Ahh, patina — that contentious term, that glorious transformation, that metallurgical phenomenon that adds zeroes to the prices of otherwise ordinary steel timepieces.
To hell with it — we love patina here at Gear Patrol. Which is why we’ve rounded up three different examples of vintage watches with cool patina for your perusing — and/or purchasing — pleasure. From a sub-$1k, time-only watch from the 1940s to a silver-dialed example of an often black-dialed chronograph for just shy of $3k, we’ve got the goods for you this Friday.
1940s Mido Multifort
6 photos
What We Like: What’s cooler than puffy, yellow radium on a black-dialed, military style watch? Nothing. (I mean, I’m sure I could think of a number of things if truly pressed, but I’m not pressed right now, and I’m sticking to my guns.) Though the case is diminutive by modern standards at 33mm, someone with smaller wrists could easily pull of this stainless steel Mido with screw-down case back and sub-seconds counter without a hitch.
From the Seller: Dial and hands are in very good condition. The luminous on hands and dial is original radium. The watch case appears to be unpolished. The case remains thick with equally thick lugs. The watch was just serviced by our watchmaker, thus in very good running condition, keeping very accurate time.
