Forums Latest Members
  1. JACK G Mar 9, 2019

    Posts
    359
    Likes
    646
  2. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Mar 9, 2019

    Posts
    7,346
    Likes
    24,028
    Cherry-picking a few results from auctions is less than compelling. Yes, many collectors prefer unmolested watches, including patinated dials, but I can tell from deep experience in the market (I am currently at Europe's biggest watch fair in Munich) that there must be many buyers who prefer polished cases and a "like new" look. I have seen more and more such watches appear at fairs and dealer shops around Europe over recent years.

    So, there are really two distinct markets, and I see no signs of there being any (selling) advantage to having a patinated dial unless it happens to be particularly attractive.
     
    khmt2, Snowman, sdre and 3 others like this.
  3. Deafboy His Holiness Puer Surdus Mar 9, 2019

    Posts
    2,165
    Likes
    6,114
    The author of the article seems to have missed the point. Collectors (at least those on this forum) seek for un-molested specimens, not for a patinated watch. An original non-patinated watch is worth a lot more to collectors than a patinated one. Condition, condition condition!
     
  4. jjen Mar 9, 2019

    Posts
    243
    Likes
    267
    that rolex triple calendar moonphase had a case in amazing condition but the case wasn't especially interesting and the dial was unattractive. it's the "rolex" on it, otherwise it wouldn't be worth much
     
  5. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Mar 10, 2019

    Posts
    17,044
    Likes
    25,209
    There is obviously a market for tarted up tired watches. Look at eBay. It’s a separate market from collectors and high end collectors.

    In other news the sky is blue.
     
    Lucasssssss likes this.
  6. CajunTiger Cajuns and Gators can't read newspapers! Mar 10, 2019

    Posts
    2,678
    Likes
    9,741
    I agree to an extent, the author is confused...in the years I have been collecting vintage watches, I have never sought out a watch that was "restored and polished to look ‘like new’'. To the contrary, I have always looked for "watches in original condition with honest patina."

    This is mostly true with any collector, whether it be watches, cameras, furniture, cars...it doesnt matter. Collectors seek out honest examples, and patina is the main attribute that tells us if the piece is 50 years old or 5 years old. If he wrote this article 30 years ago it might be relevant, but he is a bit late to the show.

    But patina and damage are not the same...same goes with the loosely used term "tropical". A damaged watch is not tropical. Tropical is a natural process that only occurs to certain examples in a known range. But this is another topic.

    Patina and damage are not the same thing...a perfect example of a vintage watch should have patina, if it doesnt then this is a clue.
     
  7. Hippocampus Mar 10, 2019

    Posts
    41
    Likes
    44
    I’m discovering that I enjoy patina more than most collectors the more I read on OF. Granted the patina I like is a more uniform, warm patina than a a dial with a big splotch near one of the markers. The watch I’m wearing as I type this on my lunch break is a 168.004 that I overpaid for (probably) because I liked the patina of it, how it looked with the gold markers, and how the patina complements brown straps. E818EF4D-9668-49C4-B6BC-0B37ECE3FBB0.jpeg

    Pristine examples are nice and while I have and enjoy a few pristine pieces, they lack a certain uniqueness. 168.004 is by no means a rare watch and while I could have waited for a pristine one and paid a king’s ransom for it, in the end it looks the same as all the other pristine ones out there. Sort of why I don’t really take pictures of my newer watches and don’t really enjoy wading through loads of pictures of people showing off brand new Speedmasters or Planet Oceans, it’s just all the same to me. I guess I’m just saying that if a watch comes up with particularly attractive patina to it, I’ll pay something of a premium for it vs an otherwise blah example of the same watch with a very ordinary dial. There’s exceptions of course to this but true for the most part.
     
  8. Vitezi Mar 10, 2019

    Posts
    3,088
    Likes
    13,355
    Syrte, T-Steve and Tony C. like this.
  9. Dgercp Mar 10, 2019

    Posts
    1,072
    Likes
    1,454
    Patina is the beauty of aging.
    It is the magic that makes any vintage watch dial unique.

    But, like garlic, it can be overdone.
     
    watchyouwant and jumpingsecond like this.
  10. Kja Mar 11, 2019

    Posts
    538
    Likes
    511
    If it is just the laquer process naturally gassing off through time then it is not damage to me and part of the charm, damage is damage and not the same, but I'm ok with small dent on a 50-70 year old watch. I'm not ok with it being a franken or a parts watch. My Connie has a gorgeous butterscotch patina I love.

    [​IMG]
     
    Vitezi and Rman like this.
  11. hoipolloi Vintage Omega Connoisseur Mar 11, 2019

    Posts
    3,516
    Likes
    5,792
    The patina I love.

    IMG_20190311_153721.jpg
     
    GregH, Vitezi and chronoboy64 like this.
  12. chronoboy64 Mar 11, 2019

    Posts
    1,441
    Likes
    11,944
    Hi,
    I totally agree with @CajunTiger on this topic. Patina and damage are two different things. And I really prefer my 80 years old Minerva by contrast of the CHF 60 k new looking piece auctioned by Phillips last year.
    Best

    53994CD4-1D8B-4C49-A4B0-39ED9C143645.png
     
    Vitezi likes this.
  13. McKinley Mar 11, 2019

    Posts
    706
    Likes
    6,039
    I wanna play. LOL. I bought this from Norman 18 months or so.

    20180123_154309.jpg
     
  14. aap Mar 11, 2019

    Posts
    3,062
    Likes
    23,653
    I've always been a fan of Jim Collins' "Genius of the And" philosophy.

    There are watches that look good with patina and wear:
    [​IMG]

    AND

    there are those that look good otherwise:
    [​IMG]
    I like em both!
     
  15. sdre Mar 11, 2019

    Posts
    2,460
    Likes
    7,448
    o . m . g
     
    aap and chronoboy64 like this.
  16. murguia Mar 11, 2019

    Posts
    22
    Likes
    23
    1950 2624
     
    7AC11FAA-FC57-4B16-8189-B4D5301E5F80.jpeg 655BC780-0368-464F-BBE5-4B92AC3B90F5.jpeg