Reference Guide
w220's detailed comparison of Patek Philippe Aquanaut lume types offers invaluable insights for collectors. By meticulously documenting the performance of C1 versus C3 lume in new and older models, w220 addresses a long-standing community speculation. This hands-on analysis provides critical visual evidence, helping enthusiasts understand the practical implications of Patek Philippe's material choices over time.
There has been speculation that Patek has changed the lume type on the Aquanaut over the years, and that the original dial had C3 type lume, while some time over the last few years they have changed to C1 type lume.
I recently got an opportunity to compare a new vs old watch side by side, so I was hoping to shed some light (pun intended) on this topic. In all pictures, the new 2020 watch is on the left, and the old 2011 watch on the right.
The new watch from 2020 has the C1 lume; the color is whiter (with a hint of blue) and it is crisper, but doesn’t hold charge as well. The old watch from 2011 has C3 lume, with a greensh tint, it’s brighter and holds charge longer.
The picture below is taken immediately after charging the lume with a bright light. Note the color difference:
The blue tint in the C1 lume disappears almost instantly after charging.
The picture below is taken less than 1 minute after charging:
12 minutes after charge:
25 minutes after charge:
Just over 1 hour after charge:
Just over 2 hours after charge. The new C1 lume is almost gone, while the old C3 still holds up:
Another thing I noticed is that the new C1 lume appears to be
unevenly applied on the numerals. Take a
look on the details below on the C1 dial, notice for example on the “10” marker
that the number 1 is not as bright as the number 0. 4 and 6 is bright, but 5 is uneven. I got one word for Patek here: sloppy!!
In the end, do I prefer the C1 or the C3 dial? It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but during the day, the new C1 lume somehow appears “crisper”; however it’s obvious that the C3 is much brighter in the dark. So I prefer both: the C1 during the day, but C3 during night! Which one do you like the best?
To me the longer it lumes the better. From your images I prefer the one on the right because it shows a better application of luminescent material, I repeat based on your images. Needless to say .... watches ;-)
I like a watch with a long lasting lume. Will read again your post. Later in the day. 😎 Cheers. 🍻 Geross.
Will definitely try to add pictures as soon as I get a hold of it (it currently sits in an Italian bank, while I'm sitting here in the US ;-) Cheers.
1) Is this just a sampling of two watches or have you observed this same phenomenon consistently across a number of old and new Aquanauts? 2) The uneven glow among various numerals is not up to standards expected of Patek. Certainly there needs to be more attention paid to quality control. 3) Though a bit concerning, in all honesty it really doesn’t affect the enjoyment of the watch from my perspective. If it’s dark I typically use my phone to check the time.🙂 Thank you for caring enough to shar
I like the Aquanaut a lot so your findings is quite interesting to me
This is just my two watches, but it appears that others are finding the same change on the new Aquanauts produced the last 1-2 years. And I agree with you, it doesn't really affect the enjoyment of the watches - neither is necessarily better/worse than the other, they are just different.
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