Bakelite bezel turning black

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alexlow

·Nov 18, 2019

Just realized my insert darkened significantly just over a period of 3 months. Any way to prevent it from spreading further? Thanks

 

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bags1971

·Nov 18, 2019

you a full pic of the watch?

 

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WatchCor

·Nov 18, 2019

Wau that is a big change in just three months! 👎 Are there any cracks on the bakelite?

 

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DaveK

·Nov 18, 2019

The Bakelite looks totally chewed up on the edges too. Do you work with chemicals?

 

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Henneth

·Nov 18, 2019

Do you live in a humid environment? If so it might be mold?!

 

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alexlow

·Nov 18, 2019

bags1971

you a full pic of the watch?

 

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alexlow

·Nov 18, 2019

There is no crack. Its been in the safe most of the time. I also suspect is humidity. At this rate, the bezel will be all black in a year time. only thing i can do now is dehumidify the sàfe and see how it goes.

 

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alexlow

·Nov 18, 2019

Its also in the same safe as my other radium watches. Not sure if its the reason?

 

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321Only

·Nov 18, 2019

It is probably caused by moisture that found its way inside the insert.
I noticed a similar effect on the tritium dial of one of my watches before.

 

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bags1971

·Nov 18, 2019

Quite common that water gets into these bezels

 

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ahsposo

·Nov 18, 2019·Most fun screen name at ΩF

It's your particular skin oils. You should wear long rubber gloves when wearing this precious object.

 

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TimtimeIntl

·Nov 18, 2019

Maybe the mold idea is true? I have seen all sorts of bezel fading and discoloration but never encroaching black. I would check the movement for any corrosion since the whole watch lives in the same environment but it is a more water resistant case than many. If you have any other watches in the same safe, especially snap back ones and ones without some sort of sealing crown, I would check those movements and dials as well for corrosion or discoloration. I live in an extremely humid part of the world (air conditioned all the time) and I learned the hard way about exposed movements and parts years ago when I was learning what few watchmaking skills I have. Having a dessicant in a safe or safety deposit box is a good thing.

 

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DaveK

·Nov 18, 2019

ahsposo

It's your particular skin oils. You should wear long rubber gloves when wearing this precious object.

And a large-brimmed hat

 

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Dash1

·Nov 19, 2019

I would store your watches in zip lock bags with a dessicant sachet in each one.

 

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WatchCor

·Nov 19, 2019

Dash1

I would store your watches in zip lock bags with a dessicant sachet in each one.

I don't use zip bags, but I store my watches with dessicant satches in the same box/drawer. +1

 

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CaptainWinsor

·Nov 19, 2019

Interesting. Having collected many Bakelite items over the years, I have not seen this happen to black. Colors like Red Green can darken, fade or change color completely. Black usually gets a hazy appearance. Is it truly Bakelite? Or some other thermo Plastic? I believe it’s the Phenol Formaldehyde that is the culprit and Urea Formaldehyde in Catalin.

 

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321Only

·Nov 19, 2019

The discoloration does not happen on the bakelite. Inside the bezel is tritium lume that shows discoloration when getting in contact with moisture.
My guess is that either a damaged or the shrinking effect of bakelite caused micro scratches that allowed moisture to enter the bezel and darken the lume