Omega dirty dozen check

Dsplash · Oct 8, 2022

Hi all!
On my quest to get a nice Omega dirty Dozen, I was offered this particular piece from a kind member here. As my knowledge on these is very limited, I’d very much like to know what more experienced collectors would have to say on this one (with the owner’s agreement, pictures are his)
It seems extremely well preserved to my eyes. If I had one little question about it, it would be the hands, especially the minute, that looks almost too clean compared to the dial’s patina…
Thanks! 😀

JimInOz · Oct 8, 2022

The difference in the colour variations may be due to the fact that these watches were usually serviced by military technicians/civilian contractors and sometimes re-lumed if needed. If the service person thought that the dial looked acceptable but the hands were a bit substandard, they may have just lumed the hands.

mahomes · Oct 9, 2022

Probably relumed hands

Dsplash · Oct 9, 2022

Would a uv shot be useful? How should it react? Like radium, « charges up » under uv but stops as soon as the light is turned off?

mac_omega · Oct 9, 2022

Dsplash
Would a uv shot be useful? How should it react? Like radium, « charges up » under uv but stops as soon as the light is turned off?

This

Dsplash · Oct 12, 2022

This is what it looks like when exposed to uv :

The lime seems to react similarly on the dial and hands?
Thanks!

Dsplash · Oct 12, 2022

Does it still feels like a relume on the hands? I would think not but what do I know? 😁

Dsplash · Oct 13, 2022

Any more thoughts on this one? 😀

Dsplash · Oct 15, 2022

So, in the end, should I consider this one just « too good!! » or « to good…to be true »? 😁

numero27 · Oct 15, 2022

The minute hand has been done the same time than the hour hand, because they have exactly the same color, same texture, and react the same with uv light. and it is almost impossible to relume just one hand with such a perfect match. Since the hour hand has exactly the same color and the same black moisture spots on the edge than the markers I'd say that it is correct to me. I'm not an expert but I have relume some hands, and I do always both because when the paste dry, the color change so you never know exactly what color it will be, and anyway if you are very lucky, and find what you think is the good color, the new lume will bright differently so it will change again the perception of the color depending of the light.

size11s · Oct 15, 2022

Well, if you are procrastinating to this extent then perhaps you should pass. My low value tuppence worth is that the hands are most likely to be new old stock radium replacements (they are available) rather than relumed, for me that doesn't devalue the watch at all. It's a pretty good example.

Dsplash · Oct 15, 2022

Thx for the replies!

It’s not really that I’m procrastinating, but this watch is priced on the higher end for the reference and I want to make sure I’m not missing anything, especially when doubt is raised on the lume’s condition 😀

Dan S · Oct 15, 2022

The UV shots look good to me. It just looks like some mold is growing on the hour hand and some of the markers, but hasn't spread to the minute.

jove14 · Oct 15, 2022

Hi.
Here's mine for comparison, but most of the lume has gone.
Joe.

size11s · Oct 15, 2022

Is it more than £2k? If you don't mind me asking.

smitty190373 · Oct 15, 2022

@Dsplash This was my watch, it was the best example of an Omega WWW that i've had in the last 10 years.

It came from a very reliable source, and in my opinion there has been no relume to either the dial or hands. If the hands have been done i'd like to know who did them, as I have several others that do need doing.

Dsplash · Oct 31, 2022

Hi all!
Just wanted to give a quick update to those who helped me here 😀
I did pursue it and it is now mine.
And it is in astonishing condition!
I tried taking some macros but my iPhone clip is giving me some trouble. The uv show the same reaction on the lume on dial and hands. The case is extremely sharp too!
Thanks for the advices 😀