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SWIMPRUF · 27 July 2011, 11:04 PM

Just came across this sub on ePrey and noticed the price: $43,000 USD?!!

I mean, can anyone explain this steep price besides that it's rare?

Thanks.

dsio · 27 July 2011, 11:10 PM

There's a fine line between tropical, and shagged out, think that's sort of on the edge of the two.

SWIMPRUF · 27 July 2011, 11:12 PM

Sorry but I don't understand it well. Kindly re-explain please?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsio

There's a fine line between tropical, and shagged out, think that's sort of on the edge of the two.

dsio · 27 July 2011, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWIMPRUF

Sorry but I don't understand it well. Kindly re-explain please?

Oh its just the term "tropical", which I'd apply to a dial that has turned or is starting to turn a chocolate or lighter colour seems to be used by watch dealers to justify a watch dial being in shockingly bad or rusted out condition.

Sort of like real estate agents describing a house you can't swing a cat in "cozy".

SWIMPRUF · 27 July 2011, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsio

Oh its just the term "tropical", which I'd apply to a dial that has turned or is starting to turn a chocolate or lighter colour seems to be used by watch dealers to justify a watch dial being in shockingly bad or rusted out condition.

Sort of like real estate agents describing a house you can't swing a cat in "cozy".

Thanks for explaining.

Can't blame the seller for stating it as tropical.

Also, If you would look at the dial on :45 to :05 it's rusted.

dsio · 27 July 2011, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWIMPRUF

Thanks for explaining.

Can't blame the seller for stating it as tropical.

Also, If you would look at the dial on :45 to :05 it's rusted.

Yea that's what I was talking about, there's no good way to spin a watch that isn't just corroded mildly but actually has visible and probably loose rust floating around it.

HL65 · 27 July 2011, 11:39 PM

Tropical or trash? Sorry but the 2nd IMHO!
Sellers can ask what they want but it isn't what
they ask but what they get...
PS: If it were true tropical 6538 it would be
triple the cost though.

greekbum · 27 July 2011, 11:43 PM

We are at that stage in the game. I think that all watchmakers bins have been raided of what was once called damaged dials that were replaced with nicer desirable dials years ago. Now they have surfaced in watches and are labeled as rare,tropical,spider etc dials.There must be a market for them as within the last year or so I have seen numerous for sale and the prices are astronomical. Some I see are housed in watches that for the most part every part has an issue as if a bag of bad unwanted parts from years ago

conrail · 27 July 2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Tropical or trash? Sorry but the 2nd IMHO!
Sellers can ask what they want but it isn't what
they ask but what they get...
PS: If it were true tropical 6538 it would be
triple the cost though.

Yea there really is a line there - Tropical or Trash. I guess technically tropical is an effect of the environment on the materials, but the one above goes too far!

Paulie 50 · 27 July 2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekbum

We are at that stage in the game. I think that all watchmakers bins have been raided of what was once called damaged dials that were replaced with nicer desirable dials years ago. Now they have surfaced in watches and are labeled as rare,tropical,spider etc dials.There must be a market for them as within the last year or so I have seen numerous for sale and the prices are astronomical. Some I see are housed in watches that for the most part every part has an issue as if a bag of bad unwanted parts from years ago

I agree, as i said yesterday, some of these sellers are having a laugh.

DiamondJack · 28 July 2011, 12:01 AM

My understanding is that a true tropical dial is caused by the paint used on some early watches reacting with a mixture of strong sunlight and the tritium markers, causing the dial to go a uniform brown colour.

The dial itself will nevertheless remain in perfect condition which is why the ones that didn't go near Rolex for a service and remained intact and, most importantly, are still in perfect condition, are so rare now.

This one looks like the crystal has been removed and someone has had a go at it with bleach and a toothbrush. But as they say "a fool and their money are easily parted"

montecristo4 · 28 July 2011, 12:01 AM

This dial is a piece of crap. Not worth a penny.

Paulie 50 · 28 July 2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

But as they say "a fool and their money are easily parted"

But how does a fool get money?

HL65 · 28 July 2011, 12:07 AM

Tropical next to non Tropical: Paint defect vs. No paint defect....Mk2 thin case and Mk3- two of my favorite girlfriends!!

DiamondJack · 28 July 2011, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie 50

But how does a fool get money?

You'd be surprised..... but usually, they're given it by their foolish parents

nocrown · 28 July 2011, 12:25 AM

Jesus Ken! You seriously have the best! And you removed the cyclops -- good man!

I want that tropical red!

Porsche · 28 July 2011, 12:26 AM

Ken, why do you keep doing that! I just spilled my yoghurt .... Droooooolllll

arttay10 · 28 July 2011, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

You'd be surprised..... but usually, they're given it by their foolish parents

SO true......

HL65 · 28 July 2011, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nocrown

Jesus Ken! You seriously have the best! And you removed the cyclops -- good man!

I want that tropical red!

No cyclops both are DRSD's...Thanks!

HL65 · 28 July 2011, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche

ken, why do you keep doing that! I just spilled my yoghurt .... Droooooolllll

lol!!

YetiBiker · 28 July 2011, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Tropical next to non Tropical: Paint defect vs. No paint defect....Mk2 thin case and Mk3- two of my favorite girlfriends!!

Way to show them what a true "tropical" is supposed to be!

That tropical 1665 is a killer my friend!

Johny · 28 July 2011, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Tropical next to non Tropical: Paint defect vs. No paint defect....Mk2 thin case and Mk3- two of my favorite girlfriends!!

fresh as a daisy( pair of daisies). thanks ken.

Paulie 50 · 28 July 2011, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Tropical next to non Tropical: Paint defect vs. No paint defect....Mk2 thin case and Mk3- two of my favorite girlfriends!!

It does not get any better, fantastic Ken.

HL65 · 28 July 2011, 01:25 AM

Thanks Vijay, Johny and Paul!! Just too many awful dials people call tropical...Cheers all!

aleiberman · 28 July 2011, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Tropical next to non Tropical: Paint defect vs. No paint defect....Mk2 thin case and Mk3- two of my favorite girlfriends!!

I am drooling also!

aleiberman · 28 July 2011, 02:52 AM

The only decent thing i see on that watch above is the nylon strap. Maybe the bezel is worth buying.

The case is worn down to a nub. I would be grossed out putting this on my wrist. I'd be afraid of a spider crawling out of the crown tube.

conrail · 28 July 2011, 03:18 AM

That case has some life to it, the hands look nice, the bezel, insert, are in good shape. Assuming the movement is as well you could either get a new dial, refinish that one, or leave it how it is. I'd probably leave the dial how it is and hunt for a better dial. I'd love to know the story behind it - how it ended up so weathered!

HL65 · 28 July 2011, 03:26 AM

Thanks Aaron!!

Chris B · 28 July 2011, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Tropical next to non Tropical: Paint defect vs. No paint defect....Mk2 thin case and Mk3- two of my favorite girlfriends!!

Stunning Ken

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche

I just spilled my yoghurt .... Droooooolllll

onkyo · 28 July 2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montecristo4

This dial is a piece of crap. Not worth a penny.

My exact thoughts too.....

Ken's tropical on the other hand is a masterpiece.

27 July 2011, 11:04 PM	#1
SWIMPRUF "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: * Posts: 2,323	6538 tropical: Why so expensive? Just came across this sub on ePrey and noticed the price: $43,000 USD?!! I mean, can anyone explain this steep price besides that it's rare? Thanks. Attached Images __________________ Member# 52,675 Est. 3/2011

27 July 2011, 11:10 PM	#2
dsio "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Ashley Location: Brisbane Watch: Rolex Sub 1680 '79 Posts: 2,301	There's a fine line between tropical, and shagged out, think that's sort of on the edge of the two. __________________ -- Omega Seamaster Grand-Lux Stepped Pie-Pan 14K Gold OJ2627 '53 -- -- Omega Cal 320 Chronograph 18K Gold OT2872 '58 -- -- Omega Cal 321 Speedmaster Pro 145.012 '67 -- -- Rolex Submariner 1680 "Ghost" '79 -- -- Rolex SS Daytona 116520 '04 --

27 July 2011, 11:39 PM	#7
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	Tropical or trash? Sorry but the 2nd IMHO! Sellers can ask what they want but it isn't what they ask but what they get... PS: If it were true tropical 6538 it would be triple the cost though. __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

27 July 2011, 11:43 PM	#8
greekbum "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Nikos Location: Florida Watch: Rolex GMT 16750 Posts: 8,418	We are at that stage in the game. I think that all watchmakers bins have been raided of what was once called damaged dials that were replaced with nicer desirable dials years ago. Now they have surfaced in watches and are labeled as rare,tropical,spider etc dials.There must be a market for them as within the last year or so I have seen numerous for sale and the prices are astronomical. Some I see are housed in watches that for the most part every part has an issue as if a bag of bad unwanted parts from years ago __________________ Follow Me On Instagram @nickgogas Original Owner ROLEX 16750 GMT Daily Wearer For Over 13,000 Days And Counting

28 July 2011, 12:07 AM	#14
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	Tropical next to non Tropical: Paint defect vs. No paint defect....Mk2 thin case and Mk3- two of my favorite girlfriends!! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

28 July 2011, 12:01 AM	#11
DiamondJack "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: London Watch: Quite a few Posts: 4,315	My understanding is that a true tropical dial is caused by the paint used on some early watches reacting with a mixture of strong sunlight and the tritium markers, causing the dial to go a uniform brown colour. The dial itself will nevertheless remain in perfect condition which is why the ones that didn't go near Rolex for a service and remained intact and, most importantly, are still in perfect condition, are so rare now. This one looks like the crystal has been removed and someone has had a go at it with bleach and a toothbrush. But as they say "a fool and their money are easily parted"

28 July 2011, 12:01 AM	#12
montecristo4 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 91	This dial is a piece of crap. Not worth a penny.

28 July 2011, 12:25 AM	#16
nocrown Banned Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: nyc Watch: 1680 ReD Posts: 116	Jesus Ken! You seriously have the best! And you removed the cyclops -- good man! I want that tropical red!

28 July 2011, 12:26 AM	#17
Porsche 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: John Location: ɹǝpun Watch: and learn Posts: 2,986	Ken, why do you keep doing that! I just spilled my yoghurt .... Droooooolllll __________________ Obey Gravity, it's the Law! ROLEX --- SEIKO --- HEUER TRF REHAUT T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M

28 July 2011, 01:25 AM	#24
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	Thanks Vijay, Johny and Paul!! Just too many awful dials people call tropical...Cheers all! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

28 July 2011, 02:52 AM	#26
aleiberman "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: MA Watch: Rolex Posts: 501	The only decent thing i see on that watch above is the nylon strap. Maybe the bezel is worth buying. The case is worn down to a nub. I would be grossed out putting this on my wrist. I'd be afraid of a spider crawling out of the crown tube.

28 July 2011, 03:18 AM	#27
conrail "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 3,177	That case has some life to it, the hands look nice, the bezel, insert, are in good shape. Assuming the movement is as well you could either get a new dial, refinish that one, or leave it how it is. I'd probably leave the dial how it is and hunt for a better dial. I'd love to know the story behind it - how it ended up so weathered! __________________ "Oh, you give a f****' aspirin a headache, pal!"

28 July 2011, 03:26 AM	#28
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	Thanks Aaron!! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

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