Malaysia Watch Forum

Main Forums => General Discussion - Vintage Watches => Topic started by: alphaz on October 26, 2015, 01:52:51 PM

Title: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: alphaz on October 26, 2015, 01:52:51 PM: What's up everyone. I'm a second owner of an Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69. When I first received this watch, I didn't notice anything unusual with the lume, it has aged nicely. Now after wearing it everyday for the past 2 1/2 months, Ive noticed cracks forming around the edge of the lume on the hour hand. I think our tropical climate has accelerated the lume disintegration. I'm afraid in a few more months, the lume would fell off leaving a skeleton hour hand.

Do you guys know any Malaysian or Singaporean watchmaker who can treat vintage lume from crumbling? I want to send this watch for overhaul also.

Regards
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: JeepWH on October 26, 2015, 04:54:34 PM: The only way is to remove the old lume and relume it. Of course the new lume can be pigmented to match the old lume color, so it will still look vintage.
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: Timeless on November 03, 2015, 02:27:23 PM: any pic to share? I guess the lume is tritium material, relume it may lose the vintage taste
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: alphaz on November 06, 2015, 08:24:32 PM: Quote from: femann on November 03, 2015, 02:27:23 PM
any pic to share? I guess the lume is tritium material, relume it may lose the vintage taste

here are pics taken almost 3 months apart

first pic, early august

(http://s17.postimg.org/ivz09fg33/before.jpg)

second pic, this week

(http://s17.postimg.org/3yqj8f2un/after.jpg)

the lume on hour hand is flaking
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: niteowl on November 08, 2015, 12:39:59 PM: Dunno about you but i'd rather have this than a relume. This is still ok by my standards and i have seen worse. but then again, i'm coming from a collector and purist perspective.
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: alphaz on November 09, 2015, 06:36:19 AM: Quote from: niteowl on November 08, 2015, 12:39:59 PM
Dunno about you but i'd rather have this than a relume. This is still ok by my standards and i have seen worse. but then again, i'm coming from a collector and purist perspective.

I'd like to keep the original lume, but looking at how fast the lume disintegrates I'm is there a way to preserve the original lume? People told me the binding solution can be reapplied to old lume, like an invisible protective layer.
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: JeepWH on November 10, 2015, 06:36:27 AM: Quote from: alphaz on November 09, 2015, 06:36:19 AM
Quote from: niteowl on November 08, 2015, 12:39:59 PM
Dunno about you but i'd rather have this than a relume. This is still ok by my standards and i have seen worse. but then again, i'm coming from a collector and purist perspective.

I'd like to keep the original lume, but looking at how fast the lume disintegrates I'm is there a way to preserve the original lume? People told me the binding solution can be reapplied to old lume, like an invisible protective layer.

Its a risky procedure, and it usually works only for lume in good condition but started yellowing.

If your lume as you said is already crumbling, the application of the binder coat will only worsen the situation, i.e the lume may come off during the application process.

IMHO, its better to leave it alone, or opt for a relume with proper pigmentation.
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: Top2 on November 19, 2015, 01:25:05 PM: You can get all the original dial and hands from Omega service center
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: alphaz on November 20, 2015, 02:09:22 AM: Quote from: Top2 on November 19, 2015, 01:25:05 PM
You can get all the original dial and hands from Omega service center

facepalm
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: Timeless on November 22, 2015, 05:23:21 AM: sc can solve your problem, may cost u a bomb if refurbish comprehensively..
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: Frogman on November 30, 2015, 10:09:36 AM: Suggest you send to Omega service center for peaceful mind..
Title: Re: Help, the lume on my speedmaster is crumbling
Post by: alphaz on December 16, 2015, 09:21:36 AM: Decided to keep it that way, thanks for advice guys. I'm reluctant to send to Omega for now, got other financial priorities.