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Lumed hands replaced with non-lumed by service centre. "Sparkle" 168.023

K
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Hi everyone,
I recently gave my grandfather's Omega Seamaster "sparkle" ref 168.023 , 36mm to an authorised centre for service.

They changed the pretty corroded hands with new ones- however they are without lume.

I wonder if this is normal? Because they say no lume hands are available for this model.
And if I want, i can get another pair of lumed hands, which belong to the same caliber (cal 751) , but not exactly the same watch. I've usually seen these ones on smaller dial constellations.

What do you recommend i do?
1. Keep original
2. Keep non lumed replacement
3. Change to newer lumed variant

Appreciate your help! 😀

Screenshot_20241109-014805~2.webp Screenshot_20241109-014837~2.webp Screenshot_20241109-015024~2.webp 105312-2~3.webp
 
K
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Another photo of original hands which might show the corrosion better.

Screenshot_20241109-020111.webp
 
hant26
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I’m OCD so I ahould choose hand with lume to matched the hour markers and the “T swiss made T” dial
 
Dan S
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Can't you just reinstall the original hands? I would be happy to accept the minor oxidation to keep it original and matching - no brainer. Aging like that is pretty common on a 55 year old watch and doesn't bother me.
 
DaveK
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The new non-lumedhour hand is missing its fill?

IMG_0938.webp
 
hant26
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DaveK DaveK
The new non-lumedhour hand is missing its fill?

IMG_0938.webp

No. It’s just light reflected on glossy paint
 
kaplan
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I've swiped worse hands than your original hands on a microfiber cloth that already has some polishing compound and 2-3 swipes is enough to take away surface oxidization like yours

I'd consider your original hands top condition as a collector, I'd just stabilise the lume, take away the surface oxidization and reinstall

Some watches it's even better to keep them original and oxidized, since you have some coating damage on your dial indices (9'o clock) as well, I think just go back to the original and use them as they are, it will be very balanced
 
Fallout Boy
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The usual problem with workshops: a lack of communikation / description (before starting to work and make decisions)
good luck

(keep the original hands) 👍
 
K
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kaplan kaplan
I've swiped worse hands than your original hands on a microfiber cloth that already has some polishing compound and 2-3 swipes is enough to take away surface oxidization like yours

I'd consider your original hands top condition as a collector, I'd just stabilise the lume, take away the surface oxidization and reinstall

Some watches it's even better to keep them original and oxidized, since you have some coating damage on your dial indices (9'o clock) as well, I think just go back to the original and use them as they are, it will be very balanced
Thanks a lot for the input, kaplan! Very informative.

I'm not sure what "stabilize the lume" and "take way surface oxidation" mean. If you could help by explaining it a bit - I'll be sure to communicate that to the service house.

I'd prefer the original hands as well, just wanted then to be clean and not too corroded.
 
Fallout Boy
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Your watchmaker can "stabilize the lume" by laquering the back-side of the hands.
 
hant26
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Hi guys. I have an example here. This is my 166.010, the minute hand has lost the black paint in the central to the point we can see through it. Today, I bring it to a watchmaker to repaint it. It just take 10 mins and here is the result.

Before
IMG_1255.webp IMG_1256.webp



And after
IMG_1307.webp
 
Davidt
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I think it’s important to add that there is risk in cleaning these hands. AFAIK they’re not steel but plated and I’ve had two different watchmakers tell me they’re hesitant to clean surface oxidation from these types of hands as it’s easy to strip the plating off.

I’d still keep the original hands though.
 
hant26
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K knng
Thanks a lot for the input, kaplan! Very informative.

I'm not sure what "stabilize the lume" and "take way surface oxidation" mean. If you could help by explaining it a bit - I'll be sure to communicate that to the service house.

I'd prefer the original hands as well, just wanted then to be clean and not too corroded.
"stabilize the lume": He means covering the lume with some kind of coating so that you can use some kind of polishing compound to clean the hands without worrying about damaging the lume.
"take way surface oxidation": He means to clean the rust with polishing compound.
Of course a skilled watchmaker should do that.
P/S: We all prefer the original hands. Do as you like at your own risk.
 
K
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hant26 hant26
"stabilize the lume": He means covering the lume with some kind of coating so that you can use some kind of polishing compound to clean the hands without worrying about damaging the lume.
"take way surface oxidation": He means to clean the rust with polishing compound.
Of course a skilled watchmaker should do that.
P/S: We all prefer the original hands. Do as you like at your own risk.
Thanks for this explanation!
I think most likely I'll get the non-lume ones, hoping that they'll last longer.
At least they'll be closest to the original while being new.
Plus, i don't really trust the watchmakers in my country too much with the "stabilizing lume" bit. We don't have many experienced watchmakers here, and i feel the best they'll be able to do is replace the hands.
 
K
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Davidt Davidt
I think it’s important to add that there is risk in cleaning these hands. AFAIK they’re not steel but plated and I’ve had two different watchmakers tell me they’re hesitant to clean surface oxidation from these types of hands as it’s easy to strip the plating off.

I’d still keep the original hands though.
I think I'll of course keep the original with me safely. But will get the non lumed ones, for this exact reason. I plan to hold on to this watch for a lifetime, and the hands have already been through 55 years of wear
 
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