I’ve noticed a couple watches recently with generally clean dials but some gunk around the markers. Is this a common outcome of dial cleaning? Obviously the Seamaster is pretty bad, but does the gunk significantly hurt the value of the Connie?
I think it's a sign of moisture getting inside the case, which does not tend to bode well for the condition of the movement.
Here’s another one. My untrained eye doesn’t see any signs of moisture in the movement, but correct me if I’m wrong. Edit: This may be the same watch as the Connie above.. even so, do you see any signs of moisture in the movement that would explain the stains?
I often conclude that there is some glue used to apply the markers, & this ages/ patinates/ reacts to moisture differently to the main dial surface. That's what I'm seeing in the Seamaster. It may be what is happening at the 3 & index on the Connie, but a different explanation is needed for the speckled damage at 12. The most superficial things on the dial are printing. It come come off easily with a rough cleaning, so cleaners often circle around the printed elements, or remove them completely. So a clean dial, that seems dirty over the printing, is a sign of cleaning to me.
I’m speculating that moisture, leaked into the watch, will condense onto the metal markers before the coated dial - which would lead to corrosion starting around the base of the markers. I’ve seen other watches with this same issue.