5513 Meter's first lume glow vs no glow

[statuskuo]

Does anyone know if the lume on 5513 meter's first sub's (1.9m s/n range) should be glowing? I have seen examples that glow brightly then fade quickly, but I have also seen several examples that have little to zero glow, only showing very small specks of luminescence.

I know Rolex was experimenting with different mixes of tritium / zinc sulfide in the 60's so perhaps there are versions that are simply different. My understanding is that later 5513's typically do not glow at all anymore (late 60-70's).

[swish77]

There is a range of Subs 1967-8 that still glow under certain lighting conditions. Later tritium Subs, for the most part, won't.

This should help.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=458103

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by swish77

There is a range of Subs 1967-8 that still glow under certain lighting conditions. Later tritium Subs, for the most part, won't.

This should help.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=458103

I'd add 1966 to that. Have a 5513 that still glows briefly, and had a 1016 from the same year that did the same.

[statuskuo]

After speaking to a few other dealers and collectors, the consensus is that around 1968-1969 Rolex began to transition to a different tritium mix that was more similar to what was used in the non-serif 5513's (which no longer glow today). Most earlier 5513 meter's first (and all gilt dials for that matter) should glow brightly under UV and quickly fall off.

If anybody has heard differently than this, I welcome new information

[athom]

Originally Posted by statuskuo

After speaking to a few other dealers and collectors, the consensus is that around 1968-1969 Rolex began to transition to a different tritium mix that was more similar to what was used in the non-serif 5513's (which no longer glow today). Most earlier 5513 meter's first (and all gilt dials for that matter) should glow brightly under UV and quickly fall off.

If anybody has heard differently than this, I welcome new information

Regarding the 5513, the early ones, like mine 1.8M are zinc sulfide and glow. The 5512 too, later, not anymore !

[brandrea]

I had a meters first 1.7 M serial that still glowed briefly. It was around a 1966-67.

[btinl]

My late 1966 MF 5512 still glows briefly when exposed to light.

[1675-David]

As mentioned by others, mine glows then fades quickly. Service pearl, bye the way, which glows like a torch at every opportunity.

[The_Walrus]

A meters first (up to 2.0mil) should glow briefly for.maybe 10 to 15 seconds then fade away. Going back to your question, how bright is subjective????
My MF did just this, my 70's feet first has dead lume.

[lupus66]

Around 1.7M there are dials that have a speckled glow. Was discussed here recently.

[petereoin]

My 1.9 '68 MF glows very slightly in an absolute dark room.

[statuskuo]

Originally Posted by lupus66

Around 1.7M there are dials that have a speckled glow. Was discussed here recently.

The watch in question is a 1.9mil s/n and has the speckled glow. As all things Rolex, I'm sure you can find exceptions with the s/n