Every type of stone used for a Rolex dial

[minimerc]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

I saw your description of your moss agate Day-Date on VRF years ago:



That description seems to match the "moss agate" 18238 Uhren-Miquel is selling:

Wow! That was years ago! Lol!

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by minimerc

Check out the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Daydate print, almost hitting the center of dial and far away from Coronet.

I assume this is referring to the agate dial (shown again below) - I hadn’t noticed it before, but the R/OP/D-D text is indeed much lower than usual on that agate. I’ve never seen another dial remotely like the agate stone in the photo, and “Agate” is not listed among the stone dials on the one year’s dial option sheet I have.

Has anyone else seen others resembling this agate, or is “Agate” listed as a dial option in other years?

BTW, while checking that sheet, I noticed a stone dial option listed as “Siberite.” It’s not listed as such among the photos, but apparently it is a type of rubellite from Siberia. The list I have shows Siberite, but not Rubellite, so I’m assuming that the Rubellite photo on page 1 is what Rolex was calling Siberite.
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[crowncollection]

Describes as Sandstone dial ? Paint or stone ?
Not in my catalogues I don’t have them all though and of course , opinions ?



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[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Describes as Sandstone dial ? Paint or stone ?
Not in my catalogues I don’t have them all though and of course , opinions ?

Interesting! This appears to have the excessive serifs in "Oyster Perpetual" that I'm often skeptical of. The nonstandard-length hour markers would also make me lean towards aftermarket. It looks pretty cool though!

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Describes as Sandstone dial ? Paint or stone ?
Not in my catalogues I don’t have them all though and of course , opinions ?

Don’t know — I believe I’ve seen one other similar DD described by a seller as sandstone, but apparently I didn’t save the image. I’ve never seen those centered sharp black dots this has in the damaged lume, even on others like this where much of the lume is abent.

Are the short hour markers the same size/shape as those smaller ones which are used (seemingly only) on wood dials? (Even if they are, iirc I’ve not seen these markers used on any other stone dials.)

If forced to guess, I’d guess it is actual sandstone, but aftermarket.

[Pongster]

Can these special dials still be ordered? How?

Would like a lapis or turquoise dial for a DD40.

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by Pongster

Can these special dials still be ordered? How?

Would like a lapis or turquoise dial for a DD40.

I don’t think any are available for DD40 - Maybe MOP.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Pongster

Can these special dials still be ordered? How?

Would like a lapis or turquoise dial for a DD40.

Only exotic dial for DD40 is meteorite.

A few dials like onyx are still available through RSC (if you happen to own a reference in which it was offered). Lapis and tiger eye only for lady DateJust.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Pongster

Can these special dials still be ordered? How?



Would like a lapis or turquoise dial for a DD40.

As others replied, not for the DD40.

But even if you had a modern DD36, you couldn’t either.

If a Lapis dial DD is your quest, these are a couple of options.

Hunt for a vintage DD already shod with that dial.

Buy a loose Lapis dial on secondary market and then hunt a DD that it would fit.

Some of the vintage dealers here could assist on those options.


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[Pongster]

Thanks 77T, SearChart and miamiclay.

I saw some of the DD36 lapis/turquoise.

Anyway, my hunt for the DD40 wont be for anothee 6 years.

Maybe Rolex will produce one by then.

I was thinking, maybe theyre not making for larger dials since materials are just small.

[powerfunk]

Current DD36 stone options are pink opal:


And turquoise:

[miamiclay]

Here’s a “sandstone” being offered by Christie’s, idk if it’s the same watch as above or not.

Some things look the same (e.g., 24 minute mark, first O in CHRONOMETER, white fleck under F in CERTIFIED), some look different (e.g., lume on dial and hands, black dots and damage in dial lume appear absent here). Maybe it’s been relumed (or even just very different lighting or filters)?

I expect those with sharper eyes (& more expertise) will be able to supply a definitive answer ...
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[HarryLime]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

Here’s a “sandstone” being offered by Christie’s, idk if it’s the same watch as above or not.

Some things look the same (e.g., 24 minute mark, first O in CHRONOMETER, white fleck under F in CERTIFIED), some look different (e.g., lume on dial and hands, black dots and damage in dial lume appear absent here). Maybe it’s been relumed (or even just very different lighting or filters)?

I expect those with sharper eyes (& more expertise) will be able to supply a definitive answer ...
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My vote is aftermarket.

[pipi-26]

Excellent work. Well done. I had no idea there were so many.

[icjewelry2]

Thanks for sharing!!

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[jtgonzalez2]

Wow! I had no idea there were so many. Awesome post

[Nonuendo]

Excellent work. Well done. I had no idea there were so many.

[powerfunk]

Eisenkiesel debuted at Watches & Wonders 2021:

[2000-NJDEVILS]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

Eisenkiesel debuted at Watches & Wonders 2021:

Amazing thread - Rob, Great work (then and now)!!!

In addition (very sadly) the RG DD 40 w/the specialty dial is going to be a huge premium over MSRP - maybe as much as 20K - because Rolex will make very few (just like the WG Meteorite w/diamond baguettes).....

[foxytimes]

Awesome compilation. Stone dials in excellent condition are hard to find...

[powerfunk]

New falcon's eye dial released today. Never heard of falcon's eye before:

[arajohn]

Fantastic post, thank you for sharing your knowledge

[Rigbot]

Many unusual and beautiful options but I have always held the black opal to be on another level. It may be too flamboyant and/or feminine for me to enjoy wearing regularly but is both the most fascinating (well, meteorite is also a contender) and most beautiful to me (second has to go to Lapis Lazuli.) The black opal is also extremely elusive as I have only seen two or three genuine examples in over 20 years of casual collecting.
Regarding the differences between the Aventurine used by Rolex and that used by Omega on the vintage 18k MegaQuartz (and some recent Speedmasters) that Swearengen points out. The more sparkly Omega version is a man made variety of decorative glass that also comes in black and a sort of burnt orange color. That orange version is often called “Goldstone” and it has gone in and out of fashion many times in the several hundred years since it was first created. Rolex used a natural stone that shares the Aventurine name because of its iridescent glitter like appearance that is evocative of the glass version. I’m not sure which came first but it’s not by coincidence that they share the name. The natural version is typically some shade of green but obviously also appears in blue tone as well.
The “confetti” or “glitter” dials found on a few Day-Dates and Datejusts from the 70s and mentioned by CrownCollection above is, as far as I can tell by studying under magnification, is actually some sort of fancy paint. I’ve seen a few colors but most commonly black or brown with bright colored tiny glitter like flecks that sparkle in bright light. Usually three or more colors appear on each dark background color as opposed to being monochromatic like a metallic bass boat or something. Also the dots of color and TINY, much smaller than any other type of metallic paint I remember seeing elsewhere. They are so small that in low light or from a distance it can be hard to tell you’re looking at anything more than a plain black or other color dial. These dials are also surprisingly rare as I have only seen a handful of them in person. Coincidentally, I believe Omega may have made some dials that were similar but usually less colorful.
Stone dials are extremely difficult to make as they must be paper thin. The cases are not unique to the watches fitted with these dials nor are the movements thinner so the metal dial and the stone layer combined but be no thicker than a standard painted metal dial. This extremely thin stone is not only very difficult to polish without breaking it but the finished dials are also extremely delicate. Any broken crystals risks ruining them and even reasonably careful watchmakers crack them during service all too often. Applying any force on the rim while removing them or reinstalling them can easily have catastrophic consequences. Their usual technique of slipping a screwdriver between the dial and the movement to lift them is not safe as many have learned the hard way.
Thanks to “Powerfunk” and all who have contributed to this thread. It is one of the most fascinating dial subjects if you ask me.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by Rigbot

The more sparkly Omega version is a man made variety of decorative glass that also comes in black and a sort of burnt orange color. That orange version is often called “Goldstone” and it has gone in and out of fashion many times in the several hundred years since it was first created. Rolex used a natural stone that shares the Aventurine name

Thanks, I didn't realize that! That makes sense.

Your theory about confetti dials being fancy paint is interesting. I've always suspected they are just a product of damage/aging, especially because I've seen dials like this that we know are the result of moisture + oven:



I've never had the benefit of seeing one up close though!

[DD58]

Just when I thought I knew a lot about Rolex. Thanks for the post. There absolutely fascinating. Human engineering is a marvelous thing.


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[Borkie]

Great informative thread 🙏🙏

[Daytonaman799]

Amazing compilation…thank you

[andrewtan07]

Chanced upon the thread and was wondering if any expert opinions on rarity of Pyrite dials for DayDates?

I see there are more Onyx, Lapis Lazuli dials on the market than Pyrite dials. Does it make it rarer?

Thanks for sharing in advance

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by andrewtan07

Chanced upon the thread and was wondering if any expert opinions on rarity of Pyrite dials for DayDates?

I see there are more Onyx, Lapis Lazuli dials on the market than Pyrite dials. Does it make it rarer?

Thanks for sharing in advance

Yes, pyrite is much rarer imho

[discreetpeacock]

Obsidian is a real visual treat