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nugbuster · 29 January 2009, 06:34 AM

Hey Guys,

I am in the process of purchasing another Rolex. It is a GMT Master II, with original Tritium dial and hands. I have read several threads talking about Tritium, but cant find a direct answer. Basically all i want to know is: A watch with tritium safe to wear? and also should I not buy the watch because it has Tritium?

To anyone who can help me, I thank you in advance.

-nug

buz-lh · 29 January 2009, 06:36 AM

Don't wear it loose.

Safe as can be on your watches' dials.

Skutt50 · 29 January 2009, 06:39 AM

I do not think there is any radiation left in an old Tritium watch. The half time is 12,5 years if I remember right and most Tritiumdials do not glow anymore. (I have two Tritium DJ with no or very faint glow),

Even if it did glow I would not be concerned wearing a "Tritium watch". As I said I have two (but without glow.)

frostie · 29 January 2009, 06:41 AM

I had a russian diving watch with tritium on the dial from the 80's and i was wearing it when i was 10. Well 10 years have passed and i am still here

BigHat · 29 January 2009, 06:46 AM

So little tritium you're fine unless you eat it.

They didn't transition in lume because tritium was dangerous to the watch owner, but potentially hazardous to the Rolex personnel dealing with it in large quantities. Tritium is used on a few brands today (Ball and MTM) with no danger.

Realize that it may not glow much or at all depending on the age and if you need lume, you'll be buying a Superluminova painted dial to replace it.

Jocke · 29 January 2009, 06:46 AM

I use to relume with Tritium and I haven't noticed any problems.

Jocke

Leighton · 29 January 2009, 06:50 AM

You'l be fine as long as you don't snort or eat the watch like Jocke in the pic above!

The low energy beta radiation from tritium cannot penetrate human skin but it can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested in its raw form.

physicist · 29 January 2009, 06:53 AM

The low energy electron radiation produced when tritium decays is absorbed by the case and crystal. It cannot hurt you unless it comes in direct contact with radiosensitive tissue such as that found in your lungs or intestinal walls. So as long as you don't eat it or breathe it, you are good to go.

cody p · 29 January 2009, 06:57 AM

as long as you don't use it as skin paint, i'd say you're good to go.

nugbuster · 29 January 2009, 07:05 AM

Hey Guys,

Thanks a lot for all your help.

-nug

DSJ · 29 January 2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocke

I use to relume with Tritium and I haven't noticed any problems.

Jocke

My duty handguns all had tritium sights, and as yet (knock on wood), no problems!

mike · 29 January 2009, 08:10 AM

There's no problem at all wearing a trit. dial watch. Tritium emits low level beta radiation...can't penetrate the crystal among other things.

As stated tritium was curtailed due to long term exposure to dial and watchmakers. Many would lick the brush while applying the tritium compound.....that's bad.

For what it's worth the tritium used on Ball, luminox, and gun sights are enclosed in glass vials.

29 January 2009, 06:34 AM	#1
nugbuster "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 6	Tritium???? Is it safe to wear?? Hey Guys, I am in the process of purchasing another Rolex. It is a GMT Master II, with original Tritium dial and hands. I have read several threads talking about Tritium, but cant find a direct answer. Basically all i want to know is: A watch with tritium safe to wear? and also should I not buy the watch because it has Tritium? To anyone who can help me, I thank you in advance. -nug

29 January 2009, 06:36 AM	#2
buz-lh "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Buz Location: Atlanta Watch: Rolex Tudor Pam Posts: 5,108	Don't wear it loose. Safe as can be on your watches' dials. __________________ Buz The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live. Peter Diamandis

29 January 2009, 06:41 AM	#4
frostie 1,000,000th PostMember Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 14,048	I had a russian diving watch with tritium on the dial from the 80's and i was wearing it when i was 10. Well 10 years have passed and i am still here __________________ GMT - Master II C - 116710 LN

29 January 2009, 06:46 AM	#6
Jocke 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Jocke Location: Sweden Watch: A dozen of Rolex's Posts: 22,541	I use to relume with Tritium and I haven't noticed any problems. Jocke __________________ 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.

29 January 2009, 06:50 AM	#7
Leighton "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Leighton Location: So. California Watch: SS GMT IIc Posts: 1,366	You'l be fine as long as you don't snort or eat the watch like Jocke in the pic above! The low energy beta radiation from tritium cannot penetrate human skin but it can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested in its raw form. __________________ GMT MASTER II 116710N

29 January 2009, 06:39 AM	#3
Skutt50 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Steven Location: Sweden Watch: Old English Fusee Posts: 246	I do not think there is any radiation left in an old Tritium watch. The half time is 12,5 years if I remember right and most Tritiumdials do not glow anymore. (I have two Tritium DJ with no or very faint glow), Even if it did glow I would not be concerned wearing a "Tritium watch". As I said I have two (but without glow.)

29 January 2009, 06:46 AM	#5
BigHat Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Matt Location: Arlington, VA Watch: Lange One MP Posts: 4,043	So little tritium you're fine unless you eat it. They didn't transition in lume because tritium was dangerous to the watch owner, but potentially hazardous to the Rolex personnel dealing with it in large quantities. Tritium is used on a few brands today (Ball and MTM) with no danger. Realize that it may not glow much or at all depending on the age and if you need lume, you'll be buying a Superluminova painted dial to replace it.

29 January 2009, 06:53 AM	#8
physicist "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 235	The low energy electron radiation produced when tritium decays is absorbed by the case and crystal. It cannot hurt you unless it comes in direct contact with radiosensitive tissue such as that found in your lungs or intestinal walls. So as long as you don't eat it or breathe it, you are good to go.

29 January 2009, 06:57 AM	#9
cody p "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Watch: Air-King 114200 Posts: 2,878	as long as you don't use it as skin paint, i'd say you're good to go.

29 January 2009, 07:05 AM	#10
nugbuster "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 6	Hey Guys, Thanks a lot for all your help. -nug

29 January 2009, 08:10 AM	#12
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	There's no problem at all wearing a trit. dial watch. Tritium emits low level beta radiation...can't penetrate the crystal among other things. As stated tritium was curtailed due to long term exposure to dial and watchmakers. Many would lick the brush while applying the tritium compound.....that's bad. For what it's worth the tritium used on Ball, luminox, and gun sights are enclosed in glass vials.

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