Month: October 2022

Generally speaking, the closer these key components are to being in perfect condition, the more desirable the watch will be to collectors, ultimately resulting in a higher price on the open market. However, regarding vintage fake Rolex watches, there are always exceptions to the rule, and not all imperfections and flaws are necessarily considered undesirable.
While most cosmetic flaws are considered to be flaws that detract from the resale value of a watch, some flaws can be considered positive features by today’s collectors and can significantly increase the price of a watch with these features. These particular flaws are considered desirable largely because they are naturally occurring- either due to the material’s limitations or minor errors in Rolex’s near-perfect production process.
Bright blue dials like those fitted to the old two-tone and solid gold replica Rolex Submariner watches can be transformed into colors ranging from turquoise to royal purple. Meanwhile, the white dial can be transformed into a rich cream color, while the silver dial can take on shades from pink to brown.
The anodizing process creates a colored layer on the surface of the aluminum insert. This layer can wear and fade with prolonged exposure to sunlight and salt water, as well as simply rubbing against your fingers and clothing during regular wear and use. Over time, the color will fade, leading to their nickname of “ghost bezel.”
Desirable flaws in the dial of the Rolex Submariner 16800 Spider
Rolex went through a transitional period in the mid to late 1980s. The brand introduced key updates designed to provide superior performance and a more luxurious overall feel to its timepieces. It was during this period that Rolex doubled down on its movement designs, and it was also during these years, that sapphire crystals replaced the older acrylic crystals found in most of the brand’s offerings.
Over time, some examples began showing faint cracks in their glossy black surfaces, and a phenomenon commonly referred to in the collecting world as cracking. These faint cracks appear only on the black background layer of the dial, which means that the white text printed on it is not affected at all. These small cracks are usually only visible when the watch is viewed from a certain angle in bright light, and their appearance is slightly reminiscent of a spider’s web (hence the nickname “spider dial”).
Before switching to photo-reactive luminescent materials, Rolex modified its dials and hands with radioactive compounds that made them glow in the dark. In the early 1960s, radium was deemed too dangerous, and cheap Rolex switched to less radioactive material, tritium, which was used until the late 1990s. As a result, most vintage fake Rolex watches have tritium luminescence on their dials and hands. Like radium, tritium-based luminescent materials have developed a patina over the years. Not only is it usually a good indicator that the dial and hands are original to the watch, but the unique aesthetic it provides complements the overall look of vintage watches. It is one of the hallmark features of vintage Rolex watches.