Spots on Omega Speedmaster dial

J

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Janik255

·Nov 9, 2021

Hello, I am looking for help, I bought this Omega ed White 2 years ago, it had a spotless dial since then it developed these nasty white dots on the dial. What is it? Is it mold? Can I get this fixed?

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=AZUbEZgCigtyaZLC2_NUbi3NaYJZDnyUP5JX-bHMB-ILRpx51Vfh2jmv3fSrUYMzuo-wNLhVq_OgKb6yiJMUCxSoQWpcj0HETBOIX1YA_lxwEM9skbwpJRPf8OlmrQIawDe1osV-pmRKc81-WoCLTndT&__tn__=EH-R']

 

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Spacefruit

·Nov 9, 2021·Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder

Do you have hi res photos from before?

 

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jaegodylan

·Nov 9, 2021

Certainly worth getting it to a watchmaker and opened up.

 

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Dan321

·Nov 9, 2021

Where did you store it?

 

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DaveK

·Nov 9, 2021

 

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JimJupiter

·Nov 9, 2021

Same advise here as on FB. Its most likely molt, at least I have seen something similar before. Moisture came into the watch and caused it. Unfortunately the movement was also rusty. So don't wait, ASAP look out for a watchmaker!

And here again, dont send it to Omega! The job is suitable for a good vintage watchmaker too. If you tell us the region you live in, we may can help you with the name of a watchmaker nearby.

Nico

 

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Caliber561

·Nov 9, 2021

If it is mold, which I also think it is, there is likely some damage to the base dial plate, which means that cleaning it off might damage the dial further. I'd take that into consideration if you're thinking about restoring it.

 

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Tad

·Nov 9, 2021

I’ve never seen mold like this unless the watch has been exposed to extremely damp conditions.

 

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140dave

·Nov 9, 2021

I am curious if the OP lives by the sea? It looks similar to that kind of environmental reaction. I have a few items w/ "patina" like that in my garage, it develops as an oxidation reaction to the moist salt air. It almost grows....

 

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Donn Chambers

·Nov 10, 2021

I also suspect it is mold, which means that your seals are toast and you likely already had water intrusion in the watch when you stored it - this is a good reminder to make sure the seals on a watch are good before you put a valuable piece away.

so, first step is to get it to a watchmaker and have the movement checked and gaskets replaced. As far as the dial, I wonder if using UV light on it would kill the mold and then it could be brushed off? The UV light may damage the dial slightly, but I think it would still be better than all that mold. Of course, there may still be discolored spots once you get the live mold off.

 

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perks713

·Nov 10, 2021

Saw this on Facebook too, the best thing to do is get it to a really good watchmaker as soon as you can. I wouldn't trust it with a run of the mill person.

Looking closely at it, it honestly looks like the lichen that grows on the side of my house.

 

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sleepyastronaut

·Nov 10, 2021

Are those fingerprints I'm seeing on the subdials? Or imperfections in the crystal?

 

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oddboy

·Nov 10, 2021

lingering salt from salt water intrusion? 🙁