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Justin70 · 26 March 2007, 09:00 AM

Hey guys - my first "forum post"...yah!

I finally bought a 5513 (1989) after years of dreaming, and I'm really excited! I have a question though:

The markers and hands do not glow at night anymore (common for this age, I assume) and I'd really like them to (plus I think I like the markers and hands to be bright white instead of the slight off-white they are on mine). What's the most advisable/economical way to solve this? Do I buy a new dial and hands from eBay? Do I get mine relumed? If so, where? How much does that cost?

Are they any people out there that would be interested in TRADING my parts for bright white lumed ones? Is that a dumb move?

Thanks for your advise!

I'll post pictures if you need 'em...

Justin

Ironstark · 26 March 2007, 09:24 AM

Replacement dials are available. Can`t say that what you might get on ebay would be genuine. Having yours relumed might not be possible as the older dials use a radioactive element called "Tritium", working with radioactive materials is no longer allowed, although you may still be able to find someone who will do it anyway. The newer dials use "superluminova" which is phosphorescent and has a greenish hue to it.
You may be able to find an older dial, but if it`s a similar age it may be discoloured too.
Contact an RSC and see what they could do, they may have a replacement dial in stock.

mike · 26 March 2007, 09:39 AM

Hi Justin, welcome!

First of all congrats on your 5513!

The 5513 is truly an icon in vintage Rolex and a very desirable piece.
Now as to your question (questions?), a photo would be great to determine the condition of your dial.
Going without a photo, I'd say what you have is a 5513 made late in the run with a tritium gloss dial with white gold surrounds.
It would be normal at this stage for the tritium to have lost a lot of it's ability to cause the markers and hands to "glow".
Tritium is a mildly radioactive substance (beta) witha half life of about 12.5 years. Tritium (your dial should say "SWISS T<25") at the bottom does not in itself "glow" but rather causes the phposphers in the paint matrix to "excit".
The off-white coloration you see is called patina in the collector's world and as such is viewed by some as a desirable feature and a sign of orginality.
Patina seems to be a natural aging process of tritium dials as the binding agent in the markers drys.--the binding agent is about 90% of what you see.

As a rule the reluming of an orginal dial is not something collectors favor. The value of the dial is negatively impacted and there are few people that can do a first rate job.
Of course the amount of impact is determined by the rarity and desirability of the piece.
I'm not a fan of re-lumes, but others may be. If this is something you want to pursue, this guy does good work,
http://www.angelfire.com/blues/andca...Firstpage.html

Now, your other option is to send the watch to Rolex for service and a dial exchange. You will receive a new luminova dial--tritium has not be allowed in watches since about 1998--that will glow. Hands will also be replaced anytime a dial is changed. Cost will be a service, approx 500 USD, dial 225 USD, hands about 51 USD.
Your watch will be fully functional, but the vintage value again will be impacted.
If it were mine (and it's not) I would service the watch and pat myself on the back for having a great vintage watch that is not only desirable but has a lot of history.
As for e-bay---I don't know that's really an option in this case considering the possibility of fakes and the availability of the real deal from Rolex.

I have a vintage watch with a luminova dial, but I got it knowing the intrinsic value of the piece with a replacement dial.

Good luck!

padi56 · 26 March 2007, 06:03 PM

Excellent reply Mike and must agree vintage watches are best left as original as possible, and not made to look as brand new IMHO.Welcome to TRF Justin

Earl · 26 March 2007, 07:29 PM

Hi Justin, hope you got the info you were looking for, I too have a 5513 and I love it. Keeps great time and is light on the wrist. BTW Justin, welcome to TRF!!!

Alcan · 26 March 2007, 08:34 PM

Hi Justin, welcome to TRF!

Grat advice above. To add, I think that the patina on the dial and hands add to the charm of a vintage watch. I'd definitely leave it as is. When you buy your next Rolex (and you will), it'll be a newer one with lots of lume left.

26 March 2007, 09:00 AM	#1
Justin70 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: California Posts: 6	Submariner 5513 Dial question Hey guys - my first "forum post"...yah! I finally bought a 5513 (1989) after years of dreaming, and I'm really excited! I have a question though: The markers and hands do not glow at night anymore (common for this age, I assume) and I'd really like them to (plus I think I like the markers and hands to be bright white instead of the slight off-white they are on mine). What's the most advisable/economical way to solve this? Do I buy a new dial and hands from eBay? Do I get mine relumed? If so, where? How much does that cost? Are they any people out there that would be interested in TRADING my parts for bright white lumed ones? Is that a dumb move? Thanks for your advise! I'll post pictures if you need 'em... Justin

26 March 2007, 06:03 PM	#4
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,042	Excellent reply Mike and must agree vintage watches are best left as original as possible, and not made to look as brand new IMHO.Welcome to TRF Justin __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

26 March 2007, 08:34 PM	#6
Alcan 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Al Location: Way Up North Watch: your P's & Q's Posts: 10,473	Hi Justin, welcome to TRF! Grat advice above. To add, I think that the patina on the dial and hands add to the charm of a vintage watch. I'd definitely leave it as is. When you buy your next Rolex (and you will), it'll be a newer one with lots of lume left. __________________ Member #1,315 I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!

26 March 2007, 09:24 AM	#2
Ironstark TechXpert Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rolex world Watch: SS/W Skydweller Posts: 527	Replacement dials are available. Can`t say that what you might get on ebay would be genuine. Having yours relumed might not be possible as the older dials use a radioactive element called "Tritium", working with radioactive materials is no longer allowed, although you may still be able to find someone who will do it anyway. The newer dials use "superluminova" which is phosphorescent and has a greenish hue to it. You may be able to find an older dial, but if it`s a similar age it may be discoloured too. Contact an RSC and see what they could do, they may have a replacement dial in stock.

26 March 2007, 09:39 AM	#3
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Hi Justin, welcome! First of all congrats on your 5513! The 5513 is truly an icon in vintage Rolex and a very desirable piece. Now as to your question (questions?), a photo would be great to determine the condition of your dial. Going without a photo, I'd say what you have is a 5513 made late in the run with a tritium gloss dial with white gold surrounds. It would be normal at this stage for the tritium to have lost a lot of it's ability to cause the markers and hands to "glow". Tritium is a mildly radioactive substance (beta) witha half life of about 12.5 years. Tritium (your dial should say "SWISS T<25") at the bottom does not in itself "glow" but rather causes the phposphers in the paint matrix to "excit". The off-white coloration you see is called patina in the collector's world and as such is viewed by some as a desirable feature and a sign of orginality. Patina seems to be a natural aging process of tritium dials as the binding agent in the markers drys.--the binding agent is about 90% of what you see. As a rule the reluming of an orginal dial is not something collectors favor. The value of the dial is negatively impacted and there are few people that can do a first rate job. Of course the amount of impact is determined by the rarity and desirability of the piece. I'm not a fan of re-lumes, but others may be. If this is something you want to pursue, this guy does good work, http://www.angelfire.com/blues/andca...Firstpage.html Now, your other option is to send the watch to Rolex for service and a dial exchange. You will receive a new luminova dial--tritium has not be allowed in watches since about 1998--that will glow. Hands will also be replaced anytime a dial is changed. Cost will be a service, approx 500 USD, dial 225 USD, hands about 51 USD. Your watch will be fully functional, but the vintage value again will be impacted. If it were mine (and it's not) I would service the watch and pat myself on the back for having a great vintage watch that is not only desirable but has a lot of history. As for e-bay---I don't know that's really an option in this case considering the possibility of fakes and the availability of the real deal from Rolex. I have a vintage watch with a luminova dial, but I got it knowing the intrinsic value of the piece with a replacement dial. Good luck!

26 March 2007, 07:29 PM	#5
Earl "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Who Me? Location: Northern Virginia Watch: out Posts: 4,616	Hi Justin, hope you got the info you were looking for, I too have a 5513 and I love it. Keeps great time and is light on the wrist. BTW Justin, welcome to TRF!!!

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