Patina on 90s T<25 dials

MatthewZ · Apr 25, 2018

Just saw this today. Full set T series dates back to 1996 there abt. Seems lightly polished but lugs still look quite sharp. But it has close to no patina on lume and hands. Is it because the lifespan of the tritium haven’t expire or something like that?
1996 + 25 years??
Will the patina develop? Develop evenly? Matches with the lume of hands?
So many questions hoping for answers

gdupree · Apr 25, 2018

You might want to include links and photos to the watch in question.

amanson · Apr 25, 2018

Patina on tritium can vary quite a bit, even with watches of the same age.

MatthewZ · Apr 25, 2018

Additional photos

Dero13 · Apr 25, 2018

Your guess is as good as anyones. Who knows how a watch will age

amanson · Apr 25, 2018

FWIW, I have an older watch than this one with tritium markers and they look the same.

Uniqez · Apr 25, 2018

My Explorer 2 from 1998 has no patina developed at all. I don't know ,if it has something to do with watch has been seating in the previous owner's safe for a bit over decade. Like @Dero13 said, who knows how it will age. I'm trying to wear mine a lot to boost that patina development )))

MatthewZ · Apr 26, 2018

Can anyone give some opinions on the case and lugs? Still contemplating whether to make an offer for this piece.

CPRwatch · Apr 26, 2018

The case & lugs look good to me & definitely not over polished . One way of telling if the lugs have been polished ,is if the bracelet end link pins are in line or slightly sticking out of the lug , and these aren't . The crown guards look good also, I think you might have a long wait for the patina to start showing though on the hour markers , hands etc & the only way to get the aged look on the insert would be to buy a slightly faded one . But overall look a great piece & really as with everything it comes down to price , you will pay more for better examples and the 16710 is a pretty hot watch at the moment . And even more for one with full B&P.

MatthewZ · Apr 26, 2018

USD 8850. Seems like a fair price for u guys?

asrnj77 · Apr 26, 2018

I thought you could negotiate down a little bit. Obviously the insert has been replaced and if there’s no box or paperwork it drops down a few bucks. BTW my 1988 16713 is showing light patina but it’s a root beer so it’s harder to notice right away

chows99 · Apr 27, 2018

Personally I wont buy a tritium dial without any Patina. If I want white markers, I can just buy modern Rolex watch.

Togri v. 2.0 · Apr 27, 2018

CPRwatch
One way of telling if the lugs have been polished ,is if the bracelet end link pins are in line or slightly sticking out of the lug , and these aren't.

You need a pretty serious polish for that to happen.

CPRwatch · Apr 27, 2018

Togri v. 2.0
You need a pretty serious polish for that to happen.

Trust me ,it's more common than you think .

pippy · Apr 27, 2018

If it helps here is my sub from 1984 with a nice creamy color, and my GMT 16710 from 1991 that still looks white.

77deluxe · Apr 27, 2018

My experience has been that the GMTs with T filled indices didn’t patina much.

asrnj77 · Apr 27, 2018

Pics work better...mine from ‘88

MatthewZ · Apr 27, 2018

pippy
If it helps here is my sub from 1984 with a nice creamy color, and my GMT 16710 from 1991 that still looks white.

My sub from 1984 too

MatthewZ · Apr 27, 2018

Anyway seller insist of selling at $9050. So I told him I will come back to him again when the patina is developed.

77deluxe · Apr 27, 2018

Those late 80s 5513s always seem to age right.

Patina on 90s T<25 dials

MatthewZ

gdupree

amanson

MatthewZ

Dero13

amanson

Uniqez

MatthewZ

CPRwatch

MatthewZ

asrnj77

chows99

Togri v. 2.0

CPRwatch

pippy

77deluxe

asrnj77

MatthewZ

MatthewZ

77deluxe

Similar threads

Rolex 16570 Explorer II 1994 Black T<25 $5200

Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster with T 25 mc dial. Serviced with warranty.

Looking for a Unicorn and a SD T<25 Dial

NEED NOS 16600 T<25 Dial

1990s IWC GST Aquatimer ref. 3536 in Steel w/ “T” Dial + B&P