faded insert… ouch.

[aaamax]

I belong to the cadre of TRFers that think the abundance of "faded" inserts is a bit high on the Bull-0-Meter.
Here is one I just found for sale that I think shows clearly someone grabbing the insert with their fingers while being "faded." Look at the back as well.
This can be your for $140… I'll take two!!!

[Vincent65]

Yes, looks like a bleach-job!

[roll9]

I am about to start looking for a nice faded example for my 1680, do you guys know any tricks for making sure it's faded the "old fashioned way"?

[dexvd]

If you are swapping the original out does it even matter if it was properly faded? Its not like any swapped in faded bezel insert would truly match the patina of the rest of the watch. I would be fine with swapping in a faded bezel for appearance but would think value wise it would make more sense to set aside the original bezel for resale value.

[iclick]

I use the slower but better method at a south-facing window.

[roll9]

Originally Posted by dexvd

If you are swapping the original out does it even matter if it was properly faded? Its not like any swapped in faded bezel insert would truly match the patina of the rest of the watch. I would be fine with swapping in a faded bezel for appearance but would think value wise it would make more sense to set aside the original bezel for resale value.

good idea about hanging on to the original, I plan on it.

[MitchSteel]

You do realize that glass blocks UV rays.That insert will be there for a while :)

[LunetteVerde]

Originally Posted by iclick

I use the slower but better method at a south-facing window.

LOL!


♛lunetteverde@Instagram♛

[Paul]

Originally Posted by roll9

I am about to start looking for a nice faded example for my 1680, do you guys know any tricks for making sure it's faded the "old fashioned way"?

No disrespect to fellas who own them, but when I see faded inserts that are otherwise pristine, I scratch my head.

A faded insert must have seen some significant time spent in the great outdoors, which suggests to me that the owner leads / led an active lifestyle
So, for me, an insert that's seen some serious outdoor time, could also be expected to have picked up a few scratches and dings.
And perhaps some corrosion on the inner or outer edge where the alloy butted up to stainless has freaked out.
Or perhaps ..... all of the above.

So, in pursuit of original fade, I'll look more positively at an insert that also displays some other tell-tale signs of an actively led life.

Pessimistically yours from sunny New Zealand

[MitchSteel]

I heard the Fuchsia inserts can be faded using unicorn tears.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by MitchSteel

You do realize that glass blocks UV rays.That insert will be there for a while :)

I know, and to make matters worse they're double-pane. I thought about putting it outside hanging on a nail, but was paranoid someone would steal it--but who would know what it is, much less want to steal it? So, I decided some exposure to the sun was better than sitting in the safe.

[MitchSteel]

You can certainly try leaving it outside, however, I've done that( leaving it outside in the sun for nearly 4 months straight), with Zero effect.I thought prolonged UV exposure will certainly fade the insert, but, nothing,zero.
Maybe a couple of years, maybe more?

[Pict]

Originally Posted by MitchSteel

You do realize that glass blocks UV rays.That insert will be there for a while :)

UVB rays yes, but glass will not block UVA. Still be there for some amount of time though.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by MitchSteel

You can certainly try leaving it outside, however, I've done that( leaving it outside in the sun for nearly 4 months straight), with Zero effect.I thought prolonged UV exposure will certainly fade the insert, but, nothing,zero.
Maybe a couple of years, maybe more?

I would tend to agree. That insert was on the GMT for about 30 years as an almost-daily-wearer and you can see the resulting fade, or lack thereof. The red has faded but the blue almost none. OTOH, the original fat-font insert that's on the watch now shows much more fade and it was on the watch for only about 10 years until about a year ago. It was lost for a few years while working in the yard, then found, so it sat out there in the elements unprotected. At the time I purchased the newer bezel around 1980 the watchmaker told me the "new" bezels didn't fade as much as the "old," so there must've been a change in the dye/paint formula at some point in between.

[Tudor Fan]

Originally Posted by roll9

I am about to start looking for a nice faded example for my 1680, do you guys know any tricks for making sure it's faded the "old fashioned way"?

Yeah, wear it 40 years and go a lot in the sun and the ocean.

[roll9]

[QUOTE=Tudor Fan;5565552]Yeah, wear it 40 years and go a lot in the sun and the ocean. [/QUOTE
Fading an insert that way sounds like a good time maybe I should just fade my own. The only problem is the 40 years part.

[bzabodyn]

Here's my opinion of a naturally faded bezel with "scars" to match...



BZ

[aaamax]

Bza, that is one fine insert you have there= a perfect package.
cheers

Originally Posted by bzabodyn

Here's my opinion of a naturally faded bezel with "scars" to match...



BZ