Four different tropical shades

Four legendary watches, each with a different kind of tropical dial. All have aged naturally, and each is unique in the way it has done so.

Patek Philippe 3700/1

The first Nautilus, in strong condition with a long bracelet. Its dial has taken on warm tropical shades, which makes this 3700/1 unlike any other.

Close-up of the Patek Philippe Geneve dial with blue textured surface, gold baton markers and hands — Patek Philippe 3700/1 – the tropical dial

Rolex 6265 Daytona, 1971

A strong case that still carries the correct Mk 2 pushers, and sub-dials in different tropical shades. A Daytona with a great deal of presence on the wrist.

Daytona style chronograph with silver dial, black sub-dials and blue bezel on steel bracelet — Rolex 6265 Daytona, 1971

Close-up of silver chronograph dial with black sub-dial, tachymeter ring and printed lettering — The sub-dials in tropical shades

Rolex 6542 GMT-Master

A tropical dial, and the very rare Serpico y Laino retailer’s signature, together with the original case back engraved “S&L Acero”. The watch is entirely original apart from the bakelite bezel, which is missing.

GMT-Master style steel watch with red and blue bezel, dark patinated dial and date window on bracelet — Rolex 6542 GMT-Master, signed Serpico y Laino

Close-up of a dark patinated dial with gilt markers, red and blue bezel and printed GMT-Master lettering — The dial with the Serpico y Laino signature

IWC 308, 1942

The dial has aged evenly into a uniform light brown, which gives the watch its distinctive appearance.

Wristwatch with brown tropicalised dial, applied hour markers and steel case on brown leather strap — IWC 308, 1942

Close-up of brown dial with Roman numerals, International Watch Co signature and aged uniform patina — The uniform brown dial

Side by side, the four show how different tropical shades can be. These small differences, and the unique marks of ageing, are much of what makes vintage watches interesting to collect.