Is this what is to become of vintage Rolex dial?

[thomaswentworth]

I mostly post in the main forum, but I feel compelled to post this here to hopefully be involved in a discussion about the weathering, aging, fading... destruction of vintage dials.

I have seen very weathered Rolex watches listed at very high prices. Tropical dials, ghosted bezels, unpolished, etc. seem to be of interest to numerous collectors.

However, I came across this: $5000 Rolex dial aged by radium

And I couldn't help but wonder... Is this the fate of all vintage Rolex dials? When someone pays $30,000 or $50,000 or $100,000 for a rare vintage Rolex Sub or GMT, what will become of the value of that watch in 10, 20, or 30 years? Will a dial like the one in the link listed above be a sign of a very special, rare, super expensive watch? Or will it seriously devalue that watch?

What can be done about it for collectors to maintain value? Do they need to replace with a period correct dial that is in better condition? It won't be original anymore. Should they have Rolex replace it? Would that significantly harm the value or help the value? Should they have a professional dial refinisher fix it? How would that affect the value?

I know I wouldn't want a watch with the dial in the link above. I am assuming the seller replaced the dial and now has this one available for someone who might be interested.

Rolex stopped using radium for a very good reason... radiation poisoning. Do people want to wear something like that on their wrist? Even if left in a dark vault, the radium will destroy hands and dials.

Is it better for a vintage Rolex to be all original and basically unusable due to deterioration of the dial and the risk of radiation poisoning, or is it better to have it fixed up so that it looks good and won't cause radiation poisoning?

I have heard people talk about watches needing to be all original to be the most valuable. But does there come a point when being all original is trumped by being useful and legible?

It seems that vintage Rolex sports watches might have a curve of increasing value until they end up deteriorating too much.

What is the consensus on the best move to make in order to ensure value retention when a dial and hands are eroded too much. How much is too much? Where is the line?

I think it would be beneficial for all Rolex enthusiasts and collectors to be on the same page so we can all know and perpetuate what the consensus opinion is on the matter. Buying a watch with a dial that will erode into an eyesore can't be the right move, can it? It is too bad that lessons such as not using radium are often learned the hard way. Too bad these beauties face such a future.

Oh and by the way... will this eventually happen to ALL Rolex dials with radium? What about trititum? I feel like the new dials with new scientifically formulated paints and inks and lume will last much, much longer. I hope I'm right.