One of the most fascinating aspects of collecting Rolex wristwatches is the number of variations one can find in one model. Rolex’s Research & Development department is constantly - albeit very subtly - tuning the look and feel of their timepieces in an effort to inch closer and closer to perfection.

Thus, different fonts, colors, and types of finish often appear on the same reference as it evolves through the years. To such “planned” modification, the “unplanned” ones have to be added: those which derive from unforeseen changes in some of the watch components, such as tropical dials, spider web dials and - in this instance - the famed tropical chapter rings dials.

The peculiarity of these pieces lies in the white chapter rings, which tropicalize over time to a chocolate color. The is due to a defect in the paint used by Rolex. Defective batches of paint were delivered to Rolex only during a very specific timeframe, consequently, such dials may occur only on watches made more or less between 1993 and 1995, bearing serial numbers starting with S, W, T, and U.

The present piece is one of the earliest made, bearing the S serial number, and more importantly it is one of possibly a handful which remains in New Old Stock, unused condition. In fact, the piece still bears a perfectly preserved green holographic sticker to the back, comes retaining the plastic bezel protection ring, and even the most thorough examination confirms the absolute untouched condition of the case, showcasing sharp edges, unmarred satin finish and practically no surface marks.