Have a favorite method for vintageizing..?

[Ricardo L]

I'm really liking the red 1680 from Andrew.. Even though it has a large crown and other flaws..

The biggest flaw though is that it's supposed to be a 40+ year old watch.. At it looks like it just stepped off the factory line...

So I'm wondering what is everyones favorite method for making their watch more vintage..

The bracelet and crystal will show wear soon, just because I'm always running my watch into furniture..

But what about the dial.. And the hands?

[1680]

Case: put it in a box with nails/screws and coins and then shake it, after that polish the case, you can do this a couple of time till you have the desired look.

 

dial: depends on which model, but for the red 1680 I would get the dial relumed

 

hands: relumed to match the dial, if it was an older watch you could "age" it with espresso or put it in the baking oven

 

 

My advice: don't over do it! There are a lot of poeple who want really dark lume, but try to find a gen example of the look you want and replicate this one.

[rrari1]

Dont get too carried away on the vintagizing.  Here is a gen example.

 

http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/pages/1680_red_submariner.htm

[Ricardo L]

rrai1 .. thanks for that link .. 

 

that watch is in terrific shape .. and the lume is rather light cream, and not very yellow ..

 

i think just wearing the watch alot will do quite a bit towards the look -- i managed to scratch the bezel insert and take a small chip out of the crystal when i banged it against the collection box underneath the poker table at the casino tonight.. 

[docthor]

...on purpose??

[freddy333]

Dial - It all depends on the quality of the original dial & how much time/money you want to spend. The most cost effective improvement is to give it a light coat of matte varnish spray.

Case - Either, as 1680 already suggested, Nanuq's method of using nails/coin/etc or just go at it with a dremel/sandpaper to soften the edges & then a light polish. Beyond that, give it natural age by wearing it daily.

Hands - Bake them (practice on some extra hands before doing the main 1s). In some cases, depending on the color/texture of dial lume, you might find that a light application of iodine prior to baking helps.

If the dial turns out reasonable, a gen xtal, crown/tube & bracelet will ice the cake (fakes in these areas can undo alot of hard work elsewhere).

[Ricardo L]

...on purpose??

 

I dont think so -- but subconsciously i may be trying to beat myself (and the watch) up to get it to look like its been around the block at least once.