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greenkawasaki · 27 February 2014, 04:05 PM

I know some people love their error dials and many are very collectible, but I find it strange that it's 2014, and Rolex still has a lot of typography mistakes on their near $10,000 watches. I was at an AD today, and saw so many variations of the same watch (subs and GMTs) with weird dial text spacing. What's up with this?

I know their dials are probably made by different sub-manufacturer's, but how about a little quality control?

See what I made below, didn't take very long to find all these variations.

Danny83 · 27 February 2014, 04:14 PM

I dont think anybody cares about that.

U5512 · 27 February 2014, 04:20 PM

I am sure Rolex approved all of the dial types (in your post) before putting them in watches. Good or bad I don't know but I certainly enjoy wearing my "extra" spacing Sub!!!

greenkawasaki · 27 February 2014, 04:23 PM

Hey, I love Rolex as much as the next forum member here. I have 2 myself. I'm in marketing/graphic design by trade, so maybe it just bothers me more than it should.

ecsub44 · 27 February 2014, 04:27 PM

When you need a magnifying glass to determine these "errors"...I'd suggest they aren't really an issue.

As long as I can see the hands and hour markers...I'm happy that my watch operates effectively as a time-telling machine.

Anything else doesn't really matter to me.

U5512 · 27 February 2014, 04:29 PM

By the way.....my Sub's dial has a lot more spacing than the two (for Subs on the left) in your examples.

Old Expat Beast · 27 February 2014, 04:46 PM

I agree. It does look kind of shoddy. But I also work in publishing.

DCheeta · 27 February 2014, 05:44 PM

I wouldn't call it a "quality control" issue. A consistency issue, at best. But these are watches, not advertising, packaging, or publishing materials. I work in graphics/media too, but I don't care at all about the tracking, kerning or leading on a Rolex dial.

I Guess you'd only notice the inconsistency if you owned two of the exact same watch and they had slight variances in the typography.

padi56 · 27 February 2014, 06:29 PM

When you produce almost a million of different dials in different factories now owned by Rolex each year there will be tiny differences.And if it was not for the WIS type with there high magnification lupes etc I would doubt if 95% of Rolex watch buyers would even notice or care.Its just paint on a dial with a brand name fonts and markers so you can tell the time as the hands revolve around the dial

Chris B · 27 February 2014, 06:59 PM

I wouldn't want them to fix any that I had

MonBK · 27 February 2014, 07:03 PM

It's called variations not issues.

crowncollection · 27 February 2014, 09:06 PM

Are these not variations rather than errors.

Old Expat Beast · 27 February 2014, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Are these not variations rather than errors.

I don't think so. Inconsistent spacing between letters and hyphen is just wrong. GMT- Master would never make it past a proofreader on the printed page, for example. But most readers probably wouldn't notice.

Der Meister · 27 February 2014, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

It's called variations not issues.

Right..

beshannon · 27 February 2014, 10:12 PM

I am more concerned with performance, durability and accuracy of a time keeping instrument. I do not look at my watch to see if the typography is correct.

masterserg · 27 February 2014, 10:18 PM

They are variations, not errors. Some i dislike quite a bit. Just a matter of finding the one you like, no big deal.

FTX I · 27 February 2014, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I don't think so. Inconsistent spacing between letters and hyphen is just wrong. GMT- Master would never make it past a proofreader on the printed page, for example. But most readers probably wouldn't notice.

Well said.

brettpaul · 27 February 2014, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterserg

They are variations, not errors. Some i dislike quite a bit. Just a matter of finding the one you like, no big deal.

x2

I don't think they are errors, just unique 'birthmarks' that may every watch unique!

iazrollie · 27 February 2014, 10:41 PM

Considering they are machine printed, these errors shouldnt. exist.

kaseri · 27 February 2014, 10:41 PM

Hmmm.... I never noticed that "extra" space after the = symbol.

Rashid.bk · 27 February 2014, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I don't think so. Inconsistent spacing between letters and hyphen is just wrong. GMT- Master would never make it past a proofreader on the printed page, for example. But most readers probably wouldn't notice.

Not sure I agree, this is a watch dial not a publication. I would not be surprised if there is some insider Rolex secret knowledge behind these variations. Maybe this is how they keep track of a dial's origin in their manufacturing process. Rolex is obsessively critical of perfection in manufacturing and with the exception of the Milguass' clearly misprinted off center dial these text variances don't come off as mistakes...at least to me.

AAP8 · 27 February 2014, 11:17 PM

Are you sure you were looking at the same generation of dial? The Sub dials you show are both different colors, but to me it looks like the bottom one is from an older watch based on the lume coloration.

Same for the GMT, they have different color sub text, which means to me that this is different generations?

If you look at your "perfect" options, they are more recent dials from what I can tell.

ronricks · 27 February 2014, 11:28 PM

I have a hard time understanding why people pay extra for 'error' dials. There are tons of them for all models Rolex offers. They are not rare or collectable.

americanB4america · 28 February 2014, 12:12 AM

its like the guys that want rolex to make all the crowns on the winding stem the "right" way, or for the date to change at exactly 12:00:01
I never noticed that space til now...im glad mine is centered...I guess.

kmleffler · 28 February 2014, 12:26 AM

I don't think that you would ever see this in a PP or an AP watch.

accce · 28 February 2014, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

When you produce almost a million of different dials in different factories now owned by Rolex each year there will be tiny differences.And if it was not for the WIS type with there high magnification lupes etc I would doubt if 95% of Rolex watch buyers would even notice or care.Its just paint on a dial with a brand name fonts and markers so you can tell the time as the hands revolve around the dial

Money gets printed all over the country, but its all the same. How hard could it be to implement the same quality with a dial?

Ed Man · 28 February 2014, 12:47 AM

I've never even looked to notice. If not for it being pointed out in this forum I doubt I would ever have looked unless a word was misspelled or something obvious. I don't have 2 of the same watches to compare. It's not really a big deal to me either way. I don't know that I would purchase a magnifying loupe because if you look hard enough you will always find something. I'd rather not obsess over superfine details.

Danny83 · 28 February 2014, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Man

I've never even looked to notice. If not for it being pointed out in this forum I doubt I would ever have looked unless a word was misspelled or something obvious. I don't have 2 of the same watches to compare. It's not really a big deal to me either way. I don't know that I would purchase a magnifying loupe because if you look hard enough you will always find something. I'd rather not obsess over superfine details.

X2

kilyung · 28 February 2014, 12:52 AM

Tampon printing is kind of like the printing press. There are minute differences between dials and the metal plates can likewise have some variations.

Speed · 28 February 2014, 01:25 AM

I am picturing you (pun intended) taking these close ups at the AD. ;-)

27 February 2014, 04:05 PM	#1
greenkawasaki "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 17	When Will Rolex Fix Their Typography Dial Issues? I know some people love their error dials and many are very collectible, but I find it strange that it's 2014, and Rolex still has a lot of typography mistakes on their near $10,000 watches. I was at an AD today, and saw so many variations of the same watch (subs and GMTs) with weird dial text spacing. What's up with this? I know their dials are probably made by different sub-manufacturer's, but how about a little quality control? See what I made below, didn't take very long to find all these variations.

27 February 2014, 04:27 PM	#5
ecsub44 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: US Watch: Sub Posts: 3,175	When you need a magnifying glass to determine these "errors"...I'd suggest they aren't really an issue. As long as I can see the hands and hour markers...I'm happy that my watch operates effectively as a time-telling machine. Anything else doesn't really matter to me. __________________ *侘寂 -- wabi-sabi --* acceptance of transience and imperfection by finding beauty in that which is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete Commissioner of WEIRD POLICE , Badge # ecsub44

27 February 2014, 04:46 PM	#7
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,826	I agree. It does look kind of shoddy. But I also work in publishing. __________________ _______________________

27 February 2014, 06:29 PM	#9
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,063	When you produce almost a million of different dials in different factories now owned by Rolex each year there will be tiny differences.And if it was not for the WIS type with there high magnification lupes etc I would doubt if 95% of Rolex watch buyers would even notice or care.Its just paint on a dial with a brand name fonts and markers so you can tell the time as the hands revolve around the dial __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

27 February 2014, 09:06 PM	#12
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,216	Are these not variations rather than errors. __________________ watches many

27 February 2014, 04:14 PM	#2
Danny83 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Real Name: Danny Location: Bay Area CA Watch: Yellow Gold Posts: 20,314	I dont think anybody cares about that.

27 February 2014, 04:23 PM	#4
greenkawasaki "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 17	Hey, I love Rolex as much as the next forum member here. I have 2 myself. I'm in marketing/graphic design by trade, so maybe it just bothers me more than it should.

27 February 2014, 05:44 PM	#8
DCheeta "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Dave Location: NYC Posts: 7,181	I wouldn't call it a "quality control" issue. A consistency issue, at best. But these are watches, not advertising, packaging, or publishing materials. I work in graphics/media too, but I don't care at all about the tracking, kerning or leading on a Rolex dial. I Guess you'd only notice the inconsistency if you owned two of the exact same watch and they had slight variances in the typography.

27 February 2014, 06:59 PM	#10
Chris B "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 9,631	I wouldn't want them to fix any that I had

27 February 2014, 07:03 PM	#11
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,279	It's called variations not issues.

27 February 2014, 10:12 PM	#15
beshannon "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Brian Location: Northern Virginia Watch: One of Not Many Posts: 17,892	I am more concerned with performance, durability and accuracy of a time keeping instrument. I do not look at my watch to see if the typography is correct. __________________ IWC Portugieser 7 Day, Omega Seamaster SMP300m, Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar, Glashutte PanoInverse, Glashutte SeaQ Panorama Date, Omega Aqua Terra 150, Omega CK 859, Omega Speedmaster 3861 Moonwatch, Breitling Superocean Steelfish, JLC Atmos Transparent Clock

27 February 2014, 10:18 PM	#16
masterserg "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Serg Location: US of A Watch: AP Posts: 7,437	They are variations, not errors. Some i dislike quite a bit. Just a matter of finding the one you like, no big deal. __________________ How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat????

27 February 2014, 10:41 PM	#19
iazrollie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Ian Location: NY Watch: All of them Posts: 3,245	Considering they are machine printed, these errors shouldnt. exist. __________________ Rolex, PPs, Breitling

27 February 2014, 10:41 PM	#20
kaseri "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: USA Posts: 350	Hmmm.... I never noticed that "extra" space after the = symbol.

27 February 2014, 11:17 PM	#22
AAP8 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: AP Location: Cleveland, OH Watch: SubC LN Posts: 428	Are you sure you were looking at the same generation of dial? The Sub dials you show are both different colors, but to me it looks like the bottom one is from an older watch based on the lume coloration. Same for the GMT, they have different color sub text, which means to me that this is different generations? If you look at your "perfect" options, they are more recent dials from what I can tell.

27 February 2014, 11:28 PM	#23
ronricks 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ATL Watch: 126610LV Posts: 2,753	I have a hard time understanding why people pay extra for 'error' dials. There are tons of them for all models Rolex offers. They are not rare or collectable.

28 February 2014, 12:12 AM	#24
americanB4america "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: JC Location: US Watch: ROLEX Posts: 68	its like the guys that want rolex to make all the crowns on the winding stem the "right" way, or for the date to change at exactly 12:00:01 I never noticed that space til now...im glad mine is centered...I guess.

28 February 2014, 12:26 AM	#25
kmleffler "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Ken Location: New York, NY Watch: GS SD GMT Posts: 389	I don't think that you would ever see this in a PP or an AP watch.

28 February 2014, 12:47 AM	#27
Ed Man Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Real Name: Edmond Location: Michigan Watch: 114060/116334 Posts: 737	I've never even looked to notice. If not for it being pointed out in this forum I doubt I would ever have looked unless a word was misspelled or something obvious. I don't have 2 of the same watches to compare. It's not really a big deal to me either way. I don't know that I would purchase a magnifying loupe because if you look hard enough you will always find something. I'd rather not obsess over superfine details.

28 February 2014, 12:52 AM	#29
kilyung 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,940	Tampon printing is kind of like the printing press. There are minute differences between dials and the metal plates can likewise have some variations.

28 February 2014, 01:25 AM	#30
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	I am picturing you (pun intended) taking these close ups at the AD. ;-)

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