Marketing a damaged GMT Master dial?

[RFC]

Reputable seller describes this GMT Master dial as excellent with a pattern of speckling patina across the surface. It’s speckling all right. But I’m not sure a dial like this can be called excellent or even with patina. It looks damaged to me from bubbles caused by heat or deterioration in compounds or materials as they age. Maybe I’m just missing that, for a 5513 for instance, calling a brown dial tropical that was black when new or spider dials are just a way to market a sale of a damaged dial. There are no industry standards so anything goes so it’s up to the buyer. It’s not happening that damaged dials like this one get discounted in price.

[1675-David]

I hear Jacek speaking…

[1665fan]

Happens every day w jacek and countless others…..buyer beware and if you don’t know what your looking at best to find another hobby

[brandrea]

Damaged dials are perception and reality. Tropical, spider, patina … it’s all the same to a certain degree. The dials are aged and some would say damaged. Others love these character tells and pay handsomely for them.IMHO

[Tools]

Yes, they are all damaged or deteriorating, from Creams to Spiders and everything in between.

However, there is a demand for these "odd" damaged dials. Go figure

[Dan S]

As usual, everything is excellent these days.

[dhknola]

One of my sources of entertainment is watching watch dealers turn sour grapes to fine wine with their descriptions.
I don't want to knock these dealers, they get some excellent watches, but what was a 'damaged dial' ten years ago (and thus a cheaper alternative to a normal dial) is now 'mars dust' or a new one I like is 'Lizard King' featured on a Craft and Tailored 18038, which comes with a 15k premium to a normal counterpart. With that said, I think the "Lizard King" dial looks very cool, I just wouldn't pay a mega premium or any real premium other than nominal for it.

[KY..]

Always heard one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Character matters in sooooo many ways and certain watches just happen to have a look that’s advantageous to desirability and marketability.

[sski]

i equate the dial patina/cracks/tropical/spider etc. to moldy cheese that's highly valued by connoisseurs; not for me, but this is a nuanced issue.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by sski

i equate the dial patina/cracks/tropical/spider etc. to moldy cheese that's highly valued by connoisseurs; not for me, but this is a nuanced issue.

I equate it to The Emperor’s New Clothes. If any single person bought one of these watches new, and it was delivered to them looking like the one at the top of this thread, it would be sent back immediately.
But, forty years later, when these once gorgeous pieces are now damaged and blemished, rather than lose money, enough “reputable” dealers concoct these fetching names and convince the easily-influenced watch-buying public that this stardust/spidered/desert dust/moonscape dial is a thing of beauty. Hodinkee backs it up. And here we are.

[Filipão]

One good friend and Rolex fellow lover/connoisseur has established a goal I'd wish to be able to accomplish too, although a somewhat utopic wish...

"Read, learn, study, assimilate as much knowledge possible to never depend on the so called trusted dealers".

Wishful thinking, yes, but the bottom line is there is no way I'd trust any trusted dealer.

[tekno]

Agree 100%, you need to know what your buying no matter what type of collectible it is. I would skip any of the gloss dial stuff anyway personally. It just isn’t near as attractive as a matte dial watch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[77T]

Seller: Dial has character.

Buyer: What’s character?

TRF Pundit: Just because you are a character does not mean you have character.*

* Winston Wolfe, Cleaner.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[TuRo]

Caveat Emptor always of course.... though this is Uber high magnification and I suspect on the wrist imperceptibly noticeable.
All about the price and as watches get older the acceptance will be heightened by time/rarity ....eg if this was say a late 50s 6536/6538/5510/5508 dial we'd not flinch at a bit of deterioration !

[Crown & Shield]

Originally Posted by Filipão

One good friend and Rolex fellow lover/connoisseur has established a goal I'd wish to be able to accomplish too, although a somewhat utopic wish...

"Read, learn, study, assimilate as much knowledge possible to never depend on the so called trusted dealers".

Wishful thinking, yes, but the bottom line is there is no way I'd trust any trusted dealer.

[watchlovr]

What’s the big deal?
You don’t like it, don’t buy it.
Simples.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by watchlovr

What’s the big deal?
You don’t like it, don’t buy it.
Simples.

The deal is that if you are looking for a vintage watch and because you may have lack of knowledge are going to a reputable dealer willing to pay top dollar for a nice watch you expect a truthful description.

[1watch]

Originally Posted by tekno

Agree 100%, you need to know what your buying no matter what type of collectible it is. I would skip any of the gloss dial stuff anyway personally. It just isn’t near as attractive as a matte dial watch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Really?!? A well preserved gilt dial has a visual appeal no matte dial can match. That’s also why they go for a premium.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk