Custom Patina/Aging Service for Watches

Give your modern watch the warmth, character, and lived-in appearance of a vintage timepiece. I offer custom, hand-applied aging and patina services using a variety of artistic techniques, chemicals, and paints. Every piece is aged individually by hand rather than mass-produced or printed. Whether you want gentle tropical fading, aged lume, a ghosted bezel, or a darker and more rugged tool-watch appearance, each piece is treated by hand as a unique work of art. HOW DOES IT WORK? You provide the watch you would like aged. We’ll first discuss the look you want, the appropriate techniques, and the level of aging that can realistically be achieved on your particular watch. You may also send reference photos of genuine vintage watches showing the kind of patina, fading, discoloration, or overall character you would like to recreate. WHAT PARTS CAN BE AGED? Depending on their construction and materials, I can work on compatible components such as dial, hands, bezel insert exposed steel components. Each watch will be assessed first because not all materials react to aging techniques in the same way. CAN YOU ADD PHYSICAL WEAR AND TEAR? I do not add scratches, dents, or simulated physical damage to the watch. However, compatible steel components may be chemically darkened to create an oxidized, rough-textured, or weathered appearance. This can give the watch more visual character without deliberately scratching or damaging its surfaces. CAN YOU COPY PATINA IN A REFERENCE PHOTO? Reference photos will guide the direction, color, intensity, and overall mood of the work. However, aging is an organic, handcrafted process, and materials may respond differently to the techniques used. These subtle variations are part of what makes every aged watch unique. IS IT REVERSIBLE? No. The process is permanent and irreversible. Aging may involve chemicals, paints, heat, controlled exposure, and other techniques that permanently alter the appearance of the affected components. Please commission the service only if you are comfortable permanently changing your watch and its parts. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Prices range from ₱1,000 to ₱3,000, depending on: the complexity of the watch, the parts to be aged, the number of processes required, the intensity and complexity of the requested patina. The final price will be agreed upon after I have assessed the watch and discussed the desired result with you. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? Work typically takes around three days to two weeks, depending on the watch and the requested aging. Some techniques require sufficient time for the materials to develop the desired appearance. A more specific completion estimate will be provided before work begins. WHAT ARE THE PAYMENT TERMS? Once we have agreed on the scope of work, price, expected appearance, and estimated completion time, a 50% down payment is required before work begins. The remaining 50% balance may be paid upon completion. HOW TO START? Send me clear photos of your watch, the specific parts you would like aged, reference photos of your desired patina, and your preferred level of aging. From subtle to heavily weathered. I’ll assess the watch and help determine which techniques can best achieve the look you have in mind.