The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 30 July 2022, 02:22 PM   #1
mpnunes
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Belmont, CA
Posts: 128
Relumed/painted hands

Curious to know how much painted / relumed hands devalue a vintage sub. Let’s say everything else on the watch is original and untouched, but the hands have been painted to match the patina of the markers. Is that a hard pass?
mpnunes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 July 2022, 03:03 PM   #2
Juhuatai
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Chicago
Watch: 5508 & 9401
Posts: 639
No. Not for me. Sourcing a replacement set of hands is not that hard.
Juhuatai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 July 2022, 03:11 PM   #3
springer
2024 Pledge Member
 
springer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by mpnunes View Post
Curious to know how much painted / relumed hands devalue a vintage sub. Let’s say everything else on the watch is original and untouched, but the hands have been painted to match the patina of the markers. Is that a hard pass?
Thirty, forty or fifty-year-old tritium hand lume was never intended to last a lifetime let alone several decades.

Many vintage watches have been repaired and/or refinished to include the hands. That is just part of owning and maintaining the look of your vintage watch.

If having refinished hands bothers you, source a vintage original tritium set. But, before you do,understand that many of these hand sets are rather expensive and the chance that the tritium lume could fall out of the hand at any time is very realistic. I've seen it happen many times.

Whether the hands are relumed or original tritium, the price difference for relumed hands when compared to a nice tritium set would depend on the particular model and the condition of the tritium hand set.

For me, having relumed hands that do not glow compared to dead tritium hands than no longer glow should be a wash, but, as we all know, collectors are a finicky bunch - that we know for sure.

Good luck with the watch!
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990.

INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP
Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.
springer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 July 2022, 03:17 PM   #4
Juhuatai
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Chicago
Watch: 5508 & 9401
Posts: 639
No. Not for me. Sourcing a replacement set of hands is not that hard.
Juhuatai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 July 2022, 11:41 PM   #5
mountainjogger
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: H
Location: North Carolina
Watch: M99230B-0008
Posts: 5,671
If the relume is done properly, I am good with it. Just like I would be with a restored vehicle.
__________________
The King of Cool.
mountainjogger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31 July 2022, 11:59 PM   #6
TuRo
"TRF" Member
 
TuRo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Real Name: Paul
Location: Cantabrigia - G.B
Watch: ing the detectives
Posts: 2,418
I don't really care too much either as long as they vaguely match the HR plots, and they lume up the the same amount as hour plots. More concerned are they correctly flat/curved or gilt/steel as per original fitment.
__________________
These are the seasons of emotion
And like the wind, they rise and fall
This is the wonder of devotion
I see the torch, We all must hold
RAIN SONG - Led Zeppelin.
TuRo is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 1 August 2022, 01:03 AM   #7
linesiders
2024 Pledge Member
 
linesiders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RedSox Nation
Watch: U Talkn Bout Wilis
Posts: 5,418
It is not a deal breaker. While finding the best match is great, I won't skip on a good piece. I am willing take higher than average damage particularly when there is a story involved.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe View Post
I don't really care too much either as long as they vaguely match the HR plots, and they lume up the the same amount as hour plots. More concerned are they correctly flat/curved or gilt/steel as per original fitment.
__________________
I'm a sailor peg. And I've lost my leg. Climbing up the top sails. I've lost my leg!
linesiders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 August 2022, 02:45 PM   #8
chungtsn
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Viet Nam
Posts: 5
I think difficult to paint Tritium in this time. Tritium not light pass 25-30 years, pass Tritium Rolex Watch maybe end 1993 and Tritium difficult to re-paint and keep Tritium Time
chungtsn is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

Asset Appeal

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.