How does Spidering Happen On Dial?

[Rolexlover92]

Hey Everyone!! I’ve been seeing this more often when looking at Vintage Rolex’s and was wondering if anyone knows how Spider cracking happens on the dials? Thanks!

[77T]

For a brief period one of the dial makers that served Rolex had paint that wasn’t mixed up to par. The paint was too rigid once dry and could not expand and contract with the metal dial plate. Rolex had many of these dials replies when customers complained.

The paint problem was fixed fairly quickly (I suspect a better flexible formula) and that’s the end of spiders on dials...


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[Hub6152]

Rolex switched from matte dials to glossy dials and early batches had a faulty lacquer coating which cracked leading to the term “spider dial”. The composition of the lacquer was then changed to prevent it happening. Other references such as a 16550 also had faulty coatings that turned from white to a vanilla yellow colour.

[BigBlue1]

Cool info. I didn’t know. Thanks for the info.

[Vlad]

+1 Just like the floating Daytona or the cream explorer, spider dials are correct for a very specific year. Some people love them, some don't - but to me, they are a 'must' in any collection as a representation of early gloss sports models

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

Rolex switched from matte dials to glossy dials and early batches had a faulty lacquer coating which cracked leading to the term “spider dial”. The composition of the lacquer was then changed to prevent it happening. Other references such as a 16550 also had faulty coatings that turned from white to a vanilla yellow colour.

+1

I have read this same analysis from multiple sources...kinda makes sense too!

[toxicavenger]

Shit job.

[seattleal]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

Rolex switched from matte dials to glossy dials and early batches had a faulty lacquer coating which cracked ...

Are you talking about the switch in the late 70's, early 80's?

What about the 'spidering" that occurs in early 60's 5512's and 1675's, like this one from '61?--

[Hub6152]

Originally Posted by seattleal

Are you talking about the switch in the late 70's, early 80's?

What about the 'spidering" that occurs in early 60's 5512's and 1675's, like this one from '61?--

Yes I’m referring to the switch to the so called Bicciarini type dials with white gold raised markers and hands in the final years of the 4 digit references. I didn’t know the early gilt dials suffered similar fates, although is it possibly that their age has contributed to them cracking? My understanding with the later dials is that this fault was recognised very quickly that the formula for the coatings was changed so it only affected specific production years.

[tekno]

Paint issue, not uncommon to various other types of finishes. Sometimes it surface prep, others it’s the type of paint being used - faulty paint - bad mix, maybe there is a hardener being used and if too much - it causes paint to shrink and crack.

The issues usually don’t pop up immediately, well ones like this. Some do due to poor surface prep.

Is it cracks or wrinkles? Do you have any macro pictures?


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[Andad]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

Shit job.

A classy professional description?

[seattleal]

Originally Posted by tekno

Is it cracks or wrinkles? Do you have any macro pictures?

I don't have macros - it is difficult to photograph because the cracking is only seen when the watch is at an angle.

What is the importance of the distinction between cracks or wrinkles. In this case the dial appears to me to be smooth but craised, or cracked, but still with high gloss and very reflective.

[mikester]

So do the spider dials typically command higher prices?

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by directioneng

A classy professional description?

Just the truth.

[springer]

Originally Posted by mikester

So do the spider dials typically command higher prices?

Do they command higher prices - no.

Now, if you are a "slick" seller, you might try and hype the damaged cracked spider watches as something coveted by collectors to move your damaged merchandise but most savvy collectors are on to these sales gimmick tactics.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by directioneng

A classy professional description?

I was a classy professional job.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

It was a classy professional job.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

Just the truth.

Exactly.

Emperor’s New Clothes.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Exactly.

Emperor’s New Clothes.

[Jakku]

Originally Posted by mikester

So do the spider dials typically command higher prices?

Sometimes factory defects do command a higher price in the collecting world but I suppose its like:

- An incorrectly pressed coin leaves the factory like that, therefore it's original and worth more
- A watch leaves the factory and later the dial cracks, it's not in keeping with how it left the factory, not original, worth less bla bla

You'd think it being a short run like 7TT said that it might be worth more, perhaps to someone

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by Vlad

+1 Just like the floating Daytona or the cream explorer, spider dials are correct for a very specific year. Some people love them, some don't - but to me, they are a 'must' in any collection as a representation of early gloss sports models

What happened to the cream explorer? Wrong mixture?

And what's the floating Daytona, porcelain dial?

[goldfixer21]

Spider dials are created by a magical fairy on a unicorn farm. They also create tropical dials, and bleached bezel inserts.

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

Spider dials are created by a magical fairy on a unicorn farm. They also create tropical dials, and bleached bezel inserts.

+ Star dusted.

[exador]

And then this happens...

[mattedialdoc]

Originally Posted by exador

And then this happens...

That brings a tear to my eye


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[goldfixer21]

Originally Posted by exador

And then this happens...

Stained Glass dial!

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by mattedialdoc

That brings a tear to my eye


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but,but,but it was worth so much before it started to flake

[1watch]

I think it's a real stretch to say these should be in a collection. In my opinion its' a serious fault that affects the most important piece of the watch. It doesn't even look good under magnification

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

Stained Glass dial!

I would have went with “aged Shellac”

[Rolexlover92]

Thank you Everyone! Really Appreciate the help and information. From doing research I found that the Spider Dial Cracking happens on the 5512, 5513, and 16800 Submariner references. My next Rolex purchase will be a older Submariner because I like the thinner lugs and I do think the Spider Cracking is cool but I definitely prefer a perfect Sub Dial