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Old 22 April 2010, 11:25 PM   #10
snowbird
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600
Posts: 2,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by robsteve View Post
Is the Tritium paint not allowed or had it become difficult to deal with? For example, my Rolex date which I have owned since new in 1989 no longer glows. The only solution is a new dial and hands. I wonder if Rolex has to deal with the old dials and hands in some special (expensive) way in order to dispose of them?

Luminova dials and hands probably have made it much easier in regards to life and service. Even Luminova seems to have a life to it, as my older Seiko watches do not glow very well anymore.

Compared to the Tubes, Tritium paint had quite a short life and as you mentioned the tubes are also sealed, so no problems with paint dust. I also get the impression that the tube is more efficient and it takes less radioactivity to make the coated insides of the tube glow. The Tritium is in a gas form.

Robert
My understanding is that tritium paint is not allowed anymore in some countries at least due to the radioactivity - more of a danger to those making and working on watches than to those wearing them though. Sounds like the tubes are a different story though.
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