• Graduate
    22 Jun 2016, 2:42 a.m.

    A little time ago I got my Mark 11 (1957 RAAF issue) back from Shaffhaussen after some serious repair was required. They did a fantastic job as you would expect. They replaced the dial and hands which was okay with me as they returned both to me. The old dial is in good condition but the tritium had fallen out of the hands and they were returned as shells. I have filled hands with vintage lume colour on many occasions and so decided to add my own paste tinted to match the dial. I did not touch the dial markers. I am very happy with it and prefer the filled hands than just empty skeleton hands. I have not attached these to the watch as I might sell the watch one day soon and if I do I will leave that to the new owner to decide. Not sure if I did the right thing or not from the collector's point of view, but they look good. Thoughts?

    i.imgur.com/8Y3aIC2.jpg

    i.imgur.com/8Y3aIC2.jpg

    [img]http://i.imgur.com/8Y3aIC2.jpg[/img]

  • Master
    22 Jun 2016, 6:43 a.m.

    I think they look good. Just curious, though if you had the choice to keep the original dial intact. Also, I believe the hands had to be removed for the required repair but didn't realize they could be re-attached - was that an option? As for retouching the hands, there will be some who would prefer it all-original and others that may appreciate the look. I personally wouldn't touch them unless I intended to use them.

  • Graduate
    22 Jun 2016, 10:14 a.m.

    I do intend to put both the original dial and hands back on and use them. I don't like skeletal hands that much, they really don't work for me. Shaffhausen did give me the choice but it was pretty clear that The Shaffhausen factory had a strong point of view on it. I deferred to their judgement as they are the experts and I always thought I could put it back on at next service anyway if i wasn't happy, hence the return of the dial and hands. I don't know if I would be so quick to decide these days, as I have learnt more about my own tastes in vintage watches. I won't be selling anytime soon anyway. Sorry for the very poor iPhone picture, but you get the idea.m

  • Master
    23 Jun 2016, 7:29 a.m.

    Well if you are going to enjoy it for some time to come, I'd say you did the right thing;)