5513 Re-Lume?

[Aamin]

Does this look re lumed or original? Thinking about purchasing and not sure.

Thanks

[Beaumont Miller II]

Did you ask the seller if it was relumed? I am curious as to his answer.
The white paint surrounding each round luminous hour marker on a matte dial is a red flag.

[Aamin]

Seller said in his opinion was relumed but was not sure. I am not sure what to look for. Is this a major issue if it was relumed?

[JohnnyNoDate]

Ask the seller to charge the dial and hands with a flashlight and take a photo of the result.

A meters first 5513 should glow briefly (hands and dial).

The light yellow/green patina looks correct, and the white surrounding doesn't necessarily mean it's relumed for this period.

a "glow" photo would help you determine the next step.

[descartes]

Do you know the serial number?

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

Did you ask the seller if it was relumed? I am curious as to his answer.
The white paint surrounding each round luminous hour marker on a matte dial is a red flag.

I assume you are concerned by what appears to be the even appearance of the white surrounding the lume.

My understanding is that the white plots were on the dial before the luminous tritium compound was then applied. As the tritium compound ages, deteriorates, cracks, shrinks, flakes and so on white edges beneath sometimes become more visible, especially when observed in close up. Looking at my 67 matte meters first under a loupe now, some white edges visible and certainly never re-lumed.

[Aamin]

Serial number is 20084xx

[waspy1]

Not the best of photos but i think not relumed


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[Beaumont Miller II]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

I assume you are concerned by what appears to be the even appearance of the white surrounding the lume.

My understanding is that the white plots were on the dial before the luminous tritium compound was then applied. As the tritium compound ages, deteriorates, cracks, shrinks, flakes and so on white edges beneath sometimes become more visible, especially when observed in close up. Looking at my 67 matte meters first under a loupe now, some white edges visible and certainly never re-lumed.

What you are observing on your watch is normal aging of tritium over time. This is quite different than what is seen on the two OP's pictures where every single round hour marker has a uniform white circle surrounding the newly applied luminous. The reason the seller thinks the watch may have been relumed is because it has.

[springer]

I agree with John. The missing tritium is too uniform on each market to be accidental.

In the hundreds of watches I've owned, I've never had someone say, "I think it is relumed" without it actually being relumed.

The dial appears relumed to me and yes, it depreciates the value of the dial.

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

What you are observing on your watch is normal aging of tritium over time. This is quite different than what is seen on the two OP's pictures where every single round hour marker has a uniform white circle surrounding the newly applied luminous. The reason the seller thinks the watch may have been relumed is because it has.

I agree, the white perimeter of my plots and on other matte dials I have is not uniform.

[swish77]

Definitely looks relumed. The only thing that is a little curious is that the patina of the hour markers perfectly matches the hands. Perhaps the hands were relumed at the same time.

[PVR]

I would say it is not relumed. I have seen a few watches with this shiny, shrunken greenish lume and I say it is not relumed. If you can accept and agree that lume shrinks then the uniform shrinkage is correct. If it was applied on all the markers fully and at the same time then why shouldn't they all shrink the same?

No problem with that one but, the flashlight test would help shed some light on the answer :)

[Aamin]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I will have "glow" photos shortly and will post

[descartes]

Originally Posted by Aamin

Serial number is 20084xx

I have a 1,66 serial number 5513 and it has greenish lump similar to the one you posted, which is correct for period. I'm not sure if the greenish tint ran into the 2,XX serial range but you could do some research to check.