Day Date Tritium Glow - kind of surprised...

[swiss_seth]

This past summer while at a AirBB the room I was sleeping in was completely black. I woke up randomly at 4AM and out of habit checked my wrist for the time. Surprisingly I could read the time on my L series 18238 Day Date. In that moment I was shocked the tritium was still glowing bright enough to read (although EXTREMELY faint).


I have since had the hands changed over to moder Luminova hands so I can still tell the time in the dark.

I wish I could go back in time and see what a freshly painted Radium dial looked like in the dark on a GMT ca. 1965



Is anyone old enough to remember how bright the original Radium dials were?

[1William]

Nice watch.

[GMTMaster]

Baller watch

[swiss_seth]

I guess no old fella’s on here remember the old glow dials? lol That’s cool. Just wish I had a Time Machine

[Maleg]

I never had a Rolex radium dial, but I had a Hamilton that lit up like it was battery operated.

[swiss_seth]

Originally Posted by Maleg

I never had a Rolex radium dial, but I had a Hamilton that lit up like it was battery operated.

That’s really cool. It safe but really neat. Haha

[TimeLord2]

Beautiful watch! Although, you may want to wear that bracelet on the other wrist as it will scratch the crap out of your watch.

[swiss_seth]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Beautiful watch! Although, you may want to wear that bracelet on the other wrist as it will scratch the crap out of your watch.

It wasn’t scratching it that much, but you’re right. It did cause scratches, other people have told me the same thing.

I’m used to this having previously owned a 16613 blue.

It’s impossible to keep 18 karat gold in nice shape. However, I’ve always been of the mindset. These are meant to be worn and appreciated not kept in a box like delicate treasures.

More so than anything I took it off because the 14 karat color gold didn’t match the 18 karat.

[jacowestt]

What an incredible experience – it’s rare to see even a faint glow from tritium that’s decades old! That quiet, unexpected moment of seeing your Day-Date’s lume still holding on must have felt almost magical. The upgrade to Luminova hands makes sense for practical reasons, though it’s bittersweet to lose the original charm of the tritium.

I imagine a freshly painted Radium dial in its prime must have been mesmerizing, especially on iconic models like the 1965 GMT. The glow would have been bright and distinct, likely much more intense than what we see with today’s luminous materials. It would be fascinating to hear from anyone who remembers it firsthand!

[swiss_seth]

Originally Posted by jacowestt

What an incredible experience – it’s rare to see even a faint glow from tritium that’s decades old! That quiet, unexpected moment of seeing your Day-Date’s lume still holding on must have felt almost magical. The upgrade to Luminova hands makes sense for practical reasons, though it’s bittersweet to lose the original charm of the tritium.

I imagine a freshly painted Radium dial in its prime must have been mesmerizing, especially on iconic models like the 1965 GMT. The glow would have been bright and distinct, likely much more intense than what we see with today’s luminous materials. It would be fascinating to hear from anyone who remembers it firsthand!

I’m not going to lie. I was shocked.

[TopNotchChach]

for some reason I thought u were going to take a picture of the lume.

[swiss_seth]

Originally Posted by TopNotchChach

for some reason I thought u were going to take a picture of the lume.

I could but didnt for two reasons. 1. I had RSC change the hour and minute hands to Luminova and 2. It wouldn't be an accurate representation due to my iPhone would hav enhanced it in long exposure/light gain.