Color matched hands

[jbird]

How can you tell if a watch has color matched hands or dial for that matter?

If confirmed how will that effect price? I've looked at a couple watches lately that almost looked to perfectly aged if that's possible.

Happy derby day all.

[cruvon]

By looking at it, if they look to be matching they probably are. You could also post pics here for a second opinion. If not matching that would affect price but depends on the buyer.

[jbird]

I mean if the hands have been altered to match the dial. What do you look for that suggest altered color?

[gensiulia]

...if the hands are more light...than the markers, they have been, almost certainly, replaced.

however, those who produced hands and dials were not the same people in the same factory, so we can't be sure it was use the same tritium, or a different quality, you know.

we must also consider the oxidation of hands that could develop a darkening of tritium on themselves.

[MP5]

I say they rarely age at the same shade/rate.

[jedly1]

hands can age faster ...slower or the same ...there is no rule..period.

hands can be tinted in many ways ...some use heat, some use colour wash..some coffee or tea, some nicotine ...cyan inkjet ink i believe is popular in some quarters :) if you microscope/20x loupe them you generally can see that it's not quite right on the methods that 'coat ' the surface, not quite uniform or even but on the best jobs you won't. ...on the net forget about it unless it's a mediocre job or you can get really good shots.

which then leads to the next question that follows this topic...if it was done so well you can't tell under a microscope ......does it matter ???? conceptually of course it does...but in practicality. ????

but here's the kicker.... many rolex techs have told me they have often broken hands at service and tinted replacements (from the used store) to match as a matter of course....so i'd wager there's a lot more out there than most realise which makes a nonsense of the conceptual notion its a big deal.

[jbird]

Great feedback all! I agree its so hard to tell that for most (me) its probably a mute point. When buying vintage there are SO many points to consider.