...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day...
Roberto's Single Red Explorer
What!?!?!?! A Single RED Rolex Explorer!?!?!? Of course we have heard of and seen Single Red Rolex Submariners and SEA-DWELLERS, but never a Single Red Rolex Explorer, not until today at least. Roberto took this photo of his vintage Rolex Explorer with a gilt dial and hands, complete with a red depth designation located directly under the EXPLORER designation.
What exactly is the definition of a "gilt" dial and hands? Rolex used to make their dials in such a way that the second track, 5 minute markers (indices) and all the writing on the face of the dial were made from a process that basically embedded gold into the dial, and they also made their hands the same way.
Over time, due primarily to oxidation, the gold dial and hands can develop a beautiful patina, like on the watch below. Also, if you notice on the watch below, the lump material has also oxidized and turned to a bronze color that magnificently matches the gold "gilt."
Serious vintage collectors today are always and ideally looking for vintage Rolex watches that have developed an unusual patina. This is due to the fact, that a vintage watch with a beautiful patina can often times look unique and offer up its own personality, whereas all new watches look identical. This explains why somebody would find an old Rolex in a drawer, that looks like it is old and yellowed, and perhaps not even running, and they assume it is an old piece of junk, when in reality, if it has a non-cosmetic overhaul, it can end up being worth a fortune.
