Original lume or relume on Speedmaster?

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jeppehh

·Aug 26, 2020

Hi OF

I'm looking at this watch and I'm unsure of the originality of the lume on the dial and hands.

I tested the watch with UV and there was only a very-very faint short glow afterwards on the dial markers, but nothing from the hands.

Just wanted your thoughts on whether this is a relume or just some dead tritium.

Edited: Sep 3, 2020

 

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dennisthemenace

·Aug 26, 2020

I would just say that perfectly matching original lume on hands and dial on any vintage speedmaster would be very unusual.
I think your suspicions are justified

 

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Seaborg

·Aug 26, 2020

I would say relume (but very good job). I'm used to see very faint crack on the lume at the step. The texture looks like a stamped lume (like some vintage Rolex watches). Furthermore, the color of the lume is really super homogeneous and matches perfectly with the hands. This very strong yellow patina on a 145.022-69 is quite unlikely (this particular shade of yellow).
Only my opinion...

 

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M'Bob

·Aug 26, 2020

Seaborg

This very strong yellow patina on a 145.022-69 is quite unlikely (this particular shade of yellow).

Yes, almost never see that. But...it’s a very decent re-lume, as you note.

 

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u35rm8

·Aug 26, 2020

If it wasn’t for the consistent lume colouring and shade of yellow I’d never have been able to tell that this was a re lume (assuming that it is)

 

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bags1971

·Aug 26, 2020

Id say the hands are repainted as well very good tho

 

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jeppehh

·Aug 26, 2020

Thanks for the thoughts and comments. Very insightful. I really appreciate it 👍