Gloss Dial Oxidized?

[Andrejb]

Hey guys. One of my watches from 91 has a million tiny little bubbles on the dial. Almost impossible to see without looking in the right light or with loupe. The dial markers have beautiful patina and is rather not replace it if I don’t have to. Was just wondering if it would get worse quickly? I found some photos of similarities. Tried to take a pic but wouldn’t work.

(This is not my watch, just a photo of the same oxidization pattern)




It’s almost identical to this. I’ve read it may be due to oxidization under the paint (apparently common with the early gloss dials)

It’s quite minuscule and I think it adds character. Just hoping that in 20 years the paint isn’t going to come off the watch completely lol

Thoughts?


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[brand_c]

Whats the model of your watch that developed this patina?

I have a 14270 from 97 and was afraid of the same thing after seeing a picture somewhere showing the same bubbling effect.

[sensui]

My thoughts are that it's natural with certain batches of gloss/lacquer dials in Rolex history in that it's reacting with the moisture/elements it gets exposed to (minimally, aka non maintained watch that seals expire on). I think that if you regularly service the time piece and make sure it's pressure tested/seals are current, probably won't get any worse and the condition will remain constant.

[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by brand_c

Whats the model of your watch that developed this patina?



I have a 14270 from 97 and was afraid of the same thing after seeing a picture somewhere showing the same bubbling effect.

GMT recently acquired. It’s barely visible unless in direct sunlight. A well known watchmaker in my area states that it most likely will not worsen, I figured I’d just see if anyone here has had the same experience.


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[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by sensui

My thoughts are that it's natural with certain batches of gloss/lacquer dials in Rolex history in that it's reacting with the moisture/elements it gets exposed to (minimally, aka non maintained watch that seals expire on). I think that if you regularly service the time piece and make sure it's pressure tested/seals are current, probably won't get any worse and the condition will remain constant.

Awesome thanks!


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[themaninblack]

From 91?

[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

From 91?

Correct. Can’t see it head on. Very slight




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[Andrejb]

Similar to the texture of this dial and a bunch of other tritium dials from 16710 I looked up from this era


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[lamckstephen]

Hi,

How about mine ???

[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by lamckstephen

Hi,



How about mine ???

Does it bother you?


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[TimelessQuality]

My (now sold) OP from 1967 had this on its champagne dial. Lots of tiny raised dots, but no sign of actual holes or peeling. Considering it's quite a bit older than your GMT, and still showed no signs of worsening, I would assume that yours will be fine so long as there's no moisture getting in.

[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by TimelessQuality

My (now sold) OP from 1967 had this on its champagne dial. Lots of tiny raised dots, but no sign of actual holes or peeling. Considering it's quite a bit older than your GMT, and still showed no signs of worsening, I would assume that yours will be fine so long as there's no moisture getting in.

Very good to know. Tough to see without the right light




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[TimelessQuality]

Originally Posted by Andrejb

Very good to know. Tough to see without the right light

Same. It wasn't very obvious, only under certain light, which made it easier to live with.

[lamckstephen]

[QUOTE=Andrejb;8415581]Does it bother you ?

Just worrying that it will getting worse 😅😅😅

[hkbufga]

Same situation to my 16520 which is yr 97, U serial. I wonder to know what will be next to the dial?

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[1watch]

Looks like moisture got into the case. I would have it pressure checked with seals/gaskets replaced if it doesn’t pass.


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[lupus66]

Rust

[zapokee]

[QUOTE=lamckstephen;8417219]

Originally Posted by Andrejb

Just worrying that it will getting worse ������

It will. Why would it deteriorate to this point and then suddenly stop?

Everything gradually deteriorates. That's what time does to stuff. If you don't want to see it get worse, get rid.

[Verdi]

I would consider a service dial on the long run. I personally do not consider this patina, I would rather have a clean/new service dial.

I think this "bubbling" has something to do with the paint ageing/composition rather than rust underneath the layer.

[Andrejb]

Old thread. Watch is long gone


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[hkbufga]

[QUOTE=zapokee;10293695]

Originally Posted by lamckstephen

It will. Why would it deteriorate to this point and then suddenly stop?

Everything gradually deteriorates. That's what time does to stuff. If you don't want to see it get worse, get rid.

Agree!

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[hkbufga]

I acquired my 16520 U serial in 97 and has been done a professional complete overhaul (the case is still unpolished) in 2020. The subdials have been changed to humble creamy color gradually. Some oxidation on the dial that proves such patina of patrizzi and oxidation is happening at the same time. This may give you idea about what will be occured naturally and originally.

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[hkbufga]

I found few more bubbling photo on the web for reference (credit to HQ Milton).

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[Tools]

The old lacquered dials are subject to aging and degradation, just like any other painted item of the era.

Rolex has always made replacement parts and likely never expected that people would buy working tools, and then think that they should last forever. They fully expected that users would rebuild and refit them to make them last a lifetime - with proper care and maintenance.

Now days people want the old, damaged, aged and almost non-usable watches, covet them, put them under glass protection and proudly show these corroded lumps of metal, even though they likely never added any of that themselves.

[hkbufga]

Originally Posted by Tools

The old lacquered dials are subject to aging and degradation, just like any other painted item of the era.



Rolex has always made replacement parts and likely never expected that people would buy working tools, and then think that they should last forever. They fully expected that users would rebuild and refit them to make them last a lifetime - with proper care and maintenance.



Now days people want the old, damaged, aged and almost non-usable watches, covet them, put them under glass protection and proudly show these corroded lumps of metal, even though they likely never added any of that themselves.

Agreed! actually some patina is quite interesting, I'm personally glad to see those charater.

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[1watch]

Honest and appealing wear is nice to see and own on a vintage piece for purist collectors. Keeping the provenance with usable functionality intact as best possible, is difficult and why many collectors respect and value those attributes. It’s also why pieces with pleasing original condition that is well preserved command a premium. Those that don’t value said attributes should stick with contemporary pieces in my humble opinion.


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[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by Andrejb

Old thread. Watch is long gone


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Good