Question of authenticity

[grechuta]

Greetings, recently purchased this 5513 maxi dial from a very trusted seller. I brought it to my local Rolex vintage shop to be appraised for insurance purposes. My Rolex vintage guy told me he won't appraise it since he doubts the authenticity of the dial. I would greatly appreciate the feedback from the vintage experts on this forum.

[watchcrank]

congrats

[grechuta]

Originally Posted by watchcrank

congrats

Thanks, appreciate it. I'm hoping to get expert opinions on the originality and authenticity of the diaI. I could post better pictures if need be. Thanks again.

[watchcrank]

Originally Posted by grechuta

Thanks, appreciate it. I'm hoping to get expert opinions on the originality and authenticity of the diaI. I could post better pictures if need be. Thanks again.

take a look at the dials listed for 5513 in this forum. I see no red flags on your watch. Looks perfectly normal for 5513. m

ps, what was he questioning about it?

[grechuta]

He noted two points, that the markers are all extremely white for a watch from the late 70s, and also that the rectangular lume markers appear a bit sloppy and not perfectly rectangular.

I have scoured the forums for 5513's and I too believe the dial to be authentic, but it's slightly disturbing when a supposed vintage watch expert says otherwise.

I appreciate your feedback very much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[watchcrank]

It looks like most Maxi dials on the 5513 site. Many are white, safe queens are often with patina as hidden from light.

I'd be looking for another expert, perhaps a bit jealous you did not buy from
him.

[grechuta]

Funny that you mention that, the last time I went in there with a red sub I had bought elsewhere, he was visibly upset.

So I would not be surprised if he just wanted to sour me on this watch.

Thanks again for your responses.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[terryuk]

Originally Posted by watchcrank

take a look at the dials listed for 5513 in this forum. I see no red flags on your watch. Looks perfectly normal for 5513. m

ps, what was he questioning about it?

Did Rolex make rectangular markers with rounded corners?
I don't know, but I'd be surprised...

[terryuk]

And this?

[grechuta]

Here's another shot of dial in question:


A few dials on this site appear to have very slightly rounded markers, especially the Comex dial towards the middle: http://www.drsd.com/watch-info/subs-...maxi-dial.html

Very curious to hear further opinions.

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by terryuk

Did Rolex make rectangular markers with rounded corners?
I don't know, but I'd be surprised...

Are you surprised yet
The super dome distorts it a bit imho but have a look here and you will see several very similar dials
http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...---Many+thanks

[grechuta]

Here are several sold by HQ Milton that have similar looking plots:

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...maxi-dial-5225

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...rk-i-maxi-6123

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...maxi-dial-7841


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[watchcrank]

Originally Posted by terryuk

Did Rolex make rectangular markers with rounded corners?
I don't know, but I'd be surprised...

take a look at the GMT of same era as well as the 1680 sub variations. There are many examples of this happening. This was not an exact science during the matte dial era. You have thin lume, puffy lume. Tritium wear at different areas and some spread.
All examples of different applications by various dial manufacturers and time frames.

[springer]

Originally Posted by grechuta

He noted two points, that the markers are all extremely white for a watch from the late 70s, and also that the rectangular lume markers appear a bit sloppy and not perfectly rectangular.

I have scoured the forums for 5513's and I too believe the dial to be authentic, but it's slightly disturbing when a supposed vintage watch expert says otherwise.

I appreciate your feedback very much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would think an "expert" would know that many vintage dials have white lume which has not taken on any patina. This is not unusual at all.

[terryuk]

Originally Posted by greekbum

Are you surprised yet
The super dome distorts it a bit imho but have a look here and you will see several very similar dials
http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...---Many+thanks

Yes, I have just looked through some of these.
There are limits beyond which the quality would be unacceptable for some...
I am a little surprised Rolex would let pass the watches in one or two of these pics.

[terryuk]

Originally Posted by watchcrank

take a look at the GMT of same era as well as the 1680 sub variations. There are many examples of this happening. This was not an exact science during the matte dial era. You have thin lume, puffy lume. Tritium wear at different areas and some spread.
All examples of different applications by various dial manufacturers and time frames.

I grant you that there were lots of slight variations in applying the lume, but you'd still want a minimum standard of quality - e.g. straight edges and not 'wavey' , accurate horizontal and vertical alignment.
This is another example which is pretty sloppy IMO

[watchcrank]

Welcome to the world of vintage watches.

[swish77]

As stated above, not all tritium takes on heavy or even moderate patina, especially if the watch is worn regularly in the sun. See my '72 5512 below. In some light the tritium is a creamy eggshell color, and in other light it's still pretty darn white.

As for the slightly irregular-shaped lume ... tritium can expand and/or contract through the years, and even bleed. You might find that many of those maxi dials left the factory relatively perfect and "aged" to be a little bloated at the hour markers. Same with vintage Speedys. The hour-marker tritium on the original dial on my pre-Moon Speedy now looks like a drunk dude applied it. It happens.