This Seiko is off for a service now. For an extra few pounds I could have the GMT hand re-painted, (and for a further few pounds I could have the regular hands re-lumed). I'm in two minds. The paint loss doesn't bother me and I guess on balance I'm inclined to let the watch grow old gracefully, on the other hand, the dial is very clean so painting the GMT hand would bring the piece together a bit (I'm not even sure the dial hasn't had a new lick of paint itself).

What would you do?

 

What could possibly go wrong?

 

Well it depends on who does it. If re-luming is OK, why not a job like this?

 

I'm fine with how it is right now to be honest. You could leave this for a latter time... At least the GMT hand, the lume flaking I'd probably try to get it fixed as you don't want it flaking around inside the watch.

Regarding the luming of the hands. Normally new lume is going to have a different color than the rest of the lume. You can use coloring to try and get it similar to the rest of the lume but that might still not bring perfect results. Maybe the lume looks identical when applied but when it dries it'll change a bit. Then you have to re-do it again...

 

I would repaint the GMT hand, but that’s me. I have had the lume filled and stabilized on watches much older than this. My guy didn’t relume, he color matched and filled just the area that had broken away and coated the underside to keep the rest from flaking off. It’s not for the faint of heart and you have to be prepared to do a complete relume if things go wrong. But if they go well, you have retained the original lume- stabilized it as to not degrade further, and have filled the gaps which should be barely noticeable under a loupe.

 

I think I will ask the watchmaker to advise as to the quality of the lume. I'm still unsure about whether to repaint the red hand, so I'm no further with my original dilemma, but have a valuable answer for the question I didn't ask!

I love this forum!

 

I’d stabilize paint and lume ... that’s it.

 

I will scratch the dial to have it consistent with the GMT hand.

 

I'd paint it, but that's really my OCD coming out more than anything else. No patina for me!

 

I would recommend a careful restauration of both the GMT hand and the lume. And by "careful restoration" I don't mean to spray it with artist paint and have it relume with superluminova that glows forever. Let me know if you need help

 

Definitely is worth it to relume it. it's not difficult and watch deserves it

 

Wouldn't touch it myself, but do what makes you happy!

 

Best response so far. I’m doing that.

 

Do what doesn't look right when you are looking at it on your wrist - it's easy to find issues when you are looking at it 500% or more size on a computer screen. Unless the lume is deemed loose by the watchmaker then leave alone until next time ?

 

These watches are known for being messed with. Having a bit of imperfection from normal use is a positive IMO for value retention.

 

That’s where I’m heading. I’ve asked the watchmaker to assess the paint and lume for flaking and let me know his thoughts before deciding what to do. I’m moving away from re-painting the gmt hand.