With all the patina craze, for me there is no better era than late 80’s / 90’s Speedmasters that offer that gorgeous hue of yellow-orange which is mesmerizing.

I recently came across this beautiful Speedmaster at an estate sale which I purchased instantly. The watch has been preserved nicely as the case is mint with factory film still intact. I took it for a complete service and just got it back in time for the weekend to enjoy. Luckily, I had a spare rally band from Heurville to properly accessorize it.

So, let’s see your 90’s Speedies...

 

Nice, the index markers on 90's speedys seem to have a similar colour to them. I've always thought that it depends on the amount of tritium in the mix and not as others have sometimes claimed whether it has lived in its box or seen a lot of sun.

The same could be said about 16750 GMT Masters, most mark 1 dial indexes are creamy white. Most mark 2 dial indexes are yellow.

In the photo, 1983 16750 mk2 and 1990 nos speedy.

 

1990

 

Yours is a really nice example. The clean dial plus bright yellow patina makes the whole thing pop.

 

I will say though after having a step dial it would be tough to go back. It creates a whole dimension to the dial that I’ve grown to love. Don’t know why they stopped making the dials with the step.

 

To support your 16750 theory- 1983, has lived a real outdoors life on my arm for the last 18 years- no safe queen here, and the lume is a light custard, not yellow or orange

 

Yep, that’s a mk1 dial

 

I love the patina on my 1998 Seamaster

 

It’s a 1997 or earlier, though could have of course been sold later.. They rolled out SL in 1998.

 

Ah probably! The card says purchased March 1998.

 

This is what I find so fascinating about how dials age. Most attribute patina (not water ingress which is damage) to sun exposure and humid climates (again, moisture = damage), but I have seen many of the same era as my ‘72 Speedy where the lume is dark yellow to orange yet mine is still bright off white/ lemon yellow- and like my GMT, has seen heavy exposure to the elements.



One would think if they were from the same era and properly maintained (ie all seals kept fresh) they would all age the same way, but they don’t.

 

With the price increases on high quality earlier references, I do think we’ll see these become more and more desirable over the next few years.

They certainly are beautiful! Certainly one is on my internal WTB!

 

Pendleton?

 

Lol!!! Yes actually! That’s hilarious

 

I think the lume on these are so pretty. If I didn’t own my ‘72, I would buy one of these without hesitation.

 

‘91 for me...

 

100% agree

 

This does indeed look very sweet!!!!!

 

Hello,
This is my first post on here!!!
I've got to agree, the colour on these 90's dials is beautiful. Here are a couple of shots of my 1992 tritium dial, cal. 863, serial 48.288xxx
Looking forward to seeing more stunning dials like the ones above!

Cheers,
Steve