Laquer Dial Swirls

[htrap2294]

Hello,

I have noticed in a few laquer/glossy dials that when in direct sunlight, they seem to have micro swirls that are only visible in direct sunlight at a certain angle.

It is most apparent on black dials such as the one on the Submariner. I'm assuming this has to do with how they are manufactured?

Does anybody else notice the same thing?

[minute_man]

It is the result of multiple reflections of the lume markers' wg surrounding.

[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by minute_man

It is the result of multiple reflections of the lume markers' wg surrounding.

I mean like this, post #39:

Originally Posted by lopesmr

Hello,

Just bought a Submariner No Date (124060) last month and I've also found swirls on the dial, so I googled if anyone else found the same issue and I ended up here.

I'm attaching some pictures of the watch - what do you guys think? is this something that can and should be fixed or should I just "accept" and live with this?
This is my first Rolex and, to be honest, I was (really) not expecting such thing from Rolex...

Thank you

Attachment 1189802

Attachment 1189803

Attachment 1189804

Attachment 1189805

I do see the multiple reflections of the lume markers' wg surrounding, but some of this is just straight up hairlines in the laquer. It's almost like a car clear coat having swirlies even when brand new. It isn't noticeable on a white car, but it is on a black car.

[minute_man]

Oh, I now see what you mean. I've had three Rolex watches with a glossy black dial so far, none of them like in those pictures. I would think of a QC issue either on the dial or (under?) the crystal.
With that said, I'll have a closer look at my Sub in the sunlight tomorrow but I would have noticed at some point, I'm sure.

[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by minute_man

Oh, I now see what you mean. I've had three Rolex watches with a glossy black dial so far, none of them like in those pictures. I would think of a QC issue either on the dial or (under?) the crystal.
With that said, I'll have a closer look at my Sub in the sunlight tomorrow but I would have noticed at some point, I'm sure.

It has to be direct sunlight and at an angle, it won't show otherwise.

[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by minute_man

Oh, I now see what you mean. I've had three Rolex watches with a glossy black dial so far, none of them like in those pictures. I would think of a QC issue either on the dial or (under?) the crystal.
With that said, I'll have a closer look at my Sub in the sunlight tomorrow but I would have noticed at some point, I'm sure.

Did you get the chance to check?

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by htrap2294

Did you get the chance to check?

Yes, I did. I don't see those swirls on mine. Just the lume plots reflection.

[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by minute_man

Yes, I did. I don't see those swirls on mine. Just the lume plots reflection.

Hmm, in direct sunlight like this?




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[minute_man]

Yes, I don't see them. I'll try with a loupe tomorrow just in case my eyes are letting me down...



Diagonal lines from 09 to 12 are just a smudge from wiping the crystal.

[sjhc88]

I noticed this on a 2018 Sub, 2018 BLNR, 2021 Sub, 2021 Explorer and my 2021 Pepsi. Some with varying degree of “micro scratches” and “swirls”. Not sure why it’s there, not a fan of it at all, but it seems to be par for the course.

Swirls on dial / sapphire crystal in bright sun light
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app


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[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by sjhc88

I noticed this on a 2018 Sub, 2018 BLNR, 2021 Sub, 2021 Explorer and my 2021 Pepsi. Some with varying degree of “micro scratches” and “swirls”. Not sure why it’s there, not a fan of it at all, but it seems to be par for the course.

Swirls on dial / sapphire crystal in bright sun light
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app


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Yeah, it is what it is. I guess this is a reason to prefer ceramic glossy dials over lacquer glossy dials.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by htrap2294

Hmm, in direct sunlight like this?




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Looks like someone at Rolex used your dial as a hockey puck, I would not be able to wear it like this. Looks like there are some scratches on the end of the minute hand too.

[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by Ollie1982

Looks like someone at Rolex used your dial as a hockey puck, I would not be able to wear it like this. Looks like there are some scratches on the end of the minute hand too.

A lot of the minute hand stuff is just lint, not really scratches. I've looked at it with a loupe before. While there are scratches on the hand, they need a loupe to be seen and in direct sunlight. What you're seeing is just lint. I'll take another picture in direct sunlight so that you're able to see. The scratches seen by a loupe from what I've seen is normal on every Rolex I've owned - they are mass produced machine made products, after all. We can't expect JLC/Grand Seiko quality from that.

As for the swirls, that is in the harshest possible lighting condition and angle. I also zoomed in with the camera function, using the 2x lens that is present on most iPhones. You don't see this on 99% of days, haha.

[htrap2294]

I purposely put it in harsh settings. It’s actually pretty difficult to get those micro scratches to show themselves. Here’s other pictures of the same watch in direct light. It looks fine in these pictures.

I think it’s a manufacturing thing of lacquer
dials, as I just compared to another Submariner and it has the same issue.



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[htrap2294]

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[bin31z]

Every newer Rolex with lacquer dial I've seen this one. You have to look at it in direct sunlight at a certain angle. The direction of the lines changes based on what angle you are looking at the dial from. I've heard its a byproduct of their machine polishing process. Doesn't bother me but my lacquer dial GS don't have this so...

[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by bin31z

Every newer Rolex with lacquer dial I've seen this one. You have to look at it in direct sunlight at a certain angle. The direction of the lines changes based on what angle you are looking at the dial from. I've heard its a byproduct of their machine polishing process. Doesn't bother me but my lacquer dial GS don't have this so...

GS is a higher quality product in terms of dial/finishing though, so there is that.

[Luisrm02]

Yep, the first time I saw mine in the FL sun I noticed them immediately. Took it straight back to the AD and snagged their display unit. Just so happens that day it was overcast so I couldn’t see it, I went into their back area where it was dark and forced flash on my camera into the dial and bingo, same exact swirls. Did some research around the web and these threads pop up every now again and conclusion is all the same, all these lacquer finished hand polished black dials have them. Not always noticeable but in the harshest of light but they all got ‘em.

[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by Luisrm02

Yep, the first time I saw mine in the FL sun I noticed them immediately. Took it straight back to the AD and snagged their display unit. Just so happens that day it was overcast so I couldn’t see it, I went into their back area where it was dark and forced flash on my camera into the dial and bingo, same exact swirls. Did some research around the web and these threads pop up every now again and conclusion is all the same, all these lacquer finished hand polished black dials have them. Not always noticeable but in the harshest of light but they all got ‘em.

Thank you for letting me know that I am not going crazy!

[alphadweller]

Interesting, I didn't know. Definetly not the case with my SD43 matte dial.

[htrap2294]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

Interesting, I didn't know. Definetly not the case with my SD43 matte dial.

It kind of makes me prefer matte dials now, haha…the matte dials look a bit glossy anyways due to the sapphire crystal.


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[Rdat]

A recently acquired new old stock Explorer II 16570 from 2003-2004 with Polar Dial has these swirl marks as well, so this is not just limited to black and blue sports dials. Trips to a Rolex AD and an independent watchmaker led to the common conclusion that there is no dial defect, or at least nothing they can discern with their loupes. I was asked by both not to worry. RSCs in the US seem not to have encountered this issue before (although this is hard to believe).