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Old 11 May 2018, 01:06 PM   #1
petehk
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Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: Just Rolex
Posts: 79
Gilt Dial Lettering Questions

Seeking help from the forum, especially senior members,

I'm on the quest for a 1675 gilt chapter ring. Having looked at a few samples, I noticed that the gilt lettering on these lacquer dials can appear:

1. Surface of the gilt lettering resting slightly below the black lacquer surface. Giving the lettering an "indented" look.
2. Surface of the gilt lettering flush with the black lacquer. Looking like the lettering is printed on top of the black lacquer surface.

I've tried to find guidance from the Rolex Passion Report. In the article "The Importance of the Vintage Rolex Dial" on RPM there is the following extract -
"A gilt dial contains a galvanically applied layer which truly refines the dial. There is much behind the scenes chemistry going on, but what it comes down to is that a black layer is coated to the dial using a galvanic process. This coating covers everything, except the golden lettering which is printed in reverse under the coating to make it really stand out. A transparent varnish on top of the galvanic layer protects the dial against corrosion and aging and gives the dial the typical glossy finish."

Does that mean if I see a dial with the gilt or golden lettering looking flush or printed on the surface then it is a fake dial?
What confuses me is that there are many photos of authentic dials on RPM which appears to me to have flush printed gilt lettering. One such pic is shown attached (all credit goes to RPM, I hope copying the pic is allowable with TRF).

Any advice is appreciated. Apologises if this topic has been done already. Thanks.
Attached Files
File Type: zip Gilt Dial.zip (5.07 MB, 25 views)
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