Fellow patina lovers - where do you draw the line? That fine line between the amazing beauty that is natural age and a dial that has crossed over into undesirable? Example, looking at this piece and it's really right on the line for me. One minute, VERY unique, the next minute not so much... If you're only into pristine vintage, I appreciate that but no need to weigh in. Fellow patina lovers - thoughts please!
I don't want a watch dial that looks like an Andy Warhol nightmare or a bad trip at a Grateful Dead concert. I do like how some black dials age with crazing, the kind that shows the other color paint underneath the black.
Personally, I Love even patina (like my omega below) but not uneven like the 1016 or the watch in question above. That is just damage to me..
i think your right it looks like my watch had sat i drawer for years i figure its had some water ingress but movement is ok case is super sharp though once its back from being serviced i'll post some better pics
To me, if it looks good.. It is like art to me, if it looks terrible, it is damage to me.. Simple as that. You see all these newer watches that are coming out with fake looking yellow to look old and to me these are what they wish they could be. Also I see patina as one of the main reasons to buy vintage, it gives a watch soul and beauty. An old watch that looks new does nothing for me. I love that first watch it looks like a tiger, if it was wood it would be highly desirable and it's amazing something can age like that.. Why would you not want that? If all it does is tell time why not with a personality, not just like every other model of it.
Love it. I've been considering a bronze watch recently solely because of the fast developing patina, so my opinion may be a bit biased.
Heaviest patina in my stash, also one of my favorites to wear. I appreciate that patina can yield a unique character to a watch setting it apart from others and to a certain extent giving it undeniable authenticity. In other words it can add to a watch, rather than be seen as a line that’s crossed leading to compromise.
I draw the line at legibility/contrast. Lots of watches from the 1940s may retain gently aged dials, but if the numeral lume has degraded to a point where the time is unreadable at a glance, I move on. Here's an example:
I also prefer patina on black dials compared to white. That being said, not a big fan of the patina in the original post...
The line lies with what YOU find attractive! Unless of course you’re purchasing just to flip it? Then that’s a different story as it then has to appeal to collectors to be profitable.
Very much individual preference. Personally I like dials on dress watches to be as clean/original/unblemished as possible. On tool watch I like even, attractive patina and can see why it adds value. I even like uneven, messy, possibly unattractive patina/damage but the price must be appropriate.