Fat Lady Dial

[Flyingrolex]

GMT Master 2 (9.42 mill) serial number. What is the correct dial? Glossy or matte? " date" or no "date"??? Thanks....



Or...

[springer]

Originally Posted by Flyingrolex

GMT Master 2 (9.42 mill) serial number. What is the correct dial? Glossy or matte? " date" or no "date"??? Thanks....

They were all glossy. The early ones were missing the "Date" verbiage after Oyster Perpetual. Your serial number would not be an early one.

Below is one of mine - 84XXXXX.

[Flyingrolex]

Thanks for the quick response...does that mean that the matte dials are for another GMT master?

[springer]

Originally Posted by Flyingrolex

Thanks for the quick response...does that mean that the matte dials are for another GMT master?

The white-printed-font (or white dials) 1675s and the early 16750s had matte dials. The remainder, to include the later 16750s, 16760, 16700, 16710 and the current dials, are glossy. The matte dials did not have the white gold surrounds around the marker plots. Below is a white, 16750 matte dial that has yellowed with age on the marker plots and hands.

[Flyingrolex]

Very very nice... I am in a bit of a dilemma. I had my dial relumed by Alex, however the first shop scratched the dial. I searched and found a gmt 2 dial, the second set of pics. However when i received it, it was glossy. Not like my original. I then found another dial and it is not glossy, first set of pics. I just want to restore her to original.
This is it now

[springer]

Some of the early GMT glossy dials appear matte due to their age. It is not unlike the paint or finish on your car which will fade or lose its glossy finish with time based on the conditions that it has been subjected to over the years.

[Tony G]

Yes I agree gloss dials will lose some gloss as watch ages

[Pilotwatch]

Originally Posted by springer

They were all glossy. The early ones were missing the "Date" verbiage after Oyster Perpetual. Your serial number would not be an early one.

Below is one of mine - 84XXXXX.

Unless I misread you, and others, dials original to the 16760 from 1986 (9 mil) were all glossy? I have a 9.4 mil 16760 with an original tritium dial and hands that is matte black. This dial was original to the watch. Watch has never been serviced and has been in a gun safe for nearly 30 years with occasional wear. Should this be a glossy dial with WG markers?

[springer]

Originally Posted by Pilotwatch

Unless I misread you, and others, dials original to the 16760 from 1986 (9 mil) were all glossy? I have a 9.4 mil 16760 with an original tritium dial and hands that is matte black. This dial was original to the watch. Watch has never been serviced and has been in a gun safe for nearly 30 years with occasional wear. Should this be a glossy dial with WG markers?

Your dial has faded to a semi-gloss or matte finish. Originally it was glossy.

It is not uncommon for the glossy dials to fade in time.

Matte dials refer to pre-1984 dials that started life with a matte finish with markers that did not have the gold surrounds.

Again, ALL 16760 dials are called glossy dials - whether they have faded to matte or turned tropical brown.

All the dials that followed the matte dial era are called glossy dials - not matte.

[Pilotwatch]

Interesting. That follows all that I have read, but looking at my 16760 dial it's hard to believe it was ever glossy. Gonna take your word for it. Thanks for the quick response. I am clueless about vintage watches. Happy holidays to you. Steve


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[saskmh]

I have a completely original dailed 16760 from 1986. The dial has turned completely matte. Some of these gloss dials from that period go matte. Especially if they've had a bit of moisture enter the case.... Just enough to turn the dial matte but not enough to cause rust or pitting. It's a great effect.

I got my watch from a friend who's father was the original owner. Completely untouched and original. He never had it serviced in 30 years.

[Pilotwatch]

Originally Posted by saskmh

I have a completely original dailed 16760 from 1986. The dial has turned completely matte. Some of these gloss dials from that period go matte. Especially if they've had a bit of moisture enter the case.... Just enough to turn the dial matte but not enough to cause rust or pitting. It's a great effect.

I got my watch from a friend who's father was the original owner. Completely untouched and original. He never had it serviced in 30 years.

Thanks for sharing. Like yours, this watch came from the original owner, and untouched since new. The owner kept it in a gun safe since new, only wearing it on special occasions. Dial is just remarkable. Never had a matte dial watch. Happy Holidays to you!


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