Community Stories

does this Suverän smell like fresh paint?

Azveld
Posts
332
Likes
289
Hello there,

this Suverän has me wondering. I find it too flawless for its age and I would like to have your opinion.

it seems clear to me that the hands have lost their radium and have been repainted with a color much too close to the indexes.
the indexes themselves are too well preserved to have lived for so many years.
I find that there are too many retouched elements which leads me to say that it is a repainted dial, properly no doubt, but repainted all the same.
in fact I find this watch too clean to be honest.
am I wrong and have I become too suspicious?
do you have the same opinion?

Zbemck1.jpeg
Uj0qS21.jpeg xUcTBIH.jpeg oL8NCdE.jpeg
 
JimInOz
Posts
17,440
Likes
36,556
Based solely on those pics I'd say yes, but like @M'Bob, I wouldn't kick it out of bed on a cold night.
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,800
I have seen 75 year old radium look like new. I’d say just well cared for.
 
padders
Posts
10,230
Likes
16,028
If that were still radium it would be hot as hell so a Geiger counter would tell all. I think it is a very tidy and skilful relume job. There are smudges here and there that suggest this. I can't see radium fading uniformly on both dial and hands like that with no hint of burn or any other issues. It could be original but I very much doubt it. As above though, regardless it is still a good looking thing.
Edited:
 
Azveld
Posts
332
Likes
289
that the hands are redone, this is not too surprising because the radium crumbles over time and falls into dust.
my question is rather on the numbers of the indexes which were a tritium it seems to me. after 75 years it is often very dark while the radium becomes pumpkin.
on this dial, they are very very clean. if the indexes are repainted it is done with care.

the rest of the dial looks so new that I have difficulty accepting the fact that it is vintage.
 
Azveld
Posts
332
Likes
289
when @Juglans44 will have received it, it will be nice to show it to us so that we know a little more.

nice acquisition man 😉
 
tapaptpat
Posts
891
Likes
1,657
@Azveld
Congrats, Its a fine piece.
To answers your question, the dial it could it be a replacement, get some of the experts to chime in.
You could have it services by a trusted watchmaker and get their opinion when examined outside of case.
Hands are more likely to be replacements as i have seen them for sale.
Some dials seem to have stood the test of time better than others.

I trust you have seen these threads.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-officer-and-suverän.15962/
and similar discussion here
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-suveran-condition-too-good-update-another-one.31395/page-2
and i know you have found this one
https://omegaforums.net/threads/suveran-collectors-please-post-yours.140639/

To add to the comparisons: here is another point or two for reference
upload_2022-7-21_22-36-7.png
Edited:
 
Azveld
Posts
332
Likes
289
@tapaptpat
yes I had read these topics before buying mine. it is a model that I find very elegant.
I've seen so many revamped ones that I doubt every time I see one nearly intact.

Anyway, however desirable it was, the price was too prohibitive for me. It was not made for me because I would have autopsied it to remove my doubts, and we would not have started our relationship on a good note.
I wanted to exercise my eyesight and learn as much as possible by talking to experienced members. There was no clear opinion, let's give her the benefit of the doubt because she is really very attractive.

congratulations on your collection which is varied and very beautiful 👍
 
minutenrohr
Posts
2,009
Likes
25,147
Azveld Azveld
Hello there,

this Suverän has me wondering. I find it too flawless for its age and I would like to have your opinion.

it seems clear to me that the hands have lost their radium and have been repainted with a color much too close to the indexes.
the indexes themselves are too well preserved to have lived for so many years.
I find that there are too many retouched elements which leads me to say that it is a repainted dial, properly no doubt, but repainted all the same.
in fact I find this watch too clean to be honest.
am I wrong and have I become too suspicious?
do you have the same opinion?

Zbemck1.jpeg
Uj0qS21.jpeg xUcTBIH.jpeg oL8NCdE.jpeg

Here's mine - I think it's not redone:

IMG_7066.JPG
 
IMG_7066.JPG
Azveld
Posts
332
Likes
289
I did not expect to see such old models with such little marked aging.

These conversations are enriching!
 
tapaptpat
Posts
891
Likes
1,657
minutenrohr minutenrohr
I'd point out the flat A (in the Omega Signature)...
IMHO would phrase it like this:
"most or majority" of dials have serif on A,
some have flat top A's without serif
and some have pointy top A's without serif
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Mattsky

Does this Seamaster smell like a rat or...not?

Mattsky Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Mattsky
Mattsky
Posts
14
Views
778
lillatroll

What does Space smell like?

lillatroll Open Discussion
ras47
ras47
Posts
30
Views
2K
MKelley

Opinions on this Suveran

MKelley Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
MKelley
MKelley
Posts
4
Views
1K