Count me in.... as a fan of International Dial. After someone posted a thread about their work, I thought I'd send a dial in as well.

I bought a nice 18sz, 21J Bunn Special at the Sunshine Regional. I was attracted to it because it was one of those wonderful two-tones, with a ring of gold-flash right in the middle of the movement.

But... everything else? The case is well worn. But...hey.... I have decent Silveroid or Coin cases that I can use! But the dial. It looked like it was "gone." And, Illinois dials do not come easy or cheap. If this might be "proper" maybe it was worth cleaning up.

I got the dial back today, after about 1 week. The total cost, including postage was a most reasonable $25.00. Excuse the photos. Take my word that the color match is right. The dial was and still is a light cream, rather than the stark-white of porcelain.

Yes... I can tell that the outside numbers are a bit changed as to font but... overall... I think I got my money's worth.

BRAVO!!

Like I told you, it's 'feast or famine' for those folks! When they do the job, though, it's usually a pretty good job!

Looks good to me!

HIGH regards! Mark

Peter,
This is hard but, to be honest, I think the job looks worse than most 25 dollar repro dials. Compare the 4 and 5 side by side with the original and you might agree that the redial does not compare; the correct period and style have been lost. I would've suggested the dial be cleaned in a jewelry dip, rinsed and dried and let the small flaws exist.
It pains me to say this but it is what I think.
-Cort

Cort.... I appreciate your honesty and I've been in exactly the same situation. I post to get honest opinions... not praise.

I was aware, from the beginning, that they did not hit the proper font style on the 5-minute markers. But... I basically considered the dial a hockey-puke anyway.

Perhaps it's worth a phone call to them to find out why they made the choices they did. Perhaps, I was not clear enough in my instructions.

To clarify my post....I understood from our discussions that Peter was just looking for something to put on his watch that would 'serve the purpose', and not necessarily match the original exactly.

In my dealing with this company, they've come close, but on my Dad's Lipton/Rolex wristwatch dial, they left half the job undone, so I advised Peter to be forewarned.

I still think for what he told me he was after (or at least what I thought I understood him to want), they did an acceptable job. If you ARE wanting a dead match, I totally agree with the others. You need to call them, forward a copy of the photo, and find out why they did what they did.

I'm sure most of the time (if not ALL the time) they're thinking 'heck, they won't remember what it looked originally liked like, unless they took a picture!'

In this case, you did!

Regards! Mark

I'm not so concerned about $25.00. I still think that what I got is well-worth the $25.00 I paid and.... I considered that dial a hockey-puck when I bought it.

I WILL check my correspondence with them. Perhaps *I* was unclear in my directions.

Of course, they had the original dial, which is the best example of it's original condition. I wrote a letter which I sent with the dial. That letter is back at my primary residence. Until I review that letter and see my exact instructions, I cannot fault them for the result.

To Mark: I've talked about the watch database that I began with my SECOND watch purchase. Every watch gets "logged-in" as soon as practicable and such information as price, seller, eBay number (if applicable) and original description is recorded. Then, at least 3 photos are taken and stored. Every new cirumstance is recorded in the notes section and when the watch is finished, a series of at least 6 photos are taken (for open face) and more if necessary. I spend almost as much time recording information and photographing each watch as in servicing them. With such tools as computers and digital cameras, I can't see the downside. In fact, I seldom know all the flaws of a given watch until I see the photos.

Criminy, Peter! I'm proud of myself when I remember to write down the serial number of any new acquisition! Your process is fantastic!!

HIGH regards! Mark

I'm the same way, Mark but....

I've collected (other things) before and I know how quickly memories fade, pieces of paper get misplaced and how confusion soon prevails.

The software, I use is a generic "collector" database called "Omni-File," by a gentleman named Brian Plexico. It's generic, in that, the fields are already set-up but you can label them yourself and customize everything for your particular collection.

Then, there is a tab for photos. Each watch gets a separate photo-file that is numbered to the number of the watch... assigned at aquisition. Then the software allows me to access the photos from the "page" of that particular warch. Another tab contains my daily work-notes. Another tab, allows you to email watch-descriptions and photos and yet another tab allows you to list the item on eBay!

Each of my watches has a "dum-bell" label. I like them because the portion that contacts the bow is reinforced and has no gum. I hate the string-labels because they tangle. Picking up a watch risks lifting another one and having it drop. The label carries the "acquistion number." So, within a moment, I can access every bit of information on that watch.

I have two homes but I "synch" my two computers every time I travel. I have a cheapo, 1gig jump-drive for that.

This software costs $20-25.00 and is a tremendous bargain. Brian is actually available too... in case you need help!

Peter the dial looks good too me a big improvement i think..

Here is a picture of 4 dials a 16 & 18 size elgin a illinois 18 size and a waltham 18 size ,the way there are now they would not look good on a watch but spend 25.00 for a refinish and you would have a nice looking dial.

Talking to a friend today, I was told that International has the original "dies" (or whatever it is) for refinishing Hamilton, Elgin, Waltham, etc., but does not have them for Illinois. I'm told that if one were to send in one of those other dials, they'd have better luck.