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watch watcher · 27 July 2011, 09:43 PM

I'm staring forlornly at my Datejust because I don't think it will ever develop a patina, due to advances in finishes and materials. It's 25, but still looks new, or at least not faded in any area or way. So, for the sake of argument, anything made in the last 30 years considered to be modern, do you think they will develop a patina (eg, nice faded dial), or has technology conquered the "problem" of faded dials, bezels, hands and so on?

padi56 · 27 July 2011, 10:11 PM

Well its mainly the Tritium dials that show lume age patina dials before say 1998.Luminover does not age like the Tritium dials but who knows perhaps 40 years time.But watches like the DJ have quite small lume total surface area to start with, so any sort of patina would not show as much as say the vintage subs.But if any dial is say left or watch used in very strong sunlight for a long period of time.Like any paint material exposed to strong sunlight it will fade with time.

Nalk7 · 27 July 2011, 10:12 PM

Hard to say, I think no one really knows. I personally would love to see my explorer develop a nice tropical dial, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. The best we can do is wear our Rolexes for a long time and see what happens

watchf · 27 July 2011, 10:49 PM

Can I ask the expert what material is the white roman dial on a 1980s DD 18038 made of? Porcelain? I ask because the dial is as if its new from the factory, there is no aging whatsoever. Its amazing.

SWIMPRUF · 27 July 2011, 10:51 PM

I don't think so. But who knows.

Speed · 27 July 2011, 10:55 PM

We WIS are crazy eh?

Can you imagine a Mecedes owner saying, "Boy I sure hope the paint job on my car fades / oxidizes and the leather seats crack someday soon"

smallcandle · 27 July 2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed

We WIS are crazy eh?

Can you imagine a Mecedes owner saying, "Boy I sure hope the paint job on my car fades / oxidizes and the leather seats crack someday soon"

I was thinking the same thing!

rolexsweep · 27 July 2011, 11:17 PM

Only time will tell...

Dan2010 · 27 July 2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed

We WIS are crazy eh?

Can you imagine a Mecedes owner saying, "Boy I sure hope the paint job on my car fades / oxidizes and the leather seats crack someday soon"

My thinking is the same. I personally don't get the beat up, old watch look but to each their own.

Danand · 27 July 2011, 11:51 PM

I have a TAG dive watch from early 90's that sure has a lot of patina- the dial needs cleaning but the tritium markers have that faded yellow look. It is a midsize watch and my 10 year old is wearing it since he can't find his Lego watch :)

WyoWatch · 28 July 2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan2010

My thinking is the same. I personally don't get the beat up, old watch look but to each their own.

+1 unless it's truly vintage and then some graceful aging looks appropriate.

Speed · 28 July 2011, 01:18 AM

Yup. There is graceful aging...I am not one for cracked dials, missing lume, chewed up cases et al.

But more power to folks who like this stuff.

GradyPhilpott · 28 July 2011, 02:21 AM

Isn't patina just another word for fading, discoloration, cracking, corrosion, mold, mildew, etc.

I wouldn't consider it to be a fault if new materials maintained that new look forever.

Not to take anything away from those watches that do show age.

barters · 30 July 2011, 09:50 PM

No.

Darlinboy · 30 July 2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed

We WIS are crazy eh?

Can you imagine a Mecedes owner saying, "Boy I sure hope the paint job on my car fades / oxidizes and the leather seats crack someday soon"

dddrees · 30 July 2011, 10:09 PM

Most things do show age in regards to color fading or changing over time. So my guess is that they will.

I know my hair has patina'd.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

ArcticMoose · 31 July 2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

But if any dial is say left or watch used in very strong sunlight for a long period of time.Like any paint material exposed to strong sunlight it will fade with time.

Guess I better start storing my watches on the roof.

Ski Dweller · 31 July 2011, 08:56 AM

Being in the field - YES, the coatings and pigments used will fade as they oxidize and are degraded by light. Indeed, sapphire is more transparent to UV and infrared radiation. So while the sapphire crystal may protect itself from scratches and abrasion, it offers less UV protection to the dial and any coating beneath it. There are times when we desire transmission of such wavelengths - say for UV lamps.

Ski Dweller · 31 July 2011, 08:58 AM

I might add that it is a simple affair to "age" a watch dial using a UV radiation source. That's one "fake" that is a cinch to create.

27 July 2011, 09:43 PM	#1
watch watcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ME Watch: Vintages Posts: 565	Patina, will it happen on a modern Rolex? I'm staring forlornly at my Datejust because I don't think it will ever develop a patina, due to advances in finishes and materials. It's 25, but still looks new, or at least not faded in any area or way. So, for the sake of argument, anything made in the last 30 years considered to be modern, do you think they will develop a patina (eg, nice faded dial), or has technology conquered the "problem" of faded dials, bezels, hands and so on?

27 July 2011, 10:11 PM	#2
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,946	Well its mainly the Tritium dials that show lume age patina dials before say 1998.Luminover does not age like the Tritium dials but who knows perhaps 40 years time.But watches like the DJ have quite small lume total surface area to start with, so any sort of patina would not show as much as say the vintage subs.But if any dial is say left or watch used in very strong sunlight for a long period of time.Like any paint material exposed to strong sunlight it will fade with time. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

27 July 2011, 10:51 PM	#5
SWIMPRUF "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: * Posts: 2,323	I don't think so. But who knows. __________________ Member# 52,675 Est. 3/2011

27 July 2011, 11:17 PM	#8
rolexsweep "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Australia Watch: RG DD40 Posts: 1,149	Only time will tell... __________________ "Did you get that at retail?"

30 July 2011, 10:09 PM	#16
dddrees "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Dan Location: USA Watch: This N That Posts: 34,251	Most things do show age in regards to color fading or changing over time. So my guess is that they will. I know my hair has patina'd. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. __________________ When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

27 July 2011, 10:12 PM	#3
Nalk7 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Miguel Location: East Lansing MI Watch: 114270,5508,124060 Posts: 562	Hard to say, I think no one really knows. I personally would love to see my explorer develop a nice tropical dial, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. The best we can do is wear our Rolexes for a long time and see what happens

27 July 2011, 10:49 PM	#4
watchf "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 2,458	Can I ask the expert what material is the white roman dial on a 1980s DD 18038 made of? Porcelain? I ask because the dial is as if its new from the factory, there is no aging whatsoever. Its amazing.

27 July 2011, 10:55 PM	#6
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	We WIS are crazy eh? Can you imagine a Mecedes owner saying, "Boy I sure hope the paint job on my car fades / oxidizes and the leather seats crack someday soon"

27 July 2011, 11:51 PM	#10
Danand "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Jonathan Location: Ottawa Watch: 116610LN Posts: 1,246	I have a TAG dive watch from early 90's that sure has a lot of patina- the dial needs cleaning but the tritium markers have that faded yellow look. It is a midsize watch and my 10 year old is wearing it since he can't find his Lego watch :)

28 July 2011, 01:18 AM	#12
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	Yup. There is graceful aging...I am not one for cracked dials, missing lume, chewed up cases et al. But more power to folks who like this stuff.

28 July 2011, 02:21 AM	#13
GradyPhilpott 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Tissot, c. 1960 Posts: 34,434	Isn't patina just another word for fading, discoloration, cracking, corrosion, mold, mildew, etc. I wouldn't consider it to be a fault if new materials maintained that new look forever. Not to take anything away from those watches that do show age.

30 July 2011, 09:50 PM	#14
barters "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: Pete Location: Geneva,CH Posts: 296	No.

31 July 2011, 08:56 AM	#18
Ski Dweller Banned Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Aspen, CO Watch: Swatch KikiPicasso Posts: 266	Being in the field - YES, the coatings and pigments used will fade as they oxidize and are degraded by light. Indeed, sapphire is more transparent to UV and infrared radiation. So while the sapphire crystal may protect itself from scratches and abrasion, it offers less UV protection to the dial and any coating beneath it. There are times when we desire transmission of such wavelengths - say for UV lamps.

31 July 2011, 08:58 AM	#19
Ski Dweller Banned Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Aspen, CO Watch: Swatch KikiPicasso Posts: 266	I might add that it is a simple affair to "age" a watch dial using a UV radiation source. That's one "fake" that is a cinch to create.

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