Thoughts On Patina
There have been a lot posts about patina on numerous outlets. Some people love the artificial "faux-tina" while others despise it. Looking at my Speedmaster Reduced I couldn't help but notice some of the ever-so slight patina on the hands and indices. Its something I have been very excited about so naturally I figured I would give my own thoughts.
I was looking for a Speedmaster and after some research decided that the Speedmaster Reduced was the speedy for me. I noticed that some had natural patina while others did not. The older models from the early 90s had more hues of orange and brown than the model I bought which dates to the late 90s/early 2000s if my memory serves me correctly. So I had to decide, do I want a watch that remains largely white or do I want one with the patina? I opted for white.
Why?
Because for this watch, I wanted the opportunity to see it start to age with me. I don't have a distaste for artificial patina nor do I care if people want to buy vintage models with true, age related patina. However, I view both of these options as two sides of the same coin--You get the look but you don't get the experience.
That to me is the difference. When I see patina on a dial I want it to evoke that sense of weathering from life. Like any of us, watches are subject to aging. For me, I wanted this Speedy to age alongside of me. Buying one that is already orange with age (while still really cool) deprives you of that opportunity, and buying a watch that has artifical patina (something I have started to fall out of favor for personally) also deprives you of the same experience albeit in a different way.
That's not to say either option doesn't have positives. With artifical patina you get a new piece made to look older and avoid the minefield of vintage watches. With a vintage piece you have real weathering but also have to worry about what you're getting as a package. So at the end of the day, if you love it, just do it.
My Speedmaster Reduced is a watch that carries immense meaning to me and seeing it turn those subtle hues of creamy white has impressed upon me the notion that patina shouldn't be bought, nor should it be forced. It should be experienced for oneself as a reminder of who you are, where you've been, and where you're going.
Collector of anything from Casio to Omega.
Hell of a story there. Given that the Speedy is one of my “grails”, I don’t think I would quibble over patina. New or used, fauxtina or real patina, I wouldn’t be picky about it. 👍
Hell of a story there. Given that the Speedy is one of my “grails”, I don’t think I would quibble over patina. New or used, fauxtina or real patina, I wouldn’t be picky about it. 👍
Fair! It is a great watch and whichever era you get, you will certainly enjoy it!
It comes down to personal preference...always subjective. That said I bought my Speedy new and am looking forward to it aging with me...
Nice post.
1: gorgeous Speedy!
2: I have an IWC with fauxtina and I chose it over the normal pilot chronograph models primarily because I thought the tan accents helped warm up the dial a bit. The standard Top Gun models felt a little too clinical for my taste. The chromed hands (not really visible in this photo but oh well) are a nice touch as well.
So yeah, ignoring the fake vintage/history arguement against fauxtina, I think fauxtina can sometimes work as a design choice. This is my only watch with it though.
It comes down to personal preference...always subjective. That said I bought my Speedy new and am looking forward to it aging with me...
Nice post.
Def personal preference, absolutely always. I suppose for me, the feel of one that has organically aged and seeing it happen over the course of years just hits different
1: gorgeous Speedy!
2: I have an IWC with fauxtina and I chose it over the normal pilot chronograph models primarily because I thought the tan accents helped warm up the dial a bit. The standard Top Gun models felt a little too clinical for my taste. The chromed hands (not really visible in this photo but oh well) are a nice touch as well.
So yeah, ignoring the fake vintage/history arguement against fauxtina, I think fauxtina can sometimes work as a design choice. This is my only watch with it though.
I quite like the use of it in this example. It adds a nice contrast for sure.
Like myself, I don't want my watches to age. I don't like patina or faux-patina. In fact, I'm trying to figure out how to turn myself into a vampire for eternal life. Ceramic bezels over aluminum, stainless steel over bronze, 904L over 316L. Anything to keep the watch (and myself) looking as young as possible. 😜
Great looking reduced, what's the reference ?
The Speedy is also my grail, but I'm seriously considering buying it new, and keeping it forever.
The speedy reduced is my favourite, I like the proportions over those of the professional models, as to the patina, well I don't really mind, on my Seamaster midsize which stems from the same era as your watch, there are clear signs of age, I do miss the lume though I'm not gonna lie, big time. As to fauxtina, never seen one in the flesh so why not if it works on the said watch?
Great looking reduced, what's the reference ?
The Speedy is also my grail, but I'm seriously considering buying it new, and keeping it forever.
This is a 3510.50. It is a tremendous watch!
I just consider the color in conjunction with the whole watch. Most of the time I like the white option best but sometimes I like the patina shade better
I'm of the opinion that "faux-tina" is mostly trying to pretend to have a story the way yours has a one. I don't think every story needs to be on one wrist it's whole life, in fact part of the fun of vintage for me is learning a watch's past life, but the idea that a watch is pretending to have some sort of a "tale" is what turns me off. But that's just me and my subjective taste
I let patina develop on watches I bought new or that were inherited. When I buy a watch I prefer to get rid of it and start my own story. Case in point is my Seamaster 300 Professional. I bought a 1998 Bond. It had patina on the dial and hands. I put new ones and patina will now develop under my own story.
Love a bit of patina, whether faux or earned. It's just a colour!
I find the NTTD watch confusing in that the aluminium bezel is marketed as being able to fade and patina over time, but the lume is alredy fauxtina. Like why not make it so that it also "can" patina over time? Or I suppose one could argue that its not patina but a muted colour to not draw attention to itself as it is an occupational hazard for a spy...
That being said, I still want one anyway... fauxtina or not. Just can't justify the price point and the 007 logos on the case back and clasp.
Like myself, I don't want my watches to age. I don't like patina or faux-patina. In fact, I'm trying to figure out how to turn myself into a vampire for eternal life. Ceramic bezels over aluminum, stainless steel over bronze, 904L over 316L. Anything to keep the watch (and myself) looking as young as possible. 😜
I don't like patina either. I don't even like the word. For me, it's just a euphemism for "decay".
Patina for me= damage
If a car has patina ie damage no one talks in positive terms about that.
Each to his/her own though, whatever floats your boat.