1016 tinting or replacing hands?

[seabreeze]

Hi guys,

I was going to wait to make this post, but I have caught the vintage bug.. I have landed a one owner never polished 67 explorer ! The owner has all service records and sometime in the 80s the RSC replaces the hands at the guys request...he thought it woul be brighter at night...it wasn't

Anyway they are a whisker brighter than the lume plots ( hey I'm getting the hang of this lingo...250 posts in)

I don't know if this is acceptable or in the realm of counterfeit so I'm just naively asking.....is it possible to have the hands tinted? Or could I find old hands ? Or just leave it alone.

Also any suggestions about a nice non NATO strap ?

Thanks. As always

[swish77]

Can you post a photo of the watch to show the difference in patina? There are good watchmakers, including Mr. Ridley, who can color-match hands to the patina on the dial. There have been posts about the process in the past. As for a good NATO, try a Zulu like the one below (Pick your own color. I chose gold/tan to match the patina on this 5-mil. 1680, but I have black, too.) They're thick but super cool. Good luck!

[pdoukas]

X2 what Aaron said. Please don't polish it, at least not yet let us drool a little bit. So extremely rare to find a unpolished example.

[seabreeze]

I'll upload more when I receive it

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by swish77

Can you post a photo of the watch to show the difference in patina? There are good watchmakers, including Mr. Ridley, who can color-match hands to the patina on the dial. There have been posts about the process in the past. As for a good NATO, try a Zulu like the one below (Pick your own color. I chose gold/tan to match the patina on this 5-mil. 1680, but I have black, too.) They're thick but super cool. Good luck!

That looks nice

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

[Nnatan]

I think that's normal. I have a similar situation with mine, and I know its provenance. I wouldn't touch it.

[JohnBoy]

Originally Posted by seabreeze

Hi guys,

...I don't know if this is acceptable or in the realm of counterfeit so I'm just naively asking.....is it possible to have the hands tinted? Or could I find old hands ? Or just leave it alone.

Also any suggestions about a nice non NATO strap ?

Thanks. As always

Its not impossible (and we aren't talking counterfeit if they are factory hands), but probably best to leave the hands alone, I think. Tinkering detracts from vitage value. Its a nice pickup! Congrats!

As for a non-NATO leather, there are the heavier-custom 'gunny straps,' 'combat straps,' and 'stonecreek straps,' (google these to find correct online address) that look good on vinatage sport watches. But, the standard leather dress watch straps available (beBeers, Hirsch, Rolex,, etc.) are probably more period correct for that watch. Guess it all depends on what look you want. Luck!

[Nnatan]

Hodinkee strap

[seabreeze]

Originally Posted by JohnBoy

Its not impossible (and we aren't talking counterfeit if they are factory hands), but probably best to leave the hands alone, I think. Tinkering detracts from vitage value. Its a nice pickup! Congrats!

As for a non-NATO leather, there are the heavier-custom 'gunny straps,' 'combat straps,' and 'stonecreek straps,' (google these to find correct online address) that look good on vinatage sport watches. But, the standard leather dress watch straps available (beBeers, Hirsch, Rolex,, etc.) are probably more period correct for that watch. Guess it all depends on what look you want. Luck!

I have the receipt from the hand job (sorry) and even the master card receipt from the original purchase
As well as all the interim RSC servings including dec 2012.

This is such a keeper. I feel a bit privilged to be taking her over

[seabreeze]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

That looks nice

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

Thank you

[seabreeze]

Originally Posted by Nnatan

I think that's normal. I have a similar situation with mine, and I know its provenance. I wouldn't touch it.

Nice ( what is the brand ?) and nice bracelet. I didn't know it came with a date ?.

[Nnatan]

Originally Posted by seabreeze

Nice and nice bracelet. I didn't know it came with a date ?.

It didn't. Long story, somewhere here on the forum (search other posts by me).

[seabreeze]

Update:

Watch and hands back from Mr. Ridley today. I am happy with the results, but I of course have the 1997 service hands as well.

What do do you think?

newexplorerhands.jpg

[nsumner]

Looks great!

[seabreeze]

Originally Posted by nsumner

Looks great!

Thanks

[Rennfahrer]

Hey! That is a great find. I have a 2.0 million 1016 and have it on a black horween cordovan strap. It looks classy and simply, just like the 1016 itself.

[seabreeze]

Originally Posted by Rennfahrer

Hey! That is a great find. I have a 2.0 million 1016 and have it on a black horween cordovan strap. It looks classy and simply, just like the 1016 itself.

Picture ?

[Shade]

Thats a nice pick up! You could get wotancraft straps like mine (check my vintage foray thread!)..

[seabreeze]

This is the best I can do with the iPhone
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366569575.361473.jpg