First Speedmaster (Tropical Straightwriting)

Shawnnyang

Thanks everyone for your collective contributions. One more question I was hoping one of you can help me with. Anyone know a reputable servicer in either Hong Kong or Manhattan? The watch failed a pressure test and I'd like to get it to a reputable vintage servicer to replace gaskets and "seal" the watch (to the extent possible for a vintage speedy). Don't ever plan on showering or swimming with it but was hoping to beef up water resistance against the HK humidity.

ck77

http://www.classicwatchrepair.com/
maybe this

DotOverNine

Lume thread

WYO_Watch

@oddboy and I discussed creating one of these as well. My focus was going to be on Speedmaster hand lume variations. Just in my small sampling the diversity is quite spectacular 🙄 sheesh I need another hobby...

WYO_Watch

@oddboy and I discussed creating one of these as well. My focus was going to be on Speedmaster hand lume variations. Just in my small sampling the diversity is quite spectacular 🙄 sheesh I need another hobby...

Shawnnyang

Thanks - I've actually tried Classic Watch Repair as well as Berne Horology in Hong Kong. Neither had the capability to source any parts needed to make sure the watch seals. Is Archer watch repair the unanimous choice for folks?

EDIT: A member helpfully gave a few thoughts on doing the repair work in HK. Does anyone have any thoughts on service shops in Manhattan?

DotOverNine

I missed this whole thread being skiing a few days =) Grats to really good looking watch!

Will start my own "Lume thread" the coming days =) Let's see how many rounds it will last... =)

Fost

Just to explain myself about the 'Strange lume', it is not excately about the shrinked lume (even if this one is particulary 'homogeneous in every single marker) but you stated that the hands were relumed, and the 'appearance' of the lume (not really like old tritium , it looks more shiny, no grains etc..) is exactely the same between the marker and the hands. So there is 2 options, the guy who relumed the hands find a way to make the hands as closed as the dial keeping this strage apperance, or the guy who relumed the hands, relumed the dial with the same paste (and Strange appearance). We will certainly never know...
Enjoy your beauty.

Shawnnyang

I'd rather not post without seller's permission but as stated, I do have a video of the lume plots on the dial reacting very differently to UV light than the lume on the hands. So the third option is that there were two different relumers!

Atalien2005

Or the same relumer mixed a little UV powder for the dial.

Seeing that the DB brothers have another straight writing listed on their site currently for CHF 16,500 and your watch has a tropical dial, I would hate to hear what you paid. For that type of money, I wouldn’t want to have any doubt if it was a relume or not.

kov

Ok. I have no affiliation with OP nor any the fighting nerds here 😁
.. Nevertheless, I have already observed this sort of "toothpaste" lume. Either it was applied that way (and usually covers quite well the white line), or it dried up, lume partially fell off and the remainder looks like above.

Shawnnyang

(a) I'm glad that other examples of "toothpaste" lume within the markers exists. I really didn't think this would be controversial and it only took a quick google search to see other examples of the same. To me, its aesthetically pleasing exactly the way it is.

Shawnnyang

Many thanks! That's my take as well. For the most part, the responses on here have been quite thoughtful and I've learned more about these watches as a result (the "toothpaste-style lume" never even occurred to me as interesting or unusual before someone else pointed it out and it prompted me to look into it).

queriver

Sorry, 🤦, couldn't resist, all this talk about toothpaste lume. Apply t(r)opically for instant and lasting perfect lume....

queriver

Sorry, 🤦, couldn't resist, all this talk about toothpaste lume. Apply t(r)opically for instant and lasting perfect lume....