The world has ended...

[Richard Carver]

My 1968 1603 has committed dialicide. It's beautiful gray dial has chipped itsself just out of the blue; I have no idea why, case pressure of course but it hasn't happened to me before.

This has become...



This...



Between the eleven and the crown, huge chip. Of course, it's floating around in there somewhere so I can't use it until it goes to the vet (dog that it is). Hopefully he knows a good paint guy.

I tried wearing my TT 1625 but just not in a TT mood so I pulled this old soldier out of the sock drawer for a look. It's a 1985 16030 I bought in 2014 late one night on ebay. It was a zero seller from Columbia and not surprisingly it had no bids. So I called the guy and got a good feel for what kind of man he was and bid and got it for 1656. He said it was a bit rough and the case back was messed up but it seemed a fairly nice watch when it arrived a few days later.

It ran but I didn't time it; It was going in the sock drawer for later attention. That time has arrived, I wound and set it two days ago and its keeping excellent time. I've got a nice oval link jubillee in that sock drawer I'll put on it in a day or two.



I desperately miss my 1603 but I must admit that 3035 is sure nice to use. :)

[rootbeer7]

How strange that damage is. The sock-draw version will have to do!

[roh123]

Sorry to hear. I thought most if the chipping occured at service when taken out. Thanks for sharing anyway.

[J!m]

Bad luck but hopefully another dial can be found.

There is no paint guy good enough to “patch” that; it will just be less obvious. If you get the dial completely refinished, it’s not original either. I’d start hunting down a dial now if I were you.

[zapokee]

Could be worse. Everything ends up in a skip eventually.

#carverforpresident

[offrdmania]

That type of chipping usually comes from the movement being removed from the case. Did you recently have a service done on it?

[Dan S]

I wonder if we need to start storing watches in a humidor.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

That type of chipping usually comes from the movement being removed from the case. Did you recently have a service done on it?

It was serviced in 2015 so no answer there. Maybe Dan S.is right; I need to put a humidifier in the sock drawer.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by J!m

Bad luck but hopefully another dial can be found.

There is no paint guy good enough to “patch” that; it will just be less obvious. If you get the dial completely refinished, it’s not original either. I’d start hunting down a dial now if I were you.

Found two on ebay for a grand each. Think I'll try a patch!

[tekno]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I wonder if we need to start storing watches in a humidor.

I have actually wondered about this before. What would a humid environment vs a very dry environment do to the Lume on some watches.

I bet a lot of watches sit in safes with dehumidifiers w/Firearms.


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[Dan S]

Originally Posted by tekno

I have actually wondered about this before. What would a humid environment vs a very dry environment do to the Lume on some watches.

I bet a lot of watches sit in safes with dehumidifiers w/Firearms.

It's a good question. Obviously a dry environment is best for the movement and case, but it's possible that other components might benefit from some reasonable level of humidity, obviously not too high to avoid mold.

[steversaurus]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Found two on ebay for a grand each. Think I'll try a patch!

I feel you. I tried a couple of years ago to find a non white/silver date just dial. There were no cheap options. Plenty of chipped and damaged dials however!

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[RazorD]

Sorry to read this. Very odd. I have this same dual 1603. Love the color of it too.

[R.W.T.]

If you smacked it on something...it could happen. :-/

[Richard Carver]

Hey Tommy, I don't remember doing it but I can't remember breakfast. lol

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by Dan S

It's a good question. Obviously a dry environment is best for the movement and case, but it's possible that other components might benefit from some reasonable level of humidity, obviously not too high to avoid mold.

How would humidity help it’s a waterproof hermetically sealed case. It would not get inside.


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[Dan S]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

How would humidity help it’s a waterproof hermetically sealed case. It would not get inside.


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Yes, if the seal is perfect and vacuum-tight, then you're probably right.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Found two on ebay for a grand each. Think I'll try a patch!

Gotta pay to play... A grand doesn't sound unreasonable to restore this beauty.

Would love a rummage through your sock drawer.

#carverforpresident

[330ci]

DJ dials aren’t a dime a dozen like they used to be. Gives me nightmares, this happened to my black dial as well. Same place.

[Tom1675]

Sorry to hear of your loss Richard. When's the service?

Pun intended.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by Tom1675

Sorry to hear of your loss Richard. When's the service?

Pun intended.

I'm having the dancing pallbearers flown in from Ghana to march it into Rolex Dallas, I''ll try to get pics.

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

I'm having the dancing pallbearers flown in from Ghana to march it into Rolex Dallas, I''ll try to get pics.

Hahahahahahahah. Now I miss Accra, haven't been there in a long time.



PS: Lume, and sometimes paint, flake off with the passing of time. I remember a collector who once said he does not take his vintage pieces to a football game as he is afraid he might get too excited/clap too much and lume might came off!

I have seen that type of damage when the dial is removed during service.