The Vintage Lesson You've All Heard About...

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

FWIW, it starts fading immediately and is completely dark within 23 seconds.

And I'm not arguing that it is or isn't a re-lume, necessarily. I assumed it was because of my own lack of information.

But it sounds like there are two separate questions at play: 1) Is there a possibility that it still glows? 2) Is this specific example a re-lume?

As to the first question, there are numerous experts with numerous opinions, obviously. As to the second, I don't know and can't tell. You seem certain in light of other experts being less certain. I admit to being confused.

Any L.A. or O.C. based vintage experts that would have a look in the metal?

It’s a definite relume unfortunately, doesn’t matter who did it....seller did wrong by not putting that big $$$ information in the add...shame on the seller as I’m sure he knew

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by Paulie 50

Keep it. It's still a fab watch.

And my birth year.

It's a beautiful watch. I want some degree of certainty, though, before I decide what to do. If it's not re-lumed then it should find it's way to a red sub enthusiast (I am not that and couldn't get used to the crystal or the idea that the watch was fragile...even though it's not actually fragile). If it is re-lumed then, well, I'm not sure what.

I'll post some UV pics soon.

[1665fan]

It’s 100000% relumed....I have a 2.7 mill sub nothing glows period not for a split second....sorry

[1665fan]

I have 6-7 million serial watches and nothing glows either....

[Juhuatai]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

FWIW, it starts fading immediately and is completely dark within 23 seconds.

And I'm not arguing that it is or isn't a re-lume, necessarily. I assumed it was because of my own lack of information.

But it sounds like there are two separate questions at play: 1) Is there a possibility that it still glows? 2) Is this specific example a re-lume?

As to the first question, there are numerous experts with numerous opinions, obviously. As to the second, I don't know and can't tell. You seem certain in light of other experts being less certain. I admit to being confused.

Any L.A. or O.C. based vintage experts that would have a look in the metal?

Ah fair enough. I thought that picture was after 23 seconds. I must have misread the post. Nevertheless, I have never heard of a dial glowing 1970+. There was a thread about this a couple days ago here: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...4#post10189264

2) I'm no expert but my opinion is that it is a relume.

Isn't michaelmorgan around there? You could reach out and ask him.

[Dan S]

I think that more research is in order by the OP before making any conclusions about a re-lume. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation (in this thread and elsewhere) about tritium, phosphor, excitation (by visible vs. UV light), etc. The tritium has absolutely nothing to do with "glowing" of a 50 year old watch in response to excitation.

Phosphors from different eras respond differently to excitation, e.g. sometimes earlier phosphors will glow in response to excitation, but later phosphors will be completely dead. This is not a simple topic.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

It’s a definite relume unfortunately, doesn’t matter who did it....seller did wrong by not putting that big $$$ information in the add...shame on the seller as I’m sure he knew

Ouch....but also my fear. I've texted the seller and invited him to the thread.

I give him the benefit of the doubt that the didn't know (he's been very communicative and straightforward). But I agree that it's a $$$ amount of discrepancy between the two conditions.

Again, THANK YOU TO THE TRF EXPERTS THAT SAVED ME THE FRUSTRATION AND (FURTHER) EMBARRASSMENT OF HAVING SOLD IT!!!

1. Know what you're buying and what to look for.
2. "Buy the seller."

We've heard it a few times and it rolls into a thread easily but here's the clear example of why.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

And my birth year.

It's a beautiful watch. I want some degree of certainty, though, before I decide what to do. If it's not re-lumed then it should find it's way to a red sub enthusiast (I am not that and couldn't get used to the crystal or the idea that the watch was fragile...even though it's not actually fragile). If it is re-lumed then, well, I'm not sure what.

I'll post some UV pics soon.

I have only vintage and I have never had a problem with the top hat acrylic crystal.

[Juhuatai]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

Ouch....but also my fear. I've texted the seller and invited him to the thread.

I give him the benefit of the doubt that the didn't know (he's been very communicative and straightforward). But I agree that it's a $$$ amount of discrepancy between the two conditions.

Again, THANK YOU TO THE TRF EXPERTS THAT SAVED ME THE FRUSTRATION AND (FURTHER) EMBARRASSMENT OF HAVING SOLD IT!!!

1. Know what you're buying and what to look for.
2. "Buy the seller."

We've heard it a few times and it rolls into a thread easily but here's the clear example of why.

I think if he's honest, he will give you a refund or at least the price difference between an original and a relumed dial.

[mistral]

My 1971 6239 Daytona still glows for few seconds when subjected to light.
See my Avatar and attachment.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I think that more research is in order by the OP before making any conclusions about a re-lume. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation (in this thread and elsewhere) about tritium, phosphor, excitation (by visible vs. UV light), etc. The tritium has absolutely nothing to do with "glowing" of a 50 year old watch in response to excitation.

Phosphors from different eras respond differently to excitation, e.g. sometimes earlier phosphors will glow in response to excitation, but later phosphors will be completely dead. This is not a simple topic.

Indeed; assignment accepted. I've reached out to the seller and invited him here. I'm also researching like mad in the interim. My plan at this point is to take it to RSC for evaluation (but not necessarily authorize any work yet)...

Or does that even help?

[Juhuatai]

Originally Posted by mistral

My 1971 6239 Daytona still glows for few seconds when subjected to light.
See my Avatar and attachment.

Interesting, what's the serial number start with?

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by mistral

My 1971 6239 Daytona still glows for few seconds when subjected to light.
See my Avatar and attachment.

First, what an incredible Daytona! How about a trade for a Red Sub with a possible relume?

Second, you have me intrigued. I have invited the seller to the thread with the promise that it is being actively debated. And it would appear to be.

[Tridor]

Either return it for a full refund, or keep it and ask the seller for a partial refund based on the failure to disclose.

[exador]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

And my birth year.

It's a beautiful watch. I want some degree of certainty, though, before I decide what to do. If it's not re-lumed then it should find it's way to a red sub enthusiast (I am not that and couldn't get used to the crystal or the idea that the watch was fragile...even though it's not actually fragile). If it is re-lumed then, well, I'm not sure what.

The lesson here is never buy birth year watches that you're too scared to wear just because the idea sounds cool

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by exador

The lesson here is never buy birth year watches that you're too scared to wear just because the idea sounds cool

Yeah, sure, use a bunch of logic now.

[Styles Bitchley]

OP. What’s the serial?

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

OP. What’s the serial?

250xxxx

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

250xxxx

2,825,xxx (IV/70) for comparison

[mistral]

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

Interesting, what's the serial number start with?

Serial is 200xxxx; purchased new from AD in 1971; original owner.

@Cloudchaser - thanks for the comment. BTW are you a storm chaser? Your
User Name would suggest it.

[Juhuatai]

Originally Posted by mistral

Serial is 200xxxx; purchased new from AD in 1971; original owner.

@Cloudchaser - thanks for the comment. BTW are you a storm chaser? Your
User Name would suggest it.

You learn something new everyday. Well then, it's not outside the realm of possibility that later dials can glow!

[locutus49]

I would keep it and wear it every day. It looks fine to me.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by mistral

Serial is 200xxxx; purchased new from AD in 1971; original owner.

@Cloudchaser - thanks for the comment. BTW are you a storm chaser? Your
User Name would suggest it.

I have spent my free time in the snow/winter and weather over the years. I'm not sure anymore whether I chase the clouds or they chase me. :)

[springer]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I think that more research is in order by the OP before making any conclusions about a re-lume. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation (in this thread and elsewhere) about tritium, phosphor, excitation (by visible vs. UV light), etc. The tritium has absolutely nothing to do with "glowing" of a 50 year old watch in response to excitation.

Phosphors from different eras respond differently to excitation, e.g. sometimes earlier phosphors will glow in response to excitation, but later phosphors will be completely dead. This is not a simple topic.

Great suggestion and I'll do the research for the OP.

The dial is 100% relumed. No feet-first Sub dial will glow green, blue light or no blue light.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by springer

Great suggestion and I'll do the research for the OP.

The dial is 100% relumed. No feet-first Sub dial will glow green, blue light or no blue light.

Thank you for your feedback, JP!

[037]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

Do I do nothing and wear it (I'm not the guy who cares about the re-lume very much but I also hesitate to wear around an acrylic domed watch from 1970 on a daily basis).

I wear acrylic daily without concern. You'll get over it. Just be careful when cooking and don't bump it against a hot oven.

I vote to wear the hell out of it. If you didn't know it was relumed and were once happy with it, enjoy it and wear it.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by springer

Great suggestion and I'll do the research for the OP.

The dial is 100% relumed. No feet-first Sub dial will glow green, blue light or no blue light.

I did not even notice that the OP had posted a photo.

[037]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I did not even notice that the OP had posted a photo.

Haha, I didn't see it either. I see it now. Yeah, definitely a relume but I think I'd take that over a Luminova service insert given how rare the service insert must be by now.

My answer remains in keeping and wearing it.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by 037

I wear acrylic daily without concern. You'll get over it. Just be careful when cooking and don't bump it against a hot oven.

I vote to wear the hell out of it. If you didn't know it was relumed and were once happy with it, enjoy it and wear it.

Well, I can't unsee it now. And it's a pretty significant difference in value from an absolute $$ sense...so there would always be that remorse around having bought something less than "100% authentic."

I'll be kicking myself for some time over this one. As a seller, I know I'd make it right. We'll see...

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

I think if he's honest, he will give you a refund or at least the price difference between an original and a relumed dial.

That's what I would do at the very least. Fingers crossed.