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1 August 2020, 07:34 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 12
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Any tips to prevent further cracking of tritium?
Hi everyone
My 5513 from 1984 has part of the tritium fall off somehow on one of the hands. Only a tiny bit and not really noticeable but don’t want it getting worse. I don’t want to try and get someone to fill the gap but also don’t want any further bits falling off of course. Any advice or tips or things specialists can do to stop any further bits falling off? Or is it just a case of hope for the best considering a vintage watch and this can happen Long term may buy new set of hands with matching patina but that’s a difficult job to find ones that will match perfectly |
1 August 2020, 08:04 AM | #2 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: California
Posts: 3,060
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Don't know the details but I recall reading somewhere that some restorers can apply a stabilizer which doesn't really fill in or replace the tritium. I think it's applied on the backside to preserve as much of the look as possible.
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1 August 2020, 08:20 AM | #3 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,037
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If you have a crack down the middle, there is nothing to support more of it from crumbling.
The fix is to put a backing on the hand, then seal it and the hand together with either clear, or a tinted mix to match the hands to other discolored hands. You have to support across the crack, there is no other way to keep it together.
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2 August 2020, 08:35 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: US
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Agree with comment about hand stabilizing from behind. This is a good practice to ensure current fissures have some support. No guarantees, but I would do that and not subject the watch to hard knocks or excessive vibrations when wearing.
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