- Posts
- 224
- Likes
- 332
lucentcrow
路The white radium on the top compared to 70 years of patina on the bottom, the image at the top was from a Pathe video on YouTube of RAF pilots and navigator training at the royal airforce college Cranwell (1961)
Radium new and old
- Posts
- 630
- Likes
- 721
theluckyluke
路It looks much better now! 馃槀
- Posts
- 216
- Likes
- 473
ACC1965
路I love the warmth of the aged patina. Great watch!
- Posts
- 224
- Likes
- 332
lucentcrow
路It looks much better now! 馃槀
It looks much better now! 馃槀
- Posts
- 224
- Likes
- 332
lucentcrow
路I love the warmth of the aged patina. Great watch!
- Posts
- 3,786
- Likes
- 8,622
blubarb
路Do you have a radiation (in microSieverts 渭Sp/h or milliRoentgen (mR/h) readings from the dial - just curious to know what values of radiation the watch face emits above your background values?
I am also curious as to why this patina has developed. Is it actually the Zinc Phosphorous being bombarded by radiation into annihilation, leaving the paint to be naturally darkened by sunlight? Can anyone provide an explanation?
I am also curious as to why this patina has developed. Is it actually the Zinc Phosphorous being bombarded by radiation into annihilation, leaving the paint to be naturally darkened by sunlight? Can anyone provide an explanation?
Edited:
- Posts
- 1,724
- Likes
- 14,673
tdn-dk
路Do you have a radiation (in microSieverts 渭Sp/h or milliRoentgen (mR/h) readings from the dial - just curious to know what values of radiation the watch face emits above your background values?
I am also curious as to why this patina has developed. Is it actually the Zinc Phosphorous being bombarded by radiation into annihilation, leaving the paint to be naturally darkened by sunlight? Can anyone provide an explanation?
- Posts
- 186
- Likes
- 55
Horologist
路
BTW.an absolutely breathtaking piece to say the least馃憤馃憤
- Posts
- 249
- Likes
- 207
drose224
路Interesting
conversation.
I hope you were wearing the appropriate safety gear while handling it out of the case ? Micro dust from Radium lume, even if intact can still be a hazard. I am sure you know what you are doing, but newbies may not be so vigilant or savvy about it!!
BTW.an absolutely breathtaking piece to say the least馃憤馃憤
- Posts
- 79
- Likes
- 140
G'c
路The white radium on the top compared to 70 years of patina on the bottom, the image at the top was from a Pathe video on YouTube of RAF pilots and navigator training at the royal airforce college Cranwell (1961)
- Posts
- 9,957
- Likes
- 15,636
padders
路路Oooo subtitles!It was white when new. Same with tritium really. The colour developed with time.
- Posts
- 224
- Likes
- 332
lucentcrow
路Was the radium back then really white or already cream/yellowish? Just wondering as pics from 70 years ago may not fully reflect the colours. Great pic and comparison! The warm patinaed dial looks much better.
- Posts
- 79
- Likes
- 140
G'c
路It is indeed fascinating that when new, the dial looks kinda sterile, but then after the years the dial is much more pleasing to the eyes. No wonder the "faux" patina on modern watches continue to be a hotly debated topic, which from my perspective, I do not mind at all as long as it is done well and fit the watch.
To divert this topic a bit - since some companies like Omega and Tudor do not mind going back to aluminum bezels on their divers, I wonder whether there will be chances that tritirum will be used in luxury watch brands (discounting brands like Ball), the "selling" point will be the individuality after age. Interestingly, Omega has done the same with NTTD on their bezels and dial (not the lume) when selling the same, and tudor with their bronze cases.
I guess the companies do not want toe the line of such patina being considered a "defect" and handle complaints by customers who deemed the same.
To divert this topic a bit - since some companies like Omega and Tudor do not mind going back to aluminum bezels on their divers, I wonder whether there will be chances that tritirum will be used in luxury watch brands (discounting brands like Ball), the "selling" point will be the individuality after age. Interestingly, Omega has done the same with NTTD on their bezels and dial (not the lume) when selling the same, and tudor with their bronze cases.
I guess the companies do not want toe the line of such patina being considered a "defect" and handle complaints by customers who deemed the same.
- Posts
- 21,773
- Likes
- 49,406
Dan S
路I wonder whether there will be chances that tritirum will be used in luxury watch brands (discounting brands like Ball), the "selling" point will be the individuality after age.
- Posts
- 79
- Likes
- 140
G'c
路I think that tritiated paint is banned in some countries, and highly regulated in other countries, so I doubt watch companies will start using it again.
