Vintage rolex hand corrosion - decrease value or no?

[Jayrock26]

Hello,

I am looking at a 5513 from 1982 and i notice some corrosion on the hands, dont know why this bothers me. Maybe because its creating spotting on the tritium lume. Instead of sticking to just the steel.

Is this something that i should avoid or is it just a part of buying vintage rolex?

What is considered a normal amount of corrosion when it comes to the hands?

Thanks!

[Vincent65]

Is this something that i should avoid or is it just a part of buying vintage rolex?

What is considered a normal amount of corrosion when it comes to the hands?


1. yes

2. huh? normal amount? 0.0001g

Seriously, it's pretty common, and if not too bad (according to personal scale of acceptability), don't worry about it.

[Jayrock26]

Thats what i figured,

Now What if the corrosion is carrying through to the tritium on the hands and creating discoloration. To the point it is different from the color of the dial markers? (Starting to anyways)

[Ken Nielsen]

Originally Posted by Jayrock26

Thats what i figured,

Now What if the corrosion is carrying through to the tritium on the hands and creating discoloration. To the point it is different from the color of the dial markers? (Starting to anyways)

This is an interesting discussion to me also, with a sweep hand on a 1009 watch that is in for 'full service' I requested the watch shop see if there was anything that could be done to 'clean' or remove the discoloration, and, if not to just leave it. If they can clean this they will be big heroes to me. I don't like looking at it on a watch which is otherwise nearly perfect.

[Jayrock26]

The watch is from the 80s is it true that rolex were using inferior materials during that time frame to cut costs?

As it was during the "quartz crises"

Ive heard this but i hardly believe such a company would do so,
Not sure if that is to blame

[JohnBaker3]

If a Submariner was made prior to 1964, then the corrosion could be secondary to the radium paint they used....

If it is a 1980's watch, I would be more concerned about a moisture issue as the cause....

You might want a watchmaker to open up the case back and take a close look at the movement to make sure that moisture didn't get in there too...

[Jayrock26]

Okay will do!

But seeing as there is no moisture issues a small amount is normal? Ive seen a lot of examples with corrosion

[Beelzy]

Corrosion is livable....however any cracks in the Tritium, goodbye lume....hello sourcing period correct hands!
Of one wears said specimen, that is.

[Jayrock26]

True ,

Cracked hands or this going to last?
Photo credit : Kirilyuzh

[Vincent65]

^^ If that's the watch in question, the hands look fine to me, and I doubt Rolex used 'inferior materials' in the 80s. Things age, and this is what the appeal is, to most vintage enthusiasts. If it bothers you, then maybe vintage is not the route, because it's not going to get better, and trying to 'clean' it would spell disaster, IMHO...

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Jayrock26

True ,

Cracked hands or this going to last?
Photo credit : Kirilyuzh

Hour and minute hands look fine, but the seconds hand looks more corroded....could just be the pic though.

[crowncollection]

Looks ok I would not worry

[PoderEsBueno]

Here is another example, same period maxi5 to compare the example you shared. You can see the second hand with corrosion. I don't think it is a problem at all. I have similiar damage on my 1680 as well. I would worry more about the matching patina on the markers and hands than the corrosion, which looks perfect at the maxi5 you shared


Photo Credit:Vınontre

[Jayrock26]

Great! Wanted to be sure before i take the dive.

It does seem like its part of the package. Just as long as the lume isn't cracking off.
The second hand is a bit more corroded in the other pics of the watch but the lum is in the same condition

Great help guys!

[Jayrock26]

And last thing! The tritium on the hands, its turning a dark brown in spots around the edges. Is that from the corrosion causing the patina to change color?

Or just the natural ageing of the patina?

[Tcaviglioli]

Hands of this period are prone to corrosion and it can be seen on lots of watches of this era, so nothing out of the normal.

Does it decrease value, not really unless it is really bad and you can always find another set.

[Jayrock26]

True,

I guess i should have clarified this in the beggining.
The corrosion of the metal doesnt bother me so much, but the spotting on the tritium does.

Think that will spread over time as the corrosion continues ? Changing the color of the hands or no.

Thanks!

[Mike1066]

Does anyone know if a good watchmaker can "clean" the corrosion off of hands (whether it be a 1980's sub like the OP or a 1963 gilt sub)?

[springer]

Originally Posted by Mike1066

Does anyone know if a good watchmaker can "clean" the corrosion off of hands (whether it be a 1980's sub like the OP or a 1963 gilt sub)?

No cleaning. The older vintage hands are very, very fragile. Look at it wrong and it could come off, let alone touching it. I've seen tritium fall off hands after removing them from a watch!