This is what happens to spider dials..

[16610Swiss]

They eventually start flaking off

[dhknola]

Thanks for posting. I have always liked looking at a 'spider dials' but have never thought of actually purchasing one because I have heard from older collectors they wind up like the posted photo, which if I was a watch dealer tasked with selling the above would call it 'Shantung Earthquake Dial'.

[antrolexsub]

They’re all fit for the bin in my opinion.

[snakeeyes]

I always thought spider dials were simply damaged dials

[antrolexsub]

Originally Posted by dhknola

which if I was a watch dealer tasked with selling the above would call it 'Shantung Earthquake Dial'.

Originally Posted by snakeeyes

I always thought spider dials were simply damaged dials

That’s exactly what they are.

[Wahlberg]

Looks cool to be honest. Are there more pictures?

Is the pattern visible underneath the black, on the metal?

[16610Swiss]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Looks cool to be honest. Are there more pictures?

Is the pattern visible underneath the black, on the metal?

Someone on ebay selling if you want to see pics...


https://www.ebay.com/itm/26533098471...67f0%7Ciid%3A1

[1665fan]

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

[Dr.Smellody]

Perfect example of why RSCs replace dials before they cause more problems.

[Passinthru]

And this is what happens to some spider cars ….. they eventually go up in value ….. if they are not flaky.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...46-dino-gts-3/

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by Passinthru

And this is what happens to some spider cars ….. they eventually go up in value ….. if they are not flaky.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...46-dino-gts-3/

lol. Good one

[dbhak22]

So if that is the natural evolution of the 'spider dials', looks like the next name/phase of these is the 'color by numbers dial' and will continue to fetch a premium, :)

[steversaurus]

I was thinking more ticker tape parade.

[Old Expat Beast]

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

[Rebel]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

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

Good one.

[winst]

Not sure it’s real - is it a flake dial?

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

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

Outstanding pun.

[Dr.Smellody]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

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

[snakeeyes]

Well luckily for all 'spider dial' owners, the dials for most of these pieces wont be too expensive to replace, right?

[Subspecies]

Surely this thread will put an end to the 'craze' for spider dials.

[shawnmarz]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

They eventually start flaking off

this triggered my trypophobia or whatevr

[Woody]

Originally Posted by snakeeyes

Well luckily for all 'spider dial' owners, the dials for most of these pieces wont be too expensive to replace, right?

If you go via the RSC then you are likely looking at £1000 bill (including a service with your new dial)......but the real impact will be on the "value" of the watch as it will no longer be "original". Not an issue for me (I prefer watches that look good and can fulfil the function for witch they were originally designed and manufactured) but if you have just spent a considerable amount on purchasing a "collector quality" spider dial then your "investment" is going to tank at least 50%.....maybe more

[Mk2rick]

oh gosh, thanks for this pic OP!

[Dan S]

Obviously spider dials are damaged and I know they are not favored on this forum, but I don't think it is terribly common to see this type of massive degradation. I suspect that something extreme happened to this dial (perhaps deliberately). For example, the glossy finish appears to be completely gone, which I have not typically seen on 1980s dials.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Obviously spider dials are damaged and I know they are not favored on this forum, but I don't think it is terribly common to see this type of massive degradation. I suspect that something extreme happened to this dial (perhaps deliberately). For example, the glossy finish appears to be completely gone, which I have not typically seen on 1980s dials.

Yes…..like an oven….I’ve had 3 spider dials and I like them….none garbage like that one

[Oyster Perp]

Spider dials remain somewhat 'sought after' and I think the one here is an extreme example. Nevertheless, its a warning to those that place a 'premium' on dials with this fault.A bit of that flakes off and stops the hands then........

[16610Swiss]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Obviously spider dials are damaged and I know they are not favored on this forum, but I don't think it is terribly common to see this type of massive degradation. I suspect that something extreme happened to this dial (perhaps deliberately). For example, the glossy finish appears to be completely gone, which I have not typically seen on 1980s dials.

You know that spider dials are mostly on reference 16800 and 168000 and they also turned matte in the process over the years, not all stayed glossy...

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

You know that spider dials are mostly on reference 16800 and 168000 and they also turned matte in the process over the years, not all stayed glossy...

I would think Dan knows of what he speaks. And I’m inclined to agree with him here. The dial in questions looks to have been either deliberately or accidentally subjected to some extreme outside forces (like an oven). The “This is what happens to Spider Dials” posit, is a lot of hyperbole. How many have you see naturally wind up in this condition?

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

You know that spider dials are mostly on reference 16800 and 168000

Also frequently on WGS 5513 dials IIRC.

[springer]

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