To relume, or not to relume?

I recently fixed this Aquaracer 2000, and noticed that the lume on the hands are far more patinaed than the hour markers, and the minute hand is missing some.

Is it time to relume, not just the minute hand, but all the hands? (And colour match, of course)

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I’m so conflicted. I’m usually very against this, but in this case, I suppose it’s warranted.

I think you have to relume this if you plan to hang on to it for any length of time. Some aged elements can be quaint or add character; this particular one not so much imo - just looks decrepid esp. against the great shape the dial is in

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RabbitWatchShop

I’m so conflicted. I’m usually very against this, but in this case, I suppose it’s warranted.

This is exactly what I’m thinking. I’m usually a sucker of patina, but this is almost to the point where it’s «ruined» for me, and not as beautiful..

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KlausKinskisIllegitimateSon

I think you have to relume this if you plan to hang on to it for any length of time. Some aged elements can be quaint or add character; this particular one not so much imo - just looks decrepid esp. against the great shape the dial is in

100% agreed. I think I want to colour match the lume to the dial’s lume, since I don’t plan on reluming that. It also still functions, so the imperfections are just a bit of character, as you mention! Thanks for the input🍻

Oh re-lume that for sure. I’d also replace those hands. What else went on in there?

You could send it to TAG, and they would most likely just replace the dial and hands. They somehow still restore 2000 series watches from the 90s, so an early Aquaracer probably still have OEM parts available

toblerino

100% agreed. I think I want to colour match the lume to the dial’s lume, since I don’t plan on reluming that. It also still functions, so the imperfections are just a bit of character, as you mention! Thanks for the input🍻

Gotcha 👍 I bet you can get your hands on some hands for a good price 😁

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EastCoastWatchConnection

Gotcha 👍 I bet you can get your hands on some hands for a good price 😁

I might have to.. do you have any idea on where I can ask? I figure I can go to TAG or an AD, but where else?

toblerino

I might have to.. do you have any idea on where I can ask? I figure I can go to TAG or an AD, but where else?

I know you can buy them on eBay but I can’t guarantee the authenticity. TAG unfortunately won’t sell you parts unless you send in the watch.

But check out the TAG Heuer forums, and ask on there, I bet someone has a connection.

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EastCoastWatchConnection

I know you can buy them on eBay but I can’t guarantee the authenticity. TAG unfortunately won’t sell you parts unless you send in the watch.

But check out the TAG Heuer forums, and ask on there, I bet someone has a connection.

That sounds like a good idea. Thanks!

If the reluming doesn’t look the way I hope, I’ll have to resort to new hands either way.

I’m sure these are aftermarket

toblerino

That sounds like a good idea. Thanks!

If the reluming doesn’t look the way I hope, I’ll have to resort to new hands either way.

Keep us posted if you can! We wish you the best of luck!

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EastCoastWatchConnection

Keep us posted if you can! We wish you the best of luck!

I’ll try my best, thanks!

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It's your watch, if you can do it go for it. Please show pictures after it's done

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teacup

It's your watch, if you can do it go for it. Please show pictures after it's done

I am patiently waiting for a kit🤓

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Buenas, realmente tendrías que hacer lumen total ya que se vería muy raro, la patina tenes muchas formas de hacerlas. Al dejar la pieza tal cual está, tenes el riesgo de que pequeños trozos de viejo lumen sequen y joda el mecanismo, y de seguro que el ⛑ sea más seguido.

Ya al abrirlo no tendría más garantía que del artesano. Dudo de que tengas garantía oficial, ya que te quieren vender piezas nuevas. No arreglar🛠️

🫂🇺🇾