Meteorite dial rust!

[schsieh]

Today I use a 10x magnifier to enjoy the beauty of the meteorite dial on my Daytona and found it's rusted! I thought Gibeon meteorite is more stable? The watch is about 9 years old, most of the time in the safe. Anyone has meteorite dial is also rusted?

[Tools]

It's meteorite; sliced space-rock with iron and other impurities.

It's not like it can spread through the rock...

[CRM114]

Interesting. Have you had it serviced at regular intervals during the 9 years and is it currently under a service warranty? I wonder what their policy is regarding rust of iron in the dial.

The first thing I noticed was how bunged-up the minute hand looks. What's up with that, especially if it has lived mostly in a safe?

[silverbullet818]

Looking past the rust, the dial is beautiful!

I wish I could get something like that.

[schsieh]

No, it hasn't been serviced since then and the warranty has expired. I actually like the look of the hands, I think mine isn't special, it's same as other Daytonas [1, 2]

I guess I expected Rolex did better coating on the meteorite dials...

[Thatguy]

I would guess most of those dials have tiny iron flakes in them that would rust. Still looks amazing!


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[locutus49]

It is mainly iron so rust is expected. Yours is not bad at all - I would enjoy it.

[schsieh]

Originally Posted by silverbullet818

Looking past the rust, the dial is beautiful!

I wish I could get something like that.

Thanks. The dial is indeed beautiful! You will get yours one day!

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Ultimate patina Somebody someday will pay you 3x what you paid for it because of its "rusty dial"...you'll see!

[Dyim]

I am glad I don't own loupes and my eyes are aging. This will drive me crazy when I found imperfections.

[kamalrae]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's meteorite; sliced space-rock with iron and other impurities.

It's not like it can spread through the rock...

^this

Naturally occurring rocks with minerals containing Fe (which meteorites have an abundance of) may oxidize over time. Just adds a little more character!

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[Tseg]

Rustoleum?

Beautiful watch.

[kilyung]

Interesting. Never thought about this. Is there any potential of the rust breaking free and spreading in the movement? I wonder why Rolex didn't coat the dial with a sealant?

[Jack T]

None of us look better under 10x magnification.

[bdex75]

My AD gave me a gimmicky little loupe when I bought one of my Nomos watches from them. It came from Nomos. Often wondered why a watch company would want a liquor in their clients possession.

And that is not even 10x I wouldn't think


Beautiful Daytona. Enjoy it and it will probably be worth a lot more because of the rust patina.


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[WatchinMD]

Originally Posted by Jack T

None of us look better under 10x magnification.

[Manofsteelpt]

I had a tiny dot of rust on the top of the 9 o'clock sub dial on mine.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Interesting. Never thought about this. Is there any potential of the rust breaking free and spreading in the movement? I wonder why Rolex didn't coat the dial with a sealant?

I believe Rolex and others do use some type of sealant on meteorite dials to prevent oxidation/rust even though it has a higher nickel-content and less prone. That's why I was asking the OP if he'd ever had it serviced. There may be an oxidation inspection/re-sealing process as standard for this particular type of dial.

And I'll disagree with those who are saying that dial rust is desirable or will make it worth more. Rust is common with high iron-content meteorite samples and oxidation begins as soon as it's cut. The trick is to stop that process and preserve the Widmanstatten patterns of the fresh-cut look.

I'd recommend the OP take his watch in for servicing right away. Rust never sleeps.

[Jim Smyth]

I have worked with Gibeon Meteorite in many custom knives I make. The stuff will rust if you look at it wrong. Coatings also last only so long. Rust occurs when you introduce moisture and air. Have you had it pressure checked in the 9 years? May be a early sign......................

[Daytona88]

Yikes!

[AdrianKanai]

Yes it can rust... meteorites is mostly consist of iron, NOT stainless steel :)

[robbonds]

LOOOOOOOVE your dial!

[schsieh]

The watch hasn't been serviced as most of the time it's in safe and I believe no pressure test was performed. Now I think I am fine with the rust as long as it won't spread quickly. Will check the dial regularly and ask RSC to take a look when it gets serviced next time.

[Verdi]

Your watch is 9yrs old so it's due for service. Send it to RSC and see what they say about the dial.

[aayates]

Originally Posted by Tseg

Rustoleum?

Beautiful watch.

Rorustium

[HunterST]

There is an interesting article about the dial here: https://www.bobswatches.com/watch-re...meteorite-dial

[alika]

looks lovely to me

[BLACKHORSE 6]

This may be a dumb question, but what does the reverse side of the dial look like? Could it have started to rust as well? Is so, could that rust effect the movement?

[crowncollection]

Nice dial, a lot of iron in meteorite so stands to reason it may show rust.


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[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by BLACKHORSE 6

This may be a dumb question, but what does the reverse side of the dial look like? Could it have started to rust as well? Is so, could that rust effect the movement?

Isn't it laminated onto a brass disk? The dial feet need to be brazed on to a backing plate.