Community Stories

Patina or no patina

babaky
Posts
72
Likes
43
Hi All,
As a relative new comer wanted to see what the general consensus was regarding patina on watches but specifically pan pie omegas.

Here is an example:

Screenshot 2026-08-24 at 18.43.02.webp


Thoughts........
 
Mark020
Posts
6,793
Likes
10,598
Dont lick that dial. May give you nicotine poisoning 馃榿
 
babaky
Posts
72
Likes
43
Mark020 Mark020
Dont lick that dial. May give you nicotine poisoning 馃榿

馃槶
Is it really nicotine though?
 
Peemacgee
Posts
6,731
Likes
10,395
Patina is damage.
Some people accept the unusual nature of this kind of damage.
This watch is not a pie pan, it is a dome dial.
 
babaky
Posts
72
Likes
43
Peemacgee Peemacgee
Patina is damage.
Some people accept the unusual nature of this kind of damage.
This watch is not a pie pan, it is a dome dial.
Yes I agree, it is not a pie pan. The patina, I like but not the spots on the dial...
 
SOG53
Posts
3,558
Likes
7,757
You will find a good basic discussion of patina here. Good for new members, and old too.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish-a-guide-not-for-enquiries.52603/ Cover Image
Thread 'Learn How To Fish - A Guide - Not For Enquiries' 路
I have had a few newer members asking me for advice on how to spot a good vintage watch and what they should be on guard for. I've decided to post a little primer on how to assess vintage watches...
ConElPueblo 路
 
babaky
Posts
72
Likes
43
SOG53 SOG53
You will find a good basic discussion of patina here. Good for new members, and old too.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish-a-guide-not-for-enquiries.52603/ Cover Image
Thread 'Learn How To Fish - A Guide - Not For Enquiries' 路
I have had a few newer members asking me for advice on how to spot a good vintage watch and what they should be on guard for. I've decided to post a little primer on how to assess vintage watches...
ConElPueblo 路
It's one of the first bits I read when I came on to this forum. He is not too keen on patina I take it.
 
Shabbaz
Posts
5,026
Likes
18,607
babaky babaky
It's one of the first bits I read when I came on to this forum. He is not too keen on patina I take it.
Sadly he does'nt contributie anymore.
 
elephantcage
Posts
492
Likes
3,446
On a sport watch, made for working, maybe in the water, etc....patina is great. On a dress watch that maybe gets some perspiration on back now and again....no patina.
 
Donn Chambers
Posts
2,794
Likes
3,717
babaky babaky
Hi All,
As a relative new comer wanted to see what the general consensus was regarding patina on watches but specifically pan pie omegas.

Here is an example:

Screenshot 2026-08-24 at 18.43.02.webp


Thoughts........
One man鈥檚 damage is another man鈥檚 patina. I consider that damage and find the dial (and the whole watch) unattractive because of it.
 
SOG53
Posts
3,558
Likes
7,757
This is a very subjective topic and over time you will have your own opinion.
There is no right or wrong but generally even distribution of patina is favoured over spotty or uneven pattern.
 
Cartesian
Posts
230
Likes
660
I'd be interested to learn if there was a correlation between those who find patina attractive and those who find inscriptions attractive: both could be regarded as 'damage'; or as signalling a unique and 'lived in' quality of the watch
 
malilis
Posts
454
Likes
405
Hello ! Personally, I find some patina can be attractive providing the, patina is even on the dial ... each case is unique and of course is personal ... as to the inscriptions, I hate them and would ban the watch that shows the inscriptions .. again personal !
 
Peemacgee
Posts
6,731
Likes
10,395
Two very different things.

Patina is the unintentional degradation of the watch, whilst engravings are the intentional amendment of the watch.

Patina is visible when wearing the watch, engravings generally are not.

The only correlation between patina and engravings, for those who don鈥檛 like either, is that the majority of collectors prefer their watches to be as near as possible as they left the factory.
 
babaky
Posts
72
Likes
43
Peemacgee Peemacgee
Two very different things.

Patina is the unintentional degradation of the watch, whilst engravings are the intentional amendment of the watch.

Patina is visible when wearing the watch, engravings generally are not.

The only correlation between patina and engravings, for those who don鈥檛 like either, is that the majority of collectors prefer their watches to be as near as possible as they left the factory.
Thanks. Sorry for my ignorance but what do you mean by engraving. Is that the spots on the dial that we see?
 
Speed2Sea
Posts
895
Likes
4,767
babaky babaky
Thanks. Sorry for my ignorance but what do you mean by engraving. Is that the spots on the dial that we see?
"Drive Carefully - Me" (a personal inscription typically on the case back)
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

B

Omega Seamaster 30 Cal. 269: Patina or Corrosion?

brobros Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
dsio
dsio
Posts
3
Views
152
Plymouth

Omega De Ville Cal. 711 Dial Patina or Water Damage?

Plymouth Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Plymouth
Plymouth
Posts
2
Views
177
P

Inherited Vintage Omega Constellation: Patina Opinions

phantomic Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Peemacgee
Peemacgee
Posts
9
Views
221
CajunTiger

1967 Omega Speedmaster Pre-Moon 145.012 w/ Orange Patina

CajunTiger Private Watch Sales
CajunTiger
CajunTiger
Posts
5
Views
1K
padders

1960s Omega Seamaster 14700 Gilt Dial Tropical Patina

padders Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
padders
padders
Posts
22
Views
753
D

Omega Rose Gold Hues & Patina: BB Code Explained

Danno Five - 0 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Peemacgee
Peemacgee
Posts
6
Views
575