Two Z-series Sub but different dials, it happens but why?

[wandyprawira]

I have just noticed that in my possesion of 2 Subs (both of them are Z-series), they have different dials.

Differences that I've spotted so far are:

1. Different font style
2. "1" on "1000 ft"
3. "3" on "300 m"
4. "f" on "ft"
5. The character spacing in "000" on both 1000 ft and 300 m.
6. The font type of "0".
7. "C" on "Chronometer" and "Certified".
8. "L" on "Superlative".

Anyone know this before on a Sub? Can anybody tell me why they have differences eventhough they are in the same serial?

I know that this kind of thing also happens on GMT for the font type of "II" and "||".

Thanks in advance guys. Padi, JJ, Bo, anybody who loves Sub, I really count on you guys.

[viper]

i had that same issue last week on my LV & a friend of mine's.

font was not only different, but thinner, smaller, & brighter.

both LVs from the same year

[yachtsales]

so are both real?

[viper]

mine were

these variations do exist. I noticed this on 2 Seadwellers in my ADs case a few days ago..both Z serials..

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by viper

i had that same issue last week on my LV & a friend of mine's.

font was not only different, but thinner, smaller, & brighter.

both LVs from the same year

So which one is yours? Above or below?

You said one of them is brighter, can I know which one that you mean? Above or below?

I flipped my first Sub due to some issues, and the last one I've got is the one with the above dial.

Originally Posted by yachtsales

so are both real?

Yes, they are both real. That's why it's even more strange.

[chris_nor_cal]

if the secrets of rolex ever came out they would never sell a watch again. subs probably cost about 50 dollars to make. they probably have their parts made from different factories in different asian countries. lol. i still think they look nice

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by chris_nor_cal

if the secrets of rolex ever came out they would never sell a watch again. subs probably cost about 50 dollars to make. they probably have their parts made from different factories in different asian countries. lol. i still think they look nice

Honestly...it made me think...

[JJ Irani]

Nothing to worry about....just different dial printers used in both cases!!

JJ

[S2000 Driver]

Very interesting!

My z-series 16610 Sub Date has a mix of your fonts on its dial:

"SUBMARINER" from your top photo
"1000 ft / = 300 m" from your bottom photo
"SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER" from your top photo
"OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED" from your top photo

[JJ Irani]

Here's a classic example of different dial printing. Note the different "S" shapes on the "S" of the Submariner on the dial.

In my older TT Blue Sub, the "S" was FLAT.....whereas my new one has a rounded "S".

Older one....note FLAT "S".



My current one....note ROUNDED "S".

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Nothing to worry about....just different dial printers used in both cases!!

JJ

I guess I'm being lucky that I flipped the old one.

I like the new one, and whoever introduced me to Cape Cod, thank you very much.

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Here's a classic example of different dial printing. Note the different "S" shapes on the "S" of the Submariner on the dial.

In my older TT Blue Sub, the "S" was FLAT.....whereas my new one has a rounded "S".

Older one....note FLAT "S".



My current one....note ROUNDED "S".

Not only the "S" in those examples, JJ. Note also the "1000 ft 300 m". They look different as well.

Yes you're right, nothing to worry about.

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by S2000 Driver

Very interesting!

My z-series 16610 Sub Date has a mix of your fonts on its dial:

"SUBMARINER" from your top photo
"1000 ft / = 300 m" from your bottom photo
"SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER" from your top photo
"OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED" from your top photo

Maybe there was a worker shift change during the production of your dial.

[roadcarver]

There was a thread about this as well, but involved the SD. The tick marks under the "swiss made" were different for each series of SDs... apparently Rolex uses different dial makers.

[Tools]

Rolex does this specifically for us..

If everything was the same...time, after time, after time, then the Forums would be very dull places indeed...

[roadcarver]

Here's the thread on the SD...

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

There was a thread about this as well, but involved the SD. The tick marks under the "swiss made" were different for each series of SDs... apparently Rolex uses different dial makers.

Yes, perhaps Rolex uses several sub-suppliers. Now, it get me wondered if they also uses several sub-suppliers for the rests of the parts such as movement parts, etc.

Originally Posted by roadcarver

Here's the thread on the SD...

Thanks for the link, Vernon. We are now aware that there are 3 models (GMT, Sub, and SD) having this issue. DJ might be worse in terms of dial design uniformity bearing in mind that it has so many dial types.

[Perpetuator]

I have noticed for some time now that the crown logo on the dial of my Z-series 14060M looks slightly different than others that I have seen, both in pics and up-close at ADs. But I have seen pics of some ND Subs here on TRF where the crown logo on the dial looks exactly the same as mine (ever-so-slightly shorter "side prongs"), so I never thought too much of it. Can I chalk this up to typical "variability" in production?

One thing I can say, however, is that the printing/workmanship on an authentic Rolex dial is consistently crisp and sharp (I have compared authentic Rolexes to their replica counterparts through a 20x loupe - definitely a difference, even with "high end" replicas).

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by Perpetuator

I have noticed for some time now that the crown logo on the dial of my Z-series 14060M looks slightly different than others that I have seen, both in pics and up-close at ADs. But I have seen pics of some ND Subs here on TRF where the crown logo on the dial looks exactly the same as mine (ever-so-slightly shorter "side prongs"), so I never thought too much of it. Can I chalk this up to typical "variability" in production?

One thing I can say, however, is that the printing/workmanship on an authentic Rolex dial is consistently crisp and sharp (I have compared authentic Rolexes to their replica counterparts through a 20x loupe - definitely a difference, even with "high end" replicas).

Yes they are slightly different despite having consistent printing as you said. Below are the pics from the same examples that I have.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Hi Wandy,

thanks for the PM and sorry for responding so late, but I have not been on the forum today.

As most others said, it is not unusual to see discrepencies on Rolex dial, since there can be different dial printers, so you don't have to worry about it

Lovely macro pics, btw!

[nimm12]

Rolex is known to use different fonts on the same dial of the same reference in the same year of production . i am not sure why they practise this inconsistency , its weird. it happens on GMT II , SD , Sub Date , other references i am not too sure

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

Hi Wandy,

thanks for the PM and sorry for responding so late, but I have not been on the forum today.

As most others said, it is not unusual to see discrepencies on Rolex dial, since there can be different dial printers, so you don't have to worry about it

Lovely macro pics, btw!

Thanks for the response Bo! Really appreciate it.

And also for other kind members, thanks for giving your opinions. I think it's now clear that there is actually the difference and it's normal.

Cheers,