In Praise of Tropical Dials (Love in the Ruins*)
For most of my adult life I have lived in two American cities where the combination of age, climate, hurricanes, and verdant plant growth erode the permanency of the works of man: New Orleans and Charleston. Forty years ago both of these cities could best be described as elegant ruins. In the decades since I first encountered these places there have been horrible calamities and then restoration and growth. Both places have been transformed. You don’t miss what you no longer see. But, if truth be told, I preferred the old decrepitude of the way they were, unrestored and unbowed.
Decades ago Rolex would get watches in for repair where the black dial had turned a chocolate brown. This was a defect and Rolex would install a new black dial and return the watch to its owner. Omega and Patek Phillippe had similar issues. Getting to the bottom of the problem, it appeared as though a composition that was used in making dials in the 1950’s caused this discoloration. It is thought that it was a reaction to UV light. WWII military issue watches had similar problems, but these were cheaply made and abused. Rolex and Omega could not allow their nicest watches to leave the factory with defects, even if these defects took many years to uncover.
Well, there is a kink for every taste. Watch collectors started calling these defective watches “tropical dials” and in high-end watches the prices soared. A tropical dial vintage Rolex can bring a price as much as one third higher than one with a normal dial.
I used to be very resistant to watches with too much patina and tropical dials were a step too far. My tastes evolved (no, not a “journey”). These dials are elegant ruins. They are “found objects” that elicit interest and fascination.
This is a 1950’s Benrus. Whatever they were doing with their cream dials in that era led to a fiery patina. I bought this one when another’s price got out of reach (I am frugal). It really lights up in full sun.
If you prefer this in a new watch Nivada Grenchen has you covered. I saw @PeterKotsa 's video here. The watch immediately sold out. Nivada now has my email. Kotsa has “influenced” me. Nivada treats the dials with UV and each one is supposedly different.
@WatchYourIntruder discussed patina here. Wabi sabi was discussed ages ago. Will your tastes evolve to embrace tropical dials?
(Less tropical.)
*Love in the Ruins was the third novel by Walker Percy. It is a flawed and dated work of fiction, but like everything Percy ever wrote, it has its rewards.
Restitutor Orbis. Aristocrat of beauty. Autocrat of time. (Trying to perfect trolling over at theescapementroom.com)
@WatchYourIntruders tropical dial wonders are some of the loveliest watches I've ever seen. To think such watch wear could be seen as a negative is a bit bewildering.
When I was talking to an AD recently about the Explorer 1 he told me proudly that in a few years you can bring your watch back and they'll send it off to Rolex for a refurb and polish and it'll come back looking like new.
Surely the very spirit of the Explorer is that it carries the memories of your adventures?
Why would you polish it all away???
@WatchYourIntruders tropical dial wonders are some of the loveliest watches I've ever seen. To think such watch wear could be seen as a negative is a bit bewildering.
When I was talking to an AD recently about the Explorer 1 he told me proudly that in a few years you can bring your watch back and they'll send it off to Rolex for a refurb and polish and it'll come back looking like new.
Surely the very spirit of the Explorer is that it carries the memories of your adventures?
Why would you polish it all away???
The AD knows typical Explorer 1 owners, if you get my drift.
Love your Benrus. Very distinctive, and you can't beat the patina!
As a noob to the sport, my blind eyes just looked at vintage in awe and wonder, and tropical dials were never seen as a flaw. If given the chance I might pop for the right one, even knowing I’m probably being charged a premium for it to be described as tropical dial. That Benrus for instance is barking the right notes.
That Benrus is beautiful. I love seeing a tropical dial in the wild, though rare, you know that person appreciates that watch and it likely has an interesting story attached to it.
Thanks, this is an interesting read. I suspect the Tropical dial might have greatest attraction in parts of the world where there is lots of sunlight. A chocolate brown dial under England’s grey skies would look drab and uninviting.
Well that turned out awesome!! Saw the vid too and went strait to look at the watch, it's on the list.
Thanks, this is an interesting read. I suspect the Tropical dial might have greatest attraction in parts of the world where there is lots of sunlight. A chocolate brown dial under England’s grey skies would look drab and uninviting.
As a native of England's green and pleasant land, I very much disagree. A tropical dial makes me yearn for more exciting climes.
I got a sneak peek of this watch, and it has haunted me for around a week prior to its public viewing. I do so adore this watch, it's a Benrus, it has a nice design, it has been beautifully distressed by Mother Nature: 5/5
As a native of England's green and pleasant land, I very much disagree. A tropical dial makes me yearn for more exciting climes.
I got a sneak peek of this watch, and it has haunted me for around a week prior to its public viewing. I do so adore this watch, it's a Benrus, it has a nice design, it has been beautifully distressed by Mother Nature: 5/5
A watch and colour to transport you. Maybe like the Méraud Antigua. Reflects on my lack of imagination!
Thanks, this is an interesting read. I suspect the Tropical dial might have greatest attraction in parts of the world where there is lots of sunlight. A chocolate brown dial under England’s grey skies would look drab and uninviting.
Hey!…I live in a much colder and darker climate and could still enjoy a good patinad or tropical dial. It is like with plants. You can feed them with artificial light👍
Hey!…I live in a much colder and darker climate and could still enjoy a good patinad or tropical dial. It is like with plants. You can feed them with artificial light👍
Maybe we need the tropical dials more than than those in the tropics then! Bad point from me - I should experience one first. It could be (yet another) watch I never knew I needed!
That Benrus looks really stunning! It gives you a feeling that is been through the Chernobyl apocalypse. And in this case that is positive. The thing with patina or tropical dialled watch is that’s a really thin line between ruin and masterpiece. The good thing it’s in the eye of the beholder which is which. For you out there that really enjoy, or are interested in these damaged dials I give you a link to my favourite vintage dealer Watches83 https://watches83.com/en/. This is where I picked up my Constellation that I, and @Deeperblue , find so stunning. For the moment they have two great looking Polerouter with a coffee dial. To expensive to my finding but take a look and study in detail the beautiful photos. Trust me, the photos is what you get. But don’t look at the DuWard chronograph for sale. I’m doing that.
Always loved patina, in watches as well as in vehicles, buildings, what have you - I am convinced that the more gracefully it ages, the better the thing was designed in the first place.
That Benrus looks really stunning! It gives you a feeling that is been through the Chernobyl apocalypse. And in this case that is positive. The thing with patina or tropical dialled watch is that’s a really thin line between ruin and masterpiece. The good thing it’s in the eye of the beholder which is which. For you out there that really enjoy, or are interested in these damaged dials I give you a link to my favourite vintage dealer Watches83 https://watches83.com/en/. This is where I picked up my Constellation that I, and @Deeperblue , find so stunning. For the moment they have two great looking Polerouter with a coffee dial. To expensive to my finding but take a look and study in detail the beautiful photos. Trust me, the photos is what you get. But don’t look at the DuWard chronograph for sale. I’m doing that.
I saw that chocolate Polerouter! 😍 So so gorgeous, but the price is just more than I could justify.
Peter’s video he did on his chocolate dial Sinn 556 I found gorgeous as a new colour variation! Now seeing the tropical dials , I instantly already liked them from desiring a Sinn 556 in Choc sunburst!
I saw that chocolate Polerouter! 😍 So so gorgeous, but the price is just more than I could justify.
I will not be buying that Polerouter. Sad.
Sometimes you get lucky!
Well, I'm adding tropic dial mod to my DIY experiments list. Have a fake SKX dial which will be the perfect candidate. Hmm, maybe also my sterile explorer white dial...will report back.
Not sure if my old bombay OP is, technically, a tropical dial but it's certainly patina'd;
Great Benrus!
But...Sorry...no.
I can understand that some like the whole tropical dial thing, like the guys who pay extra to have their guitar relic'd.
Not me.
I want pristine NOS with original hang tags and on its original signed bracelet or strap.
When Stephen Stern made this gorgeous Gretsch 6120 for me, he asked me if I wanted it relic'd and if I wanted the dull aluminum hardware...no way man...I want it perfect, clean, shiny and gorgeous with shiny gold hardware...
That's just me...
Not sure if my old bombay OP is, technically, a tropical dial but it's certainly patina'd;
As tropical as Miami in May.
Patina makes every watch a piece unique - cherish it!