5513 dial questions

[TheManny]

Hey, posted earlier about buying a 5513 Sub. It has now arrived! The dial seems to be in okay’ish condition, but want to be sure about a few things.
Info: 2.7mil serial, non serif dial.
Does the lume plots seem original? There are a small stain near some of the lume plots, what could this be and is it possible to be cleaned off?

Thank you all for answers in advance. I will keep you posted about the upcoming restauration of case, movement etc.

[Tools]

Looks like the lume has been "fixed" and the fixer has run onto the dial.

If so, it is not likely removable.

[TheManny]

Originally Posted by Tools

Looks like the lume has been "fixed" and the fixer has run onto the dial.

If so, it is not likely removable.

Hm, okay. How was it ''fixed'', do you have a clue?

[Dan S]

I like the texture of the lume plots, but I think that Larry's suggestion about staining from an attempt at stabilization is likely correct. This would typically be some sort of sealing lacquer, but everyone seems to have their own little secret formula.

[TimeToGo]

.
Excellent Responses!!

[TheManny]

Thank you all for the great responses. So I can assume that the lume seems good, but it has been layered with some sort of stabilizer/preserver.

Has someone else been dealing with this kind of stuff? Has someone been able to wipe the ''leakage'' out?

[swish77]

Originally Posted by TheManny

Has someone else been dealing with this kind of stuff? Has someone been able to wipe the ''leakage'' out?

My guess is no, you won't be able to remove that, not without great difficulty and the risk of further damage to the dial.

The substance, assuming it was used to stabilize the tritium, would be dry now, like a glue or lacquer. You could send the dial to a specialist to see what might be possible.

Were you aware of the staining when you bought the watch? If not, can you return it? Is this the same watch with the case pitting?

[TheManny]

Originally Posted by swish77

My guess is no, you won't be able to remove that, not without great difficulty and the risk of further damage to the dial.

The substance, assuming it was used to stabilize the tritium, would be dry now, like a glue or lacquer. You could send the dial to a specialist to see what might be possible.

Were you aware of the staining when you bought the watch? If not, can you return it? Is this the same watch with the case pitting?

Yeah, and maybe I wouldn't take the risk to mess it up more by trying to clean the stains. They don't bother me too much anyways, just wanted to know what's up with the markings, and if there was an easy fix. I was aware that the dial had some marks, but did not notice all of them.
Yes, same watch with case pitting.

[XavierM]

Case issue plus dial issue, are you sure you want to keep the watch ?
While I might accept a dial with « aging » issue this kind of played with dial would be an issue for me…

[TuRo]

Shame about that fluid marking - it wasn't noticeable on first photo but is on macro photo.
I like the hour markers and dial texture otherwise. You cannot remove it without major risk. If it's visible I think you'll forever see it and it will affect impact of resale in future I'd suggest.

[Filipão]

As others have wisely said, if you keep it (did seller disclose those dial marks?) don't dare touching the dial.

Lume has the tendency to shrink.

So, yours looks ok, though with some preserving agent on top of it - which might be useful.

My Double Red SD has some washed lume, I wish I've had it "preserved" some 30 years ago...

[TheManny]

Thank you all. I do not dare to touch the dial, since it would haunt me forever, if it was ruined.
How does the bezel insert look? Correct for the age period or a later replacement?

[XavierM]

Later replacement, might even be a service 5513 insert with an enlarged pip hole to fit a later WGS pip.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by TheManny

Thank you all. I do not dare to touch the dial, since it would haunt me forever, if it was ruined.
How does the bezel insert look? Correct for the age period or a later replacement?

The watch has been cleaned and prepped for the market, and decent serviceable parts used.

It's a good-looking watch and will likely give year of service.

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by xavierm

later replacement, might even be a service 5513 insert with an enlarged pip hole to fit a later wgs pip.

+1

[joli160]

I would return it for the pitting alone, add the dial which cannot be fixed and more reason to do so.
If it is OK for you is the only thing what matters but it may be a difficult sell in the future if you ever needed to. Condition of dial is everything