Rhodium to Slate just name change?

[slillestrand]

Originally Posted by Oystersteel

So it's pretty clear that Rolex changed the name from rhodium to slate but did not actually change the color of the dial.

I would agree

Best,
Scott

[JSol1]

As the OP for this topic, I wanted to share what I learned while finally getting my watch fitted and being able to ask my AD directly about this. His answer: Nobody (except Rolex) knows! I always appreciate his honesty and that’s why we have a great relationship.
To our eyes it appears to only be a name change, but that certainly doesn’t mean they didn’t alter the painting process/makeup etc in some way.
My only real interest in this topic was that I wanted to make sure the ‘Rhodium’ look was maintained in my new watch as that was the draw in the first place. I can say after some wrist time that it is definitely what I was hoping for! Thanks to all that weighed in on this as it made my Holiday wait a bit more interesting...Happy New Year all!

[Goose 104]

I'm glad to hear you are happy with the piece and it still has the same dynamic look. Wear and enjoy

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Goose 104

I'm glad to hear you are happy with the piece and it still has the same dynamic look. Wear and enjoy

Thank you so much! Hopefully it’s not just the honeymoon period, but so far so good

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by JSol1

To our eyes it appears to only be a name change, but that certainly doesn’t mean they didn’t alter the painting process/makeup etc in some way.
My only real interest in this topic was that I wanted to make sure the ‘Rhodium’ look was maintained in my new watch as that was the draw in the first place. I can say after some wrist time that it is definitely what I was hoping for!

Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your watch.

One of my possible future purchases has this dial and I was wondering if it was a colour/finish change or just a name change. Photos can be difficult to judge.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your watch.

One of my possible future purchases has this dial and I was wondering if it was a colour/finish change or just a name change. Photos can be difficult to judge.

Thank you. This was precisely my dilemma. It was made more difficult in that it was a Xmas gift from my wife that I wasn’t supposed to know about so I couldn’t see for myself for almost a month.
As you say, photos aren’t that helpful when trying to determine any subtle difference there may have been. If you see it in person I think you will be enamored!

[CAN_VAN7]

Been wearing for a few weeks now. Certainly seems same as dark rhodium I have seen before. Slate grey is great and does change in light like I was hoping for when bought it. Those wondering - pretty darn sure is the same.

[CaptT]

The Great Slate Debate

On the podium
Talking rhodium
Clearly leads to
Pandemonium

Foo foo dust or
Paint on brass
Nonplussed?
Just don’t be crass

But I can relate
The topic you hate
Close the thread?
Sorry too late

So “Rhodium”
Or is it “Slate”
Let’s please settle
This debate

Appears unchanged
Both brilliant shine
Neither reference
I call mine

Plain and simple
It’s just a name
Dial numbers
Still the same

Tell me then
What do you say
In either case
Don’t call it gray

[srf52]

...you can call be Ray, or you can call me Jay, just don't call me (S)late for dinner!

[Max 66]

Originally Posted by CaptTed

The Great Slate Debate

On the podium
Talking rhodium
Clearly leads to
Pandemonium

Foo foo dust or
Paint on brass
Nonplussed?
Just don’t be crass

But I can relate
The topic you hate
Close the thread?
Sorry too late

So “Rhodium”
Or is it “Slate”
Let’s please settle
This debate

Appears unchanged
Both brilliant shine
Neither reference
I call mine

Plain and simple
It’s just a name
Dial numbers
Still the same

Tell me then
What do you say
In either case
Don’t call it gray

This rap song makes clear that we are talking about nothing
By the way, make it simple and call it grey.

[Aterth]

Didn't know about this until now

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by Max 66

This rap song makes clear that we are talking about nothing
By the way, make it simple and call it grey.

Ha, could be.

[eplsoccer7]

B

[Brew]

I don’t think the “rhodium” dial was ever really rhodium. I think it’s just paint, now “slate” colored, not really slate.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[RoRoRo]

It’s just a name change. I bought the YM40 126622 “slate” last week new from AD.

It’s just a name change. Colour is the same as previous.

[telesquire]

Originally Posted by RoRoRo

It’s just a name change. I bought the YM40 126622 “slate” last week new from AD.

It’s just a name change. Colour is the same as previous.

I think Rolex probably realised that by calling it Rhodium as a colour they were actually misleading people who thought it was made of the precious metal. The early YM's had a platinum coated dial though.....I think lol. Car manufacturers have less of a problem....no one really thinks their silver Ford is really made of titanium.....or do they? ;)

[samson66]

Originally Posted by telesquire

I think Rolex probably realised that by calling it Rhodium as a colour they were actually misleading people...

LOL I don't think Rolex is too worried about misleading people. They tend to do it on purpose

Datejust 41

Oyster Perpetual 41

[Abaco24]

Originally Posted by JSol1

I know this has popped up on a couple of other threads, but I didn’t want to hijack them.
Can anyone confirm that this is just a name change? I’ll be getting a ‘Rhodium’ YM in a couple of weeks and I want to verify that the color (shade) is the same in the newly named Slate.
I know there was some discussion as to whether Rolex actually used Rhodium dust in the paint, but I don’t really care about that as much as the actual color.
I know the Daytona ‘Slate’ is definitely a different hue than the various Rhodium references.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Here's what I found - I believe Rhodium is what Rolex uses on their description, however, the name Slate is the SLANG name that most use as its easier to describe in the English vernacular.

Rhodium and slate are not the same. Rhodium is a chemical element with the symbol Rh and atomic number. It is a rare, silvery-white, hard, and chemically inert metal 1. On the other hand, slate is a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock that is created by the alteration of shale or mudstone by low-grade regional metamorphism

If you are referring to the color of the dial of a Rolex watch, then rhodium and slate are used interchangeably to describe the same color. The color is a dark or slate grey color in the sunray dials, achieved by using ingenious brushing and plating techniques

[~Ocho1~]

Thank you for explaining that...wish someone would've posted that earlier & left us all in suspense/confusion for 2-3 years.