SuitbertW
2411
Hello, Rollin,....
as for your first question, it's clearly a "dial exchange" on "customers request" as you may sometimes find it described (auction catalogs, etc...).
Normally a "redial" would mean a "restored" or "refinished" dial. There are no further technical definitions - which I've to admit would be very helpfull. In some cases a "refinished" dial can mean that basically only the metall blank of the original dial is left from the original - in some other cases it can mean that only the protective varnish is refinished and a bit of cleaning took place - with a lot more of the "original" dial remaining.
It's a ver difficult field and valuation of the different "grades" can vary a lot among collectors.
As you already pointed out - the original certificate will state the condition as originally deivered - i.e. with the argente(silvered) dial. As long as you can keep track of the original history and the change was done by PP
I wouldn't have any concerns about it. If it perhaps even ads to the "attraction" of your piece will largely depend on
the individual collector, time and what's happening with other similar watches in the future.
It's highly complicated and very much depending local, regional and "what's considered most scarce at a certain period" .
So, for the case you described - I wouldn't be concerned at all 
Best regards
Suitbert
Dial Exchange vs Redial
By: Rollie : October 12th, 2007-16:21
Guys, Here is a somewhat esoteric but real problem. Let's assume you bought a 3970 WG from Patek with a "silver" dial, but you wanted a "black" dial. So you asked Patek if they would exchange the dial. They say yes and it goes back to Geneva and comes bac...
Hello, Rollin,....
By: SuitbertW : October 14th, 2007-05:44
as for your first question, it's clearly a "dial exchange" on "customers request" as you may sometimes find it described (auction catalogs, etc...). Normally a "redial" would mean a "restored" or "refinished" dial. There are no further technical definitio...
Enhanced dials
By: autowind : October 14th, 2007-06:31
From a purely collector's perspective, a refinished or "enhanced" dial will make the watch less valuable, as it is no longer "original." And again, I thought Patek no longer allowed dial exchanges that might create a "unique" watch. Would like to know if ...
Thanks for the replies
By: Rollie : October 14th, 2007-09:33
Dear Guys, Thank you so much for all your replies which were quite insightful. I hope I din't give anyone false hopes with Patek doing dial exchanges on 3970s. My question had more to do with dial exchanges on vintage annual and perpetual calanders - spec...
Dial swapped.
By: mpalsal : October 18th, 2007-14:56
I own a 3970EP, bought in 1994, originally the watch came with silver dial. I requested it changed to black diamond dial. I have two certificates, one indicating silver, and the other one black with diamon. Do not know if they will still do it or not. All...
