What is causing spider-webbing on gilt dials?

Hi all,

A quick question for the experts around here.

I have noticed this morning, to my utter despair, that my flawless 5508 has a flaw.

A very tiny hairline can be seen, going from the coronet to the bottom of the 1 o'clock marker.

It is very difficult to make out and I have not managed to capture it with my camera so far.

It looks like a superficial crazing of the top-coat of lacquer, aka spider-webbing.

I am pretty sure that this was not on the dial when I received the watch, a couple of month ago.

So here is my interrogation:

What could have caused this?

I am very gentle with my timepieces, putting them back in their box at night and being extra careful not to bump in anything.

Of course, sometimes sh** happens.

Yesterday, I bump (not strongly) in a wall.

Could this bump be responsible for the crazing??

Or is this just the normal ageing of a 56 year old dial?

I am afraid to wear it now, as I do not want to see more hairlines appearing on my beloved dial.

Please let me hear you on this subject.

Thanks in advance,

Fab.

Available on the marketplace

17,803 Rolex listings are live on the eBay market and 1885 collector listings on the WatchProSite marketplace.

48,170 USD

Pre-owned - Good · JP

View all Rolex on the marketplace →

Rolex Submariner 5508 Stainless Steel Wristwatch #UW495

48,014 USD

Pre-owned - Good · JP

42,714 USD

Pre-owned - Good · JP

Rolex Submariner 5508 Stainless Steel Wristwatch #UW482

40,086 USD

Pre-owned - Good · JP

Strange, because if a dial didn't develop spider web after such a long time...

By: amanico : February 9th, 2015-21:56

It is surprising that it starts to develop it now... Originally, it is due to the lacquer, that is what I understood. I don't think it is caused to your " bump ". Curious to read what the others think. Best, Nicolas

Thanks for your answer Nico

By: FabCo : February 9th, 2015-23:21

I agree with you, it is very unlikely that a small bump (or even a big one) would cause spider-webbing. I have actually spend a big part of the day trying to make out the hairline by playing with the light and my watch, without a loupe. It is so tiny that...

Fab, you should check every year the seal of your crown and that your case back is

By: amanico : February 10th, 2015-02:49

Perfectly screwed... I only spent 3 days in HK, in June, and I never saw such a degree of humidity in my life. ;) That is critical for our vintage dials. But if you check every year those points, you may pass the test of time very well. Enjoy your beauty,...

Fab....

By: Baron - Mr Red : February 10th, 2015-04:06

.....obviously it would be good to see a HD scan of the spidering....however, I would be truly surprised if this had occurred as a result of a bump. You don't mention the bump causing the case any damage, so I think its very unlikely to have caused the sp...

Rolex