Aging White Dial

[cls]

Just bought a vintage 40s Rolex from Josh and was wondering if anyone has experience in making a white face look vintage. I was thinking of tea staining or coffee staining the dial such as rug makers do. If anyone has successfully aged a white dial, let me know.

Here is the Josh rep and a gen vintage similar.

[pannylovernr1]

Have thought about aging a dial by putting it in an empty Nescafe glass jar filled with cigar smoke for a while but haven't got around doing it yet

[cls]

Have a couple of boxes of Cohibas and some Romeo and Julietas, which do you think would add the better patina?

[pannylovernr1]

I couldn't say but I guess the Romeo's will give a better scent to the watch

[archibald]

I know an (unscrupulous) coin and antique collector who "tones" coins that way. Believe me, you can smell the finished product for some time. He says the smell goes away after a few months but the color remains.

I wonder if some coats of oil paint, umber/ brown/yellow etc, lightly apllied then rubbed off w/ a rag will do a more accurate job.

For the case you might also want to read up on some of the techniques antique and coin doctorers use to to give metal an age patina.

[pannylovernr1]

The good thing about smoking a dial would be that the possible smell would be trapped into the case, so in theory the watch itself wouldn't smell hopefully. Thought about dipping our painting a dial with cold tea but was unsure if the result would be good since it could dissolve maybe some print/lume or just give large irregular staining.

Anyone succesfully tried any dial smoking or tea dipping?

[Guest 123]

I've aged a white dial with coffee/chicory blend. the chicory is extreme dark and great for patina on a white dial - just don't go overboard. also - try a dark blend from an eye shadow or blush- as your significant other for help....

[Guest 123]

on the topic of using womens makeup - make sure there is not "sparkles" in the make up, or you will have a rolesium aged dial - not exactly what you are looking for. although - you have a few chances with the make up - coffee and tea not so much.

[HauteHippie]

Have thought about aging a dial by putting it in an empty Nescafe glass jar filled with cigar smoke for a while but haven't got around doing it yet

Somebody on TRC did something like this to a 111H dial in order to tone down the bold (too bold) PANERAI LUMINOR MARINA print and posted pics of the result. I think it worked very well.