what else can top 90’s Speedmaster Patina?

ATWG · Oct 13, 2019

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...

djmusicman · Oct 13, 2019

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.

efauser · Oct 13, 2019

1990

CoDiffe · Oct 13, 2019

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

CoDiffe · Oct 13, 2019

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.

JwRosenthal · Oct 13, 2019

djmusicman
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.

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

djmusicman · Oct 13, 2019

JwRosenthal
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

astrand · Oct 13, 2019

I love the patina on my 1998 Seamaster

padders · Oct 13, 2019

astrand
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.

astrand · Oct 13, 2019

padders
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.

JwRosenthal · Oct 13, 2019

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.

BatDad · Oct 13, 2019

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!

The Father · Oct 13, 2019

Vercingetorix · Oct 13, 2019

JwRosenthal
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.

Pendleton?

JwRosenthal · Oct 13, 2019

Vercingetorix
Pendleton?

Lol!!! Yes actually! That’s hilarious

JwRosenthal · Oct 13, 2019

The Father

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

asrnj77 · Oct 13, 2019

‘91 for me...

Theluglife · Oct 14, 2019

CoDiffe
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.

100% agree

jaguar11 · Oct 14, 2019

ATWG
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...

This does indeed look very sweet!!!!!

steveb73 · Oct 14, 2019

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

what else can top 90’s Speedmaster Patina?

ATWG

djmusicman

efauser

CoDiffe

CoDiffe

JwRosenthal

djmusicman

astrand

padders

astrand

JwRosenthal

BatDad

The Father

Vercingetorix

JwRosenthal

JwRosenthal

asrnj77

Theluglife

jaguar11

steveb73

Similar threads

Asking help managing expectations on 90's Speedmaster time keeping

Early 90’s Speedmaster

Early 90’s Speedmaster

Omega 90's Speedmaster limited edition Box question