1967 5513 lume still glows

[mmancari]

I picked this one up today from bonhams nyc. It's a 1967 5513 meters first and the lume still glows. Any one have any information about zinc sulfide which was applied to a batch of dials around this time period?

[mmancari]

In the dark

[mmancari]

Lume

[linesiders]

Nice pickup & great question

How quickly does it fade?

I have a 68 Omega and a 68 Tudor sub that both glow.

[mmancari]

Thanks. Haven't had it a day yet. What I first noticed was a difference in hue in natural light from artificial light. I walked in the bathroom and noticed the glow. It fades quickly within minutes. I first questioned the hands as different but they glow and fade at the same rate. I was pleased to find out that it wasn't polished. Even had a bit of dirt in those tight areas. Bracelet is stretched... So be it.

[Suprageex]

It still glows bc back in 66-67 they experimented with a different (in this case trit-zincsulfate) tritium mix. Same with my '67 5512.

[Bond's First Watch]

That thing is in great shape!

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by Suprageex

It still glows bc back in 66-67 they experimented with a different (in this case trit-zincsulfate) tritium mix. Same with my '67 5512.

I've had the same with watches of this era

[Dr.Smellody]

My 5513 and 1675 of the same era also glow and have a beautiful green patina when not in the dark. One of my favorite features of early matte dials.

[mmancari]

Great! Thanks everyone. Yes , I see that greenish glow. One of the first things I noticed. I wonder how many dials were created with the mixture of zinc. I'm also very fond of the bluish tone of bezel.

[NukeMan]

I'm a bit sceptical (remembering a few big debate threads on TRF on this very topic), 1967 is an awful long time ago considering the half-life of Tritium (with or without zinc). But I am not a nuclear scientist in spite of my nic-name. Peace!

[linesiders]

I think the question is how long it glows for after being exposed to light and how much will it glow if left in a closed box for a day or so and then checked in a pitch black room.

My 67/68 watches glow quickly, fairly bright, and fade to not useable in less than a minute or two though a little longer - but not useable - in pitch black. That lume is coming from the luminous compounds excited by LED/UV light, not tritium.

My 79 Flake after in a box for a day, and seen in pitch black can barely make out the plots and hands with fully acclimated eyes. That glow is from the luminous compound excited by 3.5 half lifes of Tritium and not usable under any conditions. The compound on the flake has practically zero impact from a UV source (other than a few miniscule bright specs that show)

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by NukeMan

I'm a bit sceptical (remembering a few big debate threads on TRF on this very topic), 1967 is an awful long time ago considering the half-life of Tritium (with or without zinc). But I am not a nuclear scientist in spite of my nic-name. Peace!

I think you've missed the fact that Zinc Sulfide has phosphorescent properties. The time lag of the re-emission of the energy released by the electrons dropping back down the energy levels that were initially raised by specific wavelengths of light being absorbed by the electrons of the compound, allows for a period of "light" emission.

'Scuse any minor innacuracies. The gist is correct, though.

[NukeMan]

I understand the mechanics as you describe it and stand corrected!

[linesiders]

So I just took some shots with the 1968 Omega SM300 and the 1968 Tudor 7016. Quick hits with the UV LED and go bright and fade fairly quick to not visible in regular light after just a short bit.

I have heard of other tritium dials from this time period with the same result: OP's 5513, 1968 GMTs, etc.

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by NukeMan

I'm a bit sceptical (remembering a few big debate threads on TRF on this very topic), 1967 is an awful long time ago considering the half-life of Tritium (with or without zinc). But I am not a nuclear scientist in spite of my nic-name. Peace!

I have several 5513's from 1967 that also glow briefly. They also both have a slightly green color shift in daylight. This has been discussed at length, nothing to be skeptical about.

[Vincent65]

nice one, congrats - I have a 66 gilt one which also still glows a little

[mluther]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

nice one, congrats - I have a 66 gilt one which also still glows a little

x2

[jollerbarn]

Originally Posted by mluther

x2

x3

I also once heard from an expert that it's the sulfite in the tritium that does the glowing.

[nycpassat]

btw, nice Seamaster! My '67 SM300 also still glows for a few seconds

Originally Posted by linesiders

So I just took some shots with the 1968 Omega SM300 and the 1968 Tudor 7016. Quick hits with the UV LED and go bright and fade fairly quick to not visible in regular light after just a short bit.

I have heard of other tritium dials from this time period with the same result: OP's 5513, 1968 GMTs, etc.

[1675-David]

Ours could be twins, and guess what...mine glows too!

[mmancari]

Nice watch David-1675! Great pics linesiders! Love Rolex Forums for its wealth of information.

5 years ago I started getting into watches. I researched every watch, every brand and every nuance. My first love was for vintage rolex. As I gravitated across the board I fell for Panerai. That was very short lived as I saw a crisis within the parent company, Richemont. I've tried on AP diver, nice watch and even considered FP journe (Some day, Its one of my dream watches). Long story short, I made my way back to Vintage Rolex.

When it came down to purchasing this watch, I love it's history, great looking watch, durability and value. Most of all, it fits my personality. I will own this one for a long time!

[seattleal]

Here is an 1807 that does the same thing:

[GeoGio Greece]

Mine is dead. 5513 of 1983.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by nycpassat

btw, nice Seamaster! My '67 SM300 also still glows for a few seconds

Gotta love those Big Ts

Originally Posted by mmancari

When it came down to purchasing this watch, I love it's history, great looking watch, durability and value. Most of all, it fits my personality. I will own this one for a long time!

That is a great looking sub - pass on to the great-great-great-grandkids

Originally Posted by seattleal

Here is an 1807 that does the same thing:

[Dr.Smellody]

[Kingface66]

My '66 Sub still glows pretty strong for a little while.

[esspee1200]

Correct for these era dials. Mines glows as well.


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[cajuntiger]

my glow worm

[springer]

I have a few GMTs from the late 1960s, beginning with serial number 17XXXXX, case back 1967. When I charge the 1967 GMT with a light, the dial and hands glow for a brief period of time. When I charge the other GMTs (dating from 1968 to 1972) with a light, they do not glow at all.