Dial Imperfections on Rolex Sunburst

[peterpl]

Hi All,

So I have been into Rolex for a long long time now and I've spent a crap load on their watches. I have pretty much owned every single model of Rolex there is except the Cellini range but what I wanted to vent about or I guess complain and see what others peoples opinions are is related to Rolex sunburst dials and the inherent problem they have with consistency and defects.

Take a look at these dials. Some of these pictures are of my watches and some are from various sources. I apologise if you are the owner of some of these watches I'm not trying to take away from your satisfaction but I want to highlight a certain defect that by the way Rolex has acknowledged to me and fixed numerous of my watches because of this.

I'm sure some of you guys have noticed scratches or inconsistent/scratched dials especially on sunburst ones.

I've circled in RED what I am talking about. Now I'm not sure about you guys but after paying 10s of thousands for watches I would expect a perfect dial especially on the sunburst which is not that hard to do. Especially if a $200 watch can get their sunburst right why cant Rolex?

I've seen many threads on this issue and RSC in 2 countries have confirmed to me its a flaw and they have replaced dials for me because of below issues.

This is why now every time I buy sunburst dials I always always triple check the sunburst patterns. You may think its small issue but I'm telling you if you photograph your watches a lot especially with a DLSR and at some angles these inconsistencies look real bad and look like scratches. As a owner as well once you see an imperfection you cant really "unsee" it. It just takes away from the pleasure of owning it.

What has annoyed me even more is that people who aren't even WIS and saw some pictures said to me "there is a scratch on the dial of that watch" which to me reinforces that fact that even non WIS can point out the flaws quite easily which is unacceptable quality control or manufacturing for a brand like Rolex.

Whats your opinion? I have heaps more pictures showing these imperfections but you get the idea.

[Drive]

I’m not going to look at any of mine now. :)

[214270Explorer]

Odd. That is a LOT of scratched dials.

[joli160]

If you want perfection you need a Grand Seiko
With Rolex it's not about the details more about the complete package.

[Rocket launcher]

I would not worry once your over 50 you can't focus on small lines so won't see them anyway..your lucky to see the pointers on a silver handed rhodium sunburst dialed watch..

However if I owned the first watch the platinum light blue dialed daytona.I may have took that back ..it costs as much as a small house so would want perfection

[Tobias]

Hi peterpl, thanks for posting, I've never thought to look closely at these sunburst dials. Some of the hairline imperfections in the above photos are worse than others, and once you see them, you cannot unsee them! The DateJusts to me look particularly affected. Clearly Rolex is having a hard time getting these dials finished to perfection, but given the attention to detail, finish and quality control that I equate with Rolex - it does surprise me a little bit.

[MUSTAQT]

Luckily I have a Smurf dial... Whew...

[peterpl]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

Odd. That is a LOT of scratched dials.

Thats not half the images I have. I've got plenty more showing these scratches. Even if you look at Instagram and online media heaps of guys posting images with clearly scratched dials.

Originally Posted by joli160

If you want perfection you need a Grand Seiko
With Rolex it's not about the details more about the complete package.

Yeah everyone says that - to be honest I just think its a cop out excuse. I even said this to one of the RSC's as one of the watchmakers were saying it was within tolerances. I said that is just a cop out for shoddy work and he got an opinion from another watchmaker who agreed with me that there was a mark on the dial. They replaced the dial under warranty.

Honestly at this price point you would expect sunburst lines to be done properly. I've owned IWC/Breitling/Panerai etc....NONE of the other brands have this issue in fact I have never seen any other brand have these inconsistencies since I started playing close attention to this fault and I look at and take high res pictures of all watches not only Rolex.

I've had it happen to me 3 times now on my sunburst dials.

Originally Posted by Tobias

Hi peterpl, thanks for posting, I've never thought to look closely at these sunburst dials. Some of the hairline imperfections in the above photos are worse than others, and once you see them, you cannot unsee them! The DateJusts to me look particularly affected. Clearly Rolex is having a hard time getting these dials finished to perfection, but given the attention to detail, finish and quality control that I equate with Rolex - it does surprise me a little bit.

Well that's the thing. I NEVER used check when I first started buying Rolex. I always took for granted that Rolex QC was the best especially the dial itself.

I actually accidentally stumbled upon this because it wasn't until I began taking photos of watches and posting them. It was then I noticed the marks, then I started checking other watches and HEAPS of them had them and the final straw was when a random commented on a photo and advised me the watch was scratched which then I realised I was not insane if a non WIS can notice it immediately.

[Devildog]

There’s a massive one on that Milgauss between the 1 and 2 o’clock batons too.

I get that these images are blown up to significantly larger sizes and so appear worse than they would in reality but some are really bad. In my view if they can be seen with either perfect vision or corrected vision under any lighting then the dials are not acceptable. And many can.

However, Rolex advertises “perfection” in their dials. And therefore they should be perfect. There can be no argument over “acceptable tolerance”.

I’ve never owned a Rolex with a sunburst dial. Not sure I’d want to given the QC issues apparent with them.

[oldman2005]

Originally Posted by joli160

If you want perfection you need a Grand Seiko
With Rolex it's not about the details more about the complete package.

Rolex is not on the level as GS when it comes to dial or polish but Seiko marketing is not a same level as Rolex marketing.

[R G]

Wow, just came across this thread just now and saw the dials pictures you've posted.

I had a problem with my DJ41 dial which I had posted a thread about. You have actually included a photo of it on your original post.

I ended up getting a replacement from the AD, which was fine. After a few weeks of having it (and purposefully not staring at the dial too much) I eventually started seeing in in direct sunlight and I have to say, even the replacement has a 'line' on it's dial which is more prominent than the others, although nowhere near as significant as my previous watch and only if you catch it in the right light and angle. The other week I ended up taking it to Rolex in Kent to see what they'd say. They were really nice and welcoming, looked at it then and there and their technicians shined a load of different lights on it at different angles but it was well within the acceptable parameters. I was fine with their response and felt better for running it past them anyway.

It's clearly a common 'thing' that can be seen on a lot of the dials...

Now I'm not sure haha, should I go back and insist they change the dial even though it's minute? Is it worth having a brand new watch opened for this?

[enjoythemusic]

Simply send to RSC for warranty dial replacement.

[mistercoach32]

That would be insanely frustrating. I just checked my LVc and no scratches, thank goodness.

[Raku]

To be honest when I opened this thread I was expecting another OCD nonsence of some imperfection photographed through a microscope, like most of the posts around here.
But then I realized the OP's concern is quite legitimate, the consistancy of those flaws is scary.
I can admit that these watches are mass produced and have no Voutilainen level of finish, but how this those lines get past quality control?

[R G]

Originally Posted by Raku

To be honest when I opened this thread I was expecting another OCD nonsence of some imperfection photographed through a microscope, like most of the posts around here.
But then I realized the OP's concern is quite legitimate, the consistancy of those flaws is scary.
I can admit that these watches are mass produced and have no Voutilainen level of finish, but how this those lines get past quality control?

As someone that it’s happened to (mine was the DJ41 with silver dial) it has totally taken away the enjoyment of acquiring a new watch.

I’m a Rolex fan, but I don’t think their QC is any better than any other watch brands. You pay for the general quality and build, and whilst the finish is great overall, it’s not perfection, like they market the dials to be on their website.

[Brew]

The champagne dial I'm wearing is fine, but I'm afraid to go check the two rhodium dials upstairs. They were fine before I opened this thread . . . .

[Onikage]

I have no idea how many are yours but some might just be the owner's hair. In all seriousness every sunburst dial must be unique in how the reflective material is applied. I wouldn't be happy if it looks like a scratch however. Particularly on a Platona, which you would think had undergone more stringent QC given it's the price of a small island.

[R G]

Originally Posted by Brew

The champagne dial I'm wearing is fine, but I'm afraid to go check the two rhodium dials upstairs. They were fine before I opened this thread . . . .

Mmmm I reckon if you put it under the right light at the right angle, you’d find a flaw on the sunburst on your champagne dial haha

[TimingIsEverything]

I have seen this before many times. Completely unacceptable for the price a Rolex watch is. I keep hearing Grand Seiko is the best in the details department. However, I have seen the tolerances on GS's bracelets and clasps, as well as the finishing and I don't think GS even comes close to Rolex. Just my opinion. However, Rolex QC needs to step up their game.

[J!m]

Originally Posted by oldman2005

Rolex is not on the level as GS when it comes to dial or polish but Seiko marketing is not a same level as Rolex marketing.

Nail On Head

[ap1]

Hey man, 2 of these are mine. I’m very angry with you

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by oldman2005

Rolex is not on the level as GS when it comes to dial or polish but Seiko marketing is not a same level as Rolex marketing.

Definitely true. Rolex marketing has always made it sound like they have the best CS. But in actuality they were selling an idea, that most people took hook line and sinker.

[ras47]

Those scratches are all nearly identical. Different places, but they all appear to be caused by the same thing. I'd guess a handling issue before assembly, or perhaps during assembly. Totally unacceptable in any case. How does Rolex QC not pick this up?

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by ras47

Those scratches are all nearly identical. Different places, but they all appear to be caused by the same thing. I'd guess a handling issue before assembly, or perhaps during assembly. Totally unacceptable in any case. How does Rolex QC not pick this up?

They probably did pick it up. But I am sure they have a tolerance level they will accept as okay.

[droptopman]

Interesting, I have heard and seen this before, but not with this many examples in one place. I have owned several sunburst dials over the years and I guess I have been lucky in that I have not had one with imperfections on it. Guess I will use my loupe more carefully in the future if buying a sunburst dial model.

[R G]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

They probably did pick it up. But I am sure they have a tolerance level they will accept as okay.

They do, and that’s exactly what I was told when I visited Rolex.

Since this email today, I’ve now pushed back in writing on an email advising them that I’m insisting on a new dial.

OP, you’re a pain.

[R!$]

your AD must not like you

[lamnyc]

Damn. Buyers beware!

[Brew]

Originally Posted by R G

Mmmm I reckon if you put it under the right light at the right angle, you’d find a flaw on the sunburst on your champagne dial haha

You wouldn't happen to have a loupe I might borrow?

[R G]

Originally Posted by Brew

You wouldn't happen to have a loupe I might borrow?

Hahaha