What is a Rolex Swiss only dial?
If you have done some research on Rolex watches, you may have come across the term ”Swiss Only” to describe a watch. But what does this mean exactly, and is it important?
Here’s what you need to know.
What is a Rolex Swiss only dial?
”Swiss only” refers to the small printing on the bottom of the dial at 6 o’clock on some Rolex watches. And the fact is that the printing at the bottom of the dial varies depending on what model it is and when it was made. On modern Rolex watches, you see the printing ”Swiss made”, and now also in recent years ”Swiss made” with a Rolex coronet between the two words.
With that said, Swiss only dials can be considered transitional dials and had a production run. As such, Swiss only dials are generally more collectible than non-Swiss only dials. With Rolex watches, tiny details can make a huge difference. To most people, this small detail will go unnoticed, but it is not just about the printing itself, but also what it means.
Rolex has changed its luminous material used for its watches several times over the course of its history. Originally, the company started out with radium – which proved to be very dangerous due to its radioactive nature. Rolex then moved on to tritium, but eventually changed to a new material in 1998 – Luminova. But soon thereafter, in 1999, Rolex changed to Super Luminova. With that said, Rolex only produced watches using Luminova as its luminous material for one year.
Here is the thing about Swiss only dials…
For Rolex’s tritium dials, you will normally find the printing “Swiss – t < 25” to indicate that it contains tritium. T Swiss T was also used by Rolex.
But when Rolex changed to Luminova in the shift between 1998 and 1999, Rolex also changed the printing to only featuring the text ”Swiss” – hence why it is called a Swiss only dial. 
When Rolex moved on to Super Luminova, the printing also changed to ”Swiss Made”.
With that said, Luminova Rolex watches were only manufactured for about a year, during the period of 1998 to 1999, making them substantially rarer than tritium and super Luminova counterparts.
There you have it. Now you know what a Swiss only Rolex dial is and what it stands for. If you find a Swiss only watch, you know that it is made between 1998 and 1999.
Hi!
I have in my possession a Tudor 9061/0, the serial number (according to online resources) says the watch is from 1978 production run.
The watch was purchased by my father in Nottingham, England for my mothers father around this time (1978-1980).
However, this watch has only “Swiss” on the dial.
Of course your article is about Rolex, this is a Rolex/Tudor.
To my knowledge the watch has only had one service and that was undertaken by myself where I took the watch to a repair store in Nottingham in 1999 to replace the crystal.
From what I have read, that would mean my dial is a service dial, but that does not match what I know about the history of the watch as I dont remember the store telling me that they changed the dial and for the amount that was paid I very highly doubt that they changed the dial.
Would appreciate your opinion on this matter.
Thanks
Dear Sir,
I assume your article about “Swiss only” refers to Rolex Submariners only?.
I say this because I have a Rolex Explorer with a “Swiss only” dial, which I bought from the certified Rolex repair agent in Nairobi in either 1987 or 1988. I know it could not have been later than 1988, because that is the year I left Kenya and moved to the US. (Inscribed on either side of the watch between the lugs are, “ORIG ROLEX DESIGN 1016” and on the other side, “STAINLESS STEEL R863698”.
I did not buy a Rolex to leave it in a case and therefore wore it daily, even while working, until about 5 or 6 years ago, when one of the lugs at the folding clasp broke off. As I am now retired and on a fixed income, I find the cost of a replacement steel bracelet too prohibitive to replace it.
There are much cheaper Chinese bracelets available, but somehow, I just know I would not feel good with a Chinese bracelet on my Swiss watch! The local Rolex agent is not very helpful, even though I gave him several hundred dollars over the years for cleaning and regulating.
When I wind it (It is automatic but can also be wound) it still keeps excellent time, and it still looks good with its many small scratches mirroring my own accumulation of wrinkles. We have aged together.
Perhaps you know someone who can repair bracelets? Unfortunately, I now seem to have misplaced the broken lug, and that upsets me because I kept it for so long. It’s strange who one can become so emotionally attached to a mechanical device!
Sincerely,
Jack
Hi Jack
I have had excellent service here
https://www.klokkeland.no/rolex-band-repair/
It is a dealer i Norway
Hi Jack. To answer your question, no the Swiss only detail doesn’t just apply to the Submariner model. There are other Swiss only models like GMT Master II produced 1998-1999. As this article explains, the Swiss only was printed on dials that used Luminiva as the source of lume and multiple Rolex models used Luminova during this transitional year.
Great story about your Explorer! I hope you find a way to replace the bracelet so you can enjoy wearing the watch. There’s nothing wrong (in my opinion) with replacing the bracelet for a less expensive leather or rubber strap. I think this actually fits the personality of the adventurous and rugged Explorer model.
Cheers!
Sorry to be a bearer of bad news but your Rolex watch in most probably fake due to the inscription of R863698
Why?
I have a vintage day date manufactured in 1967. With it is a second dial that is silver with a gold crown and baguette diamonds. It has the original packaging which is a small metal container marked The American Rolex Watch Corporation. Did Rolex ever manufacture dials without any Swiss designation?
Hi,
Rolex has a US division called Rolex watch co. So yes, it is certainly possible but all Rolex dials have “Swiss” or “Swiss Made” at the bottom of the dial at 6 o’clock.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Ok. How about a late 60s Rolex with ” – SWISS – ” on the dial. Too late for radium, too early for tritium? Or what am I missing?
Hi,
Bear in mind that Whilst Rolex changed the luminous material, many of the models continued to be produced just the way they were previously, sometimes because Rolex still had parts remaining. With that said, it is technically possible that Rolex used the Swiss-only dials for non-Radium watches, even though they had moved on from Radium. Bear in mind that things weren’t as clear-cut as they are today in regard to Rolex’s production.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches