Stella dials

[Watchcollectables]

I see 1803 Stella dials making around $20k at the last sales at Christies in May. Is this a true representation of their current values. The examples sold were on leather straps and didnt look particularly special.
When did the `Stella` dials actually start and finish as Ive seen a few later case references with the flatter dials described as `Stella ` also.!
Thanks
W C

[JustinK]

I am no expert on these but interested to hear more. I have seen them on 1803's and 18038's so I assume they were late seventies early eighties.

I think 20K is crazy as I have seen the dials now and then for 2-3K.

I would love to have a turquoise one for my 18038.

[HL65]

$20k is right price for one on leather strap and what they have been going for at auctions. I have seen them in high teens and loose dials for $5K plus or so from time to time. Clearly some colors and dials more sought after than others and WG more in demand. Cheers,

[joe100]

The Stellas are the best looking DDs ever made.

[Watchcollectables]

Are the 1803 pie pan versions the originals in as much as they command the higher prices ? I see a few of the later style with dial feet that maybe are not Stella but described as such !?

[Watchcollectables]

Anyone know the answer!!!?

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by watchcollectables

Anyone know the answer!!!?

Pretty sure those are the 18038's mentioned above. I've only seen a turquoise stella dial on the 18038, which to me should be a stone dial and listed next to the onyx/lapis dials

[watchcrank]

Sounds about right. I sold my Oxblood stella dial for 6k US last year and my Vignette 18038 with bracelet 85% for about that auction price as dial was not perfect. I wonder how long the prices will rise for mediocre pieces and since there are lots of good re printed dials showing up. I saw a red Stella at the last watch fair that went for a fair price and another in Miami last week so are they really that rare? Pristine examples will always be in demand, others will just be stuff as my watchmaker says. M

[Lgear080]

And with all the new colorized day dates I'd expect some addl movement.

Pricing seems high already, but I've misread the market direction before.

[anilzat]

i found a visual example of a stella oxblood dial from network 54 here, it looks cool.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20767...dial+for+18038

they have a really nice color to them they age really nice.

[watchcrank]

Yes, I like them. some have tendency to "crackle" and reduces value but the look is kind of cool. I would think that the stone dials may also rise if the Stella's do. Actually anything that is different seems to over time. M

[anilzat]

Originally Posted by watchcrank

Yes, I like them. some have tendency to "crackle" and reduces value but the look is kind of cool. I would think that the stone dials may also rise if the Stella's do. Actually anything that is different seems to over time. M

crackle? whats crackle??

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by anilzat

crackle? whats crackle??

They crack quite literally. Ive seen quite a few as well, It has Somthing to do with the paint shrinking or Somthing I think, because it literally looks like the dial is separating apart rather than a spiderweb dial jus looking like a dial with a lot of lines through it

[r-sj-lex]

1981

[anilzat]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

They crack quite literally. Ive seen quite a few as well, It has Somthing to do with the paint shrinking or Somthing I think, because it literally looks like the dial is separating apart rather than a spiderweb dial jus looking like a dial with a lot of lines through it

wow that is interesting so are the dials worthless when that happens?

[dianariesta]

is this a stella dial? click on the icon for larger picture [IMG][/IMG]

[Watchcollectables]

Anyone know the answer toy question regarding the 1803 !!!??

[mdw3]

Stella dials should probably technically be found in 1803 models with serial numbers in the 5M range. But they have often been put into other cases, and so legitimate dials are seen across the serial number spectrum now.

Michael