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Dial Flaking | What is wrong with these Dynamics?

António VC
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Dear Omega lovers,

This is the first time I post here but I’ve been following the forum for years as an Omega collector. Really helpful and passionate community!

Well, the terrifying problem I bring you today has to do with dial flaking of a specific Omega Dynamic model dial with a chapter ring: the 166.108.

I bought this blue dial Dynamic in a very good condition being the only known/ visible issue the day wheel alignment. In approximately a one year time, a slightly flaked dial became completely ruined by paint flaking.

I’ve been searching and searching for this subject and effects on this particular dial and seems that it is indeed a recurring condition even if we have this extremely fast degradation in such a short period of time in mind. This timepiece has been worn at least once a month and carefully stored in a place with no humidity or other harmful elements exposure.

So my questions are:

- Has anyone experienced the same problem with this specific dial (blue or anthracite)?

- I’ll have to replace the dial so what do you suggest to prevent this from happening again? Any lacquer or other solution that can help sealing the paint?

- Does anyone have a similar dial for sale?

Many thanks in advance for you help and for any feedback!
IMG_0149.webp IMG_0148.webp IMG_0152.webp IMG_0151.webp
 
Mkewatch
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Hi. this is mine and don’t have the same issues you have with the dial.

Regards

Jorge
IMG_9205.webp
 
António VC
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Mkewatch Mkewatch
Hi. this is mine and don’t have the same issues you have with the dial.

Regards

Jorge
IMG_9205.webp
Hello Jorge!

I’ve noticed that this issue most commonly occurs on the applied chapter ring dials of the cal 1022 (166.018) and not on the “plain dials”. Your model seems to be the cal 752 166.079 with the first generation design language.

I don’t know if it’s a quality control issue or simply a decrease on the quality itself from the 70s period…
 
Donn Chambers
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I’ve seen this problem on other blue-dialed Omega watches of the era — lots of the blue-dial Speedmaster Mark III’s suffer from this type of “patina”. Don’t know what the exact issue is, but I’ve always assumed poor quality control at Omega in the late 60s and 70s combined with moisture intrusion and lots of direct sun, leading to paint degradation.
 
rendo
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Lume has a big role in how quickly these dials age
 
Mkewatch
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rendo rendo
Lume has a big role in how quickly these dials age
Seems that is lume related, based on the pictures it is closed to where the minute markers with lume are located.
 
António VC
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@Mkewatch @rendo
At first I thought the same thing. But it is all over the place - mainly close to the tension ring and date windows… the flaking also seems to only affect the blue paint and maintain the blue lines of the minute markers. This makes me tend to agree more with @Donn Chambers …
 
hen
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Was there ever any water intrusion?
 
Vitezi
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Some threads on vintage blue dial decay:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/dial-aging-q.77913/ Cover Image
Thread 'Dial aging Q' ·
Saw the watch below and the following commentary on a watch seller website. Does the explanation seem logical or realistic, particularly since most of the dial writing seems to still be present...
calalum ·
https://omegaforums.net/threads/what-would-cause-this-type-of-dial-deterioration.105686/ Cover Image
Thread 'What would cause this type of dial deterioration?' ·
Hello all....
This looks faded and not the bubbling patina that I Ihave seen in many.
Is this due to a different paint process than what was utilized in the previous generations seamasters...
Samir ·
https://omegaforums.net/threads/color-of-dial-change-omega-speedmaster-triple-date.170469/ Cover Image
Thread '(Color of dial change) Omega speedmaster triple date' ·
Hi guys

I would love to have some information about the dial of the omega speedmaster triple date blue. I recently purchase it and the seller told me that the blue dial fade into gold. I'm not...
Run ·
 
António VC
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Vitezi Vitezi
Some threads on vintage blue dial decay:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/dial-aging-q.77913/ Cover Image
Thread 'Dial aging Q' ·
Saw the watch below and the following commentary on a watch seller website. Does the explanation seem logical or realistic, particularly since most of the dial writing seems to still be present...
calalum ·
https://omegaforums.net/threads/what-would-cause-this-type-of-dial-deterioration.105686/ Cover Image
Thread 'What would cause this type of dial deterioration?' ·
Hello all....
This looks faded and not the bubbling patina that I Ihave seen in many.
Is this due to a different paint process than what was utilized in the previous generations seamasters...
Samir ·
https://omegaforums.net/threads/color-of-dial-change-omega-speedmaster-triple-date.170469/ Cover Image
Thread '(Color of dial change) Omega speedmaster triple date' ·
Hi guys

I would love to have some information about the dial of the omega speedmaster triple date blue. I recently purchase it and the seller told me that the blue dial fade into gold. I'm not...
Run ·
Really interesting reading. Thank you!
Just as @Donn Chambers mentioned, it seems to be “normal” for this paint pigment.
 
S.H.
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Yes, unfortunately common with blue dials. It often starts off near the lume plots.
 
hant26
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Maybe not the lume but something that interupts the continuality of the surface (hour markers, edges, applied brand logo, text,…) IMO.
IMG_2719.webp
 
António VC
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hant26 hant26
Maybe not the lume but something that interupts the continuality of the surface (hour markers, edges, applied brand logo, text,…) IMO.
IMG_2719.webp
True. Mine is particularly affected near the applied chapter ring, crystal tension ring and calendar window. In my case, could be related to metal to metal friction and temperature variations which would cause the paint to peel off in chunks due to this specific color pigment.

By the way, I wish mine had patina like yours and not damage. Really nice piece you have there…
 
Dan S
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Yep, degradation of blue dials from this era is extremely common. And once it starts, you should assume it will continue to get worse.
 
António VC
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Dan S Dan S
Yep, degradation of blue dials from this era is extremely common. And once it starts, you should assume it will continue to get worse.
7 months ago:

IMG_7701.webp


In 5 years I might call that patina so I don’t feel too bad 😜
What a nightmare! Right now I’m panicking with the other blue Omegas and Tissot from this era…
 
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