Part 2: Vintage Rolex is all about Patina and colors.

No other watch brand on this planet can develop the kinds of patina that Rolex does. No other brand has colors that can turn and fade. This is a major reason why I love vintage Rolex so much.

The colors of a GMT master 6542 or faded fuchsia insert on 1675 are what collector dreams are made of. Gilt black lacquer dials on old Rolex watches can age in so many attractive ways (for more on how gilt dials are made see our series here). Only a Rolex can turn from a perfect black lacquer dial to tropical dial and still look absolutely awesome. 

Many early 1950s watches were made with radium but for some reason the interaction of radium and black gilt dials works like magic in Rolex. And the patina that develops is almost across all lines of Rolex. Explorer dials, submariner dials, Daytona dials, GMT Master dials and bezels. 

Even sophisticated watches that Rolex made, the 6062 and the 8171 can take on a great patina. This is because the 6062 in particular were two-tone dials which allowed the watch to age with incredible patina. While dials can age wonderfully for Rolex so too can the lume on the dials. Lume can turn dark brown, light brown, beige, flake off partially (which I actually like). 

What is perhaps most fascinating with Rolex is the following:

Depending if the watch is in direct sunlight or shade – it can take on a completely different look, patina. Not only can the dial change, the bezels on GMT’s change. Gold oyster bands can take on a completely different look. The writing on gilt dial submariners can turn from silver to brown, the lume from beige to orange, the hands can change color completely. I will show you examples below that very well illustrate what I mean. 

You get my point. No vintage brand ages as well as Rolex. Don’t believe me? Let me show you some pictures that will literally blow your mind.

(For Part I in this series see here).

---

You will now see why Rolex is so alluring in terms of colors.

We start off with some dials that have turned brown or tropical.

Like this dream Rolex GMT Master 1675 with pointed crown guards, and owned by an Asian collector (Park Hong). Notice the bezel has also turned in to a special uniform faded grey color (it as presumably black before). 

Another explosion of colors from Rolex – these watches both owned by Asian collectors.

GMT’s are always colourful: by collector Park.

Another cross section of Rolex sports watches by Park. Notice the two different browns Rolex dial can take on with time from an original black dial (left watch).

Nice blueberry by Luc M.

The next picture  is a perfect example of dials that can change color depending on the light. 

This time the same watch seconds later with flash.

Next up we show an incredible 5512 four liner turned brown. Courtesy of Paul Tamin.

Staying with a 5512 Submariner look at this rare beast: A 5512 eagle beak from 1959. Courtesy of my buddy Geoff /Manhattenrollie. This dial was once black.

Another nice 1680 submariner turned brown with creamy lume plots. Faded grey insert. Credit: AJ

A nice even turned tropical Rolex sports model – a 5512 submariner that was one black lacquer gilt dial. Credit: Iceman.

A superb pic by my friend Fabrice with his fantastic SD. Notice the bezel that has turned a blue grey – simply marvellous.

Look at this watch below. If its not in sun it looks like this. Crazy right? The power of Rolex to turn colour! INCREDIBLE. 

Here a tropical dial is from an Explorer by my friend Jim from HK.

Here the difference between black and brown is nicely seen (both big crown Rolex).

Sometimes the sub-registers change color more than the dial. Like on this Daytona – Tiffany signed (Credit: Tempus2).

Another Daytona 6240 with sub-dials that have turned brown.

Sometimes the color is very subtle. Like with the red Omani logo or with the brown faded dial in the Rolex submariner (top right) below. Pic credit: Manhattenrollie.

This picture is just perfect to illustrate how Rolex can change colour. Look at this two Daytona. Just superb!

(Picture Credit: Oldrolexfan aka Kaiserfranz).

Another sub dial tropical Daytona beauty from a German based collector (Credit: Oldrolexfan).

Rolex various colours (Credit: Manhattenrollie).

If you think only Rolex sports watches are good at developing patina and changing color –  think again. Here a 6062 two tone dial.

Another look at a 6062 this time in Gold. Notice how the dial changed color – remember 6062 are born two tone dials.

Look at this bakelite the was once dark blue to begin with and has changed color. Reminds me of the azzuro or the waters off the coast of Sardenia. Beautiful! (Credit: Mario Disette).

Here this wonderful 6542 Rolex in full – one of the nice bakelite I have ever seen. (credit: Mario Disette).

Or look at this 1675 GMT Master Rolex where the bezel has turned almost reddish brown (but started off as uniform brown). Only Rolex can give you those explosive colors!

Maybe you prefer a Fuchsia type color? Look at this marvelous bezel insert on a 1675. What a dream. Notice how there two different shades of purple. 

Another close-up of a Fuchsia bezel with an incredible faded grey and now purple. What a dream color combination for a GMT 1675. (Credit: Valentin Scemama).

More fantastic fuchsia colour! (Credit: Ekko)

Another dream Fuchsia insert from my friend and superb collector Atin.

One of the best Fuchsia bezel inserts I have ever seen was at Beyer in Zurich many years ago. Look at that color!

Next picture shows very well the different color bezel inserts that are partially faded. A superb picture! (Picture Credit: Snuggle1969).

Another colourful GMT Master pic. You can mix and match your GMT Master according to your mood and it will still be period correct. Tell me another brand you can do that with? Exactly. (Credit: An Austrian collector).

Next picture shows different bezel inserts – some having changed color.

This is the power of Rolex. Mix and match depending on your mood. (Credit: Minh Nguyen).

Stella dials are perhaps the king of color for Rolex. Oxblood is among my favourite.

Maybe my favorite stella Rolex in the world – the elusive 1831 Rolex day date made only in 8 pieces.

This green stella dial with ‘Octopus’ bracelet is just awesome. Agreed? So vibrant in color. (Credit: John Goldberger).

Just because this Green stella is so awesome – here another shot.

Light blue anyone? (Credit: Hendra – Iceman).

Light green perhaps? To go with that lime green Miura. The case is unpolished and in NOS condition.

What about a slice of orange? (Credit: Rihanna for König Design).

Or maybe pink for a princesse out there?  (Credit: Rihanna for König Design).

Rolex also made so called lemon or limoncello dial Daytona with white sub – registers.

(Picture credit: Jonathan Wong).

Here is proof that even a super cool green croc strap can just make a day – date awesome (this is a killer platinum day – date). Credit: Momentum Dubai.

While on the subject of diamonds. Not everybody’s taste but those colors are just inredible! Courtesy of Nicolas Bybieck.

This Rainbow Daytona is just über cool – don’t you think….? Miami South Beach here I come….

(Picture Credit: Christies).

Stella explosion courtesy of Blindfish18 – Gary Lau.

Another Stella explosion courtesy of Tim Yong. A dream picture!

Day dates are perhaps the most colourful line of Rolex. Paired with cool straps – this is Rolex color mania. Just perfect! Thank you Tim.

To finish a cross section of Rolex watches in all different colors. (Credit: Hendra / Iceman).

---

For part 3 of this series please see here.