Submariner Dial

[turner050]

So I bought a Rolex Submariner 14060M several months ago from a very reputable online retailer of second-hand Rolexs. Everything's been great with it except I noticed something a few weeks ago thats been bothering me ever since. The bottom part of several letters in "Oyster Perpetual" are slightly dim. Please see the attached photo (Sorry, that's the closest and clearest I could a shot of it). The "R" of oyster and the "PER" of perpetual have a bottom third that doesnt seem consistent with the rest of the text - its a tad darker. Now I know this watch is getting towards 20 years old, and this is probably just part of the dials age. But when you pay this much for a watch you can easily notice this stuff. I'm a relative beginner in fine watches so I'm probably just overthinking it. Am I looking at this too closely? What do you guys think? Again, this was purchased from a highly regarded site, so I would be surprised if anything illegit came from there.

[05carbondrz]

Definitely overthinking it,If these tiny things bother You maybe Vintage is not the correct path for You.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

Definitely overthinking it,If these tiny things bother You maybe Vintage is not the correct path for You.

I'm not sure that's fair. One must realize that an enormous amount of this vintage sub forum is spending an astonishing amount of time scrutinizing the smallest (perhaps, OCD-fueled) and most quirky details of old watches.To me, dissecting all the variations of dials and flaws and blemishes and seeking opinions is a huge part of collecting vintage pieces.

[turner050]

Thanks for your responses. The part that bothered me was not the imperfection, but the notion that it may not be authentic. I know much happens to dials over time - letters bleed a little, the face cracks etc... but I couldn't even really tell what was happening here and the watch isn't THAT that old. I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. I'm still learning and like Kingface said, there's some obsession going on here too. :) Thanks for the perspective guys!

[05carbondrz]

I get what you are saying but if You expect everything to be like new/perfect than Vintage is not a good fit.Hell,Even new Rolex Watches are not 100% perfect under a Loupe.Learning about Dial,Insert,case variations is a huge part of what makes Vintage collecting fun,Louping every Watch to find defects will make You Nuts.

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

I get what you are saying but if You expect everything to be like new/perfect than Vintage is not a good fit.Hell,Even new Rolex Watches are not 100% perfect under a Loupe.Learning about Dial,Insert,case variations is a huge part of what makes Vintage collecting fun,Louping every Watch to find defects will make You Nuts.

As the OP states above, he's not looking for "like new/perfect". He was afraid that the imperfection (which is to be expected) may be a sign of it being non-authentic.

[swish77]

Watch looks legit. What's the beginning of the serial number?

Maybe this was just at the tail end of a stamping of a batch of dials, so there's a very (and I mean very) tiny inconsistency in the printing, or it could be a slight fading, which can happen on old dials. Still, this dial ain't that old, relatively speaking.

I'm as OCD as the next guy when it comes to watches, but this wouldn't bother me. I learned long ago that after I buy a watch, throw away the loupe. It'll drive you nuts.

[springer]

The dial looks fine and authentic. Wear it in good health!

[turner050]

These are some very helpful insights. It's much appreciated! The beginning of the serial is F441 btw.
I had a feeling I was being a little (or very) OCD about this. I appreciate you guys taking the time to give me your thoughts. As a novice, I have learned much about Rolexs and watches in-general from this forum.

[Gosufart]

the dial looks legit

[rarebear]

Does the crystal have the etched crown at the six’oclock position ?

[turner050]

Originally Posted by rarebear

Does the crystal have the etched crown at the six’oclock position ?

It does indeed.

[offtodd72]

Thats def. a small detail that anyone can not think about but you are going to drive yourself crazy if u nitpick at a vintage watch long enough

[Rebel]

I appreciate the OPs question and concern. As vouched by some longstanding members, looks legit. THEREFORE, I think the slight imperfection is cool as heck and would love on it!!!

[turner050]

Originally Posted by offtodd72

Thats def. a small detail that anyone can not think about but you are going to drive yourself crazy if u nitpick at a vintage watch long enough

I'm learning this is definitely true! But mostly it was about making sure it's authentic. I can't yet discern what might be imperfection/age vs. a sign of it not being authentic.

[turner050]

Originally Posted by Rebel

I appreciate the OPs question and concern. As vouched by some longstanding members, looks legit. THEREFORE, I think the slight imperfection is cool as heck and would love on it!!!

Absolutely! I can enjoy it as a nuance of MY particular Sub. :D