- Posts
- 167
- Likes
- 1,524
ScDevon
·I like black dial threads because I think we all learn from them. I don’t want to hijack the thread, but with your permission....
I bought this 1964 135.007 cal. 286 serial # 21xxx...earlier in the 2000s. Non-coathanger "S" font. For the few hundred bucks I have in it, I couldn’t care less if it’s a redial, but I think it’s most likely an original. The dial text and minute track print are gold regardless how it shows in the pics. There are the remains of “T Swiss Made T” centered under 6:00 that has scuffed off / faded. The tension ring crystal isn’t 100% correct for this case and it obscures what’s left of the 6:00 lettering. Impossible to photograph with the movement in the case and I don't have macro photo equipment anyway.
Rotted, aged tritium in the hour markers. I don't see how it's possible to repaint a dial with rotten tritium still intact, but who knows?
The Alpha hands are a curiosity, but I like them and I have a set of NOS luminous stick sword hands in my stash anyhow, so franken-hands don't bother me if they in fact are franken hands.
There is rotten tritium in the luminous hands too that seems to be as rotten as the hour markers, so who knows... There seem to be practically infinite variations of 135.007.
People in the know seem to say that "mirror finish piano black" paint is a dead giveaway because it wasn't possible to apply paint that smooth 60+ years ago apparently. Depending on how the light reflects on this dial paint, it definitely has a rougher finish than a mirror black finish.
Again, I have experience in this hobby now and I'm not looking for validation on this Seamaster. I just think the more pics and discussion about black dials, the better.
I bought this 1964 135.007 cal. 286 serial # 21xxx...earlier in the 2000s. Non-coathanger "S" font. For the few hundred bucks I have in it, I couldn’t care less if it’s a redial, but I think it’s most likely an original. The dial text and minute track print are gold regardless how it shows in the pics. There are the remains of “T Swiss Made T” centered under 6:00 that has scuffed off / faded. The tension ring crystal isn’t 100% correct for this case and it obscures what’s left of the 6:00 lettering. Impossible to photograph with the movement in the case and I don't have macro photo equipment anyway.
Rotted, aged tritium in the hour markers. I don't see how it's possible to repaint a dial with rotten tritium still intact, but who knows?
The Alpha hands are a curiosity, but I like them and I have a set of NOS luminous stick sword hands in my stash anyhow, so franken-hands don't bother me if they in fact are franken hands.
There is rotten tritium in the luminous hands too that seems to be as rotten as the hour markers, so who knows... There seem to be practically infinite variations of 135.007.
People in the know seem to say that "mirror finish piano black" paint is a dead giveaway because it wasn't possible to apply paint that smooth 60+ years ago apparently. Depending on how the light reflects on this dial paint, it definitely has a rougher finish than a mirror black finish.
Again, I have experience in this hobby now and I'm not looking for validation on this Seamaster. I just think the more pics and discussion about black dials, the better.
Edited:
