Rolex Dial Printing Variations Revisited...

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I believe it's known by now that the deepsea sea-dweller has received 2 changes to its dial since 2008:


Here is the "Mark I" dial:





And here's the Mark II dial:




As you can see, there are various differences to the predecessor dial:

Overall font is slightly "thinner".

• The painted rolex coronet has changed style to look more like the coronet on other rolex dials.
• The "e"s in "deepsea" now have a shorter middle line in the "e".
• The "s" in "sea-dweller" has been changed from a "flat" s to a "round" one.
• The "ft" font has been changed.
• The "=" sign is not on italic anymore but runs as two parallel lines.
• There is now a larger gap between the ft and metres depth rating, aka "gap dial" (seen on the newest sub 14060m's too, btw.)

Here is an overview of the details (with the 14060m - new and old models - included):



(all pics from r-l-x.de).


But there is also a third version that surfaced not too long ago:

The Mark III dial:




(credit: "purewhitedesign"; watchlounge.com)

The rolex coronet on the dial of the MK III dial is identical to the one seen on the MK II dial:


(credit: "purewhitedesign"; watchlounge.com)


Also notice the uneven space between the equal sign "=" like it has also been seen on the sub 14060m dial bottom right... Plus the "MK III" deepsea dial has more space before and after the "ft" and "m":

[roadcarver]

Is it because Rolex uses different dial manufacturers? I guess the lowest bid wins?

[BaliBryan]

Interesting, do you have any other comparisons like this for other Rolex Models?

[eddie_b]

Very interesting and thanks for posting this thread! Will take a look myself to see this.

[Lol-x]

There is a big difference in the font from Mk.I to Mk.II.
I much prefer Mk.I it makes a big difference for me in the presentation of the dial.

[Johny]

very interesting. thank you for posting.

[eddie_b]

Also, any idea on the years/serials that these appeared? I know it's not an exact science but still worth a try. I will be looking at the one I have and let you know what serial and which mk dial.

[masterserg]

My preference is
MK I (by far)
MK III (My Sub LV C and most / all I've seen look similar).
MK II

[swissautopro]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

There is a big difference in the font from Mk.I to Mk.II.
I much prefer Mk.I it makes a big difference for me in the presentation of the dial.

X2

[chiko323]

The dial variations are very important to me. When looking for a 14060M I purposely looked for one without the uneven equals sign spacing because I knew it would drive me crazy.

[GermanyMatt]

Originally Posted by masterserg

my preference is
mk i (by far)
mk iii (my sub lv c and most / all i've seen look similar).
Mk ii

+1

[padi56]

Dials are the same apart form some very minor font changes that has happened on most Rolex models through the history of the brand.But now mainly down to high magnification with loupes etc and watch forums. These very tiny divinations in fonts have been noticed by mainly the WIS type.I would doubt if most of the buying public in general would even notice these minor font changes.

[esm]

Again?!? Another dial variation hype?

It's probably because Rolex have charged its computer system and/or printing devices...

[manilenyo]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[Like To Watch]

Interesting........ thanks for sharing.

[colemanitis]

Bo knows because he has owned 10 of each.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by colemanitis

Bo knows because he has owned 10 of each.

Only owned four DSSD's!


Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk

[Kiwinz]

Great info, Bo

Mate, You certainly know Your Deep sea's. Thanks for showing.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Only owned four DSSD's!


Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk

And your fave is?

Most of the normal public do not even know what part is the dial .... And are probably happier?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I'd tend to prefer the Mark II dial, although I find the fatter printing on the Mark I dial cool... I don't care much for the coronet style on the Mark I, though.

The Mark III is a joke IMHO... The unequal space before and after the equal sign in the depth designation would drive me nuts... Once noticed, I'd focus on it all the time... And forget all about what time it is!

The DSSD's I've owned were all Mark I's, btw... Maybe that's why I flipped them?


Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk

[z32turbo]

Originally Posted by colemanitis

Bo knows because he has owned 10 of each.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

I'd tend to prefer the Mark II dial, although I find the fatter printing on the Mark I dial cool... I don't care much for the coronet style on the Mark I, though.

The Mark III is a joke IMHO... The unequal space before and after the equal sign in the depth designation would drive me nuts... Once noticed, I'd focus on it all the time... And forget all about what time it is!

The DSSD's I've owned were all Mark I's, btw... Maybe that's why I flipped them?


Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk

Funny how taste works ... I kinda like the uneven space ... it makes for two blocks of text ... most new subs are coming out like that it seems ... With my eyes, I can barely see the hands anyway ...

These are cool little details to catch (irrelevant as they might be).

[DiamondJack]

It will be interesting to see how much these little variations between marks are valued in 30 or 40 years...... If Red Subs or DRSD's are anything to go by...... Quite a bit

[Aimtac]

quite interesting!! Thanks for sharing!!

[Puffy]

just look at the 16610LV dial variations... sweet jesus!

[GradyPhilpott]

I like the Mk II, but honestly, either is just fine.

[Art 1]

Interesting.

[Bernie.H.]

Very interesting....thanks (I prefer the Mk II also)

[Pete17]

Any pics of the crown on the MK3 Bo?

[Adam K.]

Mark I all the way--it has the most character (italics =, flat S, spiky crown, long tail "f", and more). After that, I'd take MK III, since at least some of the rakish serifs reappeared that the MK I had.

MK II bores the crap out of me with its ho-hum safe detailing and "fetal alcohol syndrome" spacing on the Oyster Perpetual Date legend, but obviously this issue is purely "in the eye of the beholder".