Vintage sub question

[genghis7]

How important is it for you to have matching pearl to indexes/hands on a sub?
Matching as in same color patina

[genghis7]

Anyone?

[Frogman4me]

It's not a deal breaker by any means but I sure love it when it all matches :)

[Beelzy]

Who cares about a matching pearl on a vintage Sub?....I would be happy with any pearl at all.

Besides that, one can make a pearl match fairly easily.....so, I have read.

[Robbyvm]

if you have a pearl, i think it should match...

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Robbyvm

if you have a pearl, i think it should match...

x 2

HAGOne

[patb]

I would want mine to match.

[springer]

Originally Posted by patb

I would want mine to match.

X2, but some do not match 100%.

[swish77]

Yes, nice that it matches, of course, but sometimes even the original bezel pearl does not match the patina on the hands/dial. So, in a case like that, would you rather have the original one or a replacement just so the patina matches perfectly? I'd rather have the original bezel insert and pearl, regardless. If it aged differently, so be it.

[genghis7]

What do you all think? Pearl doesn't match but in great condition.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1359576986.944883.jpg

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by genghis7

What do you all think? Pearl doesn't match but in great condition.

Attachment 352685

And what do you think yourself ?

HAGOne

[pdoukas]

It doesn't match becasue it is a replacement service insert with replacement service PIP. Now, if you truly want it to match, then you'll need to source a fat font insert with matching tritium PIP. Otherwise, you'll need to source just the PIP and it will all match except for the insert.

Me, for a Red Sub, it all has to match. Took me nearly a year to find the perfect one for me becasue I didn't want to deal with sourcing an insert or a PIP.

Pete

[Vlad]

Not a big deal, but that should be reflected in the price of the watch.

[genghis7]

Originally Posted by pdoukas

It doesn't match becasue it is a replacement service insert with replacement service PIP. Now, if you truly want it to match, then you'll need to source a fat font insert with matching tritium PIP. Otherwise, you'll need to source just the PIP and it will all match except for the insert.

Me, for a Red Sub, it all has to match. Took me nearly a year to find the perfect one for me becasue I didn't want to deal with sourcing an insert or a PIP.

Pete

Very well put. Am in the market for a red sub, but also want it all to match, so I think I just need to be patient. :)

[Vincent65]

On a great number of original inserts, the bezel pearls do not 'match' the lume on the dial and hands because it has simply deteriorated and 'fallen out' for want of a better phrase. This often gives it a lighter appearance, because the luminous material is no longer present within the now-clear plastic pip.

People then often mistakenly and quickly assume it is therefore a luminova replacement pearl, because it has a lighter appearance. But, it could well be the original. Here's mine; original fat font insert with original pearl which has 'lost' its Tritium. Pearl otherwise perfectly intact and never been re-installed. It is not luminova; it does not glow one iota, and yet the original Tritium hands and dial do - very slightly (although not as much as my 1966 GMT) : Cheers, K.

[sandybax]

Good question. Does not really seem to be a big deal. Personally, I do not like when they do not match. It just bugs me :) Very much!

[RC2]

Get one without a pearl. Problem solved.

[SteelerFan65]

Not hard to get one that does match....Trust me plenty of people do and you would never know it unless you owned the watch from day one! Cheers,

[genghis7]

Originally Posted by rc2

get one without a pearl. Problem solved.

lol

[genghis7]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Not hard to get one that does match....Trust me plenty of people do and you would never know it unless you owned the watch from day one! Cheers,

Would love to get my hands on an all original. But that seems hard to come by too often, just have to be patient :)

[HRV]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

On a great number of original inserts, the bezel pearls do not 'match' the lume on the dial and hands because it has simply deteriorated and 'fallen out' for want of a better phrase. This often gives it a lighter appearance, because the luminous material is no longer present within the now-clear plastic pip.

People then often mistakenly and quickly assume it is therefore a luminova replacement pearl, because it has a lighter appearance. But, it could well be the original. Here's mine; original fat font insert with original pearl which has 'lost' its Tritium. Pearl otherwise perfectly intact and never been re-installed. It is not luminova; it does not glow one iota, and yet the original Tritium hands and dial do - very slightly (although not as much as my 1966 GMT) : Cheers, K.

Interesting to hear that the hands and dial still glow a bit, even although the advertised half life is 12 years or so?

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by HRV

Interesting to hear that the hands and dial still glow a bit, even although the advertised half life is 12 years or so?

I was very surprised to see it, and it is super-minimal. I glanced down as I woke in the middle of one night. There was no real definition or clarity, and you couldn't really read anything. Just a faint glow.

BTW The 1966 gilt GMT is much brighter, and that's 4 years older...

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by HRV

Interesting to hear that the hands and dial still glow a bit, even although the advertised half life is 12 years or so?

In addition, I have a 1990 16600 Sea-Dweller, and that obviously has its original Tritium dial as well. Same deal; gentle glow. That's well over 20 years old. I don't take heed of supposed 'half life' 'facts and figures' - I just observe the reality!

[HRV]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

In addition, I have a 1990 16600 Sea-Dweller, and that obviously has its original Tritium dial as well. Same deal; gentle glow. That's well over 20 years old. I don't take heed of supposed 'half life' 'facts and figures' - I just observe the reality!

thanks for that, my recent addition 1970 1680/8 also has a faint glow, as you say, its not anything that you could tell the time with, but in a pitch dark room there is something

[Vincent65]

exactly

[storm66]

Heres my Red Sub......no pearl in my faded insert
1.jpg

[SteelerFan65]

Originally Posted by storm66

Heres my Red Sub......no pearl in my faded insert
Attachment 354103

Maybe no pearl but one cool insert!