Should hour hand be relumed to match?

[ponyup]

I have a fairly high dollar watch from 1927 (Patek…sorry not Rolex) that has an almost skeletonized hour hand, as compared to a magnificent minute hand. If I can match the lume near perfectly (non-glowing, as original is old radium), should I do it? Or leave it alone?
I know we typically say leave alone but I feel people are more accepting of touch ups like this now than a few years ago. The dial is awesome and all original and has a little radium missing, but I would never touch that. What do you think about the hour hand?

[Baco Noir]

Feb 20, 2022 8:31:39 GMT -6 ponyup said:

I have a fairly high dollar watch from 1927 (Patek…sorry not Rolex) that has an almost skeletonized hour hand, as compared to a magnificent minute hand. If I can match the lume near perfectly (non-glowing, as original is old radium), should I do it? Or leave it alone?
I know we typically say leave alone but I feel people are more accepting of touch ups like this now than a few years ago. The dial is awesome and all original and has a little radium missing, but I would never touch that. What do you think about the hour hand?

It really depends on what you want out of the watch. If it’s maximum value to sell one day, then you probably should leave it as is. If you want to enjoy it and have it look it’s best, then having it lume matched is fine.

Can you share a photo?

[priamo]

Are the hands original? Movement original? Crown and crystal?

[ponyup]

Yes, all original with extract from archives. I’m not sure when it will be for sale, but harming the value is my main concern. I don’t see how to add photos. Maybe because I’m a newbie here?

[Baco Noir]

Feb 20, 2022 15:48:07 GMT -6 ponyup said:

Yes, all original with extract from archives. I’m not sure when it will be for sale, but harming the value is my main concern. I don’t see how to add photos. Maybe because I’m a newbie here?

[aerome]

I'm another that will say leave it if it will be for sale.

[ponyup]

I seem to be able to add a photo on my computer. That option wasn't available on my phone.
Here's a photo of the hands; you can see the minute hand is nice and the hour hand is almost empty of lume. The other hour hand is just a random hand that I was trying to see how close I could get to matching. I've gotten closer than when this photo was taken. What is hardest to match is the age. Besides, my intention is not to deceive. It's just part of me wants to see the watch as close to its full glory as possible. I guess the missing lume is part of the history of the watch and probably should stay that way, but I'm interested in everyone's thoughts. Thanks!

[Baco Noir]

You could list it with both hands and state clearly that the original is included with the sale and missing the lume.

[watchdawg]

I have to agree with Roger about the hands give all the information about them. Based on personal experience I would be more concerned with the old lume having gotten into the movement. It went someplace once it fell out of the hands.

[rw16610]

Even if you plan on keeping it, I seem to recall there being a slogan that goes as follows:

“You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.”

As watch collectors we're like curators, preserving pieces of history. There's absolutely nothing wrong with not wanting to see an hour hand without lume / patina. However, if you do swap it, keep the original.

In your shoes I would just leave it as is. This is all part of the story behind this piece and I've seen people go to much greater lengths (ignoring obvious damage or failures) in the name of preserving originality.