PRINCIPE PRIVE - Epoca d'Oro Launches "Patina Archive," a Vintage Watch Collection of Unique, Age-Altered Dials
Vintage watch purveyor "PRINCIPE PRIVE - Epoca d’Oro" has announced the launch of its "Patina Archive Collection," featuring only timepieces with dials that have uniquely changed over time. The collection, which sources watches from the 1940s to the 1990s, offers each piece as a one-of-a-kind, fully serviced item. This initiative reframes aging not as deterioration but as "beauty completed by time," offering a value proposition that cannot be found in new watches.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 18:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 10:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 02:57 (16h 55m after Collected)
"PRINCIPE PRIVE - Epoca d’Oro," a curator of vintage watches from the 1940s-90s acclaimed by collectors and fashion enthusiasts in Japan and abroad, has unveiled the "Patina Archive Collection." This collection exclusively features watches with dials that have uniquely transformed due to aging.
Each dial, naturally altered over many years, possesses its own distinct character, ensuring no two designs are alike—every piece is one-of-a-kind.
All products have been serviced, and only examples with well-preserved exteriors have been selected.
We offer exceptional timepieces, each with a dial that is a world unto itself, radiating with strong personality and charm.
**Patina Archive Collection**
Time does more than just pass.
The fading, discoloration, and changes appearing on a dial are a testament to the journey the watch has undertaken.
The "Patina Archive" is a collection dedicated solely to these "Patina Dials," which have acquired a unique expression through aging.
Their non-uniform colors, accidental tones, and individual differences ensure no two are identical.
This is not deterioration, but a beauty perfected by time.
We have carefully selected only these "watches that wear time," a quality that can never be obtained from a new product.
**ROLEX 1500 Tropical Oyster Perpetual Date 1968s**
Model: ROLEX 1500 Tropical Oyster Perpetual Date 1968s
Price: ¥1,632,600 (tax included)
The Oyster Perpetual Date by Rolex is one of the purest expressions of an everyday watch in the brand's history.
Despite its modest 34mm size, the wide dial aperture gives it a presence greater than its actual dimensions. The balanced proportions of the case and dial are a hallmark of vintage Oyster Perpetuals.
This particular piece, originally with a blue dial, has transformed into a unique tropical color due to long-term exposure to UV rays, humidity, and heat. The white print remains crisp, suggesting this is a result of natural aging rather than moisture intrusion.
The luminous material has aged to a warm yellow tone and remains intact and beautiful. It is fitted with a solid-link Oyster bracelet.
**ROLEX 16758 18K Gold Tropical GMT-Master 1984s**
Model: ROLEX 16758 18K Gold Tropical GMT-Master 1984s
Price: ¥6,250,000 (tax included)
A solid gold GMT-MASTER Ref.16758 “Root Beer” by Rolex.
This is a particularly memorable piece among the gold sport models we have handled.
The case remains in excellent condition, with the lugs retaining their thickness and symmetry. A unique patina with a slight reddish hue has appeared around the crown guards, lending this watch a distinctive atmosphere.
The dial exhibits a strong, contrasting tropical change, developing a deeper expression towards the periphery. This non-uniformity creates a depth that only natural aging can provide.
We believe this individual variation of "time's change" is the watch's greatest charm.
**ROLEX 1675/8 18K Yellow Gold Tropical GMT 1978s**
Rolex's solid gold GMT-MASTER “Root Beer” is a distinctive model within the Rolex lineup, possessing a unique allure for a sport watch.
This specific example is even more remarkable.
Its oxblood sunray dial has aged into a unique pattern resembling Bengal stripes. The surface layer has slowly changed, revealing a soft, brass-like tone from beneath.
The gold nipple indices with luminous inserts are a detail specific to the “Fujitsubo” period, which Rolex used exclusively on its solid gold sport models, making it a signature of its era.
This dial may not appeal to everyone. However, its non-uniformity and fluctuation create its charm as a one-of-a-kind piece.
Furthermore, the case appears to be unpolished and is in excellent condition. The thick case edges and tight bracelet attest to the watch's excellent preservation.
**ROLEX 1601 Tropical Datejust 1971s**
Model: ROLEX 1601 Tropical Datejust 1971s
Price: 1,6
Each dial, naturally altered over many years, possesses its own distinct character, ensuring no two designs are alike—every piece is one-of-a-kind.
All products have been serviced, and only examples with well-preserved exteriors have been selected.
We offer exceptional timepieces, each with a dial that is a world unto itself, radiating with strong personality and charm.
**Patina Archive Collection**
Time does more than just pass.
The fading, discoloration, and changes appearing on a dial are a testament to the journey the watch has undertaken.
The "Patina Archive" is a collection dedicated solely to these "Patina Dials," which have acquired a unique expression through aging.
Their non-uniform colors, accidental tones, and individual differences ensure no two are identical.
This is not deterioration, but a beauty perfected by time.
We have carefully selected only these "watches that wear time," a quality that can never be obtained from a new product.
**ROLEX 1500 Tropical Oyster Perpetual Date 1968s**
Model: ROLEX 1500 Tropical Oyster Perpetual Date 1968s
Price: ¥1,632,600 (tax included)
The Oyster Perpetual Date by Rolex is one of the purest expressions of an everyday watch in the brand's history.
Despite its modest 34mm size, the wide dial aperture gives it a presence greater than its actual dimensions. The balanced proportions of the case and dial are a hallmark of vintage Oyster Perpetuals.
This particular piece, originally with a blue dial, has transformed into a unique tropical color due to long-term exposure to UV rays, humidity, and heat. The white print remains crisp, suggesting this is a result of natural aging rather than moisture intrusion.
The luminous material has aged to a warm yellow tone and remains intact and beautiful. It is fitted with a solid-link Oyster bracelet.
**ROLEX 16758 18K Gold Tropical GMT-Master 1984s**
Model: ROLEX 16758 18K Gold Tropical GMT-Master 1984s
Price: ¥6,250,000 (tax included)
A solid gold GMT-MASTER Ref.16758 “Root Beer” by Rolex.
This is a particularly memorable piece among the gold sport models we have handled.
The case remains in excellent condition, with the lugs retaining their thickness and symmetry. A unique patina with a slight reddish hue has appeared around the crown guards, lending this watch a distinctive atmosphere.
The dial exhibits a strong, contrasting tropical change, developing a deeper expression towards the periphery. This non-uniformity creates a depth that only natural aging can provide.
We believe this individual variation of "time's change" is the watch's greatest charm.
**ROLEX 1675/8 18K Yellow Gold Tropical GMT 1978s**
Rolex's solid gold GMT-MASTER “Root Beer” is a distinctive model within the Rolex lineup, possessing a unique allure for a sport watch.
This specific example is even more remarkable.
Its oxblood sunray dial has aged into a unique pattern resembling Bengal stripes. The surface layer has slowly changed, revealing a soft, brass-like tone from beneath.
The gold nipple indices with luminous inserts are a detail specific to the “Fujitsubo” period, which Rolex used exclusively on its solid gold sport models, making it a signature of its era.
This dial may not appeal to everyone. However, its non-uniformity and fluctuation create its charm as a one-of-a-kind piece.
Furthermore, the case appears to be unpolished and is in excellent condition. The thick case edges and tight bracelet attest to the watch's excellent preservation.
**ROLEX 1601 Tropical Datejust 1971s**
Model: ROLEX 1601 Tropical Datejust 1971s
Price: 1,6