Hi, I am new here in this forum and would like to get your opinion on my Speedy 2998-3. I am facing the consideration to relume it and to rework the small subdial hands. I would like to get your opinion on these 2 "issues". I am still struggling to relume it, because the dial is in good overall-condition, only the lume is missing... which is no disaster. Perhaps the watch is better when it stays in its original vintage look. The small hands seem to be painted, so some lost their original shape. I would like to get the paint off and let it paint again.... What you think about the watch and my considerations!? Many thanks in advance Frank
I recommend to leave the dial as is. For the small hands: yes, they look out of shape due to a too thick layer of paint - here it would be appropriate to remove the white paint and re-paint for a better result. This would not effect the original condition but remove a wrong "restoration" and make it better this way. just my 2 cents
Regulator, balance wheel (and possibly pallet cock), minute recording spring do not appear to be original to the movement.
And I think those subdial hands are not just overpainted but later replacements - they look too short and of the wrong shape.
Personally I find the white dial plots jarring and it detracts from the overall vintage look. Makes the dial look sterile. If you can find someone who can do a first class job in reluming the dial to a more appropriate vintage look, then that is something I would consider if it was my watch. Tricky balance between preserving originality vs. visual appeal vs. watch value.
Re luming is like plastic surgery. Most end in failure - in that the procedure can be seen. But in all cases, the question has to be asked, does it look better than before the procedure. Mostly, because it looked horrible before, that answer is yes. As the need increases, I see the skills in re luming grow and spread through the community. As this does, there are variations in skill levels and methods that make it harder to judge if a watch has been relumed. It is especially difficult with some of the late 1960's Speedmasters that have the "wobbly lume" that many of us now accept as original.