, the text can be added. We look for high levels of clarity and to match the original as closely as possible.
The hour markers – the batons or indexes – are also restored. Many different types exist, all of which require different cleaning and restoration methods. If your dial has luminous markers, these are applied – sympathetically and in keeping with the dial in question.
While we strive to achieve as close to the original finish as possible, there may still be slight differences. We will of course discuss these with clients before the work is conducted to make sure you are happy with the results. As experienced watchmakers we can also advise you if dial restoration is even appropriate for your watch. It may not be as obvious as you think – some watches may be devalued by dial restoration, especially if the watch in question is collectable.
Do you have a watch in need of dial restoration? Get in contact with us today to see how we can help. We offer a comprehensive range of watch repairs and accept repairs through our shops in Lewes and Uckfield, Sussex. Thanks to our fully insured, freepost repairs service we also serve clients based all around the UK. We are Business Partners of the British Horological Institute and holders of a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award – testament to our core principle of providing an excellent service for our clients.
Yours sincerely
David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA
Managing Director
W.E. Clark & Son Limited