Rolex Lume - Dial Brighter than Hands

[Polizeifritz]

Hi all,

I am curious about your experiences when comparing the lume on the dials to hands, particularly in 5 digit models.

I've got a Z serial Explorer 1 114270 from 2006-2007 and I have noticed that the lume on the hands is not as bright as the lume on the dial. It seems to also be a slightly lighter shade of green when glowing. I've used both UV lights and other bright sources of light, so I know that the charge of the lume is not the issue.

I've tried to take pics, but it is very hard to capture this discrepancy.

[S’portEye]

It’s an old watch, lume fades.

[Dirt]

It's all perfectly normal.
Most watch lume is like that right across the board.
The appearance of the luminosity is simply a product of volume and or area and it's simply the fact that there is limited capacity for lume on the hands is comparison with the filled lume plots on the dial.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

All of my 5 digits are the same in this regard. agreed with the above - more area on the luminous plots for actual lume paint than on the hands.

[aboutime]

I appreciate the lume itself degrades over time and will become less effective. But does exposing it to more light accelerate this? Assuming the UV light from the sun has an impact more so that if it was exposed to artificial light?

[Torshalla]

It apears the same on my 124060 and on my Seamaster. There is more surface with lume on the hour markers than on the hands…
Also on the Sub, I think the lume reflects a bit on the rehaut, which I like…


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[Watch-Geek]

Originally Posted by aboutime

I appreciate the lume itself degrades over time and will become less effective. But does exposing it to more light accelerate this? Assuming the UV light from the sun has an impact more so that if it was exposed to artificial light?

I don't think regular lume fades over time. Tritium yes, it dies out, but regular lume no. I've had Seikos and Rolex explorer 20+ years old and they are as bright as new ones

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[Moonwatcher]

Exactly the same with my 126234 Datejust. A matter of surface.

[Harry-57]

I expect it's surface area and depth. I thought all lume lost its efficacy over time. If I'm wrong about that I'll be very pleased.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Polizeifritz

Hi all,

I am curious about your experiences when comparing the lume on the dials to hands, particularly in 5 digit models.

I've got a Z serial Explorer 1 114270 from 2006-2007 and I have noticed that the lume on the hands is not as bright as the lume on the dial. It seems to also be a slightly lighter shade of green when glowing. I've used both UV lights and other bright sources of light, so I know that the charge of the lume is not the issue.

I've tried to take pics, but it is very hard to capture this discrepancy.

Regarding lume the hands have quite small surface area for the lume paint ,plus a few things are still out sourced by Rolex, like mainsprings they are made by Schwab-Feller AG, all movement bearing and cap jewels, watch crystals, spring-bars, out sourced and a firm called Aiguilles makes all the watch hands for all models.