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What is a tropical dial and why does it make a vintage Rolex more valuable? The world of vintage Rolex collecting is equally complex and can be perceived as full of pitfalls. Understanding the subtle differences between the various dials and bezels can drive even the most diligent watch enthusiast crazy. It’s easy for both novice and seasoned collectors to be fooled into spending large sums of money on a watch that doesn’t match what they thought it was, and interestingly, many dealers now openly admit that they, too, are confused by the neurotic nuances inherent in the watch. . Old oyster. In addition to the oft-misused sales slogan "unpolished," there's also the adjective "tropical." What does the Tropical Dial mean? How does this phenomenon occur? Let's take a closer look.

The term tropical applies to a wide range of brands, including but not limited to Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega and Tudor. The term originated in the early days of the Vintage Rolex Forum (VRF), when a group of like-minded, passionate Rolex collectors in the early 2000s would actually hang out and discuss all things Wilsdorf. In fact, what people forget or don’t know is that much of what is generally accepted as “gospel” when it comes to vintage Rolex was actually discussed, dissected and defined during the heyday of VRF.

One of the themes is the tropical dial. As watches from the 1950s and 1960s age, the original black glossy dial on a Rolex will turn brown. The variation in shades is unique and can range from dark brown to light caramel, and anything in between. The hues on each dial are also not always consistent, and in some cases the spectral colors of individual dials appear sunrise-like.

What is certain, however, is that these dials have always commanded a premium and are highly regarded by collectors. This is because the tropical dial helps pinpoint the time the watch was produced and completely personalizes it, effectively making each watch an unexpected limited edition and one-of-a-kind piece.

The tropical color change is thought to be the result of ultraviolet light exposure on the dial, with early discoveries coming from warm and sunny climates such as South America and other tropical regions, hence the nickname. Rolex sports watches from the 1950s and 1960s all featured what collectors call gold-plated dials. Simply put, while there’s nothing truly simple about a vintage Rolex, gold plating refers to the gold lettering on the dial.

Rather than being printed on a glossy surface, the text is actually letterpress; the gilded text is actually the brass base plate of the dial, with the dial's background color applied via a galvanic process (an electrical process not unlike gold plating). A layer of lacquer is then applied to the dial to protect it.

One theory is that Rolex developed a lacquer during this period primarily to protect the dial from UV damage, but actually exacerbated the problem. We will never know if this is true, but what is certain is that the lacquer on a genuine Tropical dial is intact and free of damage, without the blistering and hairline cracks often seen on these older dials.

This is the root of the problem, the misuse of the word tropical. Over time, the ingress of moisture can damage the surface of the dial, including sometimes turning the dial brown. This isn't the Tropical Effect, but that's how these watches are often marketed in an attempt to squeeze a premium out of what is essentially a broken dial. Rolex enthusiasts refer to these dials as "shitage" dials, but I'm too polite to say that in the company. oops……

As the 1960s turned into the 1970s, Rolex phased out gold-plated dials and ushered in “matte” dials. These dials had a flatter surface, hence the name "matte", and were not found on sports watches until around the mid-1980s. Interestingly, these dials also naturally turn brown over time, especially the subdials on the Submariner and Daytona.

This color change is also present in other models and references, including the blue Submariner dial from the 1980s that became purple, and the white dial of the Daytona from the early in-house movement era that became a cream color, known as the "Panna" dial . These tend not to be called tropical dials but rather color changing dials. Will they make watches more popular? Yes. Will this change increase financial premiums? may be. Will it make the watch look cooler? Oh yes, absolutely!