My New 16750 and a Question

[The Argonaut]

Hi TRF,

Just got this beauty in today, and frankly, couldn’t be happier with it. However, I notice at many of the hour markers, there’s a sunken dot look. Is this lume degradation, or should I be concerned and boxing this sucker back up for return?

Best,
TA







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[The Argonaut]

Perhaps my question is an obvious one? Let the tumbleweeds continue.

[MorningTundra]

If it’s relumed, it’s a good one... are those scratches on the dial or crystal? To me it looks odd without the cyclops.


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

[1665fan]

Looks good to me, I would find a faded insert and keep it.

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

If it’s relumed, it’s a good one... are those scratches on the dial or crystal? To me it looks odd without the cyclops.


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

Hi Tundra,

Appreciate the comment. The scratches are on the crystal. Funny thing the cyclops. I actually prefer it without. I'd never seen one before without, and when I saw this one, it jumped out at me. I think is really adds to the look.

So, do you think those depressions are from when the watch was originally lumed back in 1982?

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Looks good to me, I would find a faded insert and keep it.

Thanks for the comment. Yes, I'm thinking that too. I just wanted to be sure. I actually prefer the egg shell patina as opposed to pumpkin, but I'm learning that when buying vintage, there's always a compromise in same way.

[exador]

Looks like other puffy lume dials to me.

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by exador

Looks like other puffy lume dials to me.

Thanks Exador. A blueberry is my grail. I'll never likely own one. Still, that;s why its called a grail.

Are you North or South Island?

[exador]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

Thanks Exador. A blueberry is my grail. I'll never likely own one. Still, that;s why its called a grail.

Are you North or South Island?

Rotorua (North Island). Ever been there?

BTW image is just off the Interwebs

[037]

Without a loupe, it looks good to me. Tritium paint was water-based and would crater on the plots after it dried out. A recent re-lume should still look puffy in comparison. The hands appear to match both in color and age (also showing some cratering and cracking), leading me to side with it likely being original.

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by 037

Without a loupe, it looks good to me. Tritium paint was water-based and would crater on the plots after it dried out. A recent re-lume should still look puffy in comparison. The hands appear to match both in color and age (also showing some cratering and cracking), leading me to side with it likely being original.

Hi 37,

That was my take also. However, I defer to the many experts on here. Appreciate the insight.

Regards,
TA

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by exador

Rotorua (North Island). Ever been there?

BTW image is just off the Interwebs

I have. Quite a few times in fact. PM sent.

[037]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

Hi 37,

That was my take also. However, I defer to the many experts on here. Appreciate the insight.

Regards,
TA

Sure thing. Only other observation is that the date wheel looks misaligned in the window and likely indicates a need for service. Factor that in as well.

How's it wind; smooth or rough? Any noise when shaking?

That aside, I like the smooth crystal and bright insert. Faded is good for a change but full color has its place as well.

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by 037

Sure thing. Only other observation is that the date wheel looks misaligned in the window and likely indicates a need for service. Factor that in as well.

How's it wind; smooth or rough? Any noise when shaking?

That aside, I like the smooth crystal and bright insert. Faded is good for a change but full color has its place as well.

Hi 037,

Noted on the service front. Its winds very smoothly and no noise whatsoever. Quiet as a mouse.

Best,
TA

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

Hi Tundra,



Appreciate the comment. The scratches are on the crystal. Funny thing the cyclops. I actually prefer it without. I'd never seen one before without, and when I saw this one, it jumped out at me. I think is really adds to the look.



So, do you think those depressions are from when the watch was originally lumed back in 1982?

I think it looks about right texture wise. It’s an amazingly close match to the hands. Almost suspiciously so. But otherwise beautiful. I’d keep the bezel - it’s the correct color for the age. Doesn’t look faux vintage or artificially distressed.


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

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

I think it looks about right texture wise. It’s an amazingly close match to the hands. Almost suspiciously so. But otherwise beautiful. I’d keep the bezel - it’s the correct color for the age. Doesn’t look faux vintage or artificially distressed.


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

Thanks Tundra. I was initially curious as to the near perfect match between hands and hour markers. Springer thought it looked good, and his word is good indeed! I've seen matching lume on a few watches, but never thought I'd have one. I bought it from Matthew Bain, as I wanted to get one from a legit seller, and he's fairly legit.

[springer]

The divots are not naturally occurring on these dials. I've owned many and have not seen anything like that before from factory lume especially from the 1980s. My best guess based on the photos is that someone attempted to remove "age spots" which are can be found on these older dials. It appears that it was done improperly by removing too much tritium leaving the divots. You can also look for a color variance in the divots which sometimes is a lighter color than the rest of the lume.

These age spots, whether brown, dark yellow or black, can sometimes leave age spots that are rather unsightly and sometimes be considered as character.

[tekno]

Beautiful watch buddy.





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[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by springer

The divots are not naturally occurring on these dials. I've owned many and have not seen anything like that before from factory lume especially from the 1980s. My best guess based on the photos is that someone attempted to remove "age spots" which are can be found on these older dials. It appears that it was done improperly by removing too much tritium leaving the divots. You can also look for a color variance in the divots which sometimes is a lighter color than the rest of the lume.

These age spots, whether brown, dark yellow or black, can sometimes leave age spots that are rather unsightly and sometimes be considered as character.

I buy this. This is a pic from another thread and the 2 and 7 plots were cleaned up by digging the dark spots out...