1967 5513 lume still glows

[007Sub]

Totally normal for 60s lume to glow... even brightly, after intense light exposure. However, they fade quickly. Only in the event that they don't quickly fade would I be concerned about originality.

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by 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.

II.67 caseback sn 1600XXX glows

(1968) sn 19XXXXX 5513 and sn 19XXXXX 1675 do not glow

[The_Walrus]

Originally Posted by 007Sub

Totally normal for 60s lume to glow... even brightly, after intense light exposure. However, they fade quickly. Only in the event that they don't quickly fade would I be concerned about originality.

Hi Greg, what length of time would start to be concerned of originality?
Would too long a period cast doubts of a possible relume?

[g-boac]

Originally Posted by 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.

This behavior is consistent with what's been observed with Omega Speedmasters of that era, including a 1966 and 1967 model that I have, which were final assembled and sold in 1967 and 1968, respectively. Starting with 145.022-69 Speedmasters final assembled in 1969 and 1970-onward, you'll find aged tritium that WON'T glow.

This gets interesting because this would perhaps point to a common radioluminescent paint supplier, even perhaps a common batch of the radioluminescent paint, that were used by multiple Swiss watch manufacturers, their dial suppliers, or subcontractors to their dial (and hand) suppliers.

So this raises an additional question, that's also interesting: did the dial manufacturers also lume the dials, or were dials lumed directly by the watch manufacturers? Or. . .since the lume on dials and hands match, did Rolex (and the other watch manufacturers) move parts between several different subcontractors - for example, Company A (e.g., Singer or Beyer) made dials, Company B (??) made hands, Company C made the lume, and Company D (or possibly Rolex itself) applied the lume to both Company A's hands and Company B's dials??

[mmancari]

Interesting question. About the only one who could answer that is someone with first hand knowledge. Someone who was either employed during the 60s and 70s. There are very few manufacturers that are completely in house. For example: Today Vacheron Constantini uses FP Journe to manufacture their dials.

My guess, is that the industry must have supplied each other with parts and paint. No one manufacture had exclusivity. It's just economics.

[QueueCumber]

My 63 White Swiss 5513 and 66 Simpson 5513 glow brightly but briefly if exposed to bright light.

[007Sub]

Originally Posted by The_Walrus

Hi Greg, what length of time would start to be concerned of originality?

Would too long a period cast doubts of a possible relume?

Hey bud. Sorry for my delayed reply. I've seen many original 1960s tritium lume glow bright at first immediately after exposure. If you watch it in the dark you can literally see it fade and between 30-60 seconds it should be almost all gone. Sometimes a very faint glow can be seen throughout the night but the important thing is that it should fade quickly and then evens off. Next time I have my 68 Tudor in front of me I'll try to time it to see how long it takes.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by 007Sub

Hey bud. Sorry for my delayed reply. I've seen many original 1960s tritium lume glow bright at first immediately after exposure. If you watch it in the dark you can literally see it fade and between 30-60 seconds it should be almost all gone. Sometimes a very faint glow can be seen throughout the night but the important thing is that it should fade quickly and then evens off. Next time I have my 68 Tudor in front of me I'll try to time it to see how long it takes.

This is what I experience with my 68 Tudor and Omega

[The_Walrus]

Originally Posted by 007Sub

Hey bud. Sorry for my delayed reply. I've seen many original 1960s tritium lume glow bright at first immediately after exposure. If you watch it in the dark you can literally see it fade and between 30-60 seconds it should be almost all gone. Sometimes a very faint glow can be seen throughout the night but the important thing is that it should fade quickly and then evens off. Next time I have my 68 Tudor in front of me I'll try to time it to see how long it takes.

Hi Greg
That was a concern of mine after reading through the thread that it only glows for a short period of time and mine was visible (only ever so faintly) throughout the night.
Thanks for clearing that up.

[Michael M.]

I've owned over a dozen watches from this late 1mil serial range/era (many of which have been 5512's and 5513's), and a vast majority of them still glowed somewhat strongly. It is perfectly normal, and not necessarily an indicator that they have been relumed.

[007Sub]

Originally Posted by The_Walrus

Hi Greg

That was a concern of mine after reading through the thread that it only glows for a short period of time and mine was visible (only ever so faintly) throughout the night.

Thanks for clearing that up.

That sounds ok!

[Throttle]

Originally Posted by 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.

And so do my 1967 Sub5513 and GMT1675.

1967 must be a special year?

Wahaha

[CPRWATCH]

Originally Posted by Throttle

And so do my 1967 Sub5513 and GMT1675.

1967 must be a special year?

Wahaha

Holy thread resurrection batman after 4 years ,but to be fair this gets a glowing review from me

[roh123]

I’d be more worried if it didn’t glow.

Edit: Nice bump..

[donsidhu]

I have a 5513 serial 1,596,xxx produced 2nd quarter of 1967, that has similar lume charactertics as those described in this threat. When I put my UV flashlight to it the lume glows brightly but dies out in one or two minutes.

[JerimiahLee]

Completely normal for early GMT and Subs

[mrj115]

Originally Posted by esspee1200

Correct for these era dials. Mines glows as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is the era 66 & 67 or should we expect this for a longer time period?

[esspee1200]

Originally Posted by mrj115

Is the era 66 & 67 or should we expect this for a longer time period?

era i have seen is 66-67. although, i believe this may continue for MF dials up until 69.

[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by mmancari

In the dark

Very Tidy, Well played

[Dre80]

My 1680 red sub glows all night. I think the original owner had luminova put on. Looks like original tritum but i enjoy waking up at 4am reading the time clearly.

[athom]

I also have a zinc sulfide 5513 from 1967 that glows ! My 16700 from 93 doesn't glow btw!