Hey guys, would like some opinions on how people value lume patina vs dial discolouration; ie if we're talking about a 145.022-69 which from my limited knowledge has some instances of browning dials.

Would you pick a:
1. Black original dial with lume with a nice creamy patina
OR
2. Brown original dial with dirty lume, turning bits of brown and black

Would love to hear people's opinions on these and how these variables would affect the value of a watch.

 

I am all in for dark chocolate dials only with intact yellow tritium :



Why having a compromise when both are possible?

 

Very much depends on the specifics of the watch in question. Not a binary answer as there are degrees inbetween.

Generally, black/mouldy lume is a deal breaker for me.

 

I am @kov...brown and creamy trit...

 

@josephgsy
Generally speaking, and leaving out all of the other factors except for the formal characteristics you've focused on, collectors will pay a premium for tropical (browning) dials and intact, original, non or only slightly degraded lume. We'd have to see actual side by comparisons of the two 145.022's to know what you're driving at because each watch is different in a myriad of ways. Also, be mindful of artificially aged dials and inserts as they are ever-present in the vintage watch market.

 

There is not much to discuss without photos.

 

Thanks for all your responses so far, I know it's always better with photos, but this is actually just a theoretical question, personally mine is a normal black dial piece with fairly nice patina on the lume, but have always wondered what people think of a tropical dial with crappy lume, would a proper relume "fix it"? Occasionally a couple of pieces with a nice tropical dial come up but have pretty poor lume, so it's something I've always wondered about

 

here's mine anyway!

 

Photos or it didn't happen !

Edit :

For me, relume ≠ proper

 

I think at the end of the day it's how it looks. Evenness of the is big. I've seen slightly mouldy dials that look amazing.

I like my perfectly even tan with a hint of green -76