Can Modern Rolex Dials Turn Tropical or Patinated?

[Rolexlover92]

I’ve always loved the look of Tropical/Patina dials because they show so much character. But was wondering are the dials today made difficult where age and sun won’t affect it as much? Thanks!

[inadeje]

The sun will eventually discolor anything, even items specifically designed to be exposed to the elements. There is nothing that will evade the suns effects forever.

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by inadeje

The sun will eventually discolor anything, even items specifically designed to be exposed to the elements. There is nothing that will evade the suns effects forever.

Not if it's sitting in pitch-black safe though, right? Perhaps oxidation in that case.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Not if it's sitting in pitch-black safe though, right? Perhaps oxidation in that case.

yeah, I’d forgotten that in our modern era most watches are safe queens. Back in the day when tropical dials were born, through wear and real tool watch use, we didn’t have todays breed of desk warriors worried if the stapler scratches the clasp

[Watchcollectables]

Some early 116520 white dials are turning a slight Greenish in tone , apparently !

[GreatScott]

Originally Posted by inadeje

The sun will eventually discolor anything, even items specifically designed to be exposed to the elements. There is nothing that will evade the suns effects forever.

Doesn’t Omega offer ceramic dials that do not fade over time.

[MikeyV]

So, under the crystal, the hands and hour markers are gold, so these can't tarnish or fade much, if at all.

What about the dial? Is the champagne dial actually gold that's deposited onto a brass backing? That's what I assume (champagne is gold, sundust is rose gold and silver it white gold), if that's the case, then the dial shouldn't change either? My champagne dial is a dead on color match for the gold on the rest of the watch. If it's not gold, it's damned impressive how they matched the color.

Am I right here?

[droptopman]

Actually most of the good patina dials we see were/are safe queens that were in the dark. The dark is what creates the dark patina on tritium plots. Now the tropical dials, yes that is the sun. We will not know for a few years yet if the modern watches are in fact built to be ageless....

[upsidedownbelt]

The tropical dials turned that color due to a defect. Modern dials won’t turn that color. That is why there are so few tropical dials and why the command a premium. It was an error by Rolex.

[RJRJRJ]

Probably, but we'll all be too old or dead to care.

[bobabreath]

There was an earlier thread showing the modern Milgauss black dial turning grey from exposure to years of sun.

[FrankNYC]

Patina on older watches is from decaying tritium. Since tritium hasn’t been used in over 20 years time will tell if the luminova dials will do the same.

[ilovethiscity]

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

Probably, but we'll all be too old or dead to care.

THIS! Or move to London and your watch will see very average sun with NO chance of discolouration haha it’s these sexy Miami watches that need help! (Kidding obviously!)

[Loevhagen]

No - but just get some water damage into the watch, and it will be "tropical" (aka FUBAR) very soon.