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[superstarmar]

I have searched the forum for this topic and have not found it.

Looking at a lot of vintage Rolex some older some newer ,
I've noticed the script remains whitish while the plots and
hands patina (change various colors) as they age.
My question is how come the script doesn't change the same
color as the plots and hands on the dial ?

I recently purchased an older 16610 Sub with tritium dial
and love it ... The plots and hands are turning creamy but
the script is still white. Looking at very many even older subs
and gmt's I see the same trend... Plots and hands change
color and the script still remains fairly white ?

Looking for insight , thank you experts in advance...
Pic of my new prized possession....

[Flyer737]

I’m no expert, but would it be to do with the fact that the Lume/Tritium is on the hands and markers and not the script and that the material used on those components changes differently to the non lume material on the script?

Happy to read a more technical answer from one of the experts on here. Currently researching my first vintage and the more knowledge the better ��

[padi56]

Simply because the font letters are plain white paint, while the hands and hour markers are painted luminous Tritium. Which over the years develop a patina but last of the Tritium dials develop slow some very little.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by padi56

Simply because the font letters are plain white paint, while the hands and hour markers are painted luminous Tritium. Which over the years develop a patina but last of the Tritium dials develop slow some very little.

So because the hands and hour markers are painted luminous tritium
is the main reason... yes it makes sense ... duh
Mines a fairly early tritium dial...

The parts that are supposed to glow at night are the main culprit...

Thanks Peter...

[HogwldFLTR]

Yes, right, different materials and simple as that.

[Flyer737]

Thought that would be the case, at least I was on the right track.

Would it only be the Tritium based watches that would achieve such a patina effect or is it likely over time the lume on more modern stuff may patina also?

[faimag]

the luminova/superluminova (used from around 1998-1999 onwards) do not develop the patina characteristic of tritium. they don't change color to a noticeable extent.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by faimag

the luminova/superluminova (used from around 1998-1999 onwards) do not develop the patina characteristic of tritium. they don't change color to a noticeable extent.

I've read similar threads and it makes sense...
I believe the tritium dials are the last to have the ability
to patina/age over time...