Does patina add value to a watch?

The phenomenon has now spread globally, with the US market in particular demanding vintage watches that have not been cleaned or restored in any way. There’s no doubt that the presence of patina can significantly increase the value of a pre-owned luxury timepiece.

How do watches go up in value?

Availability, demand, and exclusivity have all played a role in these watches becoming much sought-after pieces. This has in turn caused their value to increase over time.

Do watches increase in value over time?

Experts agree that watches traditionally hold their value better than most other investments even in an economic slump, and they estimate that the right watch purchased today can appreciate in value as much as 10-30\% in ensuing years. Generally, it takes a few decades for a watch to accrue value, though.

How long does it take for tritium to patina?

For tritium, this is a fairly short interval – 12.5 years. (Radium has a 1,600 year half-life, for comparison). If you have a Rolex made in 1997, with tritium markers and hands, and they’re still original, the lume would have lost half its strength by 2009 (roughly).

How do I age my watch?

To determine the age of your watch, you will need to open your watch and find the serial number on the watch’s movement. This crucial figure will indicate the manufacture date. (Unfortunately, you cannot rely on the number stamped outside on the watch case which is largely used only for identification purposes.)

What is faux Tina?

Fauxtina is when a designer makes a watch look like it has the same characteristics of a vintage watch that gained those traits through aging. The most common way to do this is to color the lume on a watch shades of off white or light brown.

What causes watch patina?

The aging of your watch is mainly influenced by light, moisture, use, and material. The more a watch is worn (and the more exposure to sunlight and water), the faster your watch will age. The materials of your watch also play a large role in the appearance of the patina.

What is watch patina and how does it affect your watch?

Watch patina refers to this natural aging process of timepieces that generally alters the hands, hour markers, and dials of your watch face.

Is this an example of patina?

The shortest answer is, yes, that is indeed one example of patina. However, this mystical buzz word is not limited to discolored metal and has far more power than most people realize.

Are Rolex watches with patina in demand?

The demand for watches with patina is not a new phenomenon. In June 2016 we offered a Rolex reference 8171 in steel (below) in New York, which had been purchased by a pilot in the early 1950s and worn for a few years until it stopped working.

What is the trend in vintage watch collecting?

One of the most interesting evolutions in vintage watch collecting has been the desire to move away from watches that have been restored and polished to look ‘like new’ in favour of watches in original condition with honest patina.