.avif){kind=small}
The Subdial Is On YouTube!
Subscribe
.avif)
A tropical dial is a vintage watch dial that has undergone natural color transformation through aging, typically fading from its original black or dark color to warm brown tones due to UV exposure and humidity. This change was unintentional — early dial lacquers lacked UV stabilizers — but the resulting unique patina is now highly prized by vintage collectors.
Each tropical dial is unique — no two fade identically — making them one-of-a-kind artifacts of natural aging. Collectors prize their rarity, the romantic story of decades of service, and their visual warmth. A genuine tropical Rolex or Patek Philippe dial can increase a watch's value 5-10x over a standard example, with exceptional specimens fetching six or seven figures at auction.
Authentic tropicals show consistent, even color transition from center to edge, original printing intact beneath the color change, and aging consistent with the watch's overall condition. The transformation affects the lacquer layer, not the printing itself. Fakes exist — artificially aged dials often show uneven color, bubbling, or printing damage. Expert authentication compares dial aging with case and movement wear.
.webp)
.avif)
