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bobernet · 25 March 2010, 03:27 AM

My wife really liked the rhodium Datejust I was admiring at the jeweler. She said it looked very "masculine," and bought it on the spot as an anniversary gift. I told the story in a prior post.

I know a number of folks have flipped rhodium-dialed Datejusts due to the lack of contrast sometimes making it difficult to tell the time with a quick glance. There's no doubt that the rhodium dial, white gold markers and SS/white gold hands don't provide as much contrast.

However...

I have never seen a dial, other than mother of pearl, that had so much character, variation, and depth. Is it slate? Is it white? Is it silver? Are the markers black? Silver? Two-tone?

Every time I look at the face of my new Datejust, it looks a little different.

I was worried I might have regrets, but every day I appreciate this dial more and more.

Not my pics, but good for illustration purposes:

chennney · 25 March 2010, 05:51 AM

My wife loves her rhodium diamond dial:

HL65 · 25 March 2010, 05:53 AM

As does my wife--Rhodium diamond WG DD!! and a Rhodium dial TT Oyster!

ocwatching · 25 March 2010, 05:54 AM

I am wearing mine today...just a bit different from the MOP/white/gold dials out there

Noonan · 25 March 2010, 05:58 AM

I'm a fan of rhodium dials but not of silver for some reason.

Great pics guys.

JBat · 25 March 2010, 05:58 AM

I think it looks great!

johnliley · 25 March 2010, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobernet

My wife really liked the rhodium Datejust I was admiring at the jeweler. She said it looked very "masculine," and bought it on the spot as an anniversary gift. I told the story in a prior post.

I know a number of folks have flipped rhodium-dialed Datejusts due to the lack of contrast sometimes making it difficult to tell the time with a quick glance. There's no doubt that the rhodium dial, white gold markers and SS/white gold hands don't provide as much contrast.

However...

I have never seen a dial, other than mother of pearl, that had so much character, variation, and depth. Is it slate? Is it white? Is it silver? Are the markers black? Silver? Two-tone?

Every time I look at the face of my new Datejust, it looks a little different.

I was worried I might have regrets, but every day I appreciate this dial more and more.

Not my pics, but good for illustration purposes:

Yup that second one was mine.. Had to sell it at one time. Was my first Rolex.. I honestly miss it everyday. Someday hopefully soon we'll have another.. :)

JL

kgglonghorn · 25 March 2010, 06:15 AM

I love the Roman Rhodium dial. I had a RR DJ for 10 years before upgrading to this:
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TheDude · 25 March 2010, 08:00 AM

Funny - rhodium is used to plate white gold, and is often polished to a shine... Are these dials electroplated with a layer of rhodium?

Some of my watches have rhodium plated hands - probably for the same reason Rolex uses wg since it is highly resistant to corrosion.

carlhaluss · 25 March 2010, 11:50 AM

The rhodium dial is splendid! If my memory serves me correctly - from what my AD told me - the dial is electroplated with rhodium, and rhodium is of the platinum family, and is one of the most expensive precious metals.
Last Saturday, at my AD, I was looking again at the two Datejust watches they had with rhodium dials: fluted white gold bezel, Jubille bracelet, one with white gold roman numerals, and the other with diamond markers. Both are outstanding timepieces, and expceptionally beautiful pieces of jewellery.
Now, I am not normally one for diamonds on watches. However, of the two, the one with the diamond markers really stood out, especially with that rhodium dial.
Bobernet, your DJ with that configuration, is exactly one that I was describing. For some reason, I just like it a bit better with the diamonds, and that even sounds weird for me to be saying that. To me, with or without the diamond markers, that is the most beautiful watch that Rolex turns out. I love the white gold fluted bezel, and the jubilee bracelet with it. That is the only other Rolex, besides my Explorer, that I would like to have at some point. Although it is the most beautiful, my Explorer is the one I would have if it was the only watch I could have.
My AD is also a gemologist and a diamond appraiser, so he knows what he is saying when he tells us that the Rolex diamonds are excellent quality. He gave me a loupe to take a look at how each of the diamonds is mounted in white gold, before attaching them to the dial. They look like 10 miniature rings in themselves. The dial is so beautiful, that only with the loupe can you tell that the diamonds are mounted, they are faceted so well, and sparkle beautifully.
The Romans, in white gold, also look wonderful on the dial. Like you say, the whole dial changes colour depending upon the light.
Congratulations on an outstanding watch!

Cheers

,
Carl

gone-rolex-mad · 25 March 2010, 10:12 PM

I love the rhodium look on the DJ

spuds · 26 March 2010, 12:31 AM

Can't beat Rhodium for understated class IMO....

stusrt · 26 March 2010, 12:34 AM

my girlfriend wants the DJ in 31mm

of course she wants diamonds and black MOP - but since that's out of her budget, she will probably be getting the rhodium with diamond markers.
that is her second favoriate.

obaid · 26 March 2010, 12:49 AM

I think rhodium dials look gr8 .. Nice timepieces guys ..

ersnyder · 26 March 2010, 02:24 AM

Love the pics, great lookin' watches. I'm really attracted by the rhodium dials!

25 March 2010, 03:27 AM	#1
bobernet "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bob Location: Mountains Watch: ALS, AP, PP, Rolex Posts: 2,988	In praise (defense?) of rhodium dials... My wife really liked the rhodium Datejust I was admiring at the jeweler. She said it looked very "masculine," and bought it on the spot as an anniversary gift. I told the story in a prior post. I know a number of folks have flipped rhodium-dialed Datejusts due to the lack of contrast sometimes making it difficult to tell the time with a quick glance. There's no doubt that the rhodium dial, white gold markers and SS/white gold hands don't provide as much contrast. However... I have never seen a dial, other than mother of pearl, that had so much character, variation, and depth. Is it slate? Is it white? Is it silver? Are the markers black? Silver? Two-tone? Every time I look at the face of my new Datejust, it looks a little different. I was worried I might have regrets, but every day I appreciate this dial more and more. Not my pics, but good for illustration purposes:

25 March 2010, 05:51 AM	#2
chennney "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: San Jose, CA Watch: Patek 5212A Posts: 182	My wife loves her rhodium diamond dial: Attached Images

25 March 2010, 05:53 AM	#3
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	As does my wife--Rhodium diamond WG DD!! and a Rhodium dial TT Oyster! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

25 March 2010, 05:54 AM	#4
ocwatching "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Phil Location: CA Posts: 5,374	I am wearing mine today...just a bit different from the MOP/white/gold dials out there __________________ too much into watches...

25 March 2010, 11:50 AM	#10
carlhaluss "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Carl Location: Vancouver, Canada Watch: Rolex Explorer 1 Posts: 1,780	The rhodium dial is splendid! If my memory serves me correctly - from what my AD told me - the dial is electroplated with rhodium, and rhodium is of the platinum family, and is one of the most expensive precious metals. Last Saturday, at my AD, I was looking again at the two Datejust watches they had with rhodium dials: fluted white gold bezel, Jubille bracelet, one with white gold roman numerals, and the other with diamond markers. Both are outstanding timepieces, and expceptionally beautiful pieces of jewellery. Now, I am not normally one for diamonds on watches. However, of the two, the one with the diamond markers really stood out, especially with that rhodium dial. Bobernet, your DJ with that configuration, is exactly one that I was describing. For some reason, I just like it a bit better with the diamonds, and that even sounds weird for me to be saying that. To me, with or without the diamond markers, that is the most beautiful watch that Rolex turns out. I love the white gold fluted bezel, and the jubilee bracelet with it. That is the only other Rolex, besides my Explorer, that I would like to have at some point. Although it is the most beautiful, my Explorer is the one I would have if it was the only watch I could have. My AD is also a gemologist and a diamond appraiser, so he knows what he is saying when he tells us that the Rolex diamonds are excellent quality. He gave me a loupe to take a look at how each of the diamonds is mounted in white gold, before attaching them to the dial. They look like 10 miniature rings in themselves. The dial is so beautiful, that only with the loupe can you tell that the diamonds are mounted, they are faceted so well, and sparkle beautifully. The Romans, in white gold, also look wonderful on the dial. Like you say, the whole dial changes colour depending upon the light. Congratulations on an outstanding watch! Cheers , Carl __________________ Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied.

25 March 2010, 05:58 AM	#5
Noonan Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US Watch: 3570.50 Posts: 2,156	I'm a fan of rhodium dials but not of silver for some reason. Great pics guys.

25 March 2010, 05:58 AM	#6
JBat "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: John Location: Washington Watch: 16710, 16610, DJ Posts: 7,329	I think it looks great!

25 March 2010, 06:15 AM	#8
kgglonghorn "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Posts: 375	I love the Roman Rhodium dial. I had a RR DJ for 10 years before upgrading to this:

25 March 2010, 08:00 AM	#9
TheDude "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC Area, USA Watch: IIc,1680 Red,16660 Posts: 4,492	Funny - rhodium is used to plate white gold, and is often polished to a shine... Are these dials electroplated with a layer of rhodium? Some of my watches have rhodium plated hands - probably for the same reason Rolex uses wg since it is highly resistant to corrosion.

25 March 2010, 10:12 PM	#11
gone-rolex-mad "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Andalucia Spain Watch: WG daydate-Daytona Posts: 1,338	I love the rhodium look on the DJ __________________ Choose to allocate your time to imbeciles at your peril!

26 March 2010, 12:31 AM	#12
spuds "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Dan Location: Essex, UK Watch: West Ham! COYI!! Posts: 7,941	Can't beat Rhodium for understated class IMO.... __________________ Onwards & Upwards Rodders...... Onwards & Upwards. Life is not about how fast you can run or how high you can climb........... It's about how well you can bounce!! TRF HALL OF FAME JANUARY 2010

26 March 2010, 12:34 AM	#13
stusrt "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Motor City Watch: too many Posts: 1,114	my girlfriend wants the DJ in 31mm of course she wants diamonds and black MOP - but since that's out of her budget, she will probably be getting the rhodium with diamond markers. that is her second favoriate.

26 March 2010, 12:49 AM	#14
obaid "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Obaid Location: Pakistan Watch: yachtmaster Posts: 79	I think rhodium dials look gr8 .. Nice timepieces guys ..

26 March 2010, 02:24 AM	#15
ersnyder 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Eric Location: Long Beach CA USA Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 4,102	Love the pics, great lookin' watches. I'm really attracted by the rhodium dials!

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