Forums Latest Members
  1. seekingseaquest Aug 29, 2018

    Posts
    2,321
    Likes
    6,135
    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?

    29A4A651-630C-42EC-9FFC-98C01D870981.png
    B8E6FFDC-96BA-43DD-8267-341C6A5723C2.jpeg
     
  2. Co-axial Aug 29, 2018

    Posts
    184
    Likes
    1,266
    Interesting
     
  3. Edward53 Aug 29, 2018

    Posts
    3,127
    Likes
    5,384
    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.
     
  4. seekingseaquest Aug 31, 2018

    Posts
    2,321
    Likes
    6,135
    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?

    85BBE03C-6055-4222-A977-3A927968DB1F.jpeg

    A950D90B-38AC-4ACF-883D-74B02744495F.jpeg
     
  5. michael22 Aug 31, 2018

    Posts
    1,790
    Likes
    1,897
    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.
     
  6. airansun In the shuffling madness Aug 31, 2018

    Posts
    2,520
    Likes
    17,673
    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.