This is my "hand me down" Bulova, doesn't currently run and will need a rebuild. I love the engraving on the case and it is much different to the watches my young counterparts wear. I quickly fell in love with the style of engraved Bulovas/any art deco watch of the era (but mainly Bulovas), after receiving this. Of course, this is a restoration project.
Many thanks - Steven
Dials can make or break the value of a watch, but esepcially on those models that are valuable because of rarity or brand.
High end watches like Patek are negatively affected by having dials re-done by third party restorers. If Patek does it for you, no problem. Some of these watches cost more than a really nice house, so the caution is warranted.
In the case of our humble Bulovas, there are some that are comparatively valuable, but if the dial is a total mess, it does the watch no favours. To replace it with a correct one from an identical model might be seen as the best solution, but there are dial restoration companies that do a good job also. I have used International now for the past ten years, and I am quite happy with the service they provide. That said, I've never given them a shaded or chequered dial to do, so not sure if that would be something they could do.
A lot of Bulova dials were silvered, and these cannot be cleaned, and look almost black sometimes with oxidization. In fact, most dials cannot be cleaned, I should mention, because of the way the printing or finish was appplied. A lot of the time what you are seeing is not dirt but oxidization or long term degradation of paint and shellac, and radium burns.
It's up to the individual owner, but I can tell you my customers generally prefer the practical solution of the dial being re-done and enhancing the beauty of the piece.
Looks like we have another in the database, a 1929 Unknown which I suspect at least shows the original dial.
and another from 1931.
Hey thanks guys Looks like you found it albeit, mine has a different face.
Thanks for giving your general attitude on dial replacements. I'm totally the same really. I understand where you are coming from totally on the "purple dial'front. I see so many repainted Oris watches that have totally unoriginal faces, especially from India. I'm not really bothered about value, I'd be wearing this out of passion. As long as you deem the watch kosher I'm happy.
Now I know the face this requires I will look into sourcing one but I won't touch those parts for a while. The first thing I need to do is get this thing running. As I say, maybe I'll source another face but it might be difficult.
After seeing the unknown Stephen references, I believe we are indeed seeing the same watch here. It's now apparent to me the crystal is correct in subject watch and what i see is shadowing on the polished opening that makes it appear straight across the bottom. My bad.
In reply to Panel - Your thoughts? I'm by Geoff Baker