On patina and "patinated"...

[Juantxo]

Many, many years ago I returned to my small town from prep-school in New England carrying a few records with the latest in music. I called an old school friend, a very smart and sober fellow, and with a great deal enthusiasm invited him to listen to the most exquisite music ever written, or so I thought.

I don't recall exactly whether the first record I played was from Pink Floyd or from Led Zepplin. The fact is that after listening to the 33 rpm acetate record he showed a perplexed face and said: But what's so great about a bunch of dogs howling...?

Indeed, one of the main and longest songs in the record included some dogs howling in the background, which I hadn't really noticed until he mentioned it. Artistic license or not, I was embarrassed as he was right. I mean, a bunch of dogs howling is not what Mozart would have considered great music.

I'm trying to make the point that as with pet rocks, nowadays savvy salesmen are selling "patina" or "patinated" (is that a word...?) watches as something special and desirable. Now, let's be serious, patina is the result of something that has decayed with age. Why would we want to pay for rot and decay...?

I understand that the now beat-up watch that my mom gave me when I graduated from high-school has a special meaning for me, and I may even remember fondly, or not, of how that deep scratch on the right lug marred the watch. But paying with enthusiasm for a watch because it is "patinated", well, I don't understand.

You may now flame me for my ignorance.

[RickR]

Your friend was wrong. Pink Floyd 'Animals' IS a great album.

[swish77]

I think part of the problem is your premise. Patina is not "decay." It's an aging process that enhances the beauty of a vintage timepiece.

[Juantxo]

Originally Posted by swish77

I think part of the problem is your premise. Patina is not "decay." It's an aging process that enhances the beauty of a vintage timepiece.

Euphemism...?

[anothernewphone]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

Euphemism...?

You may want to check the definition of "euphemism" while you're at it.

[RKTudor]

Originally Posted by anothernewphone

You may want to check the definition of "euphemism" while you're at it.

;)

[HogwldFLTR]

In the guitar world they discuss relic'd guitars as desirable. It makes a guitar look like it's been used by the owner for ages. I suspect the same is true for watch owner; the patina'd watch give apparent creds.

[Juantxo]

Originally Posted by anothernewphone

You may want to check the definition of "euphemism" while you're at it.

"A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing"...? For instance: "...an aging process that enhances the beauty of a vintage timepiece...", instead of decay.

I think the word was used in its correct context. If not, please illustrate me as I'll appreciate it. After all, English is certainly not my métier.

[Juantxo]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

In the guitar world they discuss relic'd guitars as desirable. It makes a guitar look like it's been used by the owner for ages. I suspect the same is true for watch owner; the patina'd watch give apparent creds.

"...the patina'd watch give apparent creds..." I agree.

[Fez110]

Same can be said with selvedge jeans (raw denim). Buying a new unwashed raw pair is much cheaper than buying a pre-distressed pair (sometimes a fraction of the cost). I much prefer to buy my own and wear them in myself - after heavy use they have their own patina that is a reflection of my use/lifestyle.


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[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

...nowadays savvy salesmen are selling "patina" or "patinated" (is that a word...?) watches as something special and desirable. Now, let's be serious, patina is the result of something that has decayed with age.

Patina appreciation is pretty much in the eyes of the beholder as some examples often look better than others. To me, an eggshell white (or cream colored) patina is very attractive. On the other hand, the really yellowed-out ones can sometimes look kind of gross. On older watches with crumbling radium dials/hands, decay is most definitely taking place.

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

In the guitar world they discuss relic'd guitars as desirable. It makes a guitar look like it's been used by the owner for ages. I suspect the same is true for watch owner; the patina'd watch give apparent creds.

A guitar's natural relic'd appearance (due to wear and tear/actual usage) is one thing (e.g. SRV's and Rory Gallagher's Stratocasters, Willie Nelson's 'Trigger' etc.). To artificially distress a guitar's appearance by intentionally trashing and disfiguring them for a 'road worn look' seems kind of phony (as if the owner is trying to give some sort of impression that they've been 'down to the crossroads'). Not surprisingly, some folks will actually pay more for these 'cosmetically altered' instruments. Go figure.

[breitlings]

Its very easy to buy a brand new rolex aside from a few models. It is far more difficult to find a purple dial sub, a white dial gmt master, or a nice 16710. Faded bezels, is that also decay? With patina you can end up with a one off piece that even if you wanted to buy it you may not be able to.

I think perhaps you have a distaste for the value vintage commands and are challenging it but the market and desirability are what they are. I don't think your post will change that. A new ferrari is going to be faster than a vintage one. But the vintage may be more desirable and valuable.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by swish77

I think part of the problem is your premise. Patina is not "decay." It's an aging process that enhances the beauty of a vintage timepiece.

I think decay is appropriate. The manufacturer did not design the watch to look like it was aged. Instead, the materials they used degraded over time resulting in a substantially different appearance than the original design. That is what decay is.

You can argue about whether the new aesthetics are pleasing to the eye, and therefore worth paying extra for, but you cannot claim that the materials did not decay.

Note that Rolex no longer uses any of those materials. They fixed the problems that caused spider dials and yellowing lume. Had the aging process been part of the plan, they would not have fixed the materials issues.

[Old Expat Beast]

Patina is an early indication of decay, and the word 'euphemism' was correctly used by the OP, IMO.

[AK797]

Patina can add charm and character and a sense of historicity, and like music or smell can transport you back in time.