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explorer42 · 29 December 2013, 10:18 AM

I purchased a faded (very) fat font insert for my Mk1 1675. Slotted it in tonight. What do you think?

springer · 29 December 2013, 12:09 PM

It has been artificially aged. If you like, then that's what is important.

CrownMe · 29 December 2013, 01:46 PM

I think it looks great. John is correct but I really like it.

MitchSteel · 29 December 2013, 02:59 PM

To each their own, I personally wouldn't get something this faded, especially bleached.IMO, the point of having something vintage,is, it has to be in good shape, or at least aged gracefully and naturally.
I wouldn't buy a classic muscle car that's been rusted to hell.
Nice watch tho

explorer42 · 29 December 2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by springer

It has been artificially aged. If you like, then that's what is important.

I'm not sure whether it has been artificially aged or not. There's a fair bit of damage on the insert which looks like it has been inflicted through wear over the years and the back of the insert is still a deep black colour. Either way, it makes for a nice change from the normal Pepsi inserts.

Vincent65 · 30 December 2013, 01:00 AM

Looks alright to me, although I don't think it does anything for the watch. I wouldn't like to say definitively whether it has been deliberately altered or not (hard to know for certain), but I think it looks authentic.

b5audia4 · 30 December 2013, 06:38 AM

Interesting look. I think I like it.

How can you tell is artificially aged? I'm very new at this. Thanks!

TimeToGo · 30 December 2013, 06:44 AM

The term "artificially aged" would mean an altered means to the insert such as type of chemical to reach a "faded" look to it. When chemically treated as a whole (i.e., not taped and treated only on the top side), the tell tell sign would be a look on the underside of the insert to see if it is also faded, which would not normally be exposed to the conditions.

However, other measures could include light sanding and who knows what else...

As long as the owner is happy... that is all that matters.

springer · 30 December 2013, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

The term "artificially aged" would mean an altered means to the insert such as type of chemical to reach a "faded" look to it. When chemically treated as a whole (i.e., not taped and treated only on the top side), the tell tell sign would be a look on the underside of the insert to see if it is also faded, which would not normally be exposed to the conditions.

However, other measures could include light sanding and who knows what else...

As long as the owner is happy... that is all that matters.

X2. I see sanding/scuffing marks, inconsistent fade, inconsistent edges which indicates scuffing/sanding. Usually when sanded, you'll notice missing color from both the outer ring and inner ring. Below is another example of a red/blue insert that has been bleached/scuffed to appear aged. (The third pic depicts the insert on the watch before it was aged and sold. Of course the seller was caught red-handed and denied he aged the insert.) A little different than the black one, but both are artificially aged.

TimeToGo · 30 December 2013, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by springer

X2. I see sanding/scuffing marks, inconsistent fade, inconsistent edges which indicates scuffing/sanding. Usually when sanded, you'll notice missing color from both the outer ring and inner ring. Below is another example of a red/blue insert that has been bleached/scuffed to appear aged. (The third pic depicts the insert on the watch before it was aged and sold. Of course the seller was caught red-handed and denied he aged the insert.) A little different than the black one, but both are artificially aged.

Red and Blue handed - That was a great catch!

They could not contest that one!

Maxbliss888 · 31 December 2013, 05:00 PM

For me, the great challenge and satisfaction is to find vintage watches in original and prestige condition.

Ghost dial or bezel, spider dial etc are all considered defective among the collectors in the 1990s... Times has changed ..

MitchSteel · 31 December 2013, 09:48 PM

Exactly, I thought rule number one in collecting antiques, was ......condition.Times sure have changed.

Cc1966 · 1 January 2014, 02:56 AM

Too ghostly for my taste, but I can truly understand the appeal.

drifter01 · 1 January 2014, 06:17 AM

It does look like it has been sanded. In some areas you can see what appears to be fine lines running in an arc following the curve of the insert.

Dave

29 December 2013, 10:18 AM	#1
explorer42 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Posts: 102	Ghost insert on 1675? I purchased a faded (very) fat font insert for my Mk1 1675. Slotted it in tonight. What do you think?

29 December 2013, 12:09 PM	#2
springer 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: jP Location: Texas Watch: GMT-MASTER Posts: 17,308	It has been artificially aged. If you like, then that's what is important. __________________ Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.

29 December 2013, 02:59 PM	#4
MitchSteel "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: MDangerSteel Location: Canada Watch: Vintage Rolex Posts: 2,301	To each their own, I personally wouldn't get something this faded, especially bleached.IMO, the point of having something vintage,is, it has to be in good shape, or at least aged gracefully and naturally. I wouldn't buy a classic muscle car that's been rusted to hell. Nice watch tho __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons Probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival---Capt. Rage Don't believe anything in aviation, 'till V1---Mitch Danger Steel

31 December 2013, 05:00 PM	#11
Maxbliss888 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hong kong Posts: 50	Rolex For me, the great challenge and satisfaction is to find vintage watches in original and prestige condition. Ghost dial or bezel, spider dial etc are all considered defective among the collectors in the 1990s... Times has changed ..

31 December 2013, 09:48 PM	#12
MitchSteel "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: MDangerSteel Location: Canada Watch: Vintage Rolex Posts: 2,301	Exactly, I thought rule number one in collecting antiques, was ......condition.Times sure have changed. __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons Probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival---Capt. Rage Don't believe anything in aviation, 'till V1---Mitch Danger Steel

29 December 2013, 01:46 PM	#3
CrownMe "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Kevin Location: Maryland Watch: My Open 6 Posts: 3,433	I think it looks great. John is correct but I really like it.

30 December 2013, 01:00 AM	#6
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	Looks alright to me, although I don't think it does anything for the watch. I wouldn't like to say definitively whether it has been deliberately altered or not (hard to know for certain), but I think it looks authentic.

30 December 2013, 06:38 AM	#7
b5audia4 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Toronto, ON Watch: 116710BLNR Posts: 63	Interesting look. I think I like it. How can you tell is artificially aged? I'm very new at this. Thanks!

30 December 2013, 06:44 AM	#8
TimeToGo 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 16,713	The term "artificially aged" would mean an altered means to the insert such as type of chemical to reach a "faded" look to it. When chemically treated as a whole (i.e., not taped and treated only on the top side), the tell tell sign would be a look on the underside of the insert to see if it is also faded, which would not normally be exposed to the conditions. However, other measures could include light sanding and who knows what else... As long as the owner is happy... that is all that matters.

1 January 2014, 02:56 AM	#13
Cc1966 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Christopher Location: Georgia, USA Watch: ing the Sea... Posts: 6,713	Too ghostly for my taste, but I can truly understand the appeal. __________________ "I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778 "*Curmudgeons* " Favorites: 1665 SD, Sub Date, DSSD, Exp II, Sub LV, GMTIIc

1 January 2014, 06:17 AM	#14
drifter01 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Real Name: Dave Location: NC Watch: 5500 Air-King Posts: 633	It does look like it has been sanded. In some areas you can see what appears to be fine lines running in an arc following the curve of the insert. Dave

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