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kcgunner · 31 July 2021, 01:04 PM

I am looking at a 16610 "U" serial. It could be 1997 or 1998 since it has no papers and it looks like "U" serials were made during both years. I want a Tritium dial and I know this was right around the time they changed from Tritium to Luminova. The dial shows the "Swiss-T<25" indicating it was Tritium but the lume looks newer than 24 years old to me. But I'm no expert. I've heard that during the switch from Tritium to Luminova some dials show the "Swiss-T<25" but were filled with Luminova. Can anyone tell if this is Tritium or Luminova just by looking at a picture? Thanks

arcadelt · 31 July 2021, 01:33 PM

I can’t tell…and therein lies the problem. Why would you want to buy a tritium dialled watch that has proven that it will not patina except perhaps by waiting a lifetime? Either buy a watch that has developed some patina already or save your money and buy a watch with luminova lume.

springer · 31 July 2021, 02:23 PM

Take the watch in a room without windows and do the test described below in a darkened room.

Shut the door in the darkened room and shine a light on the dial for two or three seconds. Turn the light off and if the dial markers are still glowing, you have a luminova dial that is marked as tritium at the bottom of the dial. If, after shutting the light off, the markers only glow for one or two seconds, the dial is tritium. Luminova dial markers and hands will glow for a substantial amount of time once the light is turned off of them.

wsfarrell · 31 July 2021, 02:41 PM

I thought the only "tritinova" dials (says T < 25 on the bottom but the lume is luminova) were service dials on some 5512's.

kcgunner · 31 July 2021, 02:53 PM

I appreciate all the help so far. I know just enough about vintage models to get myself in trouble.....

kcgunner · 31 July 2021, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsfarrell

I thought the only "tritinova" dials (says T < 25 on the bottom but the lume is luminova) were service dials on some 5512's.

See I didn't know that. That's good to know.

rootbeer7 · 31 July 2021, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by springer

Take the watch in a room without windows and do the test described below in a darkened room.

Shut the door in the darkened room and shine a light on the dial for two or three seconds. Turn the light off and if the dial markers are still glowing, you have a luminova dial that is marked as tritium at the bottom of the dial. If, after shutting the light off, the markers only glow for one or two seconds, the dial is tritium. Luminova dial markers and hands will glow for a substantial amount of time once the light is turned off of them.

This. From a true expert.

padi56 · 31 July 2021, 05:34 PM

Well in this time frame it has been reported that although dials were marked on bottom as Tritium in fact the plots markers were Luminover. Just Rolex using up the old dials, but if dial glows strong after exposure of strong UV light in very dark room its luminover if hardly any glow then its Tritium.

kcgunner · 1 August 2021, 06:10 AM

Thanks everyone. I just wanted to see if anyone could tell from a photo and you all helped. Thank you.

Tools · 1 August 2021, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcgunner

Thanks everyone. I just wanted to see if anyone could tell from a photo and you all helped. Thank you.

Sorry, photos won't do it.

But, to me, the plots look slightly ivory rather than bright white. I know that it could be lighting or the photo, so take it for what it's worth.

FTX I · 1 August 2021, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

Well in this time frame it has been reported that although dials were marked on bottom as Tritium in fact the plots markers were Luminover. Just Rolex using up the old dials, but if dial glows strong after exposure of strong UV light in very dark room its luminover if hardly any glow then its Tritium.

Learned something new today. Thank you.

kcgunner · 1 August 2021, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Sorry, photos won't do it.

But, to me, the plots look slightly ivory rather than bright white. I know that it could be lighting or the photo, so take it for what it's worth.

I kinda thought the same thing. The pip has some patina to it in person too.

Jmbarrack · 2 August 2021, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsfarrell

I thought the only "tritinova" dials (says T < 25 on the bottom but the lume is luminova) were service dials on some 5512's.

There were also 1675 “tritinova” service dials but I don’t think this phenomenon was only for service dials. The production model I have seen the most with a factory “Tritinova” dial is the 14270 - that said I’ve only seen 3 or so advertised with it. But I have to think that bled to other pieces.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

31 July 2021, 02:23 PM	#3
springer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: jP Location: Texas Watch: GMT-MASTER Posts: 17,235	Take the watch in a room without windows and do the test described below in a darkened room. Shut the door in the darkened room and shine a light on the dial for two or three seconds. Turn the light off and if the dial markers are still glowing, you have a luminova dial that is marked as tritium at the bottom of the dial. If, after shutting the light off, the markers only glow for one or two seconds, the dial is tritium. Luminova dial markers and hands will glow for a substantial amount of time once the light is turned off of them. __________________ Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.

31 July 2021, 05:34 PM	#8
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,425	Well in this time frame it has been reported that although dials were marked on bottom as Tritium in fact the plots markers were Luminover. Just Rolex using up the old dials, but if dial glows strong after exposure of strong UV light in very dark room its luminover if hardly any glow then its Tritium. __________________ 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

31 July 2021, 01:33 PM	#2
arcadelt "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Monaro, NSW Posts: 846	I can’t tell…and therein lies the problem. Why would you want to buy a tritium dialled watch that has proven that it will not patina except perhaps by waiting a lifetime? Either buy a watch that has developed some patina already or save your money and buy a watch with luminova lume.

31 July 2021, 02:41 PM	#4
wsfarrell "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Manresa Beach Posts: 72	I thought the only "tritinova" dials (says T < 25 on the bottom but the lume is luminova) were service dials on some 5512's.

31 July 2021, 02:53 PM	#5
kcgunner "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: USA Watch: Submariner Date Posts: 34	I appreciate all the help so far. I know just enough about vintage models to get myself in trouble.....

1 August 2021, 06:10 AM	#9
kcgunner "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: USA Watch: Submariner Date Posts: 34	Thanks everyone. I just wanted to see if anyone could tell from a photo and you all helped. Thank you.

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