Rolex Service Dials-Why so many variants???

[warpath]

Rolex Service Dials-Why so many variants???

Seems like a good question, why has Rolex changed the dials on so many watches for so many years? Subs and GMTs in particular seem to suffer the dreaded replaced dial fate. Why didn't Rolex just use the same dial as made for the original watches with the same markings? Easier to just supply later dials that were similar perhaps. It just seems odd that RSC dials have just Swiss printed in many cases, but it just bugs me that they would replace a dial so easily without "matching" it to the model/reference as it was originally sold.

Curious what scholarship there is on this, I haven't seen any solid reasoning for the variants to date. Interesting topic for study.

[Tools]

Yeah, it really bums me too..

My favorite pair of flip-flops from Sperry broke after almost a decade. I looked all over for a pair that looked exactly like what I had and they had gone and changed where they stamped Sperry Top Sider at, and changed the tread too....

Oh well, what 'ya gonna do..

[77T]

It has been extensively documented particularly on the Subs, Sea Dwellers and GMTs. Many online references here on TRF and web.

But only Rolex can say why - and they never talk.

[warpath]

I've seen the variants and have read up on variations. All I've read are studies on the dials without explanation why Rolex chose to even have service dials rather than the same dials for each reference. I may have missed that point, but the rationale for the action escapes me unless it was a cost move.

[CrownMe]

Originally Posted by warpath

I've seen the variants and have read up on variations. All I've read are studies on the dials without explanation why Rolex chose to even have service dials rather than the same dials for each reference. I may have missed that point, but the rationale for the action escapes me unless it was a cost move.

Tritium has a shelf life so if they replace a dial with another tritium dial it's still not going to glow. Rolex uses a service dial because they feel the luminova is a "Upgrade" and the lume will glow forever. They could careless about keeping the watch original. They want it to be shiny and new....and its a damn shame.

[joe100]

If they all looked the same, it'd make for a boring hobby.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by CrownMe

Tritium has a shelf life so if they replace a dial with another tritium dial it's still not going to glow. Rolex uses a service dial because they feel the luminova is a "Upgrade" and the lume will glow forever. They could careless about keeping the watch original. They want it to be shiny and new....and its a damn shame.

Must agree - Rolex clearly are not as hung up as regards precise originality such as dial etc. Pity though as it would be really nice to see some of these pieces put back exactly as before!

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by warpath

I've seen the variants and have read up on variations. All I've read are studies on the dials without explanation why Rolex chose to even have service dials rather than the same dials for each reference. I may have missed that point, but the rationale for the action escapes me unless it was a cost move.

I would guess that they replace them as they see fit, with the dials they use for service - precisely to differentiate them. It will stand in their records as part of the ongoing service/maintenance of any given piece, and be evidenced by the dial now in the watch, should they receive it again in future.

Also, they have used various dial-makers over the decades, and it would be almost impossible to replicate exactly what was in a vintage piece when it was originally produced.

[Vincent65]

BTW - I for one am glad, because it's evident to buyers whether a dial is original to the watch or not.

[CrownMe]

True!!!! ^^^

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by joe100

If they all looked the same, it'd make for a boring hobby.

x2

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by warpath

Rolex Service Dials ...but it just bugs me that they would replace a dial so easily without "matching" it to the model/reference as it was originally sold...

Originally Posted by CrownMe

...They could careless about keeping the watch original...

Admittedly it is somewhat ironic seeing as the RSC is so anal about any changes from factory original when done by the person that actually owns the watch.

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by warpath

Rolex Service Dials-Why so many variants???

Seems like a good question, why has Rolex changed the dials on so many watches for so many years? Subs and GMTs in particular seem to suffer the dreaded replaced dial fate. Why didn't Rolex just use the same dial as made for the original watches with the same markings? Easier to just supply later dials that were similar perhaps. It just seems odd that RSC dials have just Swiss printed in many cases, but it just bugs me that they would replace a dial so easily without "matching" it to the model/reference as it was originally sold.

Curious what scholarship there is on this, I haven't seen any solid reasoning for the variants to date. Interesting topic for study.

Originally Posted by warpath

I've seen the variants and have read up on variations. All I've read are studies on the dials without explanation why Rolex chose to even have service dials rather than the same dials for each reference. I may have missed that point, but the rationale for the action escapes me unless it was a cost move.

Not everyone is into the dial variants thingy. Mostly do but there is group of Rolex fans that is not "for" all these dial studies. Just ask Pedi56 (Peter). He is probably more interested in the overall condition of the watch, rarity of a particular model rather than its dial etc. than all these MK I MK II discussion...

[NukeMan]

[QUOTE=Vincent65;5260228]I would guess that they replace them as they see fit, with the dials they use for service - precisely to differentiate them. It will stand in their records as part of the ongoing service/maintenance of any given piece, and be evidenced by the dial now in the watch, should they receive it again in future.

Also, they have used various dial-makers over the decades, and it would be almost impossible to replicate exactly what was in a vintage piece when it was originally produced.[/QUOTE]

X2! And Rolex apparantly didnt care about details being different. Why would they?

[shou.biao.kuang]

For the majority of us, the dial variant matters and it matter loads. Many spent hours poring over pictures on the forum and internet to gather as much info as they could about a particular model that speaks to them. As much as you may hate it, this is actually what keeps a person, a collector motivated to find out more than a dial variant, how it fit into a particular era, whether be it a MKI on series xxxx or MK I dial with MK II insert etc

For me, it my kinda thing...

[shou.biao.kuang]

[QUOTE=NukeMan;5385828]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

I would guess that they replace them as they see fit, with the dials they use for service - precisely to differentiate them. It will stand in their records as part of the ongoing service/maintenance of any given piece, and be evidenced by the dial now in the watch, should they receive it again in future.

Also, they have used various dial-makers over the decades, and it would be almost impossible to replicate exactly what was in a vintage piece when it was originally produced.[/QUOTE]

X2! And Rolex apparantly didnt care about details being different. Why would they?

I believe they are more concern about sales turnover than all these dial variants..