Vintage watches are a great investment, and they can be a fun hobby. If you're looking to buy your first vintage watch, or if you're just interested in learning more about them, then patina is something that you need to know about. In this article we will explore what patina is and how it affects the value of a vintage watch.

What is Patina?

Patina is a surface layer of oxidation that forms over time. The word "patina" comes from the Latin word for "to season," and it can be either natural or artificial. Natural patinas are formed when metal objects are exposed to air and sunlight, while artificial ones are made by applying chemicals to an object's surface.

A watch dial's patina will vary depending on where it was made, how long it has been exposed to UV rays, and what kind of chemicals were used in its production process (if any). For example: if your grandfather was wearing his Rolex Submariner every day for 30 years before passing it down to you as part of his estate, then there would probably not be much change at all--but if he only wore it once every few weeks during those three decades? Well then there might be some serious wear-and-tear marks!

Will Patina make my watch more valuable?

Patina is a natural process that occurs over time and adds charm to a vintage watch. It's also a sign of authenticity, as well as quality. In general, the more patina on your watch, the older it is--and therefore the more valuable.

However, this isn't always true: some watches have been artificially aged to look older than they really are! If you're buying an expensive vintage timepiece and want to ensure that it hasn't been tampered with, ask yourself these questions:

Is there any rust on any metal parts? (Rust indicates oxidation; if there were no oxidation present when this piece was made by its original manufacturer then something has happened since then.)

Does it smell like metal? (If so then chances are good that this isn't actually an old watch.)

The delights and dangers of Patina dials

Patina dials can be beautiful, but they're more likely to be damaged by water and cleaning products than stainless steel or gold. That's because of the way patinas form.

When a watchmaker finishes polishing a dial, he or she will often apply sealant to protect against dust and moisture penetration. Over time, this sealant will wear off in spots--and since it's on top of the metal rather than infused within it like plating would be, those spots will start turning black from oxidation (this process is called "breathing"). If you look closely at many vintage watches with patina dials, you'll see that some areas are darker than others--this indicates where there was once an exposed patch of bare metal underneath where oxidation has occurred since then (in other words: where some dirt accumulated).

Patina preservation

• Patina is a natural process that occurs over time. 
• Patina can be preserved by regular cleaning and polishing.

Every watch has a natural patina and you have to decide what to do with yours.

If you want your vintage watch to look as if it's been worn for decades, then leave it alone. Patina can be removed but this is difficult and rarely successful. If you prefer something more pristine, then consider cleaning the case or face of your timepiece before selling it.

A patina is an inevitable part of a watch's life. It can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how you look at it. If you're trying to preserve the original condition of your vintage watch then patina is something that needs to be controlled carefully. But if you want something with character, then embrace it! You may end up with something even more valuable than before.