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dexvd · 1 February 2015, 07:43 AM

I've had an interest in a while in picking up an older Rolex with a waffle dial, however I find most of them have unattractive patina.

Has anyone had experience with companies that are successfully able to clean the dials? Or is the paint to fragile? I do usually enjoy patina but just on these waffle dials I find a lot of them seem to look good overall but with unattractive patina that more often than not looks like mildew or water damage rather than a nice warm fade.

springer · 1 February 2015, 07:44 AM

When they are stained, it is permanent. Place a photo here for additional comments.

Mark020 · 1 February 2015, 08:42 AM

Somebody in the know told me to dip it in to Hagerty. Dip and dry. No rubbing. No guarantees given by the way :-)

dexvd · 1 February 2015, 11:14 AM

Here's an example, I love the reference but find the patina to be off putting, yet I wouldn't want to get it repainted either.

jedly1 · 1 February 2015, 01:01 PM

there are known wizards in Italy who can work wonders, but they are very very difficult to access and very expensive ( talk into the $10k region to clean a dial) which restricts it to very rare and very valuable dials where the risk is worth it maybe ....

there are tales of wisened old world watchmakers with all kinds of tricks ..... chlorine gas, benzine, acetone vapours etc etc but trying to tie these down to factual always seems to go nowhere and the one common thread in all experiences is always that it is a risk at best.

my experience ..save yourself a load of heartache ,pony up and buy a nice one in the first place or buy a cheap one with stains and accept you will have to live with it.

TempoKing · 2 February 2015, 01:05 AM

I never thought that... vintage Rolex dial... and cleaning... are related !!

linesiders · 2 February 2015, 04:25 AM

Every now and then you can find one

If I could stick with 34mm I might still have this watch

dexvd · 2 February 2015, 05:28 AM

Thats nice! I have 6.5" wrists so stuff in the 34-36mm range isn't too bad in my eyes.

1 February 2015, 07:43 AM	#1
dexvd "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 415	Vintage watch dial cleaning? I've had an interest in a while in picking up an older Rolex with a waffle dial, however I find most of them have unattractive patina. Has anyone had experience with companies that are successfully able to clean the dials? Or is the paint to fragile? I do usually enjoy patina but just on these waffle dials I find a lot of them seem to look good overall but with unattractive patina that more often than not looks like mildew or water damage rather than a nice warm fade.

1 February 2015, 07:44 AM	#2
springer 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: jP Location: Texas Watch: GMT-MASTER Posts: 17,319	When they are stained, it is permanent. Place a photo here for additional comments. __________________ Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.

2 February 2015, 04:25 AM	#7
linesiders 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: RedSox Nation Watch: U Talkn Bout Wilis Posts: 5,503	Every now and then you can find one If I could stick with 34mm I might still have this watch __________________ I'm a sailor peg. And I've lost my leg. Climbing up the top sails. I've lost my leg!

1 February 2015, 08:42 AM	#3
Mark020 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2,133	Somebody in the know told me to dip it in to Hagerty. Dip and dry. No rubbing. No guarantees given by the way :-)

1 February 2015, 11:14 AM	#4
dexvd "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 415	Here's an example, I love the reference but find the patina to be off putting, yet I wouldn't want to get it repainted either.

1 February 2015, 01:01 PM	#5
jedly1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: mel(oz)/Yorks(uk) Posts: 1,929	there are known wizards in Italy who can work wonders, but they are very very difficult to access and very expensive ( talk into the $10k region to clean a dial) which restricts it to very rare and very valuable dials where the risk is worth it maybe .... there are tales of wisened old world watchmakers with all kinds of tricks ..... chlorine gas, benzine, acetone vapours etc etc but trying to tie these down to factual always seems to go nowhere and the one common thread in all experiences is always that it is a risk at best. my experience ..save yourself a load of heartache ,pony up and buy a nice one in the first place or buy a cheap one with stains and accept you will have to live with it.

2 February 2015, 01:05 AM	#6
TempoKing Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Anastasios Location: Athens Greece Watch: Rolex GMT 1675 Posts: 8,497	I never thought that... vintage Rolex dial... and cleaning... are related !!

2 February 2015, 05:28 AM	#8
dexvd "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 415	Thats nice! I have 6.5" wrists so stuff in the 34-36mm range isn't too bad in my eyes.

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