Inherited a 1969 1680 18k NEED SOME INFO PLEASE

[Dangur]

That's a beautiful watch!

[Tom1675]

Very nice! Try and get some better pics up here...

[77T]

Very collectible. Can you look closely at the dial and see if you notice a brownish hue on the surface of the black paint?

That’s often called a “tropical dial” and you’d not want it replaced. If the acrylic crystal can be polished you’ll be able to preserve an original 1680 - truly a collector’s dream find...



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[Robert r thompson]

Originally Posted by 77T

Very collectible. Can you look closely at the dial and see if you notice a brownish hue on the surface of the black paint?

That’s often called a “tropical dial” and you’d not want it replaced. If the acrylic crystal can be polished you’ll be able to preserve an original 1680 - truly a collector’s dream find...



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Do you think I can polish the crystal at home?

[77T]

Originally Posted by Robert r thompson

Do you think I can polish the crystal at home?

With some skill there is a product named Polywatch that could help. But without experience you can actually make things worse. You will be having it overhauled and that is part of the routine service if the acrylic crystal isn’t cracked.


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[Robert r thompson]

Originally Posted by 77T

With some skill there is a product named Polywatch that could help. But without experience you can actually make things worse. You will be having it overhauled and that is part of the routine service if the acrylic crystal isn’t cracked.


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Oh, then I better leave it alone. Oh! I have another question, how does a dial actually become tropical? I mean this has sat in the safe for basically all of its life. I’ve seen later model dials that are really discolored and etc. is it better to leave it in a dry, dark place or be out in the sun light? I would love to hear back.

[77T]

Tropical dials will lead us to a wealth of opinions - there are some natural causes and then there are people who artificially induce the same look.

I subscribe to oxidation stimulated by UV and a bit of humidity. The top layer will changes colors after many years of exposure to sunlight.

These tropical dials become fairly symmetrically damaged - most likely due to unstable pigments in the paint. Uneven fading and variable colors can be a sign of water damage or purposefully induced fading by people who know Subs with Tropical Dials fetch a premium.

Now this post will be followed by perhaps a dozen varied opinions


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