Submariner red

[LeonardL]

hello,
I hope someone can help me with my Rolex question.
Do I need to be worried that my vintage Rolex red sub doesn't glow in the dark?
thanking you in advance.
Leo

[nkoussa]

Which year is it ?
My 1969 1680 sub glows very faintly still ..
But you can service it and they'll replace your dial (which you really don't wanna do)

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[LeonardL]

I just got it back from being serviced. I wouldn't want them to change the dial.
I wasn't sure what happens to the "glow" after 40 + years. mine is 1970

[scooba]

Don't worry it's normal after that time , mine doesn't either it is from 1969 neither do either of my SeaDwellers

[JohnBaker3]

Vintage subs "glow" because they used tritium in the paint used on the dials and hands.

It is a low level radioactive isotope of hydrogen. It has a half-life of about 12 years.

It is not uncommon for watches of this time period to have "no glow"...

Hope that helps.

[flintsghost]

Regardless of tritium or luminova it is possible to have a dial re-lumed. I had this done with my 1965 GMT a couple of years ago through a dial service in Flagstaff, Ariz. They removed the original tritium and then redid the dial in luminova. Except for the patina color of the dots, it is impossible to tell it was redone. I also had them redo my Chronosport UDT timer and it came out equally well.

[wisguy]

It shouldn't glow and whatever you do don't change or relume the dial.