Excellent Condition?

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First of all, I am no vintage expert. However, I came across this listing on another forum and I had to share.

The rational side of my brain tells me that describing this dial as "excellent condition" is egregious.
 
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It is all egregious. Saying it's in excellent condition. Describing this damage as a "stunning", "tropical tone", and saying it has aged in a "spectacular fashion" with a positive implication is offensive. Perhaps it has aged in a spectacular fashion. Spectacularly bad. But hey, gotta sell it somehow.

I think you need to put a trigger warning in the thread title. 😁
 
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These blue dials often exhibit damage, especially near the lume plots, but that dial is way too far gone. It's almost hard to believe that wasn't an April fool's listing.
 
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I'm wondering how a watch even acquires that kind of dial damage. It's virtualy uniform around the perimeter of the dial. I've never seen anything quite like it, but I agree that it sure isn't attractive.
 
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I'm wondering how a watch even acquires that kind of dial damage. It's virtualy uniform around the perimeter of the dial. I've never seen anything quite like it, but I agree that it sure isn't attractive.

Pretty sure it’s due to the type of paint. A huge proportion of blue dials from this period, whether Omega, Rolex or other brands, show significant deterioration around the edges and where they dial body comes into contact with tritium.
 
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It's almost hard to believe that wasn't an April fool's listing.

I just double checked the listing to confirm it wasn't. Would have been a plausible explanation! 😁
 
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Just saw that the seller is asking $5250 for this watch, which is outrageous, and suggests that he is actually expecting a premium for this dial.
 
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Seller claims the dial has taken on a stunning tone ... stunningly awful
 
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I find it utterly hilarious how this type of crap is so frequent in vintage Rolex - like at some point it was decided that the absolutely shitty manufacturing processes that Rolex used at one point were selling points in how badly they have deteriorated - "spider dials" anyone?

Sure we attach a premium to brown dials on speedmasters, but that's about it.
 
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What shall we call this? Algae patina? Seaweed patina? Christmas wreath patina? EKG patina?
 
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What shall we call this? Algae patina? Seaweed patina? Christmas wreath patina? EKG patina?

Seismograph?
 
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Classic ring of fire. Crazy how it comes around the date window too haha
 
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What shall we call this? Algae patina? Seaweed patina? Christmas wreath patina? EKG patina?
crown of thorns
 
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Looks like a Theo & Harris type watch sale.

That dial looks like the elastic in an adult diaper gave way post-Taco Bell and pre-Highway Rest Stop.
 
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Once you go down the "patina is important" road you never know where you will end up. I know damage when I see it and much (most?) of the proud claims of attractive patina is just out and out damage.
 
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I personally think patina can be attractive, but it should never command a premium. Pretty ridiculous to describe it as excellent condition.

It is still damage, even if it can look attractive/interesting.

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Edited:
 
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Pretty sure it’s due to the type of paint. A huge proportion of blue dials from this period, whether Omega, Rolex or other brands, show significant deterioration around the edges and where they dial body comes into contact with tritium.

These blue dials are "galvanic" a type of electrolytic plating. They are not painted.
 
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I personally think patina can be attractive, but it should never command a premium. Pretty ridiculous to describe it as excellent condition.

It is still damage, even if it can look attractive/interesting.

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That one actually looks like an „earthrise“ dial 😀😗