Is Missing Lume on Vintage Subs a Deal Breaker?

[GMT2Lover]

What are your thoughts on a watch where the lume has fallen off?

Do you pass on it? Or can other features (dial and case condition for example) redeem the watch?

[Tools]

Depends on if it is a reference you want and if the missing lume doesn't bother you.

Personally, I can't think of any watch that I would want if the lume was gone, unless it was a very, very attractive price.

[petereoin]

My rule of thumb when considering a vintage piece is to buy the best example within my budget.

I would highly recommend avoiding a watch where the lume is or has flaked off. The majority of the value of a vintage watch is in the dial

[GMT2Lover]

Originally Posted by Tools

Depends on if it is a reference you want and if the missing lume doesn't bother you.

Personally, I can't think of any watch that I would want if the lume was gone, unless it was a very, very attractive price.

Here's the case condition and the missing lume on the base of the hour hand. This is a ref 16800.





Because of the way the lume has fallen off, it doesn't bother me really. But I wonder if it impacts the value of the watch to the point that if I was to try to get out of it to fund something else, I would not be able to.

[MorningTundra]

If the price is attractive, I’d have the lume fixed. The bezel pip too. Have you asked the seller if these fixes have been priced in?


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[GMT2Lover]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

If the price is attractive, I’d have the lume fixed. The bezel pip too. Have you asked the seller if these fixes have been priced in?


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

$6500 shipped plus some Everest straps. Pull the trigger or wait for something better.

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by GMT2Lover

$6500 shipped plus some Everest straps. Pull the trigger or wait for something better.

At that price (if non-negotiable) I’d pass and wait... the Everest bands are just a distraction.

Otherwise budget ~$300ish to either correct the lume or replace the hand.


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[GMT2Lover]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

At that price (if non-negotiable) I’d pass and wait... the Everest bands are just a distraction.

Otherwise budget ~$300ish to either correct the lume or replace the hand.


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

Having major FOMO

[MorningTundra]

You’re going to have to learn to deal with that or get out of vintage....


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[MorningTundra]

A few nice ones over at HQMilton right now around your budge


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[Tools]

This is one that I would want to research further. I like the matte dial 16800, but this one may be a rebuild.

If it is, I don't understand why the hands were not replaced at the time.

It is possible to get the hands and bezel insert lumed and colored to match the dial. That is a lot of work and expense for this model though.