Corroded vintage hands - thoughts?

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Syrte

·Aug 24, 2019

Hi everyone,
I’m contemplating the purchase of a 36mm dive watch with a corroded seconds hand. I found it on the web, really liked it, turns out a friend has since become the owner and is willing to let me have it for a price I like and find very fair.

I’m not bothered by it and know the wrist test will be the real one. But I wonder whether others find such corrosion off putting.

I don’t flip watches (wish I did) but want to be careful about being able to sell in case of need.

Thanks for your thoughts, pics credit previous owner Cedric on French forum MDP
http://www.forum-mdp.com/t28806-dans-la-famille-nicolet-je-voudrais-marc-revue-d-une-skin-diver?highlight=marc nicolet

Please don’t hesitate to post other examples.

 

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X350 XJR

·Aug 24, 2019·Vintage Omega Aficionado

My concern would be more one of a liability of having some flake off and find it's way into the movement, although I'd don't find rust as it appears on your example appealing aesthetically either.

 

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STANDY

·Aug 24, 2019

The hour and minute hands are only going to get worse also. ( from the looks of the last photo )

 

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Vitezi

·Aug 24, 2019

Has it been serviced? Rusted hands on a dive watch is never a good sign.

 

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Syrte

·Aug 24, 2019

In that 2011 review of the model the previous owner indicates it was serviced shortly before his purchase and kept good time. And in 2011 he posted the following movement pics.
Looks fine to me although I might ask my watchmaker for an inspection.
If I buy it I will ask him to try and remove the oxydation on the hour and minute hand, he’s quite good at that. I’m afraid the seconds hand is so far gone that there’s a danger it will break. I must admit I really fell for this dial and since I don’t mind the look I might ignore the oxydation if I like it on my wrist.

 

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wsfarrell

·Aug 24, 2019

Nice looking watch. I think the second hand would be the easiest to restore, since there's no lume to worry about dislodging.

 

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Syrte

·Aug 24, 2019

Thank you gents very much for your thoughts. I'll consult with my watch maker and see what he says.

 

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TIMElyBehaviour

·Aug 24, 2019

corrosion on the dial means water. get it checked out before buying mate. when was it last serviced?

 

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Syrte

·Aug 24, 2019

TIMElyBehaviour

corrosion on the dial means water. get it checked out before buying mate. when was it last serviced?

Thanks a lot. Will have it checked; according to the post where it is reviewed, it was serviced after the corrosion got there, and around 2011.

 

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TIMElyBehaviour

·Aug 24, 2019

Ok sweet, have your watch guy check it out. safety first

 

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Darlinboy

·Aug 24, 2019

Overall look is aesthetically pleasing. That said...

Hard to tell from the photos if the corrosion is advanced enough to be a structural issue. Could be a problem when a service is needed & hands are to be removed. I’ve seen plenty of seconds hands snapped off due to similar issue or the hole flaked enough it can’t be reinstalled on the post.