Hi
I'd appreciate some advice. I am lucky enough to own a Dudley model 2 masonic pocket watch, unfortunately the dial has a couple of hairlines, I also have a pristine dial from a model 3 featuring the masonic working tools.
Should I leave the original dial or replace it with the clean one from the model 3.
Advice would be appreciated
regards
Gerald

Hi Gerald,

Welcome to IHC 185, great to see another 'Brit' posting here (sorry I missed your earlier post regarding masonic clocks!).

If you can post a few photo's, I'm sure it will help draw some valuable advice!

A friend of mine in the UK also collects Masonic watches, I'm sure he'd be interested in seeing your prized timepiece, might even sway him to join up here

Best regards

John

Hi John
I'm taking your advice and posting some pictures of my Dudley watch.
I hope your friend with the collection of Masonic watches does join up, I would be most interested to see/hear about them
regards Gerald

Haven't quite got the hang of uploading several pictures so I will post the individually
regards Gerald

another Dudley picture

Should I replace the original dial with this one
Gerald

Hi guys and gals,

Original is preferred but to me correct is the key. I would have no problem with putting a non original model 2 dial salvaged from another model 2 dudley on your watch. Incorrect movements and dials eventualy become the subject of future collectors confusion and then we start hearing all the "transitional" stories and special order nonsense.

happy hunting,

Bill Kapp

I love to take my watches out and look at them and show them to my guests (non watch people). So maybe if you changed the dial out to please yourself or friends who wouldn't know the difference anyway, keep the original one so as you can always put it back to its original condition when and if the situation should arrise. I would have no problem with that.

Steve

Gerald
A watch like your Dudley sells for several thousand dollars I think you will find an incorrect dial could hurt the resale value of the watch among more knowldgeable collectors.

Maybe once or twice a year a Dudley dial shows up on Ebay. My suggestion is that if it is correct bite the bullet.

Bob

Thanks for all the advice, I think I will go with the majority view and keep the original dial in place and keep the new/old dial for a 'rainy day'
regards
Gerald

WOW!!!!! If I had known it was that valuable I wouldn't mess with it either. What is the other dial worth?

Steve

I bought the masonic emblem dial, which as far as I can see is a genuine Dudley, on ebay, I paid $120 for it which I think is probably about right
regards

If you are worried about the appearance of the original dial, "greasy dirt" will disppear by gently cleaning with a soft bristle toothbrush in a mild detergent solution of warm water. Of course after removing the dial from the watch. That dial is too valuable to try any polishiong compounds which can instantly spoil it.

Thanks for the tip David, I'll give it a try, it sounds a much better bet than the pastry dough suggested by a friend

regards