Swirls on dial / sapphire crystal in bright sun light

[gordotre]

I wanted to share some photos I have on my new Rolex WG GMT II 126719BLRO Blue dial. I called RSC and they viewed the photos and said there are variations on finishing but said to send it in so they can evaluate it so see if its normal. Based on the other photos in this thread and some photos I have seen outside of this thread it seems they are going to tell me its normal. What do others think on this photo I have included? I was able to find an angle to really show this and it is very exaggerated through the photo but it can be seen in some very high lighting conditions as shown.

[maxGMT]

Looks fine. Keep us posted on the evaluation of RSC.

[sjhc88]

Originally Posted by Justingtr

I guess I'm just not used to it because my first Sub C didn't have this.

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OP, did you get this issue resolved with RSC? What did they say?


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[David5807]

Originally Posted by watchmework

Are you talking about the reflection from the outside ring on the hour markers?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

[yellowsubmarin]

I've seen this on every single Rolex model I've owned, 1977 - 2018 (brand new ones). It's like smudge on the crystal that you can only see in very bright sun, or with a very bright flashlight in certain angles. Don't know if its actually scratches or just some kind of moisture smudge, I've come to peace with it haha.

Annoying when people are saying RSC without any thought, this is NOT anything that will get fixed by servicing the watch. It could very well just be "strange" light reflections caused by the crystal/white gold.

[maxGMT]

Originally Posted by yellowsubmarin

I've seen this on every single Rolex model I've owned, 1977 - 2018 (brand new ones). It's like smudge on the crystal that you can only see in very bright sun, or with a very bright flashlight in certain angles. Don't know if its actually scratches or just some kind of moisture smudge, I've come to peace with it haha.

Annoying when people are saying RSC without any thought, this is NOT anything that will get fixed by servicing the watch. It could very well just be "strange" light reflections caused by the crystal/white gold.

Agree, not a defect. It’s actually micro swirls on the dial itself that originates from the manufacturing process of the high gloss dials. At least according to RSC in the UK.

[maxGMT]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGfJH9dH...d=pgeyxtk3hosm

This further explains why there are micro swirl marks on Rolex lacquer dials. They are in fact polished as part of the final stage of the manufacturing process.

[sjhc88]

Thanks for forwarding that post. Really helpful to understand how Rolex manufacturers the gloss dials and what the dials look like in their incomplete stage.

I wonder what the purpose of the small cutouts on the edges of the dial are.


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[lopesmr]

Hello,

Just bought a Submariner No Date (124060) last month and I've also found swirls on the dial, so I googled if anyone else found the same issue and I ended up here.

I'm attaching some pictures of the watch - what do you guys think? is this something that can and should be fixed or should I just "accept" and live with this?
This is my first Rolex and, to be honest, I was (really) not expecting such thing from Rolex...

Thank you

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[sjhc88]

Of all the Rolexes I’ve owned with glossy dials, it appears to have the same swirls in sunlight at a direct angle like this. Does it have the same effect when you shine light from all angles at each side of the watch?


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[cydesai]

I see them in mine too. It is nothing but the reflection of gloss dial, coupled with antireflective coasting on the inside-side of the sapphire crystal.

Don’t sweat it, this is not a QC issue.

[cemil]

Just bring it to the dealer.

[Alan111]

I'm willing to bet that these swirls are either on the crystal, or a reflection/refraction or light projecting onto the dial. The swirls are likely not on the actual dial.

[16610Swiss]

My guess would be they took the watch apart to polish the watch and get it ready to sell. Cleaned the dial from dust and caused it to leave swirl marks, equals unprofessional jeweler...

[lopesmr]

Originally Posted by sjhc88

Of all the Rolexes I’ve owned with glossy dials, it appears to have the same swirls in sunlight at a direct angle like this. Does it have the same effect when you shine light from all angles at each side of the watch?


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You really need to angle the watch to see the swirls. You can't see them looking perpendicularly at the dial.
But, in certain angles, they are pretty visible in sunlight.

[lopesmr]

Originally Posted by cydesai

I see them in mine too. It is nothing but the reflection of gloss dial, coupled with antireflective coasting on the inside-side of the sapphire crystal.

Don’t sweat it, this is not a QC issue.

I'm pretty sure that these swirls are not any kind of reflection. I can distinguish the reflections of the markers, hands, text, etc. These are embeded on the dial. I'm 99,99% sure of that.

[lopesmr]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

My guess would be they took the watch apart to polish the watch and get it ready to sell. Cleaned the dial from dust and caused it to leave swirl marks, equals unprofessional jeweler...

You mean, the AD? Scratched the sapphire on the outside?
The watch is brand-new (sold at a Rolex Prestige Boutique) and I know the guys there... It seems odd to me they scratched the watch prior to deliver.

I must confess that I got quite "upset" and frustrated to find this kind of issues in a Rolex. However, from what I already saw in this post, it seems that there are other cases like mine - I don't think it can be anything else scratched, but the dial.

[lopesmr]

Originally Posted by gordotre

I wanted to share some photos I have on my new Rolex WG GMT II 126719BLRO Blue dial. I called RSC and they viewed the photos and said there are variations on finishing but said to send it in so they can evaluate it so see if its normal. Based on the other photos in this thread and some photos I have seen outside of this thread it seems they are going to tell me its normal. What do others think on this photo I have included? I was able to find an angle to really show this and it is very exaggerated through the photo but it can be seen in some very high lighting conditions as shown.

My watch is in the very same condition as this one from gordotre.
Is it just me that find unacceptable to have this on an almost 8k€ timepiece? Even worse... in a 37k€ GMT?

[sjhc88]

Originally Posted by lopesmr

My watch is in the very same condition as this one from gordotre.
Is it just me that find unacceptable to have this on an almost 8k€ timepiece? Even worse... in a 37k€ GMT?

I just picked up a 124060 over the weekend from my AD. I noticed that the dial has the same dial marks as yours. I have it on my 116710BLNR as well but not as pronounced. With my BLNR, you really have to go looking for it. With my new sub, it’s definitely there even under normal recessed lighting in my house.

Does it bother me? Well I definitely find it annoying on a watch this expensive. As I mentioned before and others have posted, it’s a common thing on lacquered dial Rolexes. Try not to let it bother you and enjoy your beautiful watch. I’ll try to listen to my own advice too.


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[ndane]

Ha this forum really covers everything! Just had to post since I was curious about the same thing I was seeing recently. Googled and sure enough this thread was the first result!

[tifosi]

It's just reflections. All glossy dial Subs I have ever owned did this.

[Dinami7]

Hello guys I hope you are all well . I’m a little bit late to the party but I’ve started being obsessed after I’ve noticed a weird kind of scratch that I’m pretty sure is on the dial . I own the watch couple of months and last month I’ve decided to take for service to a reputable high end watch maker in my country. The past few days I’ve noticed under sunlight and at specific angles a kind of abstract mark on my dial . I became ocd and start looking with magnification cameras etc . It looks is dial and not crystal . I decided to take it back to the service center . They inspected it and they called me to see on my own under microscope the dial . And in microscope the dial was perfect no flows . So I took it back thinking I’m getting crazy as I’m the only I can see it . Still there under LED light or sunlight and at an angle is there big and strong in my eyes . Any ideas please cause I’m loosing it lol. Mark is this little F under explorer letters