Tropical Dial, PCG 7928 Tudor Submariner

There’s a point where patina ceases to be on a watch and becomes the soul of the watch. This 7928 has blown past that point. An early gilt PCG example, this Submariner went from a semigloss black dial to something you’d get at starbucks. It’s a Sub that’s gotten better with time, but way asymmetrically, yet perfectly. Of all the gilt 7928s which were made, many won’t have been worn nearly as often in the sun as this one was. But, even of those that were, few will turn out this evenly and brightly warmed.

Tropical can mean anything from off-black to a kind of 10% chocolate Frappuccino that’s more taupe and bright. There should be multiple adjectives for different stages. This is more towards the latter, which is also the lesser seen high-intensity state of tropical patina. And it helps that it’s on the perfect Rolex-cased Tudor. The 7928 oversaw many important shifts: the 39mm case, introduction of crown guards, and gilt to matte. This example rocks a Swiss only dial with a gilt chapter ring, gilt hands, and a PCG case. Perhaps more astonishing than the dial is the case here, hard worn but with perfect proportions. This didn’t go back to service at Rolex in period, it’s shape and architecture is there in full, unmolested, just worn.

The most insane part of this watch is the last line in its listing, apparently it came to market through an elderly lady who found it in a Goodwill store. Hard to substantiate later in the watch’s life, but incredible. And it has the countenance of a Sub that hasn’t been through seventeen less-scrupulous retailers hands, getting touched up and redone. This gets more beautiful the more you wear it. The same cannot be said of a Maxi case, highly polished, ceramic bezel 116610. It is a watch that is even better than what Rolex could’ve tried to create, and nothing like it will exist again. I like to be an optimist when it comes to the future, but, at least in Submariners, the past was inarguably better. It’s tanned, tough, and sings on the wrist; the Hugh Jackman of Tudors.

The case condition here is rather remarkable. The bevels are strong, they’re full, and they’re worn. The lug tops are comparably worn in to the extent that much of the brushing is light or gone, but that’s natural wear not polish. The dial is the star of the show though, perfect on just about every level and honest as it gets. It comes from a well-regarded Miami retailer.