Oh no! Lost lume on minute hand

[autofiend]

Unfortunately, I noticed a few days ago that I have spot of lume missing from the minute hand of my 16800. Most likely it was lost during its recent service, as it was fully intact when I first received it.

I plan on sending it to Bob Ridley to have to have the hands stabilized to avoid further loss. The hand still looks good and only a tiny bit has been lost.

But what bothers me most is I really looked forward to having it over the holidays. What is the consensus with wearing it?

I probably should avoid wearing it until the issue is addressed, correct? I'll try to get a decent shot of it and will add it to the thread.

Guess I am just looking for the "oh it's fine, just wear it" response, but I probably won't get it.

Pic to follow.

[Clay]

"Oh it's fine, just wear it!"

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

I would think that if the Lume is not somewhere in the watch, it's probably okay to wear…I guess the only problem could be if it gets stuck in the Date Window…???

I would also think twice about having the hands "Stabilized"...

[Cc1966]

D@mn, wish I could say just wear it...but you really should hack it or let it wind down and have those hands stabilized by "Dr. " Bob. What is your fall-back piece?

[autofiend]

I'm letting it wind down in the watch box. It doesn't look unstable, so I think as long as I don't wear it until it gets addressed it'll be fine. Hopefully it won't lose more when it gets sent off.

Disappointing though- will be in the watch box through the holidays :(

Per Clay's response, I thought about finding a replacement set of Trit hands, but the hands are in great shape other than the small bit missing- I think the stabilization route is best.

Back up pieces consist of my vintage Seikos: 6306-7000 and a 6138-3000 23J chrono. Oh well...

Photo pending still- the shitty iPhone cam won't do.

[Cc1966]

You are doing the right thing. Perhaps this is a good time to treat yourself to an early Christmas present that starts with "R"!

[autofiend]

Originally Posted by Cc1966

You are doing the right thing. Perhaps this is a good time to treat yourself to an early Christmas present that starts with "R"!

Love to treat myself to another, but the watch funds are at a low right now after picking the up the 16800.

[autofiend]

Change of plans. I was evaluating the lume and I feel it's pretty stable for now. I'm strapping it back on and throwing caution to the wind.

As a back up plan though, I also decided to source a set of tritium replacement hands and found what looks like should be a decent match on ChronoShop. Ordered them and they are already on their way from France. I'm going to keep a close eye on the hand and if I notice any additional lume loss, I'll shelve the watch until I can get the hands replaced.


I will get a pic on this thread- just need to get the good camera out. Just thought I'd update...

[joseluu]

Originally Posted by Clay

"Oh it's fine, just wear it!"

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

I would think that if the Lume is not somewhere in the watch, it's probably okay to wear…I guess the only problem could be if it gets stuck in the Date Window…???

That would be real magic!! hahaha.

[autofiend]

Originally Posted by joseluu

That would be real magic!! hahaha.

I'm pretty certain the lume came off when the hands were removed for the service. Definitely no signs on the dial.

[joseluu]

Originally Posted by autofiend

I'm pretty certain the lume came off when the hands were removed for the service. Definitely no signs on the dial.

You see? There is always a trick!!!

[autofiend]

Ok, so I received the handset from ChronoShop: excellent service and fast shipping from France, BTW.

The handset is in very good condition except for some slight cracking on the hour hand lume, however, to my surprise, I found the minute hand in the handset received has less lume than the original hand on the 16800. I'm guessing the minute hands on the early 16800s with the maxi dial are slightly thicker than the newer 16800 gloss/surround hands? Has anyone ever found this to be true? The hour and second hands appear identical. I'm afraid to mess with the loose hands too much in fear of damaging them, or I'd take some side by side photos. The lume on the minute hand on my watch is DEFINITELY thicker than the one received.

Anyway, I'm not sure if I going to swap out the hand (tritium color is a good match) or take it over to ABC Watchwerks in LA (a 40 minute drive for me) to have Edvi assess it. He said he could likely tackle the hand stabilzation and could possibly repair the missing lume. I'm on a quest now, so no stopping me

Shot of the missing lume now added to thread as promised-it's a small bit and appears stable for now, but I'm afraid a hard jolt my jog more loose.

[autofiend]

[Vincent65]

That looks like virtually nothing to me, I'd wear it and forget about it. It's just a small chip off the surface; it appears it doesn't even go all the way through as a 'hole'. Just enjoy it!

[autofiend]

You may be right, I'm probably obsessing. I can see cracks on the surface through a loop, but it's probably been that way for years.

The tribulations of a WIS. Any other opinions on this?

[Vincent65]

Put the loupe away!

[John in MA]

The lume doesn't appear to missing just punched or dented. There looks to be a divot in the lume and the hole is where it broke from the edge. I'd do something with that before it falls off.

[CrownMe]

Never use a loupe on a vintage watch lol

[autofiend]

Originally Posted by John in MA

The lume doesn't appear to missing just punched or dented. There looks to be a divot in the lume and the hole is where it broke from the edge. I'd do something with that before it falls off.

It's actually already missing- it's a piece of the top layer that's flaked off. I'm on the fence whether just to leave it or get it addressed. Not sure if it will flake off further. I know I'm OCD'ing over it.

The loupe is now in the drawer BTW. ;)

[joe100]

Originally Posted by autofiend

It's actually already missing- it's a piece of the top layer that's flaked off. I'm on the fence whether just to leave it or get it addressed. Not sure if it will flake off further. I know I'm OCD'ing over it.

The loupe is now in the drawer BTW. ;)

What if it had flaked off from the underside and you'd never know it was missing. Now that'll keep you awake at night!

[autofiend]

Well, after my bout of OCD wained, I decided to just leave it alone and keep on eye on it. I now have a spare, matching tritium handset (though the minute hand is non- maxi).

Just thought I'd update.

Any suggestions on storing the spare hands?

Happy New Year all.

[Cc1966]

Some very small air-tight container (put a little silica desiccant pack) and forget about it!

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by autofiend

Well, after my bout of OCD wained, I decided to just leave it alone and keep on eye on it.

Good job! Tritium flaking off (especially during a service) can and will happen. If everyone keeps filling in/color-matching/reluming/sealing their vintage hands, there won't be many honest, all-original tritium hands left.

A lot of people look at flaked hands like the plague, as if it's an immediate problem that needs fixing. I don't; as long as it's been serviced and the flakes aren't floating around in there you're fine in my book. I don't mind the appearance of flaked hands all that much. Maybe in 20 years you'll fetch a premium for a nicely-flaked all-original tritium handset that never underwent the "sealing" trend of 2010-2015. We'll see. In the meantime, my flakey root beer says hi!

[TimeToGo]

ABC Watchwerks is local to you, as an option. If you want them open it up and check it out on the spot...

[anilzat]

Mine flaked abit, however it still is intact and it has not been worked on.

[autofiend]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

ABC Watchwerks is local to you, as an option. If you want them open it up and check it out on the spot...

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

ABC Watchwerks is local to you, as an option. If you want them open it up and check it out on the spot...

Thank you. I already contacted Edvi. He said to bring it by whenever and I definitely will if I notice more loss.

Thanks also Powerfunk. I agree with your observations. Cheers-

[anilzat]

This my lume that it's flaking.