Vintage gold color changes. Request for photos

[NOPDK]

Has anybody else noticed color changes in their vintage gold pieces? Below are picts of the case of my Tropical 1680/8 dating to 1971 and the bracelet from my 1803 Wideboy dating to 1969. Both are taking on a really interesting color shift in areas. I ran this by Phillip Ridley and he sad he has seen this many times and nothing to worry about. I actually like the look of it and it adds a vintage touch to the metal.

Has anybody else seen this in their early gold pieces? If so please post some picts. Would be great to see other examples of this change.

Anybody know the correct way to categorize this? The effect is likely from oxidation or some chemical reaction to the other metals used in the gold mix that Rolex utilized during this period of time. If anybody has specific knowledge on this please educate me.

[swaini3]

Interesting.... There's none of it on the last pic though

[NOPDK]

Originally Posted by swaini3

Interesting.... There's none of it on the last pic though

it's on the centerlinks of the president bracelet. More subtle and tougher to capture in picture but definitely present in person.

[rmurphy]

Great looking watches, let’s see the dial on your 1680.


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[Widows Son]

Absolutly!!! I just went through my watch box to wind a few. There were about 10 vintage pieces that look exactly like your picture. Not sure the cause, or the remedy.

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by NOPDK

it's on the centerlinks of the president bracelet. More subtle and tougher to capture in picture but definitely present in person.

Ahhh, thanks.

[baumare]

Oh yes, I have seen it end I love it, this is my 18038 and when the seller, kind of apologetic show it to me, my thought was "this watch haven't seen much action lately".

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[baumare]

Regarding the oxidation on gold try to google "red spot gold coin", there are few explanation about this:

Cit."Red spots are not a new phenomenon, they occur on coins from the early 1900's to even today's modern coins. Because the red spots are ultimately caused by tarnishing/oxidation, and pure gold does not tarnish, a popular myth amongst coin forums is that the coin must be fake or fraudulent. That is usually not the case"

[zapokee]

Love this purplish tarnishing. Seen it on lots of vintage gold Rolexes.

[miamiclay]

Here’s an extreme example, the Rolex “Dark Star” stelline.
.

[NOPDK]

Originally Posted by rmurphy

Great looking watches, let’s see the dial on your 1680.


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ask and ye shall receive

[NOPDK]

dial really changes in the different lighting

[NOPDK]

There was no oxidation on case at that time. Have watched slowly enhance over past 3 months.

[offrdmania]

I personally like oxidation on gold and think its a shame when people polish it off.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I personally like oxidation on gold and think its a shame when people polish it off.

Agree. It's like sandblasting the exterior of an old house to clean it. Removes the character.

[NOPDK]

Originally Posted by Widows Son

Absolutly!!! I just went through my watch box to wind a few. There were about 10 vintage pieces that look exactly like your picture. Not sure the cause, or the remedy.

Pictures would be appreciated

[CJS57]

Love it! Leave it alone. Same situation on Colt Cap and Ball silver plated items. Looks great.

[baumare]

Originally Posted by NOPDK

There was no oxidation on case at that time. Have watched slowly enhance over past 3 months.

I didn't realize that could happen so fast, I thought would take years

[NOPDK]

Originally Posted by baumare

I didn't realize that could happen so fast, I thought would take years

sorry misstated. It wasn't there last march. Effect started a year or so ago and it was over past 3 months that it really darkened.

I am also surprised that this level of change only took a year to develop. Watch hasn't been exposed to any chemicals or other things aside from the hot and humid Florida climate.

[subx]

well, you just said it... south florida humidity climate will oxidize just about anything...

[77T]

I lived in Miami for over 25 years and none of the gold I had did anything like that. If it was environmental then we’d see it more than we do.

The likely culprit is the owner’s choice in personal products and/or chemistry.


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[zapokee]

Originally Posted by 77T

I lived in Miami for over 25 years and none of the gold I had did anything like that. If it was environmental then we’d see it more than we do.

The likely culprit is the owner’s choice in personal products and/or chemistry.

That's an interesting theory. I wonder if gold from different production batches tarnishes differently.

[NOPDK]

Originally Posted by 77T

I lived in Miami for over 25 years and none of the gold I had did anything like that. If it was environmental then we’d see it more than we do.

The likely culprit is the owner’s choice in personal products and/or chemistry.


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If it were a skin mediated reaction it would be focused on the case-back and back of bracelet which aren’t showing any reaction. Only portion showing this is the crown guard area. The president bracelet was purchased with that reaction on the bracelet and the head which I had previously worn on strap has no oxidation. My 1675/8 from same era has no oxidation. As far as personal products my selection is decidedly sparse and if causative would be more diffusely spread across the case.

Not sure I appreciate having my chemistry or sundries called into question.

[77T]

Originally Posted by NOPDK

.



Not sure I appreciate having my chemistry or sundries called into question.

My apologies - wasn’t meant in a derogatory sense.

The discoloration only on the lugs led me to opine.

For example, the ambergris in Creed applied with the fingertips - or a diet high in certain minerals. Neither a questionable nor a lowly opinion of either by me.


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[Rafabond]

in some parts of my 18038 from 1977, it has that oxidation tone, in the closure of the bracelet it is more evident, I would never clean it, I really like this patina

[NOPDK]

Originally Posted by Rafabond

in some parts of my 18038 from 1977, it has that oxidation tone, in the closure of the bracelet it is more evident, I would never clean it, I really like this patina

great picture!

[Chris75]

Completely in love with the "old Rolex gold" oxidation.

It gives the yellow gold so much character.

By the way that tropical Sub is a stunner.

[1665fan]

The discoloration only on the lugs led me to opine.
For example, the ambergris in Creed applied with the fingertips - or a diet high in certain minerals. Neither a questionable nor a lowly opinion of either by me.


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What????? Man, either your way too smart or way to high.....I have also seen this oxidation on a 16528(gold zenith)