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  1. MPWATCH Watch Lover Nov 24, 2016

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    This thread is a gallery of Tropical Dials that are seen are less/more desirable to collectors!

    A dial has obtained a tropical color when....

    1) The dial has faded naturally to a different colour. Black, brown and everything in between, but also original colour so long as a material change in colour is present. Discoloration is caused by exposure to the sun and natural aging.

    2) A tropical dial requires consistent fading through out the entire dial. Different variations in shape and size occur from a uncontrollable aging process.

    3) The Tropical out come must not be due to water damage or any damage.

    Where is the line drawn and condition begins becoming a concern in your personal opinion?

    Is there a middle ground that collectors tend to agree upon?

    Posted below are a few tropical examples I'd like to share and get feedback on. I invite you to post an example you particularly like or dislike to see what specific patina levels excite a collector.

    Hope this is a fun exercise to crack the code of Tropical Dials and what makes us enjoy them in watch collecting.

    Happy Holiday!

    Thomas
     
    Screen Shot 2016-11-24 at 3.43.18 PM.png Screen Shot 2016-11-24 at 3.48.12 PM.png Screen Shot 2016-11-24 at 3.48.06 PM.png Screen Shot 2016-11-24 at 3.47.55 PM.png Screen Shot 2016-11-24 at 3.47.27 PM.png Screen Shot 2016-11-24 at 3.47.13 PM.png
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  2. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Nov 24, 2016

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    This is probably a very subjective question. Some see it as plain old degradation and shun these while others compete vigorously for them and will pay more for one they consider to be nice.

    For me, this is one of my favourite watches (at the moment). It's got nothing to hide. I don't know if this would be considered tropical, but it certainly is worn out.

    IMG_20161112_1020402.jpg
     
    Edited Nov 24, 2016
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  3. dennisthemenace Hey, he asked for it! Nov 24, 2016

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    There's a difference between baked in the sun and baked in an oven.
    What do you think?
     
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  4. Mick Tock Nov 24, 2016

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    [​IMG]

    I'm pretty sure, that this Aquastar 60 left the factory with a black or gray dial.

    [​IMG]

    Cheers,

    Mick
     
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  5. Delroyb Nov 24, 2016

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    I'd say this one I got I'm recently is about the limit for attractive rather than just knackered. Personally, I love it, some would hate it.
     
    IMG_20161103_143601.jpg
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  6. Jwit Not a doctor, but plays one on ΩF Nov 24, 2016

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    Not sure what color this was originally, but I dig it now.
     
    IMG_3350.JPG IMG_3185.JPG
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  7. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Nov 24, 2016

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    Not all dials shown in this thread would be called tropical. Tobacco smoke can give a dial a brown-orange patina. On some dials this can look good or interesting. On others, not so much.
     
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  8. Uniqez Nov 25, 2016

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    Tobacco smoke would bring some patina to the teeth too))))).
    I was under impression that black or dark grey would turn chocolate brown over time and would be called tropical...All other dials would have different colors patina but not a tropical though.

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
     
  9. MPWATCH Watch Lover Nov 25, 2016

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    I have a similar ideology as you as far as what defines a Tropical from regular color patina. Having said that, I've spoken to several collectors about what drives them crazy ( in a good way ) about a Tropical dial and I have received all types of responses. It absolutely is a subjective opinion in the world of watch collecting, but I was hoping to get a clearer idea through this thread.

    Best,

    Thomas
     
  10. MPWATCH Watch Lover Nov 25, 2016

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    Could you go into more detail on which dials are not considered Tropical and where the line is drawn? Very interested in your assessment of color and how you separate the two!

    Thank you Cicindela,

    Thomas
     
  11. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Nov 25, 2016

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    That first constellation I wouldn't call naturally aged nor tropical, it's more just generally rooted.
     
  12. MPWATCH Watch Lover Nov 25, 2016

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    Glad someone has addressed that photo, I put a mixture of what was labeled as Tropical, and what was mentioned as patina to show the vast differences in what collector's consider to be a true Tropical dial. I am in agreement with your assessment of the dial as well.

    Thank you for the participation! Discovering a better consensus by the day!

    Thomas
     
  13. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Nov 25, 2016

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  14. MPWATCH Watch Lover Nov 25, 2016

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    Everything I know about Tropical dials came from that thread & much of that website's information! Great resource and they definitely give insight, but one thing I have noticed is each group of collector (Omega, Rolex, Patek ect.) changes what type of coloring they expect in a proper Tropical example. Interested to see what additions OF sends my way here.

    Thank you for posting this resource for anyone who has not read it!

    Thomas
     
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  15. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Nov 25, 2016

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  16. Delroyb Nov 25, 2016

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  17. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Nov 25, 2016

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  18. Delroyb Nov 25, 2016

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    Saw that today browsing for sale. Awesome, awesome, awesome and so tempted!
     
  19. spin_transistor Nov 25, 2016

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    This brown is from defective paint rather than being pure "tropical". The dial really has not seen enough sunlight to age the lume since it was an estate/drawer find and certainly hasn't caused any browning to the dial. The ghost bezel is not original to this watch.
     
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  20. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Nov 25, 2016

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    Literally just bought this at a pawn shop... 20161125_165810.jpg
     
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