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007Sub · 13 February 2013, 02:57 PM

Hey all, I was recently introduced to the idea that one can "seal" or stabilize the lume in the hands (and perhaps the dial too?) on vintage watches so that it wont crack.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I write someone inquiring about getting my watch serviced and having this done, and he wrote back that this process darkens the color of the tritium. Is this true? Does anyone have photos before and after that they can share?

Is the consensus from you vintage aficionados that this practice is good or not??

Your insight would be greatly appreciated!

cruvon · 13 February 2013, 03:45 PM

This recent thread should help
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=278180

Brisman · 13 February 2013, 08:21 PM

Perfect timing with this thread.

Should I get this stabilised or leave it, you can see the lume on the hour hand is starting to crack.

Opinions?

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Clay · 14 February 2013, 12:26 AM

Attempting to "Stabilize" the lume may very well cause a change of color to the lume...
I would leave it as is...

swish77 · 14 February 2013, 12:55 AM

I'd leave it alone. I'd rather have little cracks than a completely different color. Now, if the cracking ever gets so bad that the tritium is flaking off onto the dial, that's a different issue.

Tools · 14 February 2013, 01:04 AM

If you have degrading tritium on your hands or dial, you may want to discuss the options with a Rolex restoration professional..

I recommend Bob Ridley at watchmakers.com in Dallas. I have seen some of his work including color matching and it is nothing less than amazing..

Jason71 · 14 February 2013, 03:11 AM

I'm going to disagree with several and say get it stabilized. I had the Lume on the hands stabilized by Bob Ridley and he warned me that it might change the color. When I got the watch back, it matched PERFECTLY and now I can rest easy that it won't flake-out. Definitely send it to someone that knows what they are doing though

swish77 · 15 February 2013, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

I'm going to disagree with several and say get it stabilized. I had the Lume on the hands stabilized by Bob Ridley and he warned me that it might change the color. When I got the watch back, it matched PERFECTLY and now I can rest easy that it won't flake-out. Definitely send it to someone that knows what they are doing though

Wow! That does look fantastic! Did Bob need to color-match the hour plots on the dial to the hands, or did he only stabilize the tritium on the hands? Everything matches perfectly, even the bezel pearl. Congrats!

13 February 2013, 02:57 PM	#1
007Sub "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Greg Location: USA Watch: 5514 Posts: 1,630	Stabilizing the tritium lum Hey all, I was recently introduced to the idea that one can "seal" or stabilize the lume in the hands (and perhaps the dial too?) on vintage watches so that it wont crack. Does anyone have any experience with this? I write someone inquiring about getting my watch serviced and having this done, and he wrote back that this process darkens the color of the tritium. Is this true? Does anyone have photos before and after that they can share? Is the consensus from you vintage aficionados that this practice is good or not?? Your insight would be greatly appreciated! __________________ @true_patina @true.dome

13 February 2013, 03:45 PM	#2
cruvon "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 4,687	This recent thread should help http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=278180 __________________ Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave!

13 February 2013, 08:21 PM	#3
Brisman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Real Name: Donald Location: Australia Posts: 973	Perfect timing with this thread. Should I get this stabilised or leave it, you can see the lume on the hour hand is starting to crack. Opinions? [IMG][/IMG]

14 February 2013, 01:04 AM	#6
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,034	If you have degrading tritium on your hands or dial, you may want to discuss the options with a Rolex restoration professional.. I recommend Bob Ridley at watchmakers.com in Dallas. I have seen some of his work including color matching and it is nothing less than amazing.. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

14 February 2013, 03:11 AM	#7
Jason71 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Jason Location: USA Watch: Rolex/Tudor Divers Posts: 7,973	I'm going to disagree with several and say get it stabilized. I had the Lume on the hands stabilized by Bob Ridley and he warned me that it might change the color. When I got the watch back, it matched PERFECTLY and now I can rest easy that it won't flake-out. Definitely send it to someone that knows what they are doing though __________________ Best Regards, Jason Just Say "NO" to Polishing Card-Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch Curmudgeons LIfe is too short to wear inexpensive watches PLEXI IS SEXY

14 February 2013, 12:26 AM	#4
Clay Banned Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Up a tree Posts: 4,001	Attempting to "Stabilize" the lume may very well cause a change of color to the lume... I would leave it as is...

14 February 2013, 12:55 AM	#5
swish77 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: CT/NYC Watch: ing the time! Posts: 6,788	I'd leave it alone. I'd rather have little cracks than a completely different color. Now, if the cracking ever gets so bad that the tritium is flaking off onto the dial, that's a different issue.

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