Lume question

Tregurtha

Gotta question: Hamilton is notorious for poor lume, does poor lume patina faster?

#hamilton #lume #patina
Reply
foghorn
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I've been through many Hamiltons (still own a few) in multiple decades of watch collecting and have to wonder in what world are Hamiltons "notorious" for poor lume? Please don't say You Tube reviews.

thekris
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I don’t have any experience, but to be fair, “notorious” implies that’s what people say. And people on YouTube rarely have original ideas. If they’re saying it, it’s probably been said by a lot of other people already.

Aurelian
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Leaving aside the whole "notorious" thing, patina is caused by a degradation of material, over time, caused by exposure to UV light and moisture. The yellowed (light) or blackened (moisture) lume on vintage watches is more a factor of time than quality.

The only way to know the answer to your question would be to decide on two qualities of lume, either by volume applied or by chemical composition, with one being inferior to the other, and expose them to the same conditions on the same watch over the next 50 or so years. I would support your decision to carry out this experiment. Tell my future grandchildren how it goes.

AussieWatchGuy
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foghorn

I've been through many Hamiltons (still own a few) in multiple decades of watch collecting and have to wonder in what world are Hamiltons "notorious" for poor lume? Please don't say You Tube reviews.

I have seen Mr Baldassarre comment on Hamilton having poor lume. Whether that’s warranted or not, it does stick unfortunately. I don’t compare my Hamilton field watches against dive watch lume as that would be unfair. For the purpose they serve, the lume does its job. Would I say no to a couple of extra coats, he’ll no. But if they did that then you’d start to lose the value proposition.

Tregurtha
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Thanks for the information. I recently bought a Hamilton khaki field officer and I was just spit balling. -Yes, I gather the "notorious" comment from YouTubers, I am admonished.