To re-lume or not to re-lume. That is the question

[suntzu]

What's the consensus on re-luming a collector piece if the lume is moldy? I am putting emphasis on "collector." The watch is all original including crystal. It is a 6105-8110 "Willard." I don't have pictures. I'm more concerned about trashing the value of it and it's originality. I know my guy would do it beautifully and look the part. So that's not my concern. If this were any other watch I wouldn't ask and probably would do it, but I know this reference has investment value. Thanks.

[69ChevelleSS]

Just my opinion but I would re-lume it.  First of all, it's your watch and you should do as you like to enjoy the watch.  What's the point of having it if you look at it and cringe about the mungy lume?

[cobrajet25]

Are you going to wear it and enjoy it?  Go ahead and relume it.

Is this watch going to be a 'safe queen'?  Leave it alone.

[suntzu]

Thanks fellas.

Yeah, I'm definitely going to wear it. I'm not a safe queen type of guy. Like classic cars, they're meant to be driven.

My issue was destroying it's investment value as it's no longer all original.

I think I'll re-lume. Would you go with it's original color as new which I think was white, or tint it a patina-like cream color so it looks aged? I like the patina look.

[rossr]

I’ve had one 62MAS relumed, and another getting relumed right now. One was for a full restoration, so no choice. I thought I could live with the old, poor-condition lume on the other, but no. Elsewhere, I have nicely aged lume on divers that I would never replace.

[Deleted]

Sept 19, 2019 5:45:04 GMT -8 suntzu said:

What's the consensus on re-luming a collector piece if the lume is moldy? I am putting emphasis on "collector." The watch is all original including crystal. It is a 6105-8110 "Willard." I don't have pictures. I'm more concerned about trashing the value of it and it's originality. I know my guy would do it beautifully and look the part. So that's not my concern. If this were any other watch I wouldn't ask and probably would do it, but I know this reference has investment value. Thanks.

With these old watches, it's getting to the point where lume is considered the same as any other part that has to be replaced; like gaskets, crystals, spring bars, etc.
A well done relume should not devalue the watch any.
If anything, when you go to sell it, it may move quicker than if it was still mungy.

[suntzu]

Thanks again fellas. Good to bounce my thoughts off you guys. I appreciate the input.

[russtmurray]

What's wrong with mold? The case on mine is a tad pooched given it's pitted under the gasket, but it runs well. In your case, go for it!

[doc013]

I would get an AM dial put that in, and save the original dial if your going to wear it.

[suntzu]

Sept 19, 2019 8:21:51 GMT -8 doc013 said:

I would get an AM dial put that in, and save the original dial if your going to wear it.

Honestly, I can't do that. I'd rather wear the mold than know that I'm walking around with an AM proof Willard dial.

I'd feel like a guy in a Civic DX with fart can exhaust and body kit

[Solotov]

I was kinda hesitant re-luming my yellow 6139-6002, but definitely prefer the fresh lume to the moldy black.

That being said I would consider the the 6105 russtmurray posted to be 100% wearable and not in need of a relume

[saul]

Sept 19, 2019 9:02:06 GMT -8 suntzu said:

Sept 19, 2019 8:21:51 GMT -8 doc013 said:

I would get an AM dial put that in, and save the original dial if your going to wear it.

Honestly, I can't do that. I'd rather wear the mold than know that I'm walking around with an AM proof Willard dial.

I'd feel like a guy in a Civic DX with fart can exhaust and body kit

Put enough TypeR decals on it and you are good to go!

[tritto]

I'm on team relume. If your lume is so mouldy it's ugly then a good relume isn't going to hurt the value at all. I draw the line at reluming just to get glowing lume though - that's silly.
A good relume artist will be able to match the lume colour to your hands (if they're not be be relumed) and will be able to ensure the new lume doesn't glow if you choose.
I've had several collectable watches relumed and I'm very happy with the results.

[Adrian-VTA]

A few mould spots - leave it.

3 week old bread - relume for sure.

[DanS]

I think photos would really help, since in my opinion it really depends on the amount of mold, the location, and how it looks. Adrian serviced and restored the water-resistance of this watch that I bought as a gift for my brother. But I chose to keep the original lume in the hands even though they have some mold.  It wasn't a tough call for me at all, since it's a 50 year old watch and I don't mind a few age spots; it's still appealing IMO.  However, if it had been much worse, I might have made a different decision. I am no expert when it comes to the value of collectible Seikos, but with the collectible watches that I'm more experienced with, it's desirable to keep the original lume if at all possible.

[tritto]

Which one would you pay more for? Which one would you rather wear?

or

[mikeyt]

I'd go with 'B' but my taste is suspect at best.

[freesoyu]

I love catchphrase from adidas :
"Original is never finished"
Don't finish it!

[rossr]

Before.


After.


I decided not to keep the original lume.

For this one however, I’m keeping the original lume, and getting new lume on the AM hands to match the original markers.


This one, I’m keeping the original black lume on the dial and hands.

[Fergus]

Thankfully the original lume on mine has lasted well.