I'm not a vintage watch collector, although I often hang out in vintage watch forums because I am amazed by the level of interest, knowledge and attention to detail those guys possess. Anyway, I'm not well versed in these things and have often looked on sceptically when claims of tropical dials are made in sales forums; however, I've just received a Breitling Navitimer 81600 and am wondering if I have inadvertently obtained a watch with a tropical dial? I know different eyes see things differently and that colours can vary in photos due to lighting conditions, monitors, etc, so how do you know for sure? Shaded: Full sunlight: I would have posted this in the vintage forum as I guess that is where the most knowledgeable vintage collectors hang out, but obviously the question is not about an Omega watch.
There is a lot of debate about what constitutes a "tropical" dial, some see it as a certain type of paint that ages a certain way while others just see it as damage. Google your heart out and read all of the opinions. What you're looking at is an aging dial and slowly deteriorating or sun-kissed lacquer. This is part of patina and the charm of owning a vintage watch IMO. Enjoy
That's not tropical to me. Tropical should be at the very least a brown tiny, easily seen in sunlight. Yours is very attractive and nicely faded but not tropical.
From a far, you see the difference in dial colour. Upclose, under the sunlight, you should want to eat it. Without direct light exposure, it should still look dark brown and different from a regular dial... There I go, I've bragged a bit