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Speedmasters, different watches, different appearances!

hansaboy
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Hi Guys, Not much action/auctions from me regarding new watches…
So I took out two of my Speedys to ”play” in the sun..

And I wanted to show the big difference that lume plots does to a watch!
The 69 has almost lost all of the lume, they are still covered with a very thin thin layer, but not much.
And the 66 has still the rich warm creamy lume intact.

Even if the 69 has boring lume plots (and adjusted hands), the dial does have a little brown tint in it,
(a bit hard to see on the pictures) and maybe in the future, a relume would do wonders?

Your thoughts here??

Cheers, and have a lovely Saturday!

IMG_2838.JPG IMG_2839.JPG
 
bazelot
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I actually have the exact same 2 watches in my collection. I think you should leave the 69 as is. It is a beautiful watch. Some members may disagree but it is always easiest to do than undo if that makes any sense.
 
Pahawi
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Nice ones, though I would relume the -69.

Same years - and even the same sun 😀

1969 and 1966.JPG
 
M'Bob
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Nice watches.

I notice it’s extremely common for the ‘69’s to have lume loss, even when the rest of the watch is in relatively good condition. Wonder why.

IMG_3223.jpeg
 
A
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I would guess this has to do with the chemical aging/breaking down of the lume material over age?
Maybe @Archer or other members can provide feedback?

also I would be interested in “modern lumes” do modern speedmasters need to be re-lumped as well in the next 100 yrs or a future date?
 
josiahg52
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A Arunski
I would guess this has to do with the chemical aging/breaking down of the lume material over age?
Maybe @Archer or other members can provide feedback?

also I would be interested in “modern lumes” do modern speedmasters need to be re-lumped as well in the next 100 yrs or a future date?

No, the lume is too stable and inert itself. Other elements that work to do the watch in will likely succeed first. I mean, if a seal fails and water enters, it will affect the rest of the watch fairly acutely, worse if it's left to linger, and that moisture might affect adhesion or the color. Same if the watch is left alone for decades without service and resealing in a non-ideal climate. UV light probably will affect the resin used to contain the pigments and luminescent material long before it could be said that it has "broken" down.
 
A
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😵‍💫
josiahg52 josiahg52
No, the lume is too stable and inert itself. Other elements that work to do the watch in will likely succeed first. I mean, if a seal fails and water enters, it will affect the rest of the watch fairly acutely, worse if it's left to linger, and that moisture might affect adhesion or the color. Same if the watch is left alone for decades without service and resealing in a non-ideal climate. UV light probably will affect the resin used to contain the pigments and luminescent material long before it could be said that it has "broken" down.



ooops then good storage is a must! Although saying that my 9300 was just water tested (after daily wear for 6 yrs straight) and it’s still perfectly water sealed according to my OB who tested it for me and said I could wait with the service of the 9300 co-axial easy another few years! Wish Omegas leather straps would hold up better (basically an annual replacement for crocodile black).
 
Davidt
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Is the lume definitely missing on the -69 or is it just one with the pale, mint green lume these often have?
 
Davidt
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A Arunski
I would guess this has to do with the chemical aging/breaking down of the lume material over age?
Maybe @Archer or other members can provide feedback?

also I would be interested in “modern lumes” do modern speedmasters need to be re-lumped as well in the next 100 yrs or a future date?

Well plenty of old speedmasters don’t need any lume work and regardless of the compounds used, I’d say it will be the same on the future. Sometimes 50 year old paint/binders remain in place and stable, especially in favourable environmental conditions. Sometimes they flake off.
Modern lume will be the same. In 50 years time, some of it will have gone mouldy looking of the seals weren’t replaced enough, some will flake off as the compound ages, some will stay intact.
 
A
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👎
Davidt Davidt
Well plenty of old speedmasters don’t need any lume work and regardless of the compounds used, I’d say it will be the same on the future. Sometimes 50 year old paint/binders remain in place and stable, especially in favourable environmental conditions. Sometimes they flake off.
Modern lume will be the same. In 50 years time, some of it will have gone mouldy looking of the seals weren’t replaced enough, some will flake off as the compound ages, some will stay intact.
Yeah fully agree! So many causes / influencing factors!
Was a geologist in a previous life and I can tell you it’s tricky to make sense of what weathering can do to a rock!👎 (Temperature change, salinity, acidity & physical weathering).
 
pdxleaf
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hansaboy hansaboy
...a relume would do wonders?

Your thoughts here??

if the lume is gone, why wouldn't you relume it?
 
A
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
if the lume is gone, why wouldn't you relume it?
I would consider a “re-lumed” watch as not being “mint” by the sense of not original (eg same as with coin classifications). Especially today with so many Frankenstein’s out there due to vintage watch prices
 
pdxleaf
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A Arunski
I would consider a “re-lumed” watch as not being “mint” by the sense of not original (eg same as with coin classifications). Especially today with so many Frankenstein’s out there due to vintage watch prices

True, but if the lume doesn't exist, it's not original either. 😁
 
A
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
True, but if the lume doesn't exist, it's not original either. 😁
Although a relumed watch - just needs to be described! Especially if offered for sale 😎
 
M'Bob
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Davidt Davidt
Is the lume definitely missing on the -69 or is it just one with the pale, mint green lume these often have?

Kept me up many a night….
 
hansaboy
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bazelot bazelot
I actually have the exact same 2 watches in my collection. I think you should leave the 69 as is. It is a beautiful watch. Some members may disagree but it is always easiest to do than undo if that makes any sense.
Thanks for your compliment, and I totally understand, once done - you cant go back!
 
hansaboy
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Pahawi Pahawi
Nice ones, though I would relume the -69.

Same years - and even the same sun 😀

1969 and 1966.JPG
Amazing watches!!👍
 
hansaboy
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Davidt Davidt
Is the lume definitely missing on the -69 or is it just one with the pale, mint green lume these often have?
Davidt Davidt
Is the lume definitely missing on the -69 or is it just one with the pale, mint green lume these often have?
Tried my best to show the lumecolor(whats left)!
🙄


IMG_2849.jpeg
 
hansaboy
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
if the lume is gone, why wouldn't you relume it?
Maybe?
I will have the watch a few more years, and then decide!
 
hansaboy
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M'Bob M'Bob
Nice watches.

I notice it’s extremely common for the ‘69’s to have lume loss, even when the rest of the watch is in relatively good condition. Wonder why.

IMG_3223.jpeg
Nice 69!!

and the same lume!!
Weird?
 
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