Colour variations of patina...

Hi,
Was looking for experiences/opinions from fellow members please.

As part of my research for my first IWC, I have been scouring the web for photographs. As the reference I am looking to buy is discontinued, a few examples have started to develop a gentle patina.

Tritium has a half life of about 12 years... as it decays the colour develops from a white to a cream, through to yellow (and even orange).

My question is essentially about what collectors/buyers would deem acceptable if they see a difference in the colour of the patina between the dial and hands. (Assuming both are original tritium, why would they change colour at differing rates? Could the hands have been replaced with "newer" tritium hands in a previous/it's first service?)

Thank you.

It's my understanding if you have the hands replaced, they will be Super LumaNova. I have a 3711 with tritium hands and love the patina. I would not have them changed upon service. I prefer keeping the watch a close to its original state as possible, but that may just be me.

Thanks Bill...

The watches I saw were described at original tritium dial and hands. But looking at the picture the dial was more yellow than the hands. I think my question is: can the dial and hands "decay" at different rates? Could this be due the dials being paired with hands that were originally produced in different years?

Thanks.

Hi Bill,
Thank you for your response, very much appreciated.
I must apologise, can I rephrase my question please - as I now realise it was not concise enough.

I am looking at one of the old chrono pilots (3705). The markers at 12, 3, 6 and 9 are tritium, these are egg shell in colour, but the hour/miniute markers are also tritium, but a lighter shade.

If these are all original dial and hands - what would explain the inconsistent change in colour please? Or is this not normally considered an issue?

Thank you

Hi again, my 3711 has the same color variations. Personally, I don't consider it a problem. I am guessing here, but variations in the thickness of the Tritium on markers / different formulation of the materail may result in slight color differences. It may also be the nature of tritium to have different properties as it ages. Others with technical knowledge may add more insight.

I just had time to pull up a photo of my 3711. You can clearly see there is a patina color variation between the hands and the markers. I love this look although there is no lume left.

Hi Bill..
Perfect, thank you for posting your pic.
That is essentially the same patina I have been seeing on some of the examples I have studied.
Have a good evening.

I have more or less the same effect at my Ocean 2000. The hands and the figures have different patina colour:

Hi Roman,
Thank you for your pic, very much appreciated.
Terrific looker of a watch there!