Just as the great patina on an ancient bronze sculpture is an intrinsic part of its value, an honest patina on a watch dial can significantly enhance its overall value and collectability. Due to subtle imperfections in the various layers of dial finishing, some fake Rolex dials will naturally change color over time, especially under certain conditions, such as UV exposure. Now known as “tropical” dials, these unique vintage components are just one of the happy accidents of natural aging that provide their watches with a completely different overall appearance.
The most classic example of a tropical dial is a dark case back that turns chocolate brown, but a variety of colors are possible, depending on the initial color of the dial and the specific conditions to which it may have been exposed during its lifetime. In the case of the Rolex Submariner 1680 Solid Gold, featured in the Robb Report Gift Guide, the original deep cobalt dial has changed color to a vibrant aqua hue reminiscent of tropical seas.
Complementing the warm gold tone of the case and contrasting with the vibrant turquoise color of the dial is an original set of tritium hands that have developed a warm, milky patina that perfectly matches the color of the tritium-filled hour markers on the tropical blue dial. This replica Rolex Submariner is truly unlike any other reference 1680 and is a must-have for the die-hard vintage collector who wants to stand out.
For those of us who seem to have everything in life, vintage watches are the perfect gift because no two watches will ever be exactly alike. And a vintage watch like the Tropical Dial Rolex Submariner 1680 Solid Gold in the December print edition of the Robb Report Ultimate Gift Guide is guaranteed to be unlike any other watch in their collection.
The purchase of this watch comes with a private tour of Bob’s Watches Newport Beach, California headquarters where lucky buyers can view our industry-leading selection of luxury watches and take an in-depth look at Bob’s Watches founder and CEO Paul Altieri’s personal vintage Rolex replica watches collection with Bob’s Watches founder Paul Altieri. The tropical solid gold Rolex submarine and tour of Bob’s Watches headquarters is the perfect gift for the luxury watch lover who has everything.