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Old 4 October 2014, 09:36 AM   #1
Bob Sacamano
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Lume

I am new to the forum and have found the discussions most helpful. I just picked up a subc nd special order from an AD and am absolutely enjoying it.

However I am a somewhat disappointed in one of my favorite elements, the lume. Mine fades out after a only couple hours. Is that normal or will it possibly improve? Thanks much!
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Old 4 October 2014, 09:44 AM   #2
rmfnla
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That's normal and it does not get better (actually, it gets worse with age).

If you want glow-in-the-dark you need to get something with a battery.

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Old 4 October 2014, 09:52 AM   #3
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There are several brands with much better lume than Rolex.
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Old 4 October 2014, 10:49 AM   #4
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I've had no problem with Rolex lume in the past--actually ok.

But if you want lume--grab a fun Tudor--serious lume.
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Old 4 October 2014, 11:05 AM   #5
Bob Sacamano
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Thanks for fast replies gents. I'm very happy with it overall. Just a little let down by the duration of the lume. Perhaps Rolex might want to set more realistic expectations than claim it will last up to 8 hours.
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Old 4 October 2014, 11:09 AM   #6
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Old 4 October 2014, 11:31 AM   #7
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Old 4 October 2014, 12:45 PM   #8
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Luminova cannot maintain its initial torch- like intensity for long, but is still reasonably legible several hours later in the case of the new "chromalight" blue lume, less so with the green. Only radioactive material or gas filled tubes (like Luminox) maintain their bright intensity.
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Old 4 October 2014, 12:46 PM   #9
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My Seiko Monster will last all night. My Rolex maybe 1 hr.
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Old 4 October 2014, 12:52 PM   #10
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I have had quite a few Seiko's and have to agree with SKPRD13, Seiko's do have great lume.
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Old 4 October 2014, 02:27 PM   #11
Ector495
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The lume on the Pelagos looks amazing Texex.
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Old 4 October 2014, 03:44 PM   #12
mike
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Quote:
Originally Posted by texex91 View Post
I've had no problem with Rolex lume in the past--actually ok.

But if you want lume--grab a fun Tudor--serious lume.
Spot on. The pelagos lume is something Rolex should have.
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Old 4 October 2014, 03:50 PM   #13
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Rolex has always been the worst lume of any watch I have, my PP and my now sold GP/Omega were way better. Many of my oldies have no lume at all. I wish it was better as I dont have a clock radio and wear my watch to bed.
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Old 4 October 2014, 04:41 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Sacamano View Post
I am new to the forum and have found the discussions most helpful. I just picked up a subc nd special order from an AD and am absolutely enjoying it.

However I am a somewhat disappointed in one of my favorite elements, the lume. Mine fades out after a only couple hours. Is that normal or will it possibly improve? Thanks much!
The best lume I've experienced so far for a Rolex is from my Explorer II 216570. Outside of Rolex my departed Omega 2254.50 had incredible lume. But honestly, once the lights go out, how much lume does one need unless you're a seal?
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Old 4 October 2014, 05:13 PM   #15
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Old 4 October 2014, 06:15 PM   #16
Sportwatchmania
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I can still see the lume on my sub the next morning very clear.
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Old 4 October 2014, 06:43 PM   #17
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Congrats on your purchase.
I have a ceramic SD and the lume was a dissapointment for me too. It lasts about 2 hours max.
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Old 4 October 2014, 08:22 PM   #18
Matt748
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I'm lucky if my lume last an hour or so on my sub
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Old 4 October 2014, 11:34 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmfnla View Post
That's normal and it does not get better (actually, it gets worse with age).

If you want glow-in-the-dark you need to get something with a battery.

Welcome to TRF!
Why does it get worse over time? I thought Superluminova does not age...

OP, the lume does get a little dimmer , but in a pitch black room, it should be light enough to read the time all night long if "charged" properly (a bright light shined on it like a UV light, car headlight, or just a basic lamp)
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Old 5 October 2014, 01:30 AM   #20
Im Lauf der Zeit
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Quote:
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OP, the lume does get a little dimmer , but in a pitch black room, it should be light enough to read the time all night long if "charged" properly (a bright light shined on it like a UV light, car headlight, or just a basic lamp)
+1. Bright enough through the night if charged fully by either daylight or an artificial source.
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Old 6 October 2014, 03:48 PM   #21
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My brand new GMT 2c LN (blue lume) gives me about 10 mins max. Disappointing but not the end of the world.


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Old 6 October 2014, 04:05 PM   #22
sturgeon123456
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The eyes adjust and become more sensitive to light as the night progresses. Theoretically you should be able to see even a hint of lume that remains hours into the night based on fully charged lume and dark surroundings. I wouldn't expect eight hours though....a couple maybe a few.

Realistically, the lume is unimpressive and one area that Rolex could improve on, although its probably not going to happen anytime soon.
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Old 6 October 2014, 10:27 PM   #23
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this is the new GMT Pep-C lume for comparison, lasts pretty much through the night for me.....


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Old 9 October 2014, 07:38 AM   #24
rmfnla
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Quote:
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Why does it get worse over time? I thought Superluminova does not age...

You are correct; I was thinking of the various radioactives that have half-lives; thanks for the reminder...
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Old 9 October 2014, 08:56 AM   #25
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I wish my tritium dial still had some life left....let's go patina!!!! 😂
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Old 9 October 2014, 09:16 AM   #26
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Agree on the pelagos lume. It's amazing.

That said, my explorer 2 and my NDC seem pretty awesome to me.
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