RE-lume on 80s and 90s Rolex tritum?

[5512vs5513]

Hi,

i just bought an explorer II from 1996. Are these supposed to glow under UV still? mine has a slight glitter when the light is directly on it, but after its turned off, it does not glow at all.

Any insight?

Thanks

[jimcameron]

Tritium has a life of about 10 yrs. Then it's dead-ville. Try and find a buyer for your "vintage" Explorer, or learn to live with it. It is not worth trying to have someone re-lume it.

My Timex Explorer has a much better system than my Rolex Explorer. Sad but true.

[77T]

When you see “glitter” as you use your UV light, you are seeing the reaction of the remaining phosphorous in the painted hour plots. Since it’s been over 20 years from application, the tritium that previously excited the phosphorous has long since decayed.

If you want the dial re-lumed it’s your choice. The other option is a service dial from an A s/n watch (or newer) that you might pickup on your own. Then have it installed.

If you send it to Rolex for a service dial, you will not get the original back from them.

If you’re collecting this Expl. II for future appreciation, then maybe leave well enough alone and enjoy it as it sits now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Chester01]

My 16610 circa 98 still has a faint and very short lasting glow with exposure to direct and bright sunlight. Haven’t had much glow for over 10 years now.

[5512vs5513]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

Tritium has a life of about 10 yrs. Then it's dead-ville. Try and find a buyer for your "vintage" Explorer, or learn to live with it. It is not worth trying to have someone re-lume it.

My Timex Explorer has a much better system than my Rolex Explorer. Sad but true.

I have no problem with it as long as the dial and lume are okay, which seems to be the case. Love the watch

[Meyrin]

The tritium lume on my 1996 Sub 14060 is dead as a dodo...

[Rori]

Good question. What about the new Lume Rolex uses in it's modern watches, how much they last before they decay?

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by 77t

when you see “glitter” as you use your uv light, you are seeing the reaction of the remaining phosphorous in the painted hour plots. Since it’s been over 20 years from application, the tritium that previously excited the phosphorous has long since decayed.

If you want the dial re-lumed it’s your choice. The other option is a service dial from an a s/n watch (or newer) that you might pickup on your own. Then have it installed.

If you send it to rolex for a service dial, you will not get the original back from them.

If you’re collecting this expl. Ii for future appreciation, then maybe leave well enough alone and enjoy it as it sits now.


Sent from my iphone using tapatalk pro

+1

[1665fan]

Almost all tritium should be dead they switched in 98-99 believe so 20-21 years ago. All my watches from the 90s are dead

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 5512vs5513

Hi,

i just bought an explorer II from 1996. Are these supposed to glow under UV still? mine has a slight glitter when the light is directly on it, but after its turned off, it does not glow at all.

Any insight?

Thanks

Tritium dials have a half life of around 12 years so expect now your dial will have little or no lume glow.