16753 Restoration Dilema

[MorningTundra]

I've posted over at The Other Place too but know there's a different audience and opinion to be had here...

A couple of years ago I bought a 16753. It's a 6.2M, 1979 (intro year for this ref.) with service hands. It had a curious dial anomaly and was priced accordingly.

The black nipple dial is in excellent condition but has a gold applied coronet from the earlier 1675/3 rather than gilt etched coronet. There are various threads in corners of the internet speculating on whether this might be possible on an early transitional version...

Two years on, I've finally opened it and can confirm this beautiful dial did not leave the factory with this watch. This knowledge has affected my love for it to the point I'm contemplating parting with it; even though it runs fine and has a decent case, crown and bezel.

I'm wondering now whether to embark on the long journey to try and find a correct dial in comparable condition; and have questions...oh, so many questions but let's start with these,

1. In the unlikely situation I find someone with one to trade, how might the logistics work? Are there independent 3rd parties that could ensure the transaction completes and neither side gets screwed?

2. Assuming two black nipple dials of similar condition (1675/3 and 16753), are they of similar value?

3. Are there sources known to members that could help me source a dial to either buy or trade? I know I could post a WTB/WTT but have not had much luck with these in the past and suspect I'll need to be more proactive in hunting one down.

4. Should I just sell this dial to raise funds to shop for the correct one? In the meantime I'm left with a watch I can't wear for potentially a looong time.

5. Or just cut my losses and sell it as a franken parts watch?

Any advice is appreciated and a picture of said watch, just because...

Thanks

[roh123]

Why not just love it as it is? I wouldn’t care a bit if the dial was swapped on that. If I’d do anything I’d source a set of tritium hands. Or convert it to a rootbeer.

[benzng]

Hi Colin, if you don't love the watch anymore as before. maybe you can just sell it and disclose to the seller all of the facts. Use the funds to hunt for a new one, part of the thrill is in the hunt :)

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by roh123

Why not just love it as it is? I wouldn’t care a bit if the dial was swapped on that. If I’d do anything I’d source a set of tritium hands. Or convert it to a rootbeer.

The hands are tritium with a little green glow left in them...

I may be able to just accept it as a mismatch project watch and hope that a perfect dial just shows up one day when I least expect it.


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[haven_seeker]

In this climate, you’d have to sell this at a LOSS? I’m sure you’d be able to find someone who’d love it like you originally did.

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by benzng

Hi Colin, if you don't love the watch anymore as before. maybe you can just sell it and disclose to the seller all of the facts. Use the funds to hunt for a new one, part of the thrill is in the hunt :)

From a purely financial perspective it would be cheaper to buy a correct dial than sell this watch and buy another. Nipple dials are rare and increasingly expensive...

The big challenge will be finding a gilt nipple dial in as good condition as this one.


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by haven_seeker

In this climate, you’d have to sell this at a LOSS? I’m sure you’d be able to find someone who’d love it like you originally did.

I paid a fair price at the time. Discounted for the questionable dial. I don’t think I’d be too badly out of pocket, I just wouldn’t be able to replace it with adding a lot more cash for today’s market.



Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[Nycturbovr6]

I would hold onto it.