Radium dial?

[Ache64]

Hello guys. I have the chance to buy this Rolex oyster perpetual from the 1940s. I believe the reference number is 2940. My question is whether this dial has radium? The Seller does not know. It looks like it to me but I'm no expert.

I am squeamish about radium although I believe it's not harmful as long as it is under glass. Still, for Peace of Mind I would consider having the radium removed. Are there trusted experts in the US that can remove the radium? It's a family heirloom or I wouldn't think about buying it or having the radium removed.

PS. I am not finding instructions on how to post a picture and not just a PDF link. I tried following the instructions in the FAQ but that just allowed me to insert the link below. What am I missing? Thank you.

rolex2.pdf

[TimeToGo]

Your picture is attached below.

Yes, it is very likely it has radium, as it was the practice in those days to use as lume.
Those dials are very rare in original condition. Maybe reconsider stripping it. Have you exposed to UV?
.

[Ache64]

Thank you very much for your reply. I do have a Geiger counter so when I get it in my possession, I will check it with that. I agree it would be a shame to strip the dial. Maybe I could think about buying a replacement and keeping this one in original condition. I know I would just feel better if I wasn’t walking around with radium. Also, I’m curious did you do something to get the picture to show up or did it happen automatically when you posted your reply?

[TimeToGo]

.
You saved as PDF.
I took a picture of it and adjusted the pixels to post.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

.
You saved as PDF.
I took a picture of it and adjusted the pixels to post.

Pre 1952 dial OP

[Ache64]

I think I figured out how to resize and post a picture; we'll see if that's true when I try to post again. thanks again.

[77T]

It be would be less of a problem than many think. In context, consider the typical situations.

Radium-dialed watches typically do not exceed safe exposure limits for occupational and public safety. The radiation exposure from these watches is generally low, often in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 microsieverts (µSv) per hour.

In general, a person's dose limit is typically around 1 millisievert (mSv) per year from artificial sources. The exposure from wearing a radium watch would be well below this threshold.

I'm not minimizing this - it’s essential to handle radium-dialed watches with care due to the radioactive content. But typical exposure levels from wearing them do not exceed established safety limits for your health.

However, if your geiger counts significantly exceed the typical levels I cited above, or you have multiple exposure sources, consult a radiation safety expert for personalized advice.


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[Dr.Smellody]

I have multiple radium dialed watches. For some reason, I feel this one is the scariest.


If you get it, welcome to the SPEEDKING club!


To date, I haven't started glowing and mist of my skin is still hanging on.

[TuRo]

Possibly relumed that's a 1967 stylee lumen to my half-trained eyes....

[woolshire]

That should be old radium on the numerals. The hands have been relumed but still might be radium.

[Tricolore66]

I’m in the middle of a fascinating book called “Radium Girls”, about the development of radium and the young women who were employed by the dial manufacturers to paint them. Truly horrifying things happened to them, but it was mostly as a result of ingesting it while licking their paintbrushes. It has a 1,600 year half-life, so still very dangerous stuff today under the right conditions. In a sealed watch case I’m sure it’s not an issue, but I personally would not be around it if the case was opened or the watch being serviced. I’m sure at this point the paint on those dials would just disintegrate if touched today, and who knows what it could release in the air.

[baumare]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

I’m in the middle of a fascinating book called “Radium Girls”, about the development of radium and the young women who were employed by the dial manufacturers to paint them. Truly horrifying things happened to them, but it was mostly as a result of ingesting it while licking their paintbrushes. It has a 1,600 year half-life, so still very dangerous stuff today under the right conditions. In a sealed watch case I’m sure it’s not an issue, but I personally would not be around it if the case was opened or the watch being serviced. I’m sure at this point the paint on those dials would just disintegrate if touched today, and who knows what it could release in the air.

Yes interesting and sad book, they also made a movie about it.
I have few watches with radio and I bought a radiation detector, is nice to see the different reaction.
BTW I asked my watchmaker to change the plexy on my old 6605 and he didn’t feel comfortable…

[Ache64]

I finally received this Rolex family heirloom. After much thought and a fair amount of research I have decided that I want to remove the radium from the dial and have the dial restored. I could only find two companies in the US that seemed trustworthy and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with either Rich Kirk/myjewelryrepair out of California or carignan watch company out of New Hampshire? Or if you've had a good experience with another dial restorer in the US, please let me know. Thank you.

[vesnyder]

Good luck! That is one cool family heirloom and I want to track your progress.