This is what happens to spider dials..

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by springer

spider dials are also found on the GMT 16750s. Any other ones???????????

I’ve owned a 16660 and there’s a 5513 on the sales corner right now that is spider….that is of course a 16800 dial

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

They eventually start flaking off

What a POS.

[GPunto]

looks great. you could always have the dial clear coated over to prevent any further flaking.
if you did not want to do it yourself a auto paint shop would do it for you.

[west8720]

In an Oven for 2hrs @ 450 degrees…..

[steversaurus]

Originally Posted by west8720

In an Oven for 2hrs @ 450 degrees…..

That method usually works better with the pie pan dials

[bkingco]

This is my 5512 dial. The lines are very fine and there isn’t any flaking at this point.

[snakeeyes]

If I owned a spider I would just hunt around for a replacement.Next service, have it popped into the watch.

[Ddaywatch]

Can someone explain the origin of spider dials? Not sure what the appeal is.


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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Ddaywatch

Can someone explain the origin of spider dials? Not sure what the appeal is.


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It was a fault with the first series of glossy dials with white gold indices on some sports models in the early-mid 1980s. Rolex would replace them free of charge if requested at that time. Some people liked, or didn't mind, the look, so kept them, and dealers have tended to describe them in such enticing terms that they gradually became more acceptable, then desirable to a minority. Back in the days when I visited vintage Rolex shops regularly in Hong Kong, Spider Dial watches were always priced about 20% lower than their undamaged counterparts. I bought a 5513 and got a service dial and hands installed with an overhaul at the RSC.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I bought a 5513 and got a service dial and hands installed with an overhaul at the RSC.

Yes that is the right plan IMHO. Very nice Sub there

The mutant spiders will run their course in time - but a clean example is timeless.


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[Old Expat Beast]

Thanks Paul

[Ddaywatch]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It was a fault with the first series of glossy dials with white gold indices on some sports models in the early-mid 1980s. Rolex would replace them free of charge if requested at that time. Some people liked, or didn't mind, the look, so kept them, and dealers have tended to describe them in such enticing terms that they gradually became more acceptable, then desirable to a minority. Back in the days when I visited vintage Rolex shops regularly in Hong Kong, Spider Dial watches were always priced about 20% lower than their undamaged counterparts. I bought a 5513 and got a service dial and hands installed with an overhaul at the RSC.

Perfect explanation. Thank you for helping me connect the dots!


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[Model12]

Could this dial be "clear coated" in some way to stabilize it? It's the watch equivalent of a 32 Ford rat rod.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Ddaywatch

Perfect explanation. Thank you for helping me connect the dots!


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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Model12

Could this dial be "clear coated" in some way to stabilize it? It's the watch equivalent of a 32 Ford rat rod.

Could be, but that would probably make it "redone" or non-original or whatever in the eyes of collectors, so would devalue the watch. Might as well get a service dial in that case, unless you really like the look of the Spider.

[snakeeyes]

Such a shame, do all dials made during this era eventually end up like this or is it based on environmental conditions?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by snakeeyes

Such a shame, do all dials made during this era eventually end up like this or is it based on environmental conditions?

Certainly not all. Not even the majority portion. But, enough that a trend exists and with the phrase “spider dials” bandied about by forums and dealers, it’s talked of more than seen. Definitely a reality, but more a larger reputation.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Could be, but that would probably make it "redone" or non-original or whatever in the eyes of collectors, so would devalue the watch. Might as well get a service dial in that case, unless you really like the look of the Spider.

I doubt they would notice.

[springer]

A heavily damaged glossy dial from a 5513 Submariner gilt dial.

[springer]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

That looks like a spider dial met an oven at 385 degrees lol

If that dial was oven-baked the writing would no longer be white, instead it would have turned brown.

[jedione65]

Yuck! The reason I’ve stayed away from these damaged dials.

[Dom9]

I like them! Sounds like I am in the minority though!

[winst]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I guess they're not all they're cracked up to be.

It must be a craze!

[west8720]

I don’t think the damage to this dial was organic. This was damage on purpose, oven, rock tumbler etc…Did not occur inside a case with regular use. IMO.

[Steele]

She’s a 5513 and has nice spider webbing

I love the flaws in the history most of all about Rolex, those things that tell the story and remind us that sometimes Shit happens and life sucks and when you mess up you pick your self up and just do it again and #win like Rolex did.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by springer

spider dials are also found on the GMT 16750s. Any other ones???????????

16660 also

[west8720]

Not true… dial will spider crack, but not disintegrate… the pics of wrecked dials are not organic. But destroyed by other means.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

They eventually start flaking off

I would take information with a pinch of salt. The image shows damaged caused by other means and the statement, well nobody really knows yet.