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I'm struck in many older watch photos that what some collectors and sellers describe as 'patina' looks, to my 3 decade-plus military eye, as incompetent/neglectful equipment husbandry ... and a big fail.
An example, 'patina' or utterly ruined and in need of overhaul?
https://i.ibb.co/3sbLxwj/Screenshot-...7-Facebook.jpg
In a military context, I would be quite judgemental about the professionalism of someone wearing a watch in that state. In a civvy context, I'm just left wondering- why?
I wonder what caused that?
Yes, some patina can be attractive but the overuse of terms such as 'tropical dial' for a totally ruined dial are often no more than optimistic seller's wishful thinking.
Looks like a tiny critter used the dial as a lav.
:D indeed!Quote:
Originally Posted by hughtrimble
Yes, the term 'tropical confused me for a while - it wasn't an option offered when I bought my first 16710 in 1990, had I missed something? Amazing that a failure of finish on an expensive watch can be re-presented as something mystical and supposedly desireable! Quote:
Originally Posted by davide
Tropical isn't a failure of finish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brauner Hund
Useful. How would you describe batches whose finishes have inconsistently deteriorated under UV?Quote:
Originally Posted by seadog1408
Spider.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brauner Hund
Sent using Tapatalk. Excuse the lack of apostrophes.
Personally I'd want to see the movement and hear the explanation. There are as many reasons for wearing a watch as there are watches. Personally I always take great pleasure in the juxtaposition of a battered watch with perfect innards.
A useful article here, explaining, for those who are unaware, that tropical dials are a result of a defective (ie UV unstable) finish... the fact that the defective finish has become fashionable to some is a modern trend.
"A small handful of dial suppliers in Switzerland used paint which had a chemical manufacturing defect that was not as UV-resistant as was assumed."
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/tropica...ration-expert/
Back to 'patina' now being an anything-goes euphemism for knackered or neglected, I'd agree that a watch that was smashed up a bit due to having been used to stop a runaway train full of orphans is one thing, but most have no such story...
The condition of the dial is a result of water ingress usually caused by an unscrewed crown. A water-logged watch would not be fit for purpose and would have been exchanged for a serviceable watch there and then, after which it would most likely have been left in stores to deteriorate further before eventually being written off by MOD. Years later the watch turns up in a military equipment surplus sale and is snapped by a collector attracted in part to the 'wabi' of the dial.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brauner Hund
Note: This watch is a 1992 issue, the second most sought after of SBSs'. The collector may have thought it better to retain the original dial rather than replace the dial and risk losing value on the watch. 'Each to his own' as they say.
Terry
Yup, an entirely feasible potential chain of events.Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
As to the 'now' ... as you say, each to his own, but... :D
I am a fan of what some might say ‘knackered’. One way to look at it is uniqueness. You are unlikely to see another identical watch. It also tells a tale, watches used for their intended purpose rather than investment potential. The SBS shown is a well known example of a very rare watch, I would be happy to add it to my collection.
Over the last year or so my newer watches have not got worn, they lack the character of older watches - most of them are older than I am.
I buy in to patina, for some models.
My Navitimer "Twinjet" has not been cosseted. The pvd is quite worn in places, and there is a plethora of scratches to the case, lugs, crystal etc. But it is part of the piece's charms to me. Also I have no qualms over wearing it for everyday tasks
An aded bonus is that it is a big 'un (though I don't totally subscribe to the theory that it was aimed at airline pilots with poor eyesight!) so I have no difficulty in reading t, which was not the case with my previous "norman size" Twinjet.
https://i.imgur.com/H2Yqh0F.jpg?1
I'd say that was worn, not knackered.Quote:
Originally Posted by unclealec
I often look at vintage Navitimers and the number that look as though the dials have water damage and yet are still offered for £4-5K amazes me.
Personally, I don't mind an older watch with some wear (the PVD on my Breil Manta is gently worn away in places, but not scratched or dinged), but people presenting badly damaged watches as somehow 'more interesting' than a well looked after example are just chancing their arms, imo.
If people are daft enough to buy into that, though, that's fine - Everyone's happy.
M