this actually is less obvious in real life, but honestly, I am still on the lookout for a seamaster... somehow the dial spot does still bother me a bit... I am also extremely tempted to at least relume the hands.
I don't think I have a threshold, I'm adicted to patina. Lost lettering isn't patina in my book though, I don't do that.
That’s not so bad. Relume hands to match the pips for sure! It’s already gone so nothing to lose there and it makes a world of difference to not see that gapped tooth smile whenever you look at it.
I am a newbie on the forum. "Newbie" is almost as nebulous a term as "patina.".........For me. I think I have no patina threshold, as long as the patina is associated with what I would call charm. Patina/charm associated with a history/story will pull me in every time, especially if the price is not painful. The photo is an old Doxa out of Bulgaria. I think, in this case, given the bargain price, it was the fact that the patina was so well contrasted against the new Playtex that trapped me. Great thread. Best, Wayne
I draw line at/when patina commands a premium. I find it ridiculous when a watch with patina/damage/flaws/etc. is considered worth more than a watch in pristine condition. Something that often happens in the Rolex part of the hobby.
As long as the watch is functional, readable, and not dramatically different looking than when it first came out is where I draw the line for patina. It’s a fine line, sure, but like it was mentioned above… patina should not command a premium
I like to think I am not too picky. I can admire a vintage watch that survived 60 to 80 years to come into my collection. Acceptable But, even I have standards. This poor Zodiac looks like aisle 7 before a badly needed clean up.
The Zodiac has quite a bit of charm. I always wonder if the patina occurred mostly while the watch was in constant use, or if it took place in the recesses of some drawer.
Lots of examples on here of highlighting and harmonising their patinated dials through a strong strap choice. Similarly, I love the pairing of this olive green strap with the patina on this humble Avia Chronograph from the mid-1960s - quirky but still very presentable:
I think this answers the question for me. I like to think of this dial as akin to the leathery skin of someone who has worked under the sun all their life. The preservation around the markers are like smile lines!
The only thing that bothers me are non original parts… As for patina even this is attractive for me although this one needs a new Omega glass and a correct crown (anybody have any? ).
My taste for patina over the years has changed. Years ago I was looking for a vintage Tudor snowflake way before Tudor started remaking them we called it the poor man's Rolex sub they were way cheaper than a Rolex. I was looking for a 7021/0 some crappie pealing dials and some real funky patina on some lumes. Then I see this one for sale at the MWR PX great price the dial was mint but as I look back wished I found one with a little patina in the lume but still would not buy a bubbled crappie dial. A few watches I bought since and you can see how I started to like some patina in by vintage watches. On vintage watches the nicks and bangs on the case are part of the history of them like military watches and divers they were used as intended like a pilot bumping the watch in the cockpit of a aircraft or a diver in the water bumping his watch on a rock in a dive. And how the lume turns into a great color with time.