Everything you need to Dial Refinishing
Discover how watch dial refinishing can breathe new life into your timepiece, transforming it from worn to wow with expert techniques and personalized artistry.
The Ultimate Guide to Dial Refinishing
Exploring Everything You Need to Know About Refinishing Your Dial
The watch dial is one of the most prominent and visually captivating elements of your timepiece. Even for those new to the world of watches, the dial is often the first feature that catches the eye, playing a major role in the overall aesthetic of the piece. In fact, many watch enthusiasts base their purchase decisions entirely on the dial’s design and condition.
What is a Watch Dial?
The watch dial remains one of the most noticeable features when it comes to the overall look of your watch. It is essentially the plate of the watch face, where the time is displayed.
Watches can have a single dial or a main dial with multiple subdials. Main dials display the time, providing a backdrop for the indices (brand logos, hour markers, etc.) while the subdials tend to display intricacies like the date, seconds, or chronograph readout.
Just like every other part of your watch, your watch dial can experience wear and tear. Watch dials can also fade due to use and exposure, not to mention get exposed to environmental contaminants like dust and debris.
Watch Dial Figures
Did you know there are two main types of figures that we work with when refinishing dials? There are applied figures and embossed figures that complement the design of your watch’s face, whether they are numbers, indices, logos, or any type of markers.
The dial featured in the photo has both applied figures (its numbers) and embossed markers (the track, logo, and subdial)!
Applied figures are its own individual and separate pieces usually made of metal that are attached to the dial by its “feet” being affixed through holes made through the dial itself. The protruding feet of the figures are ground down, and sometimes glued, and flattened to flush with the dial to not only secure its position, but to not interfere with the watch’s movement as well.
When we refinish dials that have applied figures, we make sure to remove each one to thoroughly clean and polish before attaching them back on to the refinished dial.
Embossed figures are these same markings, but that were already formed with the original blank dial usually using pressure, molds, and even engraving. In general, these embossed figures are not raised as high as the applied figures, and can even look like they were stamped on with ink.
When we refinish dials with embossed figures, we have to be extra careful with polishing and sanding on top of our already meticulous process to ensure the raised design of the metal does not lose its fine texture.
What Is Dial Refinishing?
Dial refinishing is an extremely technical and detail-oriented craft as it is a process to perfectly restore the dial back to its original design.
It’s important to consider your desired outcome for the dial and whether or not you would have any special requests regarding color, font, or style.
However, most watchmakers are not capable of performing dial refinishing. Since this craft is very unique and requires a specific skill-set and equipment, dials are usually sent out to dial refinishing experts, like Kirk Rich Dial!
When Should Someone Get their Dial Refinished?
Refinishing a watch dial is a completely subjective process. There are two different schools of thought regarding watch dial restoration. The value is always up to the owner of the watch or a customer who wants to buy it.
Some may like collecting vintage pieces that have patina, and there are others who like wearing a watch with a pristine dial on their wrist.
For example, some may have a heirloom piece that they want to be restored (which remains valuable to them on a sentimental level) and there are those who want to refinish dials to resell (which can increase in value to those who want a new-looking watch and appreciate the restoration process as a whole).
Returning clients, including individuals, watchmakers, and brand-name manufacturers, have trusted the work of Kirk Rich Dial since 1926. Despite the fact that most of their clients are knowledgeable and quite well-versed in watches, they will always let them know if they think that a dial shouldn’t be completely restored and provide advice on next steps. Both of our teams respect all decisions made by the owner regardless of what they decide.
Examples of Dial Refinishing by Kirk Rich Dial
What Damage Should I Look Out For On My Watch Dial?
At the end of the day, your dial restoration is up to your individual and personal preference. If you’re wondering when you should look into dial restoration, take a good look at the timepiece in question. When your watch dial is looking past its prime due to age or damage, it’s a great time to consider dial refinishing/restoration. Look closely to see if there is any sun or water damage, not to mention scratches and other blemishes from use.
If you have any questions about your watch dial, you can always contact our experts for more information.
Dial Refinishing Myths: Debunked
There are many concerns about refinishing your watch dial, but rest-assured that we have the answers to your questions!
Dial Manufacturing
Refinishing a watch dial does not mean a new dial is being manufactured.
The process of refinishing a dial means taking the watch’s original dial and restoring it back to its pristine condition. This means a new dial was not created nor manufactured. If the damage or corrosion on a dial is very minimal, refinishing is the best option if the owner of the watch does not want to manufacture a new one.
However, should there be a need to create a new dial from scratch, Kirk Rich Dial has the capabilities to manufacture a new genuine dial. Using laser engraving technology, a new dial template for its print can also be made if not already available due to the age and history of the piece.
Other Common Concerns
Is My Watch Dial No Longer Genuine or Now Fake?
Refinishing a genuine dial does not mean the dial becomes fake. The dial refinishing process with Kirk Rich Dial is how genuine watch restorations are implemented with a watch’s original dial. Returning clients, including individuals, watchmakers, and brand-name manufacturers, have trusted the work of Kirk Rich Dial for nearly a century now. Even until this day, brand-name manufacturers reach out to Kirk Rich Dial to refinish their dials!
Is My Watch Still Going to Be Considered “Swiss Made?”
When a dial is labelled “Swiss Made,” that means that there is a Swiss movement inside the watch. Dials are the face of the watch and represent the proper mechanism. Although that dial refinishing means that the “Swiss Made” text on the dial will be reprinted, this statement is still correct as this does not change the Swiss-Made-Movement.
Should I Keep the Patina On My Watch Dial?
To reiterate, keeping your dial’s patina or refinishing your watch dial is completely subjective. Some prefer to keep the rust and corrosion of the dial, however, there are those who prefer to completely refinish it to retain its value. It is just a matter of the customer’s preference! One simply cannot find another vintage dial in its original condition to “replace” it, so those who want to restore a watch dial go through this process. If you would like to keep your original dial as is, you can always get a new genuine dial manufactured by Kirk Rich Dial.
“This is marvelous. But there is something I’ll never get. If I try to sell a watch I can call the damage on it a very nice and novel patina, but if I try to sell a 65 Mustang that is all banged up, people will look at me crazy if I call it patina. To each their own.”
– Review on Kirk Rich Dial
Dial Refinishing: The Step-by-Step Process
What Does Each Step in the Dial Refinishing Process Entail?
Each and every watch dial is treated as a separate case because the history and condition of each dial can differ greatly from one dial to another. Therefore, the process of restoring each dial is unique. However, here are some general steps that are taken in the dial refinishing process:
- Cleaning and Refinishing: The dial is then cleaned and refinished by removing scripts and figures from the dial as well as unwanted dirt and debris.
- Color/Two-Tone: Next, color or two-tone is applied based on request, followed by brushing and metal plating application. This should be done as many times as needed to achieve the desired outcome. Depending upon your own preference, a lacquer is added to give the dial a shiny new finish.
- Pad Printing: Printing is next in the dial refinishing process, which entails applying a given template and die, applying luminous, then drying the watch — preferably under a specialized heat lamp. After the proper die, lettering, and logos are added, the watch dial is ready for finishing.
- Dial Refinishing Final Touches: Final touches include reattachment of figures to the dial face — once applied each should be painted with luminous. Pay close attention to the movement here. If you have a new movement in the watch, new dial feet may be necessary.
In the end, refinished dials always go through quality assurance checks by both our team and the owner of the dial to see if any changes needed to be made, redone, or improved. We will always respect the needs of our customer and try our best to get exactly what the customer desires. Even if we send out the dial and the customer isn’t happy, we’re always glad to take it back and redo it for them.
Reviving the Art of Dial Refinishing
Our Official Partnership with Kirk Rich Dial
In 2022, Kirk Rich Dial Corporation and My Jewelry Repair announced a formal partnership between the two companies in an effort to elevate their craft and expand the reach of dial refinishing. This partnership will provide our customers with a superior dial refinishing experience every step of the way. We only accept the best for our customers and you should only accept the best when it comes to all of your watch repair and watch maintenance needs.
Professional Dial Refinishing Services
It might sound like a ton of detail-oriented work, but it’s worth it to get your dial refinished the right way when it’s time to do so.
Instead of going the DIY route, which will nearly certainly result in a compromised watch dial (and watch, for that matter), send you timepiece in to My Jewelry Repair. We will put a fleet of experts to work on your watch right away, sending it back to you looking the way it did when you first purchased it.
My Jewelry Repair looks forward to serving all of your watch repair and routine maintenance needs — all under one roof.
Maintaining Your Watch Dial
Two of the major steps to care for your watch dial are keeping it away from sunlight, which may cause its color to fade, and ensuring that your watch is professionally sealed. Making sure that your watch is intact—for example, having a proper watch gasket—will help prevent dust, debris, and water from contaminating the inner mechanisms. However, if the dial does become damaged, it’s best to seek out professional services to ensure it’s restored with precision and expertise, preserving both its look and value.
Resources:
- Dial Refinishing Process Information: https://krdial.com/
- Common Dial Refinishing Information: https://krdial.com/
- Blog outline and revising assisted by AI resources such as Open AI.
Have Questions?
What Will It Cost?
Kirk Rich treats each and every watch dial as a separate case because the history and condition of each dial can differ greatly from one dial to another.
It all depends on your dial’s brand, the amount of damage, and/or the work that is requested on the dial. Generally, a dial refinishing repair starts at $225, but service fees can differ on the requested refinishing service.
If you have any questions about a specific dial, contact Kirk Rich Dial Corporation through email at info@krdial.com to get a more accurate pricing estimate. To discuss cost, it is better if you contact them directly so that a skilled technician can handle your case and recommend further courses of action.
Should you be interested in refinishing your dial, feel free to visit our Dial Refinishing Services Page.
You Never Have to Leave Your Home!
As the official authorized partner of Kirk Rich Dial, all orders shipped within the United States are powered by My Jewelry Repair. Should you have an international dial refinishing order, please visit the Kirk Rich Dial International Orders Page.
Please note: My Jewelry Repair does not accept international orders at this time.
How it Works for Domestic Orders
Print your shipping label and order slip. Choose your insurance, pack your repair(s). My Jewelry Repair provides step-by-step instructions for safe packaging and travel. All you have to do from there is schedule USPS courier pickup if you don’t want to leave your home, or drop-off (with your nearest USPS location). Tracking included for safe arrival and transparency.
You’ll never have to navigate a baffling mall layout again, looking for a ‘quick’ repair that takes forever. All you have to do is put the watch in the mail and we’ll have it back with a quick turnaround, fully restored, fully functional.
My Jewelry Repair Offers Premier Watch Repair Servicing
When you find your self asking where to go, you’ll be glad to know we can provide services from anywhere in the country! We have locations on both coasts and offer free standard shipping – even from Alaska and Hawaii.
Common Watch Situations
Watches generally come to us due to:
- Watch worn during inappropriate activities
- Improper use of chronograph functions
- Exposing watch to magnetic fields
- Improper watch function settings
- Winding a watch while wearing it
- Cross-threading watch crown
- DIY battery replacement
- Improper watch storage
Unless you’re a specialist, don’t try this at home. We see a lot of interesting stuff that comes to us from those do-it-yourself folks.
From professional battery replacements to mechanical movement overhauls, we have all of your watch repair needs covered! Visit our Online Watch Repair by Mail Page for more information.
Interested in Restoring Your Dial?
I was just telling my friend about that.
Always an interesting art to discuss!
-My Jewelry Repair Team