Spider webbing on a Rolex Dial?

[Bisquitlips]

So, with my question about Rail Dials answered, (thanks guys), why is it that I see some Rolex dials cracking or spider webbing? My understanding is that this had to do with some sort of mixture issue.

Is this something that is truly desirable? I have read several places where collectors really seem to like this effect. I also have to admit that I like it when I see a dial that has the uniform cracking around the indices.

Original Photo posted by Snapster.

[buz-lh]

From what I've been able to learn the early gloss dials in the transitional references, 16750, 16760, 16800 and 168000 and maybe others had defective paint mixtures which causes this spider webbing. Some, like my 168000 have actually lost some of their gloss and are becoming or have become matt. Mike doesn't like them but others do.

[Bisquitlips]

Thanks Buz!

By the way, which Mike?

[WatchSmith]

In ceramics it's called 'crazing' and is a result of temperature changes which cause the thin layer of glaze to fracture. Not sure if it's the same with Rolex, but it does look similar.

[gmt 16750]

Hi Rich - I agree with Buz in that it's mostly the transitionals that seem to 'spider-web'......not a huge fan at all tbh though.

[buz-lh]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Thanks Buz!

By the way, which Mike?

THE Mike. The king of vintage here.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Thanks Buz!

By the way, which Mike?

Our Mike. Mike the nice guy Mike the mod

[abr68]

See my post Yesterday.
You´ll find a lot of different dials with that effect

[GeoGio Greece]

May I ask please ?

This is a non "date" dial, I think under an acrylic crystal and it has WG consealed hour markers. Is this possible ? I had many GMT's in my era, since 1971 ( and still have one ) and the WG hours if I remember well were introduced AFTER the sapphire crystal. Am I wrong ?

[greekbum]

I have had dozens of these dials and watches over the years.I dont find them desirable.Might they be collectable in the future?Maybe if someone writes an article or 2.From my own research over many years the spider cracking was only for watches with serials 82xx-83xx.Rolex quickly fixed this issue and changed out these dials during services.I have had them in 5512,5513,16750 subs and even an explorer 2 off white yellow dialed version.

[gmt 16750]

Originally Posted by GeoGio Greece

May I ask please ?

This is a non "date" dial, I think under an acrylic crystal and it has WG consealed hour markers. Is this possible ? I had many GMT's in my era, since 1971 ( and still have one ) and the WG hours if I remember well were introduced AFTER the sapphire crystal. Am I wrong ?

Hi George, basically - the only GMT that came with an acrylic crystal and the WG markers was the 2nd version GMT 16750........this WG dial either came marked 'oyster perpetual' (early) or 'oyster perpetual date' (later). :)

- Neil.

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by gmt 16750

Hi George, basically - the only GMT that came with an acrylic crystal and the WG markers was the 2nd version GMT 16750........this WG dial either came marked 'oyster perpetual' (early) or 'oyster perpetual date' (later). :)

- Neil.

1st batch of 16750 wg dials had no date on dial 2nd batch 1985 had date,In the years to come these will be harder to find as they where only produced for 1 year and many are switched out during service.The key is to find 1 that hasnt spider cracked from this series.

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by gmt 16750

Hi George, basically - the only GMT that came with an acrylic crystal and the WG markers was the 2nd version GMT 16750........this WG dial either came marked 'oyster perpetual' (early) or 'oyster perpetual date' (later). :)

- Neil.

Thank you Neil

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by greekbum

1st batch of 16750 wg dials had no date on dial 2nd batch 1985 had date,In the years to come these will be harder to find as they where only produced for 1 year and many are switched out during service.The key is to find 1 that hasnt spider cracked from this series.

I have a similar watch, which I bought in 1984-5, and given to a friend of mine back in 1986 as I was wearing then a Sub and a DJ and the GMT was collecting dust.

My friend died 2 years ago, and I am trying to get the watch from his widow since then, but she keeps saying she wants to keep it "in his memory".

I do not remember if the dial was with or without DATE but this one for sure had no WG hours.

[mike]

I'm late to this one.

As stated, I'm not a big fan of crazed dials.

As Rolex moved from the matt dial era the gloss/WG surround varity there were those dials (not all) that experienced a flaw in the paint mixture leading to what we commonly refer to as "spiderwebbing" or crazing.

Collectors generally fall into two camps.

Those that view crazed dials as a desirable feature in some cases demanding a premium, and those that see them for what they are--faulty dials. I tend to fall into the later camp.

I'm aware of dial so spiderwebbed that a small piece of the paint fell off.

Interestingly, another reference with a "flawed" dial is considered quite desirable that being the Explorer II with the so called "cream dial".

Many feel this again was a flaw in the paint matrix that led to a white dial turning a "cream" color.

I like these. The difference being an evenness throughout the dial with no cracking. The dial is completely servicable and stable (save of course any luminosity).

Pricing for these watches also reflects the desirability within the vintage community.

Interestingly, here again was a watch that as new information has come to light and known examples have been verified the reference has two main differences--a rail dial configuration and a latter version that is not.

While some feel only the rail is the true cream, others give the non-rail it's due.

NOT MY PHOTO!!




How's that for going completely off topic.

[Bisquitlips]

Superb information on this!! I appreciate the time!!

[onkyo]

That Exp II cream dial is fantastic.... been looking for one for a while.

I wish that one was yours Mike.

[limyw]

can I ask if its possible for datejust to have the spidery dial? I have an 1988 series 16013 men's champagne dial which has spidery effects. at first I thought it was a tapestry dial, but after reading thro this and some research, I found out that tapestry dial are vertical lines whereas my dial had lines across horizontally the face.

I really like this effect, but would like to find out more about this. can anyone provide some insight?

[limyw]

Originally Posted by limyw

can I ask if its possible for datejust to have the spidery dial? I have an 1988 series 16013 men's champagne dial which has spidery effects. at first I thought it was a tapestry dial, but after reading thro this and some research, I found out that tapestry dial are vertical lines whereas my dial had lines across horizontally the face.

I really like this effect, but would like to find out more about this. can anyone provide some insight?

some pics to try to show this effect

[Tools]

Originally Posted by limyw

some pics to try to show this effect

You do not have a spider dial.. Your dial is an older production dial that I believe was called "Champagne Weave", as in a basket weave look..

Spider dials are actual cracking of the enamel paint in a non-specific pattern..

[limyw]

tks for the clarification!!

[greekbum]

Linen dial

[Tools]

Originally Posted by greekbum

Linen dial

There we go... "Champagne Linen" the old grey cells were struggling.....

[sgt1255]

I like that cream dial Explorer. The spider I can take it or leave it buy cream is nice.

Good Day
Ken

[Tony G]

Nice info on Spider Web Dials.