In the coming weeks, leaves across the Northeast will be going through their autumnal changes — turning from their regular green to oranges, reds and purples.
People had come to expect a certain color scheme on watches. Dials were generally traditional colors, like black, white or silver.
That is, until Rolex introduced the Stella Dial Day-Date in the 1970s. The dial had a colored, hard enamel and came in a variety of bright, rich colors.
All of these things that would be abnormal for what you would expect from a Rolex watch.
Originally targeted to the Middle East market, the Stella dial watches weren’t immediately popular and had a short-lived production run.
Now, that means the watches are even more of a collector’s item due to their exclusivity.
Take a look at these eye-popping, brightly colored Stella dials.
Mark Sirianni Watch Repair
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Charley Picture of the Week: After dinner brush with Tom.
9 Comments
Len (UK)
Personally, I would much prefer to be brushing Charley, because I think these dials represent the colours that your face goes through whilst attempting to use a Micro Stella tool to adjust the timekeeping of a Rolex watch!
Michael Fisher
Very interesting. Thanks!
Lane Frank
What is oyster perpetual mean on a Rolex watch face?
Charles R Alford
Oyster refers to the case being tightly sealed (like an oyster.) Perpetual means it’s a self-winding watch that keeps running perpetually (as long as you keep moving to keep it wound.)
Robert Swartz
Thanks Mark. Never seen these faces before. I always learn great stuff from this column and of course love to see Charley.
Dean Daniels
I have never seen anything like this on a classic watch either and never realized that Rolex would even consider such blasphemy, no less actually manufacture them. In my opinion and apparently in the opinion of discerning buyers of luxury watches, selecting a watch like this wouldn’t show the class of the individual, but rather that they had too much money. (Because of their rarity, I understand the collection aspect of a watch like this.)
Doug Upshaw
Would love to have one of each color. Way to cool!!!!!!
Robert Brown
They are beautiful watches. I suspect their short run is an unflattering sign the buyers were afraid the watch would not look like a Rolex from 16” away. I have observed knowers straining to see the second hand movement on my Submariner. 🤔
Charley Ashley
Just did a quick look up on sales, most ladies around $13,000 plus. Some of the men’s, wow.