Pre-Patinated Lume: Authentic or Artificial?

Key Points from the Discussion

• Pre-patinated lume is acceptable and can look good when executed properly and on a watch where it fits the overall design, rather than being labeled as 'fake patina'.
• While modern Superluminova offers various colors, including amber or brownish hues, its luminosity tends to be lower than traditional white/green, posing a trade-off between design aesthetics and functional brightness.
• The use of colored Superluminova can support a watch's design without necessarily being 'faux patina,' especially when subtly executed, but some examples, like the Zenith shown, appear 'expressively artificial.'
• For watches playing the 'retro card,' colored lume is coherent, as it contributes to the vintage aesthetic, and modern Superluminova allows for a wide range of color choices.
• Pre-patinated lume in new watches can be seen as an attempt to portray a misplaced sense of 'authenticity,' similar to artificially patinated cars.
• While some collectors prefer not to buy watches with fake patina, the appeal of certain 'tribute' models with aged lume is strong, especially when the original vintage pieces are unobtainable.
• The practice of using artificially aged new parts on vintage watches, such as 'ghost bezels,' is generally considered unacceptable, distinguishing it from new watches with warm-toned lume.
• As a 'true vintage guy,' the concept of new watches being made to look old can be unsettling, as it can diminish the 'soul' that genuine aging imparts.