Shiny Speedmaster St74 Dial

Posts

875

Likes

2,607

BatDad

·May 27, 2020

I’ve been looking at todays daily wearer and it seems to my eyes to be much shinier than others I’ve seen.


I’m curious if this is a known effect seen in some dials?

Compared with a 71 and 74 (with step) it’s very different indeed.

The lume on the hands and plots seems off, perhaps stabilized in the past. Is it conceivable that someone decided to apply something to the dial to make it shine more? Any observed this before?

 

Posts

400

Likes

693

machamp6650

·May 27, 2020

Sorry I don't know much about things like lume stabilisation, and am waiting for the experts to chime in. But from the second photo it almost looks like it could be a famed soleil dial in the making? Any idea if the dial was replaced a long time ago?

 

Posts

875

Likes

2,607

BatDad

·May 28, 2020

No idea on the dial being replaced. When I found it the Chrono hand was incorrect so I had a watchmaker replace that for me.

Adding some B/L shots of that helps with identification in any way. Watch showing 920 is the dial in question. The other is a diff 74 for comparison.

 

Posts

2,827

Likes

4,720

dennisthemenace

·May 28, 2020

I had a 69 with the exact same sheen to the dial.
It was suggested by a watchmaker that it was a reaction to a certain oil used during a service.

 

Posts

875

Likes

2,607

BatDad

·May 28, 2020

Nice one. Thanks @dennisthemenace
😀

 

Posts

29,894

Likes

77,320

Archer

·May 28, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

dennisthemenace

I had a 69 with the exact same sheen to the dial.
It was suggested by a watchmaker that it was a reaction to a certain oil used during a service.

Can you elaborate? Was this suggested as some type of chemical reaction with an oil used in the movement? Off gassing? Someone spraying WD40? Would be curious to know the theory...

 

Posts

2,827

Likes

4,720

dennisthemenace

·May 28, 2020

Hi Al,
Watchmakers opinion on the dial in question.

 

Posts

29,894

Likes

77,320

Archer

·May 28, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Vapourized grease that "bonded" to the dial. First I've ever heard of that...will have to dig into this.

 

Posts

2,827

Likes

4,720

dennisthemenace

·May 28, 2020

I don't know if it's relevant, but the watchmaker is the go to choice for vintage Speedmaster servicing in the UK for serious collectors.

 

Posts

29,894

Likes

77,320

Archer

·May 28, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

dennisthemenace

I don't know if it's relevant, but the watchmaker is the go to choice for vintage Speedmaster servicing in the UK for serious collectors.

Sure. I'm simply saying this is a "thing" I have never heard of before, so not passing any judgement at this time.