Reluming Dial/Hands

[jimhull]

I have recently purchased a new-to-me TAG CK1121 Chrono. I love the watch and it is my first TAG, but the dial and hands do not glow like I am used to with other brand new watches. I am thinking this is probably a function of its age (early 90s) and I know one can have the hands and dial relumed. My question is can any competent jewelry store do this or should I seek out someone who specializes in this sort of work? What should I expect to pay to have this service preformed? I have done a google search and found a few companies that offer this as a service, but I don't know anything about them and I don't want the job botched. I live in an area that has no watchmaker shops. If you need work on a watch, you normally take it to a local jewelry store to see if they can do it or send it back to the manufacturer's service center. I am located about 3 hours from Chicago, IL, Indianapolis, IN and St. Louis, MO. Can anyone recommend a competent shop that I could work with or someone on the forum that could do this through the mail? Thank you in advance for your help.

By the way, I know that this could be an indication that the watch is a fake. I have already posted pictures on the Fake Buster thread and at least one forum member has judged the watch to be authenic. That is why I am thinking this is more a function of the age of the watch.

[Eeeb]

There are a few vendors who do reluming. If you take the watch to a jewelry store, they will send it out to one of these vendors and then mark things up when the watch comes back. You might as well go direct.

Anyone who specializes in relumes probably does a good job... it takes practice and they get it.

[jimhull]

Eeeb,

Thanks for the guidance. I should have done a forum search before posting, but I did one after. I found IWW and MCWW both seem to be highly regarded by the forum community. I think IWW can do exactly what I need. MCWW also seems to do great work, but they say they only do a limited number of dials and send the rest out. I would rather everything be done by the same shop. This forum holds a wealth of information and I am grateful for it. Thanks for taking the time to help a newbie.

[dmr33]

Jim... Please post before and after pics if possible. I have seen horrible relume jobs and a few that appear acceptable. I don't think I've ever seen one where I've thought, WOW.

Thanks in advance. David

[Drop of a Hat]

Jim... Please post before and after pics if possible. I have seen horrible relume jobs and a few that appear acceptable. I don't think I've ever seen one where I've thought, WOW.

Thanks in advance. David

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[tpd80]

Not looking for an argument just posting a question I've asked myself many times. if I were to do this I would have to ask myself first do i really NEED lume or is my current lume good enough?

358 days of the year i sleep next to my digital clock. The other 7 days a year I sleep next to my cell phone.

I would be afraid it wouldn't look right after someone did work on it. I would rather have a watch that I can't see in the dark than a watch I can't bear to look at in the daylight.

[jimhull]

I understand the question and don't take it as "looking for an argument". For me, lume is one of the reasons I like a watch like this, for several reasons. First, I wear contacts but don't sleep in them. Therefore, if I wake up at night I can fairly easily see my watch if it is lumed. Secondly, the digital clock is on my wife's side of the king size bed and, because of not sleeping in my contacts, it is difficult for me to make out the time. On the flip side, this watch is in pristine condition and I am a little concerned about ruining it. I am on the fence, but if I decide to move forward with it I will work with a reputable shop. I have heard only good things about IWW and Motor City. Are there any other ones out there that I should consider? I have also heard all of the horror stories about the "other guy" like quoting two weeks turn around that stretches to 4 months or more with no communication. I will avoid that situation.