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Oyster Lover · 20 February 2014, 04:57 AM

Howdy folks,

Does anyone know whether it is reasonable to expect the lume on a 1980 submariner to still be working properly? I mean, wouldn't it have died out by now?

Also, was Rolex lume from 1980 typically stronger or more lasting then other watches in its generation? (for example, a Omega Moon watch, or Seiko diver watches of the same period).

Thanks!

capote · 20 February 2014, 04:58 AM

34 years old tritium will be dead by now, you could always get a service dial if you need the lume.

Cc1966 · 20 February 2014, 05:10 AM

If it's still "working", you most likely have a Luminova service dial. As stated above, the tritium lume would be long gone.

landroverking · 20 February 2014, 05:28 AM

Dead as a door nail.

Onikage · 20 February 2014, 06:35 AM

I have a Tag Heuer from 1997 and its tritium is alive and well...kind of sickly looking actually but it isn't dead.

enhamhale · 20 February 2014, 06:47 AM

My bart Simpson 66 still works breifly after 48 years .

Jocke · 20 February 2014, 06:52 AM

With a original Tritium dial - No

With s service Luminova dial - Yes

DiamondJack · 20 February 2014, 06:54 AM

Tritium has a half life of 12.3 years so after 34 years, there will be about 14% of the original luminosity...... So a little glow..........

Vincent65 · 20 February 2014, 06:54 AM

I have Tritium lume dating back to 1966, 1970 and 1990, which still emits some glow, although minimal; the oldest being the most enduring. So, not 'dead' at all.

CrownMe · 20 February 2014, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent65

I have Tritium lume dating back to 1966, 1970 and 1990, which still emits some glow, although minimal; the oldest being the most enduring. So, not 'dead' at all.

how long does your most enduring glow for?

The gilt gmt i owned in the past glowed for about 20 seconds then died out

Vincent65 · 24 February 2014, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownMe

how long does your most enduring glow for?

The gilt gmt i owned in the past glowed for about 20 seconds then died out

On all three, I can see a dim glow at any time during the whole night. Over the years I've owned them, I've observed this at all times during the night, especially recently, with a new baby in the house…

And I mean super-dim, but it's there. Nothing to do with 'charging it up' with a light-bulb, either. All dials are original, and in original condition - no re-lume whatsoever. The pip on the 16600 also has a faint glow. Of the three, I'd say the 1680 is the weakest, but it's there, too.

CrownMe · 24 February 2014, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent65

On all three, I can see a dim glow at any time during the whole night. Over the years I've owned them, I've observed this at all times during the night, especially recently, with a new baby in the house…

And I mean super-dim, but it's there. Nothing to do with 'charging it up' with a light-bulb, either. All dials are original, and in original condition - no re-lume whatsoever. The pip on the 16600 also has a faint glow. Of the three, I'd say the 1680 is the weakest, but it's there, too.

I would love to of seen our vintage pieces the day after they were made. I've always been curious as to how new tritium glow looks on a brand new Rolex.

Vincent65 · 24 February 2014, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownMe

I would love to of seen our vintage pieces the day after they were made. I've always been curious as to how new tritium glow looks on a brand new Rolex.

I was 7 when I got this Timex in the 70s, and it glowed like Chernobyl in 1986 when it was new. I still remember being in awe of the glow, and the ticking sound. Still got it. Still works. Still glows… a bit. So, a new 'T' Rolex would have been literally brilliant.

SALTY · 20 February 2014, 10:17 AM

No glow here.

mike · 20 February 2014, 10:51 AM

Any fleeting luminosity you might experience is probably the phosphors in the paint matrix reacting to light. It won't last long. As mentioned the tritium is past it"s punch.

Scottie · 20 February 2014, 11:19 AM

What are the pros and cons of replacement to do or not to do?

tinger · 20 February 2014, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottie

What are the pros and cons of replacement to do or not to do?

I'm sorry, no 'pros' of a replacement can justify getting rid of a vintage dial.

Scottie · 20 February 2014, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinger

I'm sorry, no 'pros' of a replacement can justify getting rid of a vintage dial.

That's what I thought. When you send it in for service and they replace things do they send you the replaced items back?

Jason71 · 20 February 2014, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottie

That's what I thought. When you send it in for service and they replace things do they send you the replaced items back?

Nope.

Source a luminova service dial on your own and send it to someone like Bob Ridley

Scottie · 23 February 2014, 01:14 PM

Could you ask for the items to be returned? Or they just discard them no matter what.

CrownMe · 20 February 2014, 11:58 AM

edit

soundserious · 24 February 2014, 05:59 AM

My 1965 Sub still glows faintly, it depends on the model year.

Scottie · 24 February 2014, 07:55 AM

I just bought my 1992 Sub and there is no glow on the face the hands have been replaced and glow. Would it hurt the value to replace the face and bezel?

sryukon · 24 February 2014, 11:47 AM

I have two Tudor Subs 79090's Blue and Back dials and they are both dead ;) But my 85 AirKing 5501 will glow for a minute or so go figure.

southtexas · 24 February 2014, 01:50 PM

My mid-70's 1503 still has some faint glow for a few seconds if I hit it with the iPhone flashlight for about 10 secs. It's faint but definitely there.

Also, as I understand it, if tritium sees regular UV exposure, it lasts much longer than those that are tucked away in a sock drawer for years.

20 February 2014, 04:57 AM	#1
Oyster Lover "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 472	LUME on Vintage Rolex Howdy folks, Does anyone know whether it is reasonable to expect the lume on a 1980 submariner to still be working properly? I mean, wouldn't it have died out by now? Also, was Rolex lume from 1980 typically stronger or more lasting then other watches in its generation? (for example, a Omega Moon watch, or Seiko diver watches of the same period). Thanks!

20 February 2014, 05:10 AM	#3
Cc1966 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Christopher Location: Georgia, USA Watch: ing the Sea... Posts: 6,713	If it's still "working", you most likely have a Luminova service dial. As stated above, the tritium lume would be long gone. __________________ "I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778 "*Curmudgeons* " Favorites: 1665 SD, Sub Date, DSSD, Exp II, Sub LV, GMTIIc

20 February 2014, 06:35 AM	#5
Onikage "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: England Watch: 16710, 16628 Posts: 7,757	I have a Tag Heuer from 1997 and its tritium is alive and well...kind of sickly looking actually but it isn't dead. __________________ GMT II 16710 TRADITIONAL ( D- Serial #) ROLEXFANBOY P-Club Member #4

20 February 2014, 06:52 AM	#7
Jocke 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Jocke Location: Sweden Watch: A dozen of Rolex's Posts: 22,541	With a original Tritium dial - No With s service Luminova dial - Yes __________________ This message is written in perfect swenglish. What is best a custom Rolex or a Rolex that is stuck in custom? Buy a professional camera and you´re a professional photographer, buy a flute and you own a flute.

20 February 2014, 10:17 AM	#14
SALTY "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,500	No glow here. __________________ Time and tide wait for no man.

20 February 2014, 04:58 AM	#2
capote "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Daniel Location: Sweden Watch: 16570 Posts: 7,315	34 years old tritium will be dead by now, you could always get a service dial if you need the lume.

20 February 2014, 05:28 AM	#4
landroverking "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Jay Location: TEXAS Watch: Daytona Posts: 7,648	Dead as a door nail.

20 February 2014, 06:47 AM	#6
enhamhale "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Alex Location: England (andover) Watch: Submariners all Posts: 470	My bart Simpson 66 still works breifly after 48 years .

20 February 2014, 06:54 AM	#8
DiamondJack "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: London Watch: Quite a few Posts: 4,315	Tritium has a half life of 12.3 years so after 34 years, there will be about 14% of the original luminosity...... So a little glow..........

20 February 2014, 06:54 AM	#9
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	I have Tritium lume dating back to 1966, 1970 and 1990, which still emits some glow, although minimal; the oldest being the most enduring. So, not 'dead' at all.

20 February 2014, 10:51 AM	#15
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Any fleeting luminosity you might experience is probably the phosphors in the paint matrix reacting to light. It won't last long. As mentioned the tritium is past it"s punch.

20 February 2014, 11:19 AM	#16
Scottie "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: Bill Mascottie Location: Plantation Watch: Submariner Posts: 41	What are the pros and cons of replacement to do or not to do?

23 February 2014, 01:14 PM	#20
Scottie "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: Bill Mascottie Location: Plantation Watch: Submariner Posts: 41	Could you ask for the items to be returned? Or they just discard them no matter what.

20 February 2014, 11:58 AM	#21
CrownMe "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Kevin Location: Maryland Watch: My Open 6 Posts: 3,433	edit

24 February 2014, 05:59 AM	#22
soundserious "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: usofmfa Posts: 3,157	My 1965 Sub still glows faintly, it depends on the model year.

24 February 2014, 07:55 AM	#23
Scottie "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: Bill Mascottie Location: Plantation Watch: Submariner Posts: 41	I just bought my 1992 Sub and there is no glow on the face the hands have been replaced and glow. Would it hurt the value to replace the face and bezel?

24 February 2014, 11:47 AM	#24
sryukon "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Sub 16800 Posts: 373	I have two Tudor Subs 79090's Blue and Back dials and they are both dead ;) But my 85 AirKing 5501 will glow for a minute or so go figure.

24 February 2014, 01:50 PM	#25
southtexas 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Great State of TX Posts: 5,761	My mid-70's 1503 still has some faint glow for a few seconds if I hit it with the iPhone flashlight for about 10 secs. It's faint but definitely there. Also, as I understand it, if tritium sees regular UV exposure, it lasts much longer than those that are tucked away in a sock drawer for years. __________________ Forty six & 2 are just ahead of me. Follow me on Instagram @ccrolex

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