Yacht-Master dial is a no glow

[RJR]

New member here, I recently purchased a new Yacht-Master with the blue dial with the gold bezel. I noticed that the dots on the dial hardley glow compared to the hands when I go from the bright sunlight to a dark room. I also have a GMT Master II that both the dial marks and hands glow the same. I was wondering if this was normal. I also noticed that the wrighting on the bottom of the dial says Swiss-<25 instead of Swiss Made. Any information would be great.

[padi56]

Welcome to TRF well the Yachtmaster was introduced 1992,and the T<25 disappeared around 1998 so it must be a old model.These older dials are not as bright as the newer Luminova dials.

[RJR]

Thanks for the info, I only purchased this watch 3 weeks ago from Alan Furman. They did not have it instock so they special ordered it. If you are saying that the dial was discountuied in 1998 should I be worried?

[mike]

Hi RJR, welcome

T<25 is a marking for an older tritium dial. Tritium is a mildly radioactive substance used in older dials and has a half life of about 12.5 years.
Sounds like the hands might be newer replacement luminova hands. Try leaving the watch in the dark for a while. Tritium does not need an outside source to "glow" whereas luminova needs to be "charged" by an outside light source.
Might see a faint glow from the dial and not the hands.
Do the hands appear a little whiter? Post a pic if you can, might help a bit.

[mike]

Originally Posted by RJR

Thanks for the info, I only purchased this watch 3 weeks ago from Alan Furman. They did not have it instock so they special ordered it. If you are saying that the dial was discountuied in 1998 should I be worried?

Did you buy this as a new watch?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by RJR

Thanks for the info, I only purchased this watch 3 weeks ago from Alan Furman. They did not have it instock so they special ordered it. If you are saying that the dial was discountuied in 1998 should I be worried?

No what I am saying its a older model from between 1992 to 1998 with the older Tritium markers.Check serial between lugs at 6 oclock to date it exactly you can check your serial at this link.


http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=8478

[RJR]

I am at work this morning and do not have any tools to check for the serial number. I have the receipt at home so I will check it when I get home. I purchased this watch as brand new. The hands look the same brightness as the dial in regular light conditions. It looks like I need to make a call to Alan Furman on Monday morning to find out what is going on. Thanks for all of the information.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by RJR

I am at work this morning and do not have any tools to check for the serial number. I have the receipt at home so I will check it when I get home. I purchased this watch as brand new. The hands look the same brightness as the dial in regular light conditions. It looks like I need to make a call to Alan Furman on Monday morning to find out what is going on. Thanks for all of the information.

Hi RJR,

A big welcome to TRF!!

I find all that you've said so far very strange indeed. If, as you say, you purchased BRAND NEW, how on earth can you have any other marking except SWISS MADE at the bottom?

I had a TT BLUE YM recently with SWISS MADE at the bottom. Even the glow was very even. You seriously need to take it back to Furman's and have them check it out. That older marking of <T 25 was phased out like 8 years ago....so how could it possibly appear on a NEW watch?

Here's some pics for you...



...and the even glow!!

[padi56]

Possible NOS JJ

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by padi56

Possible NOS JJ

Sorry....NOS? Man, I hate these abbreviations!!

[mike]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Sorry....NOS? Man, I hate these abbreviations!!

New old Stock.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by mike

New old Stock.

Okay, thanks Mike. But hang on, guys....the TT YM for men (40 mm) was introduced for the VERY FIRST TIME only in 2005!!!!!!

So how on God's good earth can it come with such an old dial!!???

[mike]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Okay, thanks Mike. But hang on, guys....the TT YM for men (40 mm) was introduced for the VERY FIRST TIME only in 2005!!!!!!

So how on God's good earth can it come with such an old dial!!???

I was wondering the same thing. I wasn't sure of the year the TT came out, but I thought it was fairly recent.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by mike

I was wondering the same thing. I wasn't sure of the year the TT came out, but I thought it was fairly recent.

Recent is right, Mike. Basel Fair April 2005!! And I got mine in June 2005 as you can see from the date on my Warranty sheet. In fact, mine was the VERY FIRST one to come into Auckland!!

JJ

[Arthur Daley]

Y'know, you gotta wonder. Irrespective of how good a non-AD's reputation may be (AF's is excellent from what I gather), they've got to be dealing with fakes/modified new/pre-owned watches every once in a while. Not intentionally, mind you. But these guys are sourcing from all over the world, and not every supplier is on the up and up, surely.

I have little doubt that AF thought they were selling an authentic and unaltered new watch, but it looks like this one slipped through QC. I wonder how often that happens...

Come to think of it, when I called them a couple of days to acquire a new SD, they mentioned that most of their watches are shipped from Macau and Asia. It only just dawned on me today that importing Rolex watches from outside the US w/o Rolex USA's permission is illegal - trademark infringement. So that's kinda worrying I suppose.

Anyway, if the price were right and I felt confident that the piece wasn't illegally acquired and authentic, then I'd have no qualms buying from AF or any other broker.

The good news RJM, is that I'm sure AF will do whatever it takes to rectify the situation. Pls keep is all posted - this will help others down the road, not that that's much consolation...

Good luck!

[RJR]

Thanks for all of the info guys. I am really feeling sick about this. I was a little nervous buying from a non autherized Rolex dealer but I have heard great things about Alan Furman. I am going to call them first thing on Monday morning to see what they are going to do about this. I had my local autherized Rolex dealer remove one of the links when I first got it and I am suprised that they did not bring this problem to my attention. I know that AF only has a 10 day return policy on unworn watches but I am going to demand a whole new watch. I do not like the idea of somebody playing around inside of the watch before I received it from day 1. I will post on Monday what I find out. It is a shame because this baby has only been off 1 second in the last 7 days. Thanks again guys for all of the info

[Rockrolex]

Welcome to TRF, RJ. Hope everything works out for you. Stick around and keep us posted on what you find out.

[viper]

Good Luck RJR, let us know how things turn out..

For the price I assume you paid, you should have nothing but brand spankin' new!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by RJR

Thanks for all of the info guys. I am really feeling sick about this. I was a little nervous buying from a non autherized Rolex dealer but I have heard great things about Alan Furman. I am going to call them first thing on Monday morning to see what they are going to do about this. I had my local autherized Rolex dealer remove one of the links when I first got it and I am suprised that they did not bring this problem to my attention. I know that AF only has a 10 day return policy on unworn watches but I am going to demand a whole new watch. I do not like the idea of somebody playing around inside of the watch before I received it from day 1. I will post on Monday what I find out. It is a shame because this baby has only been off 1 second in the last 7 days. Thanks again guys for all of the info

Sorry to hear about what happened to you, RJR. I have a strong feeling your original TT YM dial got swapped out.

Make sure you mention to Furmans that the TT YM in men's 40 mm size was ONLY introduced in April 2005....so it must have the dial with SWISS MADE only printed at the bottom - NOTHING ELSE!!

My best wishes to you and good luck - JJ

[RJR]

Good news, I spoke to Wayne Stone at AF and he appoligized for the mix up. He could not understand how it happened but offered to replace the watch. They did not have any of the YM's instock so I changed to the TT Blue Sub which was my first choice in the first place but went with the YM to be a little different. The Sub is instock and they will ship it out as soon as they receive mine. They gave me their UPS number so I would not have to pay shipping. I am feeling a little better now. I will post when the new watch comes in. If it wasn't for you guys I would have never known that the YM was not correct. Thanks again for all of the info.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by RJR

Good news, I spoke to Wayne Stone at AF and he appoligized for the mix up. He could not understand how it happened but offered to replace the watch. They did not have any of the YM's instock so I changed to the TT Blue Sub which was my first choice in the first place but went with the YM to be a little different. The Sub is instock and they will ship it out as soon as they receive mine. They gave me their UPS number so I would not have to pay shipping. I am feeling a little better now. I will post when the new watch comes in. If it wasn't for you guys I would have never known that the YM was not correct. Thanks again for all of the info.

Hey RJR,

You've just made me very, very happy...and for TWO reasons....firstly, glad you were able to return the TT YM with all the help you got from this forum....secondly, you just got yourself the ULTIMATE TT Rolex!! Congratulations, pal....can't wait to see the pics!!!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by RJR

Good news, I spoke to Wayne Stone at AF and he appoligized for the mix up. He could not understand how it happened but offered to replace the watch. They did not have any of the YM's instock so I changed to the TT Blue Sub which was my first choice in the first place but went with the YM to be a little different. The Sub is instock and they will ship it out as soon as they receive mine. They gave me their UPS number so I would not have to pay shipping. I am feeling a little better now. I will post when the new watch comes in. If it wasn't for you guys I would have never known that the YM was not correct. Thanks again for all of the info.

Glad you got it sorted The TT sub IMO a much better looking watch.

[mike]

Originally Posted by RJR

Good news, I spoke to Wayne Stone at AF and he appoligized for the mix up. He could not understand how it happened but offered to replace the watch. They did not have any of the YM's instock so I changed to the TT Blue Sub which was my first choice in the first place but went with the YM to be a little different. The Sub is instock and they will ship it out as soon as they receive mine. They gave me their UPS number so I would not have to pay shipping. I am feeling a little better now. I will post when the new watch comes in. If it wasn't for you guys I would have never known that the YM was not correct. Thanks again for all of the info.

Woohoo!! Big congrats!! Glad it all worked out. Can't wait to see it!!

[Earl]

Furman's rep still stands :o)

[rolls]

I have same problem on my oyster perpetual datejust.




no glow even in pitch black. Is this normal for this watch?

Thanks

Originally Posted by rolls

I have same problem on my oyster perpetual datejust.




no glow even in pitch black. Is this normal for this watch?

Thanks

No - based on the photos it should have Luminova (although not much of it) and after charging it under a bright light for say 15 seconds you should be able to see that glow in the dark. I would not expect a lot of glow, but there should be some.

[mike]

Hi Rolls,
As Avalon said based on the markings it should be luminova and have some glow.
Did the watch come from an AD?

[rolls]

Originally Posted by Avalon

No - based on the photos it should have Luminova (although not much of it) and after charging it under a bright light for say 15 seconds you should be able to see that glow in the dark. I would not expect a lot of glow, but there should be some.

thanks. what do you mean by charging it in a bright light for 15 seconds? Hold it up against a bright light and itll give a glow in the dark?

In the car at night it was giving a very faint glow but after keeping it in the house for over 24 hours and then taking it in a pitch black area, it was a no glow;(

Thanks

[mike]

Originally Posted by rolls

thanks. what do you mean by charging it in a bright light for 15 seconds? Hold it up against a bright light and itll give a glow in the dark?

In the car at night it was giving a very faint glow but after keeping it in the house for over 24 hours and then taking it in a pitch black area, it was a no glow;(

Thanks

Ok,.. I think I got it now. Your watch has a substance called luminova to give it it's luminosity.
Luminova needs an outside light source to activate,or "charge". Luminova is not a radiactive substance like the older tritium dials had.
The lume or "glow" given off by luminova has a tendency to fade (rather quickly IMO ).
Charge your dial with a flashlight or go outside for a while and see what kind of lume you have in a dark area. Also make a mental note how long it takes to degrade.

[rolls]

Originally Posted by mike

Ok,.. I think I got it now. Your watch has a substance called luminova to give it it's luminosity.
Luminova needs an outside light source to activate,or "charge". Luminova is not a radiactive substance like the older tritium dials had.
The lume or "glow" given off by luminova has a tendency to fade (rather quickly IMO ).
Charge your dial with a flashlight or go outside for a while and see what kind of lume you have in a dark area. Also make a mental note how long it takes to degrade.

thanks guys