Question 1

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what the dial needs and what you want done to it — a relume is a different job from a full strip, resurface and reprint, and a natural stone dial is different again. Send a photo and you'll get a firm price before anything starts. Quotes are free and there's no deposit to get one.

Question 2

How long will it take?

Accepted Answer

That varies with the work and with how busy the bench is, so you get a timeframe with your quote rather than a number off a website. If you have a deadline — an anniversary, a sale — say so up front and we'll tell you honestly whether it's achievable.

Question 3

How do I send my watch?

Accepted Answer

Get a quote first, then we'll walk you through packing and shipping so the dial arrives safely. In most cases you send the dial alone rather than the whole watch, which is cheaper to ship and lower risk — your watchmaker can remove it, or we'll tell you how.

Question 4

Is my watch insured while you have it?

Accepted Answer

Shipments are insured in both directions, and your piece is logged from the moment it arrives until it goes back out. Declared value is agreed with you before anything ships, so ask about the specifics for your piece when you get your quote.

Question 5

Will refinishing affect what my watch is worth?

Accepted Answer

It can, and it depends entirely on the watch. On a piece you wear, a refinished dial that looks right is almost always the better outcome. On a rare vintage reference heading for resale, an original dial — even a tired one — often prices higher, because refinishing is disclosable. If your watch is in that category we will tell you before you ship it, even though it costs us the job.

Question 6

Can you match my original dial colour and printing?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. Colour is matched against the dial itself and against reference examples of the same model. Where printing has been lost entirely, the letterforms are rebuilt from photographs of the same reference — which is why a photo of your dial while the text is still legible is so useful. You approve the plan before work starts.

Question 7

What lume do you use? Is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Swiss Super-LumiNova, which is non-radioactive and non-toxic. We do not work with radium or tritium. You can specify BGW9 for a blue-white glow, C1 to match an aged cream tone, or C3 for maximum brightness — and dial and hands are done together so they match.

Question 8

Do you do custom colours and stone dials?

Accepted Answer

That's a large part of what we do. Turquoise, malachite, opal and mother-of-pearl inlay, hand-mixed lacquer in any colour, plus diamond and gem-set indices. Have a look through the gallery, then tell us what you're after — or use the configurator to sketch it out.

Question 9

Which brands do you work on?

Accepted Answer

Most Swiss and European makes come through — Rolex, Omega, and plenty of others besides. What matters more than the brand is the condition of the plate and what you want done, so send a photo and we'll tell you whether it's a job we can take.

Question 10

Can you recreate a manufacturer logo?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for restoring your own watch. We do not reproduce trademarks for resale or for anything intended to deceive a buyer, and we won't sign a dial with a brand that never made it.

Question 11

What if I don't like the result?

Accepted Answer

That is what the approval step is for — colour, indices, printing and lume are agreed in writing before any of it happens, so there are no surprises at the end. If something comes back not as agreed, call us and we will sort it out.

Question 12

Are you affiliated with Rolex or Omega?

Accepted Answer

No. We are an independent workshop and are not authorised by, affiliated with, or endorsed by any watch manufacturer. Brand names on this site identify the dials shown and the watches we work on, nothing more.

Questions we get asked

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