Patina on Tritium dials

[limchris]

Any idea how to get the patina creamier on the tritium dials?

Should i leave my watch under the sun?

[Lol-x]

This has been the subject of previous discussions...

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by limchris

Any idea how to get the patina creamier on the tritium dials?

Should i leave my watch under the sun?

Steve is right, there's been endless posts and discussions about patina, what causes it, can you encourage patina, etc.

You'll hear much agreement that watches kept in the dark (in a case, or a safe, etc.) is what brings on patina. That said, no one knows the history of every watch with patina out there. I'm sure some were worn regularly and developed patina, while some were locked away and may have only darkened a very little bit. Whatever the case may be, if your watch is decades old and doesn't have any patina yet, there's a good chance it may never develop much.

To that point, on a personal note: One of the first vintage watches I bought was a matte dial Sub from around 1967 with only slightly-creamy markers. Like you, I thought about leaving it out in the sun. That is, until a wiser, older collector said, "It's safe to assume that that watch hasn't been waiting around 47 years for you to come along and leave it on your window sill for a few hours a day to develop any patina."

[Vincent65]

The sun bleaches things.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

The sun bleaches things.

My savage bronze tan not withstanding.

[mobster600]

Intentionally deteriorating good lume for the benefit of asthetics....hmm your watch Lol

Honestly I’d say take it to a tanning bed. The U.V. rays would tan that thing real quick LOLOL

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

The sun bleaches things.

x2. I have found the sun actually lightens tritium on some of my pieces.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by mobster600

Intentionally deteriorating good lume for the benefit of asthetics....hmm your watch Lol

Honestly I’d say take it to a tanning bed. The U.V. rays would tan that thing real quick LOLOL

Exact opposite actually.

[sillo]

Just let the natural progression of time do its thing. Don't try and rush it.

[limchris]

have been seeing both sides of the argument.

some say leave it under the sun. some say leaving it under the sun makes the markers whiter.

safe to say, nobody knows? haha

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by limchris

have been seeing both sides of the argument.

some say leave it under the sun. some say leaving it under the sun makes the markers whiter.

safe to say, nobody knows? haha

Nope - the sun bleaches things (apart from the Kingface's herculean tan, of course).

[Richard Carver]

First, go to google images to see what patina exists on your model. Your watch will be in the color range you see. Serial numbers matter, my X serial 16570 has less patina than an N serial yet both are 1991 watches.

My EXII is changing now and it's great fun to watch. :) It's a pale yellow right now and hopefully it will look like this when it grows up.



It's been my experience being in the dark speeds the process but you can't make the process start, it will turn when it's ready.



So pale. :)