Close up of a Ball/Waltham

[waltham845]

Hi,
I'm new to the watchuseek forums. I figured I would post a picture of my Ball/Waltham 17j 16s, it has a "Loaner" Ball Model Case. However this brings me to my first question. Where would one go looking for a dial in the forum? The current dial is an Equity, so I am looking for one. I guess the second one would be where would one sell a dial in the forum? Thanks for your time.
Just follow the link to my flickr account.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8311923...28158/sizes/l/

[jhess]

nice early 17J RR watch.

Please note that the current demeanor of the core collector is that watches are NOT to be tampered with and that a watch that is NOT original if everything is not as it was at the watches "birth".

There are other ideologies as well. I am not as strict as the above and feel that if a watch is carefully restored with period parts, that all is well.

I would try to find at an NAWCC show/mart (or perhaps ebay) a watch from the same era and with a similar movement and a bad case. The worst (cheapest) possible watch that still has a perfect or passable dial. I would then "Switch" (this is a bad word to purists BTW) the dials and sell off the one you are purchasing for parts but with the Equity dial attached.

PLEASE disclose what you did and be very transparent about it.

This is a slippery slope to purists but in my mind, you are doing the right thing. Other folks opinions will differ. GREATLY! Be aware.

BTW, Equity was a cheaper watch line made and sold by Waltham so that is why the dial fits.

Jeff Hess

[waltham845]

nice early 17J RR watch.

Please note that the current demeanor of the core collector is that watches are NOT to be tampered with and that a watch that is NOT original if everything is not as it was at the watches "birth".

I was wondering if that was case. I had a watchmaker look the watch over and service it, he said keep the original dial for now. It was apparently the second dial for the watch, but is period. It hadn't been removed in a looong time. The rest of the watch is all original, all the serial numbers match up. balance cock, balance, and plate. I do understand the purist point of view though. I worked in a museum. All original or nothing. I was going to sell the Hamilton dial on ebay, but its just to expensive for me to do it. Thank you for all the info.