16520 and 16523 Black Dials - Glossy or Matte?

[Watchman001]

Are 16520 and 16523 black dials glossy or matte? Many pictures and videos I see with good natural lighting make them seem more matte, but I always though they were glossy.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

The black dial 16520/23 is more matte in certain lighting. The white dial is glossy.

[Watchman001]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

The black dial 16520/23 is more matte in certain lighting. The white dial is glossy.

Thanks for confirming!

[1665fan]

16520 may have started glossy but 30 plus years later are matte in finish…..especially the original tritium dials

[springer]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

16520 may have started glossy but 30 plus years later are matte in finish…..especially the original tritium dials

The black luminova dials seem to retain more of their glossy finish than the previous generation of tritium dials.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

16520 may have started glossy but 30 plus years later are matte in finish…..especially the original tritium dials

This. The matte look is from aging and can vary from watch to watch.

The dial on my T-serial 16520 is pretty much matte at this point.

[Deppe]

Originally Posted by swish77

This. The matte look is from aging and can vary from watch to watch.

The dial on my T-serial 16520 is pretty much matte at this point.

The 16520 is such a good looking watch, and I love the more “cream” color of the subdials on the black version, instead of the silver on the following models! Also, while I would not kick a luminova model out of bed, the old tritium dials are just really cool!

[Watchman001]

Great info and pic! I’m enjoying the hunt right now, trying to decide what to go for.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

I've long suspected this effect is due to UV aging. Every black dial 16520/23 i've come across has a matte-finish in certain lighting.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

I've long suspected this effect is due to UV aging. Every black dial 16520/23 i've come across has a matte-finish in certain lighting.

Yup. Happens to many of the '80s-'90s gloss dials, and not just the Daytonas.

My 168000 is going matte too.