One particular style of watch that every collector will come across at some point is one with a tropical dial. This is a subject that many watch enthusiasts are familiar with, but few understand. Below is a description of this phenomenon and why such watches are coveted by collectors.

What Are Tropical Watch Dials?

These are watches which display a discoloration of UV light. They are visible on some vintage watches designed for sports, and over time have become greatly valued. However, this was not the case at the beginning and many collectors whose dial became discolored would simply swap it out for a new one. The effect occurs due to a watch being exposed to the sun over time, and it will develop a beautiful aesthetic which is completely unique for each timepiece.

The expression “tropical” is used because many of the owners of such watches spent lots of time outdoors in sunny and tropical climates. Experts estimate that only about ten percent of watches in existence have this effect. Any attempt to create the effect artificially will fail, and some of the most prized watches are those worn by military serviceman who were stationed in countries near or south of the equator.

Why Are These Watches Sought After?

Aside from their rarity and the fact that attempts to produce the effect artificially will fail, most watch dials both past and present cannot produce the effect. This is particularly true of modern watches since they utilize coloring methods and paint which are engineered against discoloration even after extensive exposure to UV light. It should also be noted that the dials of classical watches were never meant to discolor. The reason they did was because a select number of Swiss suppliers incorporated paint which contained a defect in its manufacture. As a consequence, the dials were not UV resistant. It took some time for this fact to be discovered, during which time a set number of watches were produced.

The Most Popular Tropical Dial Brands

While there are a number of different brands which display this effect, the two most popular are Omega or Rolex, specifically those that were manufactured from the 1950s until the 1970s. Normally, veteran watch collectors are only interested in classical timepieces that are in mint condition, and place less value on those that display any signs of wear, but watches with tropical dials are an exception to this rule since the browning effect is seen as being fashionable and as such has come into demand.

It should also be noted that watches which received too much UV exposure can become tarnished so much that their value is actually diminished. The reason for this is because excessive exposure will bleach out a dial that was black in color originally, giving it a tinge which is light brown and not very desirable. The best watches are those whose UV exposure has given them a hue which is chocolate brown.