Is Spider Webbing something good?

[Nicko]

Is it something that is sought after or is it just a fancy way to describe a dial that has been ruined over time? Thanks.

[DRAWTOOL]

If you're refering to actual cracks, I'd say the latter!
If you mean actual webs, I say a good cleaning is in order.

[Tools]

There is a particular vintage dial that escapes my memory now that is known to "spider"..

Perhaps one of our vintage guys can chime in with the information........

[sexner]

Yes, Steve, I concur with Mike.

Spiderwebbing is micro-cracks in the paint on the dial that has become extremely dry and, has shrunk.

Not a good thing. Not at all the kind of patina you are seeking which refers more to the luminous material in the hour markers and a slight fading of the dial colour.

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by Nicko

Is it something that is sought after or is it just a fancy way to describe a dial that has been ruined over time? Thanks.

None of the aging of Rolexes are really good... deterioration of dials, and hands, makes them more fragile, and from a functional perspective they should be replaced with newer parts.

"Sought after" is something different, and this is what drives the collectors community. In many cases "sought after" equals "scarcity", like spider webbing on dials (which in my book is just another way to sell something that is not that good) or discoloured dials and hands "patina".

But ... I like it ;-) I especially like the look of a well used Rolex, never touched on the exterior, but well maintained when it comes to the caliber and gaskets.

So, spider webbing is not good, but it is sought after.

(and this is obviously my opinion - not facts)

Best,

A

[sexner]

Originally Posted by DRAWTOOL

If you're refering to actual cracks, I'd say the latter!
If you mean actual webs, I say a good cleaning is in order.

If you mean actual webs, I say a good cleaning is in order



Once again - you're killing me Mike!!!!

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Nicko

Is it something that is sought after or is it just a fancy way to describe a dial that has been ruined over time? Thanks.

Just put a current Sub in the microwave and you got one.



I will say it's a fancy way to describe a dial, there are a lot of similar thing when it comes to Rolex.

[greekbum]

The 1st batch of WG dials in the transitionals 1983-84 spider cracked due to a flaw in the paint.

[Nicko]

OK, got it I think....A flaw that now has become something that is rare and hence collectible. Kinda like the "Inverted Jenny".

[deserted]

Well i guess i better start buying spare parts, this is getting as worse as my cars...LOL.

[DRAWTOOL]

Originally Posted by Nicko

OK, got it I think....A flaw that now has become something that is rare and hence collectible. Kinda like the "Inverted Jenny".

I don't think so, white dials turning cream color are upside down Jennys, sort of, spidering of the paint is at best, fixable. That's what I think anyway.

[mike]

I know some collectors tout them as desirable. To me it is what it is....a flaw in the paint. The watch could never be serviced by Rolex. I tend to view a spidered dial differently than one whose paint has turned evenly without cracking.

As stated, Rolex had a problem in the mid 80s with some paint mixtures when the change to gloss WG dials came out.

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by mike

I know some collectors tout them as desirable.

They are trying to sell them for more $$$$$$ I have had about 15 or so 16750 and 5513 of this variation and there wasn't anything desirable to me about the dials. I will say if you have a 16750 wg without the word date and its not cracked its a somewhat rare dial.This diesnt mean its worth crazy money just that its rare.You dont see many of these so called spider dials because Rolex changed them out at service.

[mike]

Originally Posted by greekbum

They are trying to sell them for more $$$$$$ I have had about 15 or so 16750 and 5513 of this variation and there wasn't anything desirable to me about the dials. I will say if you have a 16750 wg without the word date and its not cracked its a somewhat rare dial.This diesnt mean its worth crazy money just that its rare.You dont see many of these so called spider dials because Rolex changed them out at service.

LOL! Amen to that.

[springer]

You'll find the "spider dials" on the GMT's, Sub's and probably some other models from the 1980's that had the glossy black dials. It was a paint defect, probably due to the paint being to thick which the weather, moisture and who-knows-what-else caused the paint to crack or check - hence "spider checking." This is not unlike the "spider effect" you would find on most of the lacquer paint jobs found on cars back in the 1960's and 1970's which were also prone to cracking.

Spider dials, as others have noted, aren't considered desirable by most collectors.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Nicko

Is it something that is sought after or is it just a fancy way to describe a dial that has been ruined over time? Thanks.

Well my spider is looking for a web on this Daytona,but have to agree with mike just a 1980 paint pigment problem .

[Lol-x]

Hahahaha good one Peter, I just trashed my screen.

The spider web/crazed dials are not something that I really find attractive........just my humble personal opinion.

However, I'm very happy for those who appreciate them, because if we all appreciated the same thing/s then we would make things very difficult and expensive for ourselves

[Andad]

Humble?.... HUMBLE?

[dieseldragon]

If the dial has cracking etc.. does that not represent that the watch is original?

The fact that Rolex used materials that caused this defect, should make them rare as others have said. They are how they left the factory, so I think they should be left as is.

I not saying I like them, or they are more valuable, but I do think its a point of interest that the watch is original, with a factory defect.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by DRAWTOOL

If you're refering to actual cracks, I'd say the latter!
If you mean actual webs, I say a good cleaning is in order.

[springer]

Originally Posted by dieseldragon

If the dial has cracking etc.. does that not represent that the watch is original?

The fact that Rolex used materials that caused this defect, should make them rare as others have said. They are how they left the factory, so I think they should be left as is.

I not saying I like them, or they are more valuable, but I do think its a point of interest that the watch is original, with a factory defect.

Correct Spain, but the defect happened many years after it left the factory. Original dials were not cracked, so personally, I prefer o find an original dial that has not cracked. Also, that cracking was a minority of the dials, a very small minority.