5513 damaged tritium question

[Dario]

Hey guys I recently bought a mf 5513 sub. It needed a service so it was sent out via FedEx. A couple weeks later I found a fedex package at my doorstep containing my watch. (Thought it was odd that they would leave such an expensive item at my door without signature verification). The watch was packed in relatively well, though when I opened it up I found that the tritium on the minute hand had been broken off.

. I reached out to the company who serviced and arranged for the pick up and delivery off my watch telling them that I assumed the damage occured while it was in transit. (Currently there is little bits of cracked tritium all over the dial. Everything else is intact like it was before). They agreed and gave me two options on how to move forward. They agreed to fix the tritium or to find time correct hands that would match the patina. The second option would obviously take longer.

I was wondering if you all could provide some input as to what I should do. I don't think it is possible to collect all the loose tritium on the dial and reapply it to the minute hand. But i do want to keep the watch as original as possible and having to change the hands really pisses me off. From a collectors/value standpoint: Should I have them change the hands? Fix the tritium? Or clean tritium out of the dial and leave the hands as they are?

Thanks in advance,
Dario

[Lol-x]

Unfortunately tritium hands can deteriorate over time.
I suggest that you get some matching replacement hands and obviously clean out that dial.

[zurich]

Get the hand set you have re-lumed. A pro should be able to match the colour to the dial plots. Easier than trying to find a set with matching patina.

[Robbyvm]

Relume the hands and clean the dial

[PoderEsBueno]

I would suggest you ask to replace only the damaged hand with a matching one so you keep the other non-damaged two plus get the original minute hand repaired and keep it.

[The_Walrus]

Unlucky break dude- I hope it all works out for you!!!!
I would have them find me a new matching hand and keep the old one in case you need to go down the relume path in case a matching hand isn't sourced.

[Beelzy]

Speaking from experience, I cleaned out the tritium and left the hand alone until I sourced another
set. I tried to get a set that matched, but photos of hands are deceiving and I wound up a set that was
one shade lighter. Argh!

In retrospect, I wish I had left the hands the way they were.....the were ugly, but Original.

[CrownMe]

Tough break. But not uncommon. There are many vintage watches with replaced hands. There are plenty of watchmakers out there that can match the minute hand to the others. Goodluck with everything

[soundserious]

Replace them with vintage ones that areclose

[Dario]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[watchdawg]

Besides replacing the hand you need to have them clean the movement again. The little pieces of tritium can find their way into the movement and cause many more problems than you first thought. The good thing you have going is no date window to speed the tritium into the movement. Still the movement needs a look.

[CrownMe]

Originally Posted by watchdawg

Besides replacing the hand you need to have them clean the movement again. The little pieces of tritium can find their way into the movement and cause many more problems than you first thought. The good thing you have going is no date window to speed the tritium into the movement. Still the movement needs a look.

i didnt think the tritium could get into the movement on a no date model?

[watchdawg]

You want to take the risk. I wouldn't. iI the watch just came from service then the tritium hands should have been stabilized. Cracking and chipping happens in these old hands and they can be stabilized to prevent it happening.

[007Sub]

Originally Posted by watchdawg

You want to take the risk. I wouldn't. iI the watch just came from service then the tritium hands should have been stabilized. Cracking and chipping happens in these old hands and they can be stabilized to prevent it happening.

I'm skeptical of the whole stabilizing process. It's said to chance the color slightly and there is no standardized way to get it done. Basically we don't know the long term consequences/outcomes. Might end up cracking more easily....


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[watchdawg]

I had the hands of my 1675 stabilized by the Abu Dhabi RSC a couple of years ago with no problem.

[chemistman]

,

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

[subtona]

I would be more concerned about damaging the dial and movement with the floating pieces.

Many good options already pointed out for handsets.

At some point you will find a suitable handset.

[mrs_LA]

I'm for the camp of the hands not really being an issue - they are easy to replace. As long as your dial is not damaged and the lume on the dial is in tact. Have hands relumed to match using period correct tritium (very cost effective) while you find time to source an original replacement. This will take time to find one that matches your dial.

[Dan S]

This thread is 6 years old, so the OP may have addressed the issue by now. ;-)