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Old 16 January 2009, 08:52 AM   #1
Frank 21
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How Do I speed up the aging on Dial ??

I have a 87 GMT II..I love the the yellowing of the patina on the older models.
How could I speed up this process on my watch??
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Old 16 January 2009, 09:02 AM   #2
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wear it in the sun all day, and expose it to a uv lamp all night. crack open the crown regularly as well to let in lots of fresh oxygen.
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Old 16 January 2009, 09:35 AM   #3
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wear it in the sun all day, and expose it to a uv lamp all night. crack open the crown regularly as well to let in lots of fresh oxygen.


(I'm not laughing at you, Cody; but your content and presentation here just caught me the right way!)
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Old 16 January 2009, 09:37 AM   #4
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Leave it in a dark place with no light for 2 years and you may see the tritium start to develope a nice patina.
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Old 16 January 2009, 10:15 AM   #5
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The best patinas come from watches that have spent their days in safes. So darkness and cool temps help. Of course UV light works too in some ways.
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Old 16 January 2009, 10:44 AM   #6
Frank 21
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what is the quickest way ?? UV or a dark place?? Thanks for the info.
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Old 16 January 2009, 10:50 AM   #7
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what is the quickest way ?? UV or a dark place?? Thanks for the info.
Do both, put it under a black light
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Old 16 January 2009, 10:56 AM   #8
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That's cheating!
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Old 16 January 2009, 01:15 PM   #9
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Surely the nicest hue comes from gradual, natural ageing?
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Old 16 January 2009, 02:34 PM   #10
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Surely the nicest hue comes from gradual, natural ageing?
which happens to take place when put away in the dark.
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Old 16 January 2009, 02:42 PM   #11
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I have a 87 GMT II..I love the the yellowing of the patina on the older models.
How could I speed up this process on my watch??

Buy a vintage model
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Old 16 January 2009, 03:24 PM   #12
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The fastest and easiest way is to take the dial out and soak it in tea for a week. You'll have instant patina in one weeks time.
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Old 17 January 2009, 02:35 AM   #13
Frank 21
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What type of teas
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Old 17 January 2009, 02:35 AM   #14
Frank 21
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What type of tea???
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Old 17 January 2009, 02:41 AM   #15
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The fastest and easiest way is to take the dial out and soak it in tea for a week. You'll have instant patina in one weeks time.
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:04 AM   #16
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The fastest and easiest way is to take the dial out and soak it in tea for a week. You'll have instant patina in one weeks time.
Yep, I know knifemakers use this process to age bone. I've done this with some acrylics used for pens and it worked like a charm. You might want to pick up a cheap dial from e-bay and give it a try. I used Lipton Ice tea bags
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:08 AM   #17
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If I were you I'd look into buying another dial/hands/watch that is already has patina. As everyone else has said, the best (and most beautiful) patina comes with time in a dark place. You can't rush those things without it looking bad and then you just ruined your watch!

Please tell me the tea thing is a joke on watches guys!?
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:11 AM   #18
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Just let me wife stare at the dial and hands and it will age 10 years in no time.
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:21 AM   #19
Frank 21
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Thanks for everything gentlemen..It's alway's a treat.
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:25 AM   #20
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Just let me wife stare at the dial and hands and it will age 10 years in no time.
Which wife?
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:28 AM   #21
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be sure to use yorkshire tea
from good old yorkshire
(thats in englandshire for those who dont know)
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:28 AM   #22
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If it's the lume you want yellow, sending it out to be relumed in a vintage appearing Superluminova would be the quickest way.

You'll take a hit on value to collectors.

Guys like me will understand.
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:31 AM   #23
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Please tell me the tea thing is a joke on watches guys!?

Nope, it should work. I'd try it on a cheap dial first, but I know it works on bone and acrylic.
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:40 AM   #24
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Knew it works on bone and horn.

Didn't know about acrylic. Thanks.
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Old 17 January 2009, 03:54 AM   #25
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It would work on bone because, like your teeth it is porous and so it will take a stain. I don't know about a watch dial however. You would also be introducing contaminates to the inside of your watch case.

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