Rolex Dials: A Complete Guide

Many people who invest in luxury watches assess many factors before deciding which timepiece is ideal. One of these factors is the dial, also known as the face of the watch. If you choose the wrong dial, you risk compromising your overall look and long-term goals. At Atlanta Luxury Watches, we have an experienced team ready to help you choose the right dial for your Rolex watch. Whether you are collecting vintage pieces or the latest models, our watch store has a vast catalog guaranteed to exceed your expectations. Here’s a comprehensive guide to choosing the right Rolex dial.

How Rolex Dials Are Made

Rolex is among the leading Swiss watchmaking brands, guaranteeing customers nothing short of excellence in every timepiece. The company makes all the dials in-house, using high-tech equipment and traditional techniques to ensure optimal quality. Most Rolex dials start as a long brass strip where circular pieces (dial blanks) are cut and necessary holes made, depending on the design specifications. The dial blanks go through different processes to achieve the desired design and aesthetics.

Rolex leverages vintage-turning machines integrated with computerized modules to conduct intricate dial decorations. The Swiss giant uses three techniques to add color to the dials based on the desired shade. Lacquering is commonly used for white, black, green, blue, and opaque dials. Electroplating is used for silver, rhodium, and gold shades, while physical vapor deposition (PVD) is used on other dials. Once the right color is complete, hour markers, crowns, and other appliques are added, some filled with luminescence.

Evolution of Luminescent Materials

The luminous material is a crucial component of the dial many people are interested in before buying a Rolex watch. Rolex used radium in the ‘60s to enhance legibility in the dark, but it was banned because of its radioactive properties. Rolex switched to tritium as its dials’ luminescent material, which is safer but not as durable. With a half-life of around twelve years, vintage luxury watches with tritium develop a lovely patina that collectors appreciate.

Tritium dials are usually marked with "T Swiss Made T," "T Swiss T," or "Swiss-T <25" below the 6 o’clock marker. In the mid-‘90s, Rolex adopted another luminous material, Luminova. This is a Japanese-made, non-radioactive material that needs exposure to light so it can glow in the dark. Luminova dials are labeled "SWISS" below the 6 o’clock marker.

In the 2000s, SuperLuminova was used as the go-to luminescent material. Although it was made from the same material as Luminova, it was manufactured by a Swiss company, RC Tritec AG. Finally, a luminous material known as "Chromalight" was introduced in 2008 to glow in the deep sea. If you want a Rolex watch with a Chromalight dial, check for the inscription "SWISS MADE" below 6 o’clock.

Rolex Dress and Sports Watch Dials

Rolex has a wide range of dials for both dress and sports luxury watches. We can help you choose a suitable material, texture, color, and index style that meets your preferences. Some famous dress watch dials are made from brass and colored in silver, champagne, black, and white. These designs can house a range of markers, from Roman numerals to simple buttons.

Rolex sports timepieces, commonly referred to as Oyster Professional luxury watches, have a similar layout for their dials-a combination of triangular, circular, and rectangular luminescent hour markers, a black dial or other solid colors, and Mercedes-style hands. Most Rolex sports models with this type of dial include the Sea-Dweller, Submariner, Explorer II, Yacht-Master, and GMT-Master II.

Contact us at Atlanta Luxury Watches to learn more about your favorite luxury watches from our experts. Our online or brick-watch store offers a wide range of quality watches guaranteed to meet your needs.