Reluming a 6265 Daytona

[Gina Marie]

What is the general consensus of replacing disintegrated lume plots on a Daytona dial? Can it be done well enough where it would be hard to tell the difference? Will it affect value? Or am i being anal.....

[oldLeatherNeck]

oh no, your not. Dont do it

[swish77]

The general consensus is that an original, untouched dial, despite any imperfections, is far more desirable than a dial that has been relumed or retouched. It will diminish the value of your watch if you do it.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by swish77

The general consensus is that an original, untouched dial, despite any imperfections, is far more desirable than a dial that has been relumed or retouched. It will diminish the value of your watch if you do it.

curious...what if the original lume (especially radium) on the hands & dial are so hideously de-composed & crumbling that you cannot stand looking at them or even wearing the watch itself?

[shawnmarz]

Originally Posted by ref1655

curious...what if the original lume (especially radium) on the hands & dial are so hideously de-composed & crumbling that you cannot stand looking at them or even wearing the watch itself?

If it's your watch you can do what ever you want to it.
When it comes to reselling it thats another issue.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by ref1655

curious...what if the original lume (especially radium) on the hands & dial are so hideously de-composed & crumbling that you cannot stand looking at them or even wearing the watch itself?

Well, if the dial or hands have serious previous damage, say, from water/moisture or some other issue, that's another story. But then I'd look for an original dial/hands to replace them with instead of refinishing.

If the dial/hands just have imperfections from being old _ crumbling lume, faded text, age spots, etc ...., I'd always leave alone. If I want a watch without age issues, I'd wear a new one (which I do at times!)

[jban5]

To me "crumbling" lume isn't worth it to maintain originality. If it is a safe queen display piece that isn't going to be wound and run it's one thing but lume crumbling into a working watch movement or being scraped under the hands making tracks isn't my idea of preserving history.