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True fired enamel dial 5115
Dear All
Before I put up the question, I have gone through all the past discussions on 5115 dial question in this forum and other as well. Recently, I have the opportunity to examine two 2526s (of course not in mint condition). Both of them have ??off white egg shell colour??. I agree they are not so perfect as those in some pocket watches. Uneven surface is observed but not so many small craters and indentations as in several pieces of 5115 that I had closely examined. IMO, the value of 2525 is not only on its enamel dial. Some may count on its first auto movement (?) as it is not difficult to find enamel dial on vintage watches. Nowadays, the price of 2526 is almost double the list price of 5115. (Some such as the rose gold/black enamel dial are even much more)
I tend to agree with John that the dial on 5115 has clear deficiency to the naked eyes, (in particular under an inclined light condition) and Patek is not getting it right. As Petak lover for many years, I have confidence that they would produce watches to the entire satisfaction of their clients, and put their mind at ease even by not necessarily closely examining the individual piece but by their brand name. I have been a bit disappointed this time. I hope Patek??s people would care of the comments. John has rightly opined that ??what Patek should do is to either do it right or charge more if necessary, or not do it at all??. By the way, they are going to raise the price of 5115 in the coming February by more than 17%.
Back to the question of fired enamel dial, the details from Andrew are quite informative, here and in the past discussions. If I am correct, 5115 is a ??true fired enamel dial?? with numerals/markers constructed of firing enamel powders as I can observe one or two tiny black dots on the surface of some pieces. Some other companies describe their fired enamel dial with "hand painted numerals". I have questions for Andrew if he could enlighten me. Is it necessary for the dial to be put to kiln again after applying painted numerals to the fired enamel dial? Furthermore, is it easy to distinguish an enamel dial with fired enamel numerals from the one with painted numerals?
Lastly, thanks to all for contributing valuable information.