In the Rolex collection world, there are some common terms that are important to understand in order to gain a better understanding of the vintage market. One of the more common terms is the Rolex “Mark Dials,” which you will almost certainly encounter at some point.”Today we will discuss the definition of replica Rolex mark dials and why they are important to watch collectors and fans.
The term “Mark” is used to distinguish between different dial styles within the same Rolex reference family. It is always followed by a number like Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, and so on.
Rolex replica has maintained the same reference number for some watch models, but has made significant changes to the dial over the years. These changes can include font styles, water-resistant depth rating positions, colors, text, hour markers, and Rolex crown shapes. With this change, the signage system allows Rolex collectors to distinguish dial designs because some are more collectable than others. To those outside the antique watch market, these details often seem trivial, but to collectors, different dials can translate into thousands of dollars.
It’s crucial to note that the Mark system is in no way an official Rolex one; on the other hand, it is one devised by Rolex scholars and collectors. As such, not only can Rolex Mark Dial charts differ a little across different sources, they can also evolve with the discovery of previously unknown design details.
Some examples of vintage fake Rolex references that feature different Mark Dials include the Sea-Dweller 1665, the Submariner 1680, and the Explorer II 1655. The Mark designation is particularly important with the two dive models because there are also the so-called “Red” versions of both the Sea-Dweller 1665 and the Submariner 1680, nicknamed so for the red text on the dial.
Similarly, the Red Submariner 1680 has several different dials, labeled Mark I to Mark VI, followed by the white version of the Submariner ref. 1680, also divided into different Mark dials.
For example, Rolex updated the Explorer 214270 to include better-proportioned hands and the addition of luminescence in the trio numerals on the dial. However, the fake rolex kept the same reference number that first accompanied it when it was introduced in 2010. Therefore, as a means to differentiate between these two versions, many have taken to calling the newer 2016 reference as the Explorer 214270 MKII.
In the past few years, Rolex also updated the Yacht-Master II, replacing the previous straight hands with Mercedes-style hands, and fitting it with a new dial that had different hour markers at the 12 and 6 o’clock locations. As always, when it comes to collecting vintage Rolex replica watches, the most important things seem to be the little details. And nothing is more important to the value of an antique watch than a dial, so it pays to know the Rolex mark dial.
