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S58 dial - can't say I've ever seen one before

  1. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Jul 14, 2013

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  2. MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Jul 14, 2013

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    Huh. Well, those hands ain't right. And that dial is strangely lume-free. Maybe this was from the non-diving model aimed at "chemists and engineers."
     
  3. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Jul 14, 2013

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    While some skepticism is certainly warranted, I'd be inclined to consult Occam's razor.

    Why on earth would someone go to the trouble of faking a dial for such an uncommon watch? And find hands that (presumably) suit the dial?

    There's no reason to go to the trouble of faking a dial unless there is money to be made, and the market is so much bigger for other makes and models, it just doesn't make sense.

    The only alternative explanation would be that the dial is original and correct, except for the S.58 that was added to increase its value.

    My guess is that it is a correct dial, and that, much like the JLC Geophysic and IWC Ingenieur, there were a small number of dress versions of the S.58 made.
     
  4. ulackfocus Jul 14, 2013

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    But Tony, they make fake G-shocks. Seriously, that's not a gag.
     
    CaptainWinsor likes this.
  5. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Jul 14, 2013

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    ...and S.58 don't go for chump change, and the seller is a known Zenith frankenizer.
     
  6. CanberraOmega Rabbitohs and Whisky Supporter Jul 14, 2013

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    would someone explain to me why people love G-Shocks? over on WUS there are whole forums dedicated to them?
     
  7. ulackfocus Jul 14, 2013

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    Pertinent information for the jury.

    I don't get it either.
     
  8. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Jul 14, 2013

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    True, but...

    a) was that dial style used for other than S.58 models?

    b) it would be a much more efficient money-making venture to reproduce and sell many less expensive dials, than a small handful of these.
     
  9. MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Jul 14, 2013

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    I'm entirely in agreement with that principle, and I like the elegant solution, but... those unlumed, dauphine hour and minute hands and that linear sweep second hand have nothing to do with any S.58 I've ever seen, and I don't see how they match the dial, so I don't think anyone went to a lot of trouble there. The fonts, block hour markers, hour numerals and minute hash marks are indeed perfectly done, but what about the absence of lume? Maybe a factory replacement or unfinished, overstock blank, ready to lume? I suppose there are stranger things. Certainly not a dial from any finished S.58. I suspect someone did a pretty nice artistic exercise with some near-worthless parts and tried to turn them into $500.
     
  10. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Jul 14, 2013

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    Quite possibly.
     
  11. MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Jul 14, 2013

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    I might buy it. (The idea that is, not the dial. Though I did actually press "Buy it Now" by accident while examining the damned thing, and I then VERY carefully hit "Cancel" instead of "Confirm." :)).

    But those hands are junk.
     
  12. MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Jul 14, 2013

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    Beware the iPhone and eBay, by the way. Heck, I could have bought two Austin Healy Sprites for the price of that dial.
     
  13. ulackfocus Jul 14, 2013

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    You're not a toddler though. (chronologically, not maturity :p )
     
  14. rfordo Nov 5, 2019

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    Who doesn't love an old thread revival?

    I'd like to offer up three examples dug up with similar dials, although lumed, since this topic was debated.

    #1 - Case: 9436152 / Movement: 4841522 (cal. 120)
    Kaplans1.1.jpeg

    #2 - Case: 9461720 / Movement: 4916651 (cal. 120)
    VintageCaliber.1.1.png

    #3 - Case: NA / Movement: 4925970 (cal. 120)
    eBay5.Mk1.1.jpg
     
  15. CaptainWinsor Nov 6, 2019

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  16. smitty190373 Nov 6, 2019

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    If anyone has a genuine S58 no date dial for sale I would be very interested to speak with you :whistling:.