What happened to the dial of this 14270 explorer?

[Ghould]

I can't tell if it cracked or developed bumps; likely due to water damage? Movement looks fine though, and the watch is pretty modern for this degree of damage. Dial looks smooth if no light is reflecting off the dial (normal conditions): http://m.imgur.com/UrjTd4V,4fZaz6g,9oyryp5
Thanks!

[ncstate1201]

Definitely looks bubbly to me but in the pics the crystal looks pretty dirty too. If you are considering a purchase I would definitely ask for pics with the crystal cleaned up so I could see it a bit better. But I was viewing on my phone...

[bigchelis]

It also could be water damage. Even if water never entered the case it could have condensation entered and dried up on the dial. If you own the watch already get it water proof serviced.

bigC

[Ghould]

Thanks for the input folks, looks like it's water damage then? I do own the watch currently, it was priced accordingly. I'm tempted to buy a dial and switch it, I'm not too bothered about it right now, but if it gets any worse it can be an issue. So I'm guessing the question is can it get worse without water contact (after getting the gaskets replaced, etc.)? Regarding the crystal being dirty, that is true, but the damage is definitely on the dial.

[Jfullm42]

One of my buddies who is a watchmaker in Portland, OR posted this a little while ago...

[Ghould]

Thanks for showing me that, interesting for sure; it doesn't look like his explorer is cracking/starting to crack but has many small bubbles like mine that look like cracks. Its cool to see other 5 digit serials with this type of wear, as i was beginning to worry someone had really messed up with this one. Not too sure if this type of "patina" would really raise value, it looks like the Tudor snowflakes with bubbled up dials sell for lower than ones with dials in nice condition.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by Jfullm42

One of my buddies who is a watchmaker in Portland, OR posted this a little while ago...

That's what I was thinking - the start of a "spider dial".

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by Ghould

Thanks for showing me that, interesting for sure; it doesn't look like his explorer is cracking/starting to crack but has many small bubbles like mine that look like cracks. Its cool to see other 5 digit serials with this type of wear, as i was beginning to worry someone had really messed up with this one. Not too sure if this type of "patina" would really raise value, it looks like the Tudor snowflakes with bubbled up dials sell for lower than ones with dials in nice condition.

The cracked up spider dials are considered desirable by some collectors, and garbage by others. It's unclear which view, if either, will dominate the market over the longer term.

[Ghould]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

The cracked up spider dials are considered desirable by some collectors, and garbage by others. It's unclear which view, if either, will dominate the market over the longer term.

I'd personally be very happy with the watch were it to end up spidering
I'm not too worried about where the market will head, but I think nice examples of spider dials will remain welcome. My main concern was if something like the dial rot on some of the original tudor snowflake dials would eventually occur to this 14270 (it certainly appears that small bubbles are developing), in which case I would look into switching the dial out for another cleaner period correct one.

[Ghould]

Not to revive an old thread, but I got some pictures under a loupe for anyone curious:
http://imgur.com/m2TB70i,m82Ftf5,6pc...ZukAWW,0BouPrV
Looks like the other image posted earlier but more severe.

[Gimoozaabi]

Originally Posted by Ghould

I'd personally be very happy with the watch were it to end up spidering

I'm not too worried about where the market will head, but I think nice examples of spider dials will remain welcome. My main concern was if something like the dial rot on some of the original tudor snowflake dials would eventually occur to this 14270 (it certainly appears that small bubbles are developing), in which case I would look into switching the dial out for another cleaner period correct one.

Reiving this old thread. Sorry for that, haven't found newer one.

I haven't found any records that the 14270 dials are getting the spider cracks effect, but some dials are documented to crack with horizontal lines (the so called "Frozen" dial) due to the lacquer applied.

I recently bought 14270 with tritium dial (X serial, circa 1991) which under close examination of the dial, very small bumps could be seen which are situated close and even, they create almost a matte effect on the dial. It is really hard to photograph but I think the dial looks similar to the pictures of the OP.

Anyone with an early tritium 14270 with similar observations?


https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ro...u-need-to-know

[Gimoozaabi]

Better picture of the dial. The surface appears that it has some grainy texture.

To illustrate the above, I am including two pictures: My Explorer is on the wrist. The second picture is of 14270, tritium dial with similar texture on the dial and hands.

I think this is attributed to patina and it will be nice to see how the watch will further age.