Rolex Black Confetti Dials

[gm58]

Hi all tried to look for more information on these matte black dials, sometimes called Confetti?

Does anyone know whether confetti is a defect on the black paint or is it actually made different to a normal black matte dial?

thanks!

[/16610]

I haven’t heard the term ‘confetti’, but it must be the same thing as a ‘spider’ dial.

It’s a form of ageing that was caused by defective lacquer applied to the early gloss dials in the 1980s. I don’t think it affected every single watch, and I’ve only seen it on GMTs/Subs/Explorer IIs. Rolex never intended to happen.

I don’t think the white Explorer IIs (16550) of that era exhibit it; but they have a particular form of ageing, where they go from the original white to a cream colour (referred to as ‘Panna dials’).

[gm58]

Its more like a black matte dial but you can see specks of red, blue etc.

I found a photo from HQ Milton which you can see here (need to do a close up in order to see the different colors)

[offrdmania]

Its a term given to the dial by a retailer for the purpose of marketing, usually when trying to sell a watch with a damaged dial like the "spider" dials. Market it into something special to cover up the fact that the dial has a defect.

[lupus66]

Its a typical early 70s dial that is a bit more expensive

[/16610]

I was completely wrong then! :)

I wonder if you’d be able to see that without a lens/loupe?

[gm58]

From what I hear, black matte is different to confetti dial (also black matte). Seems like confetti dial only can be seen under loupe and apparently if side by side , the confetti dial should look blacker vs the normal matte.

Was seeing if anyone have more information. Apparently was just different dial paint and not defect

[Pocosso]

Interesting

[gm58]

Just a further update after some research!

Confetti is not actually a defect but it is just a different paint to the normal matte black one. It was quite popular in the 70s to have such a paint (other brands apparently used it too) with red, blue, green specks to make it a bit more special.

It is hard to tell the difference between a "normal" matte black and a black confetti dial because generally you will need to see it up close via loupe. If you compare side by side, the confetti dial will look more black vs the normal matte black version (a bit more grey).

Not sure which is more rare but seems like confetti is? But hard to tell just from pics if not under magnification.

I found a pic illustrating the difference on IG from @marcocfl

[harry in montreal]

Pretty cool actually. Thanks for the explanation, until now I too just assumed it was an attempt to pass of a crap dial under a funky moniker.

[carwashchris]

Originally Posted by gm58

Just a further update after some research!

Confetti is not actually a defect but it is just a different paint to the normal matte black one. It was quite popular in the 70s to have such a paint (other brands apparently used it too) with red, blue, green specks to make it a bit more special.

It is hard to tell the difference between a "normal" matte black and a black confetti dial because generally you will need to see it up close via loupe. If you compare side by side, the confetti dial will look more black vs the normal matte black version (a bit more grey).

Not sure which is more rare but seems like confetti is? But hard to tell just from pics if not under magnification.

I found a pic illustrating the difference on IG from @marcocfl

Thanks for the research, interesting.

[gindustries]

black dials are rare and confetti dial is more rare haha .

there are also brown ones..

can google to find more pictures

cheers

[mineral]

Originally Posted by gindustries

black dials are rare and confetti dial is more rare haha .

there are also brown ones..

can google to find more pictures

cheers

And there are blue confetti dial too especially on early Tudor snowflake :)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[gm58]

Amazing, could be a nice collection, black brown blue confetti dials!

[gm58]

found a great video by the guys at C&T that mentions all the different types of confetti dials like the black matte, oxblood and the tudor blue confetti

Basically not a defect but a rare dial so not many people know

here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRMCkjUE2Wo