Hand change on a 1680 or 1665 bothered ?

[Nauti]

does anyone worry too much about newer hands on vintage Subs & SDs if everything else is original ?

[mignonp13]

Depends if hands are tritium or service Luminova !
If they are tritium good condition and they match the dial patina for me not a problem ! But a Luminova set is a deal breaker !


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[Dan S]

Different people worry about different things, but it does have a modest effect on value. You can find older tritium hands to replace them if you want to go that route. Personally, I don't like the look of luminova hands with a tritium dial.

[Nauti]

Thanks Dan

I guess a very subjective issue..I have never been too bothered re hands so long as dial ok...

[1665fan]

I hate anything on a vintage watch that glows!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

I hate anything on a vintage watch that glows!

Even if it's all original?? There are indeed some vintage Rolexes that still glow to some degree, and there are plenty of vintage Speedmasters with original tritium that still glow a lot.

[wappinghigh]

I would be bothered by this for sure

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Nauti

does anyone worry too much about newer hands on vintage Subs & SDs if everything else is original ?

Nobody should be "worry too much about" it, ever.

However, the value for vintage examples is in originality, so some seem to think that it is proper for old watches to have ratty and damaged parts. Leave all that to the collectors and the vocal wannabees.

Most would, and should, want a proper functioning and well maintained watch to wear. If we do not replace disintegrating hands, or dials, the functionality of the watch is gone.

Somebody needs to save and restore these old relics to their former life. If we don't do it, who will?

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by swish77

Even if it's all original?? There are indeed some vintage Rolexes that still glow to some degree, and there are plenty of vintage Speedmasters with original tritium that still glow a lot.

I’ve had gilts that don’t glow, and all my models from the 70s and 80s do not glow...everything I have owned that glew or glow was replacement parts as far as Rolex goes...so that’s just what I know

[rootbeer7]

I had an early 16610 taken in a trade which had newer hands and bezel pip. I didn’t keep it very long! Saying that, I looked at a 1680 with service luminova dial and hands and thought it made a great everyday vintage piece, but not at the price asked!

[Mike Wood]

Rolex don't mind...it is them that fitted newer hands to vintage watches for years, and generally the owners were delighted that their watches came back from service with hands that glowed in the dark once again!

Seeing a nice vintage gilt dial watch with luminova hands is a bit of a clash, but it may be part of the watch's history, and it can always be remedied by sourcing and fitting a set of old hands (albeit at a cost!!).

MW

[XavierM]

Regarding the dial/ hands, I like the watch to be as original as it can be: factory original dial and at least matching hands (type of lume and color).
I can understand the attract of a service dial/service hands for a daily watch.
What I don’t like at all is a set of hands that do not match the dial (lumi hands on an old tritrium dial). To me it completely kills the esthetic appeal of the watch...

Kind Regards,

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Different people worry about different things, but it does have a modest effect on value. You can find older tritium hands to replace them if you want to go that route. Personally, I don't like the look of luminova hands with a tritium dial.

I agree with Dan. Best answer.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

I’ve had gilts that don’t glow, and all my models from the 70s and 80s do not glow...everything I have owned that glew or glow was replacement parts as far as Rolex goes...so that’s just what I know

Ah, it's all good. We like what we like, for whatever reason. If it's original, I don't mind a little glow on a dial/hands (it'll most likely be faint anyway.) There are some mid-late '60s Rolex models that still glow quite a bit.