Stupid Question

[stevenrobinson]

I know to some that this is a stupid question but I have to know. I assume that the patina on most watches occur because of time and sunlight but how does the corosion occur on the hands and does it affect the value of the watch if this is corrected?

[greekbum]

Its not a stupid question.Could you please post a pic of the hands in question?The jury I think is still out on the patina thing.I have a 40 year old watch that is bright white and a 25 that is yellow.As for the corrosion on the hands,corrected and value?If it is a collectable vintage watch most collectors like the hands and dial to be original and matching.This is also a personal preference as I have had very bad hands and found a better matching set to make me happy.

[mike]

As Nikos said the debate on patina goes on. Some feel UV rays affect the onset of patina, while others feel sunlight can actually relieve it. It's interesting that some watches have led a life of constant exposure to sunlight and maintain their milky white indices yet others have been stired in dark places and show patina.

It is known that over the years Rolex has experimented with the tritium and bonding agent matrix. Some feel this to be an indicator of the amount of patina a given dial will have.

As to corrosion, I tend to fall into the service camp (or lack of) that affects the amount of corrosion. Of course this is/was more of a problem in the pre-WG days.

Nikos wisely points out that collectors will look for matching dial/hands combinations.

[Wolfgang427]

IMO moisture in the watch has more to do with Patina or the lack of it then sunlight.

[ddave]

How about going the other way? Is there anything that makes a dial that has darkened with patina lighten up towards white again?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by stevenrobinson

I know to some that this is a stupid question but I have to know. I assume that the patina on most watches occur because of time and sunlight but how does the corosion occur on the hands and does it affect the value of the watch if this is corrected?

I think that the corrosion is mostly caused by moisture getting inside.....

As mentioned, regular service and the hands are cleaned and the case is kept properly sealed......

I would say that yes, corroded hands will not bring top dollar, where well maintained and sound original hands will....

[The GMT Kid]

It will probably depend on the dial. I suspect that sunlight will darken some dials and lighten others depending on the material on the surface.

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by wolfgang427

IMO moisture in the watch has more to do with Patina or the lack of it then sunlight.

wolfgang I agree that this can cause it too.I bought a gmt from a widow a while back and it had been in a safe deposit box since 1978.Her husband had worn i for 6 months prior.It had never seen light in 27 years till I bought it.It was the most yellowed dial I had ever had.The hands had some mild corrosion too.So it has always confused me this patina thing.

[The GMT Kid]

I would expect light to tend to bleach the dial. A light colored dial would darken without sunlight and a dark dial would lighten with sunlight.
It's like the keys on an old piano (ivory) will turn yellow if not exposed to the sun. That's why I don't cover the keyboard on my old piano.