Why is a Rolex with a "tropical" dial such a valued collectors piece?

[digitalcrocodile]

Just curious.

[roh123]

They are rare, unique and often very beautiful.

[digitalcrocodile]

Originally Posted by roh123

They are rare, unique and often very beautiful.

Can you point me to any literature/posts discussing the chemical process that leads to the "tropical" patina on some Rolex watches and not others? Or, perhaps is nothing known in regard to this?

[roh123]

Originally Posted by digitalcrocodile

Can you point me to any literature/posts discussing the chemical process that leads to the "tropical" patina on some Rolex watches and not others? Or, perhaps is nothing known in regard to this?

It is basically a color defect. Mostly speculation why this happens but there are often the same type of dials from the same era fading. Why some change color and some don’t no one knows but I’ve heard stories about watches which been used a lot in the sun that later got stored for a long time in the dark. Can’t say if it makes more sense than other ideas but what do I know..

Of course some ”tropical” dials are just normal water damage. The pretty ones are however undamaged with perfect surface and perfect lume.

[rollyp]

Why is a Rolex with a "tropical" dial such a valued collectors piece?

Because someone way back when wanted to get rid of a watch with a dial that turned brown. He couldn't describe the watch as having a 'poo' dial so he came up with an exotic term for it.... tropical!. Somebody believed the hype and bought that watch for a premium and then bragged to his friends how rare and special it was and how much more it cost than a normal colored dial, and next thing you know, those friends went out and looked for poo, I mean, tropical dials and it became a thing.

Just like 'Tiffany' co-branded watches, just like fuchsia GMT inserts, etc.

It's all nonsense.

And we love it.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by rollyp

Why is a Rolex with a "tropical" dial such a valued collectors piece?

Because someone way back when wanted to get rid of a watch with a dial that turned brown. He couldn't describe the watch as having a 'poo' dial so he came up with an exotic term for it.... tropical!. Somebody believed the hype and bought that watch for a premium and then bragged to his friends how rare and special it was and how much more it cost than a normal colored dial, and next thing you know, those friends went out and looked for poo, I mean, tropical dials and it became a thing.

Just like 'Tiffany' co-branded watches, just like fuchsia GMT inserts, etc.

It's all nonsense.

And we love it.

Awesome

[springer]

Originally Posted by rollyp

Why is a Rolex with a "tropical" dial such a valued collectors piece?

Because someone way back when wanted to get rid of a watch with a dial that turned brown. He couldn't describe the watch as having a 'poo' dial so he came up with an exotic term for it.... tropical!. Somebody believed the hype and bought that watch for a premium and then bragged to his friends how rare and special it was and how much more it cost than a normal colored dial, and next thing you know, those friends went out and looked for poo, I mean, tropical dials and it became a thing.

Just like 'Tiffany' co-branded watches, just like fuchsia GMT inserts, etc.

It's all nonsense.

And we love it.

Pretty well sums it up. While there are a few nice tropical dials to be found on vintage Rolex, most are just damaged dials being hyped as "tropical."

[roh123]

Originally Posted by springer

Pretty well sums it up. While there are a few nice tropical dials to be found on vintage Rolex, most are just damaged dials being hyped as "tropical."

Just terrible. I wish they were black.

[highcotton]

“Can you point me to any literature/posts discussing the chemical process that leads to the "tropical" patina ”

This reads like “Can you help me try re-create this in the laboratory so I can make lots of money”

I know that is not what you meant but it is what it sounds like. But then again I am a pessimist.

[springer]

[QUOTE=roh123;8576978]Just terrible. I wish they were black.

And one of mine from a while back. A glossy gilt Datejust that was originally black.

[Kingface66]

It needs to be mentioned that “tropical” is widely used to describe everything from the slight browning of dials (as pictured above) AND dials that have suffered damage from moisture and degradation of other types. It’s NOT an official term by any standard, and dealers and collectors use the term incredibly loosely.

[thomaspp]

Originally Posted by roh123

Just terrible. I wish they were black.

Awesome


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[Vincent65]

It's just an extension of being interested in vintage watches (or vintage anything, for that matter). What draws someone to vintage? Ageing, fading, nostalgia, history, projecting romantic stories associated with an item etc. If you appreciate vintage, you'll likely appreciate a naturally evenly faded tropical dial. Faded black-to-brown dials are just another part of that romanticism, as with patina and faded bezel inserts. Many people prefer faded, well-worn denim, or the green 'verdigris' patina on copper and bronze, too.

[cpefy3]

Originally Posted by roh123

It is basically a color defect. Mostly speculation why this happens but there are often the same type of dials from the same era fading. Why some change color and some don’t no one knows but I’ve heard stories about watches which been used a lot in the sun that later got stored for a long time in the dark. Can’t say if it makes more sense than other ideas but what do I know..

Of course some ”tropical” dials are just normal water damage. The pretty ones are however undamaged with perfect surface and perfect lume.

It's interesting the "defects" the vintage community accepts and appreciates and those they don't. For instance, a spider dial is seen here as a defect (and not as appreciated); whereas the discoloring defect of the dial is highly sought after.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by cpefy3

It's interesting the "defects" the vintage community accepts and appreciates and those they don't. For instance, a spider dial is seen here as a defect (and not as appreciated); whereas the discoloring defect of the dial is highly sought after.

One is very beautiful and the other isn’t. Very easy to understand when you hold them in your hand.

[cpefy3]

I don't have a proverbial horse in the race, so I could care less. The saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is applicable here. I think those with spider dials could argue their beauty (due to their individualistic nature), just as those who appreciate the aging of tropical dials. Just an observation.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by cpefy3

I don't have a proverbial horse in the race, so I could care less. The saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is applicable here. I think those with spider dials could argue their beauty (due to their individualistic nature), just as those who appreciate the aging of tropical dials. Just an observation.

Agreed, and this holds true for many things in life

[77T]

Some speculation surrounds the term tropical because the fading was associated with sunny, warmer climates between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Each dial acquires a level of uniqueness so the owner now has a “one of a kind” dial. And people who like “one of a kind”-ness tend to pay a premium to get one. That defines an aspect of collectibility. Yet the same people wash, wax and polish their fine autos versus letting them go “tropical”

It appears to be something in the paint pigments reacting to years of exposure to strong light. But often other factors have a role - like failed gaskets over the years allowing microbes to enjoy a meal munching on the lacquered dial.

For a little light reading on a crazy example, try this Hodinkee article from a few years back: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/th...u-will-ever-se


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[toxicavenger]

Basically it was a shitty manufacturing process/defect that people are trying to capitalize on. My Uncle had his dial on his watch replaced 2 times due to this issue in the 80's. The spider dial is another turd people are trying to make bank off of.

[77T]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

Basically it was a shitty manufacturing process/defect that people are trying to capitalize on. My Uncle had his dial on his watch replaced 2 times due to this issue in the 80's. The spider dial is another turd people are trying to make bank off of.

As the article stated, “Serious Rolex collectors are a strange bunch. “




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[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by 77T

As the article stated, “Serious Rolex collectors are a strange bunch. “




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Eccentric is a better term.

[digitalcrocodile]

Originally Posted by highcotton

“Can you point me to any literature/posts discussing the chemical process that leads to the "tropical" patina ”

This reads like “Can you help me try re-create this in the laboratory so I can make lots of money”

I know that is not what you meant but it is what it sounds like. But then again I am a pessimist.

LOL. No, I'm not interested in doing that!

[digitalcrocodile]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

It's just an extension of being interested in vintage watches (or vintage anything, for that matter). What draws someone to vintage? Ageing, fading, nostalgia, history, projecting romantic stories associated with an item etc. If you appreciate vintage, you'll likely appreciate a naturally evenly faded tropical dial. Faded black-to-brown dials are just another part of that romanticism, as with patina and faded bezel inserts. Many people prefer faded, well-worn denim, or the green 'verdigris' patina on copper and bronze, too.

[digitalcrocodile]

Originally Posted by 77T

Some speculation surrounds the term tropical because the fading was associated with sunny, warmer climates between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Each dial acquires a level of uniqueness so the owner now has a “one of a kind” dial. And people who like “one of a kind”-ness tend to pay a premium to get one. That defines an aspect of collectibility. Yet the same people wash, wax and polish their fine autos versus letting them go “tropical”

It appears to be something in the paint pigments reacting to years of exposure to strong light. But often other factors have a role - like failed gaskets over the years allowing microbes to enjoy a meal munching on the lacquered dial.

For a little light reading on a crazy example, try this Hodinkee article from a few years back: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/th...u-will-ever-se


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Thanks! Interesting article.

[Frogman4me]

Handle a nice example in the sun and you will see why. It is a beauty to look at! :)

[butehuk]

Originally Posted by rollyp

Why is a Rolex with a "tropical" dial such a valued collectors piece?

Because someone way back when wanted to get rid of a watch with a dial that turned brown. He couldn't describe the watch as having a 'poo' dial so he came up with an exotic term for it.... tropical!. Somebody believed the hype and bought that watch for a premium and then bragged to his friends how rare and special it was and how much more it cost than a normal colored dial, and next thing you know, those friends went out and looked for poo, I mean, tropical dials and it became a thing.

Just like 'Tiffany' co-branded watches, just like fuchsia GMT inserts, etc.

It's all nonsense.

And we love it.

funny but true to me lol

[scooba]

I have the most beautiful tropical dial on my MK2 DRSD , I never understood the fascination until I found this PP MK2 ,it’s lovely caramel colour

[roh123]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

Handle a nice example in the sun and you will see why. It is a beauty to look at! :)

This. Just judging from pictures does not necessarily do them justice. Just the same as with glossy gilt dials. If you haven’t seen a great one live you will probably not understand.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by cpefy3

It's interesting the "defects" the vintage community accepts and appreciates and those they don't. For instance, a spider dial is seen here as a defect (and not as appreciated); whereas the discoloring defect of the dial is highly sought after.

The "spider dial" could be a week away from having all the paint peel off the dial, leaving you nothing.
The "tropical" dial is still in a stable state.

[MILGAUSS88]

Why is a Rolex with a "tropical" dial such a valued collectors piece?

My personal opinion, largely because it was easier for the majority of buyers to tell that the dial was original, in comparison to a mint dial.

And it still is attractive.