cazalea[Seiko Moderator]
19596
There are many differing opinions - you can see them visually in the posts of Nicolas and Art
Personally, I don't like dials that are too stained or rough. And I worry about lume falling out of the hands or debris from the dial getting into the movement.
So this one wouldn't catch my eye. But from Art's description it's rare, desirable, and having been recently / thoroughly serviced it fits his collection.
For comparison here's one of my favorite vintage watches which is showing some patina but not a distressing amount (to me).
I have a Patek which is in rough shape which I am considering having redone - it has the right movement and runs well but one of the markers at 12 was replaced with an incorrect piece which irks me. Now, would I rather it look pristine (like new) or just patina but with the correct bits? I think the latter but I could live with pristine too.
Mike