Speedmaster pushers turning brown

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Sa Calobra

·Feb 20, 2022

Hi everyone, I'm in the market for an 80s/90s Speedmaster and came across a good looking 3590.50 from 1995. But I'm doubting about the color of the pushers from the back- they look brown. Is that a red flag? Would they need replacement for that? Looking at comparable models from the same time period, they mostly look shiny silver.
Many thanks!

 

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Mark020

·Feb 20, 2022·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

Dirt...

 

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S.H.

·Feb 20, 2022

Pusher caps are stainless steel but pusher bodies are plated brass, be it on a 60s speedy or on a 90s speedy. So depending on wear, and acidity (some people have a really acidic skin), plating wears off and the brass gets exposed. It is likely what you are seeing here, plus dirt indeed.

 

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Davidt

·Feb 20, 2022

This is fairly common to see on old pushers. Either discolouration like on your example or pitting.

 

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Sa Calobra

·Feb 20, 2022

Thanks. Would it be important to the valuation of the watch? Or given that it's hidden and fairly common, not really?

 

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Davidt

·Feb 20, 2022

Well obviously it makes it worth less than an example with pushers in good condition.

However, unlike 105.003’s and 105.012’s I believe service pushers are the same as vintage so the impact will likely be minimal.

 

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SpeedyPhill

·Feb 20, 2022

chocolate patina 😁

 

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bgrisso

·Feb 20, 2022

It seems this is an issue with basically all vintage chronos I think? Is there some reason why SS was not used on the tubes? I guess cost ?

 

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Archer

·Feb 20, 2022

Those are not bad at all, yet. They can get much worse...

 

M

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myatt

·Feb 20, 2022

I would tend to think that those pushers are a *green* flag rather than red. On vintage 321s it would most likely mean that the pushers are the original ones and I would price it *higher* than a comparable watch with shiny pusher necks - unless of course if the shiny pusher neck watch is absolutely NOS and a safe queen - only in that rarest of rare instances would it be valued higher than a patinaed one. Just my 2c.

 

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Dan S

·Feb 20, 2022

The pushers will probably be replaced when you have the watch serviced. Since it's basically just a pre-owned watch and not vintage or collectible, I don't think it really affects value significantly.

 

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Sa Calobra

·Feb 21, 2022

thank. Then I'll consider it as a service that needs to be done.

 

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watchyouwant

·Feb 21, 2022

Solution ? Take a thicker teeth floss , put some Brasso or other metal cleaner on and do it yourself.....

 

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JimInOz

·Feb 21, 2022·Melbourne Australia

watchyouwant

Solution ? Take a thicker teeth floss , put some Brasso or other metal cleaner on and do it yourself.....

Hey!
That's my secret trick!
Except I use thin knitting wool, seems to hold the Brasso better and gives a nice clean finish.

 

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JimInOz

·Feb 21, 2022·Melbourne Australia

Although it took a bit more than wool and Brasso to clean up this set.

But I think they turned out fine.