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They said the dial was relumed and I bid anyway: a gilt 5512 arrives (more photos added)

Larry S
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Holy moly… what the heck just happened here?
 
airansun
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Larry S Larry S
Holy moly… what the heck just happened here?

I’m blaming @Syrte . She knows what to do at a dinner party when two guests get into it with each other — charmingly change the subject to something more agreeable to everyone.

(Thank you for asking @Syrte ! I’d wondered if anyone noticed.)
 
JwRosenthal
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Larry S Larry S
Holy moly… what the heck just happened here?
We step away for a couple hours and we come back to smoldering earth!
 
watchyouwant
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Wear as is as long as you like it the way it is. If that changes or you need to sell it, start with these thoughts again. There will always be somebody, who is a " Magician " with vintage Lume. Your Dial all original with some light marks should be around $ 10000 plus . Yours, relumed and with good original paint, not under 6000 plus.Vintage Rolex dials in rare references are around 40% plus of the watch value: you did very well. So, I'd change that lovely message into: More Brains result in saved purchase money. And : If you read more than one forum, you know, that OF is exceptionally good.
 
nkhandekar
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I am glad to see some appreciation for the Blue Riders here.

I think this is a charming 5512, and one that allows us to think about restoration as a viable way to add to appreciation of the watch. I don't see anything wrong with adjusting the lume on the dial, provided the dial itself is not affected. I also see nothing wrong with doing some restoration work to the case, especially the crown guards. Appreciate the patina and use restoration to stop yourself from being distracted by damage.
 
140dave
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Agreed 👍
It is all about the enjoyment of the watch. If it annoys you, fix it! To heck with what anyone says about your watch, (or how you spend your money FFS!) it’s yours to do with as you please.

and personally I’ll take a good relume over a bad relume everyday if it bugs me as-is.
 
Larry S
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140dave 140dave
Agreed 👍
It is all about the enjoyment of the watch. If it annoys you, fix it! To heck with what anyone says about your watch, (or how you spend your money FFS!) it’s yours to do with as you please.

and personally I’ll take a good relume over a bad relume everyday if it bugs me as-is.
Agree, with the caveat that @airansun asked the community for feedback and for the most part, it was offered and received well. What he did not ask for was judgmental finger wagging about how he spends his money.
 
watch3s
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Id do it. One time I bought a beater polar 2 watch head and had it restored. They only forgot to change the glass at rollieworks but refunded me the cost. then came the issue of seeking out an appropriate bracelet and cut a permanent link to make right. Think the entire endeavor ended up being about a grand more than not buying it at Alltiques around 2014. Then again by 2017-2018. Ive worn this watch every time i travel and in general more than the original polar I sought out. Could wear it for months at a time and absolutely love it. I say as long as you love it, its worth it.
 
alane24
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omegawatchlover omegawatchlover
Everyone gains. We strive to buy watches for CONDITION CONDITION CONDITION. OP knowingly buys this submariner with a poor relume job. And now dumps even more money into this watch for a better relume job. 13k is a lot of money for a watch that is not original. A lot for a project watch.
Should we really spread the message that doing this and causing heartache to oneself is okay?
But like others say, only route to go is James Hyman. That’s another couple months and more money on a watch that you’re unhappy with already. Good luck

Sorry, but this is just your opinion. Not everyone is holding out for the safe queen.

OP, reach out to True Patina, he does incredible restorative work on Rolexes.

Enjoy your 4 liner! Maybe it’s my phones screen but I’m not seeing the gilt.
 
michael e
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I think the lume looks nice apart from the wobbly 12 marker and maybe one or two of the other markers.
Another option would be to straighten the wobbly edges but this would need to be done carefully with a very fine brush and distilled water. The surface of these dials is very prone to scratches, even the fine grain of the tritium will leave a small scratch on the glossy surface, but someone who knows what they are doing will only brush towards the lume edge not away and towards the gloss surface.
 
UncleBuck
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Davidt Davidt
James Hyman is a magician. I’d tell him what you want and let him advise on the best way to proceed.
Quadrophenic-Schizophrenia, marker for James Hyman.
Correcting a relume with a superior relume is good in my book.
If we want to start talking about common sense good investment of capital......well, we are in the wrong hobby.
Edited:
 
southtexas
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140dave 140dave
Agreed 👍
It is all about the enjoyment of the watch. If it annoys you, fix it! To heck with what anyone says about your watch, (or how you spend your money FFS!) it’s yours to do with as you please.

and personally I’ll take a good relume over a bad relume everyday if it bugs me as-is.

^^this.

the watch looks very nice, that dial (relume aside) is wonderful. I would absolutely have it professionally relumed. I’ve heard great things about James in UK. Phillip Ridley relumed some old 5513 hands for me, he did an incredible job. I’m not sure if he does dials.

Congrats and good luck with it.

As an aside, does anyone know what the 82 ends belong to?
 
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