What is a "Chapter Ring" Dial?

By Charlie Dunne

There is an abundance of terminology when it comes to vintage Rolex watches. A “Chapter Ring” is specifies a dial that features an enclosed circle around the perimeter with demarcations for each minute/second. These will have thicker demarcations for every 5 hashes. These are most often seen in vintage sport Rolex models, such as Submariners, GMT-Masters, and Explorers. The chapter ring dial transitions within many of the Rolex models in circa 1963, and we see the more commonly associated style “Open-Chapter Ring” void of the circular line. However, in many contemporary TUDOR Black Bay models we see homage to the style.