What causes dial discolouration?

[sydneysider]

When shopping around vintage pieces I often see what appears to be dirt/discolouration on white dials (not patina). I don't feel I see this as often with Rolex however which I find kind of surprising.

Two questions:

1. What typically causes this discolouration?
2. Is there a reason I see it less often with rolex (e.g. better build quality, more liklihood of service dials being put in) or am I dreaming?

Here's an example Tudor I could find:

[themaninblack]

Dreaming!
(For our non-Australian friends it's a famous movie line here)

[crowncollection]

These watches have steel markers they were pre gold markers.


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[jedly1]

foreign contaminants , manufacture process contaminants, light exposure.....take your pick ....it'll just be a guess .

upshot ...being an old watch :-)

quite often its lube oil spread from the hud of the dial, or from the edges even.

[Vincent65]

Moisture ingress is a common culprit, too.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by sydneysider

When shopping around vintage pieces I often see what appears to be dirt/discolouration on white dials (not patina).
1. What typically causes this discolouration?

if it's an older pre-60s era Rolex, discoloration/dust can also be attributed to radium breakdown from the luminous hands/dial.

[Dr.Smellody]

Originally Posted by ref1655

if it's an older pre-60s era Rolex, discoloration/dust can also be attributed to radium breakdown from the luminous hands/dial.

Agree!

[sydneysider]

Interesting - so not always negligence. Thanks guys!