Some vintage inserts are not fit to be aged

[ubiquitous]

I was recently contacted by a fellow forum member and new friend, asking if I had any thoughts on a good vintage insert and where to source one. I replied that I had my left over insert from Phong (surplus from my 5514 project), and offered it as a gift. The insert was accepted, and I was asked if I could age it as per my usual method, to which I agreed.

This was a little surprising and also a bit of an eye opening experience for me. This particular insert had only it's surface painted, and very lightly so I might add. As soon as I started applying my process for aging, the paint just came up in strips thus making this part a loss. I say eye opening, as up until now I had just taken the overall and general quality of inserts that we typically have for granted, not assuming that such a part would or could be this delicate. Of all the inserts I've helped people with, this one was easily the most fragile.

I did however, want to post the pics of the final result as an item of interest. Kinda neat in it's own way I suppose...

Compared with a gen fat font:

And more indicative of it's true color...

[chiman12]

That does look cool Ubi...now you are going to need to build a custom phantom sub!!! Try doing the same aging process with a dial, hoping that the lettering stays and then use black hands!

[Justasgood]

Hmm.....that might look good on my Dweller project...;-)

[ubiquitous]

Fantasy vintage Yacht-Master perhaps?

It's quite a unique look...

[mjmj]

Wow! I like it.

It certainly looks different to the aged inserts you see around.

[Eton]

Wow, that's cool...I love it!

That would definitely be unique look IMO...sign me up, haha

[FxrAndy]

Does look kinda cool though

[dbutlerman]

I like it too...some accidents should be on purpose

[krpster]

I like it. Would look good against a rhodium dial.

[jmb]

Would be cool on my ColaMariner dial!

[rolexmaniac88]

Wow! That definitely is a one of a kind insert

Would look cool on a gold watch I think and will definitely be a killer on a submariner!