F.P. Journe

This is a 2002 RdM (originally sold in 2004) that I purchased pre-owned a few years ago.  When I bought it the dial was basically pristine with just a slight difference in color around the edges of the sub-dial.  The dial actually remains in that 99% condition today and has not oxidized while I've owned it.  However I stumbled upon this old photo of my watch on Collectors Market and wanted to understand what had happened to the dial in its early years before I acquired the watch, and also what was done to it to remove the staining shown in the old photo before I bought it.  

I was able to track down the original owner and he confirmed that the staining was from naturally occurring oxidation.  Interestingly he had the watch serviced by FPJ and they were able to clean or restore the dial.  The oxidation is now gone (particularly under a loop) save for the very slight difference in color (nothing like the significant staining shown in the photo) at a certain angle in a certain light.  So the story has a happy ending and it does appear that FPJ can do something to remove the oxidation if it is caught early.  I've contacted them as well and will let you know if they have any further details.  I will also try to post a couple photos of the watch in its present state to show the before and after.  

Regards,

C

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