Hi Forum members, These watches are really getting a lot of attention from the public (in fact too much). And as a guide for future reference I would like to flush the less than unacceptable issues that these watches come with and try to get a general consensus (I know this is more or less asking for trouble, so maybe a general opinion rather than a consensus is what the question needs to aim for) of what issues are more of an issue than others by listing them and trying to obtain a general ranking. The issues as I can find them and not in any particular order (I also put pictures next to them, couldn’t really find a groggy dial so no picture for that one and some category are just self explanatory). Together there are 13 issues listed, again in no particular order. What do you think are the seriousness of each issue (can rank them one by one or group them into sub groups e.g. not serious, not preferred but not a deal breaker, serious etc. etc.) 1) case back got turned/polished 2) case back serial faded out from wear or slight polished 3) New Replaced Bezel (correct version) 4) Bezel faded 5) Bezel scratched 6) Dial losing lume 7) Groggy dial (funny enough most dials from the era remain pretty decent) 8) Relumed hands 9) Crown Replaced 10) Wrong pushers 11) Incorrect hands 12) Replaced hands (correct version) 13) Replaced correct dial (we don’t need to go to incorrect or redial as those are no nos) Thanks for contributing, Eric
nice thread Eric, adding those to the list, classifying will wait... 14) general overpolished case (edge are no more crisp) 15) damaged case (dents or strong marks) 16) not original plexi 17) Not a full set (watch only) 18) inscriptions on the caseback 19) not original gasket between case and caseback 20) relumed dial ? 21) repainted hands
I will take a shot Almost like no issue 3) Bezel Replaced (with correct one) 16) not original plexi 17) not a full set 19) not original gasket The not serious catergory 9) Replaced crown (wrong crown, right Replaced crown is just not possible to tell that it is Replaced) 2) case back serial got pretty light from wear 4) Bezel faded 5) Bezel scratched 12) Replaced hands (correct replacement) 18) inscriptions on the back (So 10 out of 21 I don’t mind) More serious but not deal breaker 6) dial losing lume 7) groggy dial (but original) 10) wrong but similar pushers 13) Replaced but correct dial Considered serious 1) case back turned 11) incorrect hands 14) over polished 15) damages case, severe dent Depends on the outcome (90% of the time outcome is unacceptable), if not acceptable it is serious issue 8) relumed hands 20) relumed dial 21) repainted hands (original hand) I think I can’t consider myself a purist.
Do you guys dislike faded bezels? Pretty appealing to me, much more so than the dreaded replacement bezel.
Here is mine The A Category Adding value if present but does bother me at all if not present Value +300%/+20% - Really NOS - Almost NOS - Full set - Really untouched movement - Original box - Originals papers - Original strap (leather or steel) - Original buckle - Original "flat" gasket The B Category Little issues that I will forget while wearing the watch Does not alter value at all, or very low Value -0% /-10% -Case lightly polished but still crisp, perfect respect for the original finish -Bezel replacement with original one, matching the condition of the watch -Crown replacement with original one -Dial replacement with original one with lume matching the hands -Pushers replacement with original one -Hands replacement with original one lume matching the dial -Serial and numbers faded but still readable -Relumed hands but very well done works with color matching the dial -Dial slightly losing lume but plots still perfectly visible The C Category / Visible issues that could bother me while wearing the watch, but still wearable Lower the value Value -10% /-20% -Inscriptions on the back -Groggy dial but all inscriptions still visible -Relumed hands, average works -Average polished watch, not a perfect job -Very well repainted hands, difficult to see -Faded bezel -Scratched bezel -Loses of lume on hands -Loses of lume on dial The D Category / / Really visible issues, I would probably have difficulties to wear this watch without seeing them Significantly lower the value I would buy this watch if I can source original parts, had the issues corrected if possible, or for pieces Value -20%/-70% - Badly painted hands - Badly relumed hands or dial - Badly polished case (can be corrected if angle still a little crisp) - Turned caseback (can be corrected) - Replacement plexi but not the good shape - Incorrect hands - Worn dial, patina or faded inscriptions - Wrong pushers - Wrong crown - Wrong bezel - Wrong dial - Not complete movement - Heavy scratch on movement - Overpolished case - Damaged case - Sever dents I consider myself as very demanding, but only about visible and rational issues. If hands are really well relumed, watch is really well lightly polished or using replacement original parts, it's still OK. It's difficult for me to wear a watch that has one or more not originals parts (excluding the plexi) To me the value can be triple if the watch have all the A category and all original, versus one that falls into D