The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 6 June 2020, 05:18 PM   #31
faimag
"TRF" Member
 
faimag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: US, SG, DK, GR
Watch: Reverso
Posts: 3,060
For me, nothing beats the charm of tritium, lug holes, and rattling non SELs!!! But I always go for the best possible example overall. A fantastic dial with patina etc etc tells me nothing if it's on a watch that has been "overused."
faimag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 June 2020, 08:32 PM   #32
Daveclock
"TRF" Member
 
Daveclock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Real Name: Dave
Location: UK
Watch: ing and waiting!
Posts: 864
Quote:
Originally Posted by csaltphoto View Post
Ball uses Tritium sealed in little glass tubes where it won't deteriorate.

Anyone know how long the original tritium dials glowed? I know the half life is around 12 years but part of that had to do with the materials in the phosphorescent paint deteriorating. The tritium itself doesn't glow but it was used as an exciter for materials in the paint that did glow.
Sorry the Tritium is always deteriorating.
I know Gallet/Marathon were using tritium from 1990's (I am a fan of these and have owned a few) they are often marked H3 for hydrogen 3 the molecular makeup of tritium.

Web says: Being an unstable isotope with a half-life of 12.32 years, the rate of beta emissions decreases by half in that period. Additionally, phosphor degradation will cause the brightness of a tritium tube to drop by more than half in that period.

I personally love a patina and colour of age the Wabi of a nice watch
Daveclock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 June 2020, 08:48 PM   #33
bezler
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: US
Posts: 542
Why do some of the old tritium subs develop patina, while others don't? My guess would be that the watches that had a lot more exposure to harsh sunlight would develop patina faster. Is that true? Are there other factors? I'm sure there must be a fair amount of simple randomness as well.
__________________
.
bezler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 June 2020, 09:06 PM   #34
Swearengen
"TRF" Member
 
Swearengen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Gabriel
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,808
There is a running joke on Time4aPint and Redbar that whenever Tritium is mentioned Kathleen McGivney reminds people not to eat it

Quote:
Originally Posted by sillo View Post
Its safe unless you decide to eat the dial one day.
__________________

1680 1675 16800 16570 16710 17000 16613 17013

Gone but not forgotten 16610LV 1016
16234
Swearengen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 June 2020, 09:09 PM   #35
Swearengen
"TRF" Member
 
Swearengen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Gabriel
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,808
It seem to be the reverse, watches exposed to sunlight seem to be paler and safe queens develop more patina.


Quote:
Originally Posted by bezler View Post
Why do some of the old tritium subs develop patina, while others don't? My guess would be that the watches that had a lot more exposure to harsh sunlight would develop patina faster. Is that true? Are there other factors? I'm sure there must be a fair amount of simple randomness as well.
__________________

1680 1675 16800 16570 16710 17000 16613 17013

Gone but not forgotten 16610LV 1016
16234
Swearengen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7 June 2020, 12:10 PM   #36
bman381
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 35
Wonder why they used the small second hands in the tritium dials? Smaller meaning shorter from the lume to minute indice. Kinda neat but almost makes it look fake. Mine has the same hand as well.
bman381 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7 June 2020, 12:59 PM   #37
MickCollins1916
"TRF" Member
 
MickCollins1916's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Real Name: Bill
Location: Baltimore, MD
Watch: 116600 SD4K
Posts: 3,232
I have a 16660, 16600, 16700, 79090, 19018, and 18239 with tritium, and have owned a bunch of others.

I tend to rock those pieces during the day to work or play, then switch to something with lume for the evening. I don’t know why, since I could always look at my phone or whatever, but I like being able to glance at my watch for the time whenever the mood strikes.

I don’t know which is more preferable as a rule, or whether there’s any consensus on the question, but at the end of the day, I value functionality most.
MickCollins1916 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7 June 2020, 11:12 PM   #38
bezler
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: US
Posts: 542
Quote:
Originally Posted by Swearengen View Post
It seem to be the reverse, watches exposed to sunlight seem to be paler and safe queens develop more patina.
Interesting. I'll need to search and find out more.
__________________
.
bezler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7 June 2020, 11:50 PM   #39
ramonrq731
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by MickCollins1916 View Post
I have a 16660, 16600, 16700, 79090, 19018, and 18239 with tritium, and have owned a bunch of others.

I tend to rock those pieces during the day to work or play, then switch to something with lume for the evening. I don’t know why, since I could always look at my phone or whatever, but I like being able to glance at my watch for the time whenever the mood strikes.

I don’t know which is more preferable as a rule, or whether there’s any consensus on the question, but at the end of the day, I value functionality most.

Gees Mick... with all those numbers I thought you were an accountant but no, actually a colleague! Cheers for those patinated beauties whichever got there!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ramonrq731 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 June 2020, 12:30 AM   #40
MRPWRPATX21
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 343
To me it sort of depends on the watch- I’m hunting for a 16800, and I think the tritium looks great on those matte dials (as well as the later WG surround glossy dials). I’m kind of split on the GMT, and am lean towards a little newer Version that hasn’t patina’d just yet, but might in the future. However, in looking at a polar Explorer II, I opted for the SEL/lug holes/Super Luminova combo, as there is already a slight variation in whites, but not so substantial that you get the light orange/darker yellow you see in the tritium on top of the white polar dial...to me those aren’t the best match.

So I think it’s sort of case-specific...
MRPWRPATX21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 June 2020, 01:22 AM   #41
wrf2
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 25
Sorry - new to the forum so, I apologize if this has been discussed. For those with tritium indices, how long does it typically take to patina? I would imagine it is largely a result of how often you wear in direct sunlight but I have a 1999 submariner with no signs of patina.
wrf2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 03:25 AM   #42
spirinellio
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: malaysia
Posts: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by springer View Post
1995 Submariner 16610 with tritium dial.
any idea what causes some watches to patina quicker than others? Yours is fantastic looking and it's a 95 whereas i've seen references older than that with hardly any patina. Haven't really found a definitive answer for what causes differentiated patina rates in tritium dials
spirinellio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 03:50 AM   #43
GMTSean
"TRF" Member
 
GMTSean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: England
Posts: 8
I previously owned a GMT 16750 that was about 18 years old when I got it. The tritium didn't glow when I would first switch out the lights at night, but sometimes I would awake during the night after a few hours it was glowing beautifully.
GMTSean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 06:01 AM   #44
101031-28
"TRF" Member
 
101031-28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Watch: 1665
Posts: 4,736
Big fan of tritium/patina. Given the choice, I always pick T<25

My 1984 16660, 1986 16550 and 1989 16570.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 16660.jpg (103.3 KB, 275 views)
File Type: jpg 16550b.jpg (102.6 KB, 273 views)
File Type: jpg 16570.jpg (269.9 KB, 269 views)
__________________
He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex.

Ian Fleming
101031-28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 06:14 AM   #45
101031-28
"TRF" Member
 
101031-28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Watch: 1665
Posts: 4,736
Big fan of tritium/patina. Given the choice, I always pick T<25

1984 16660
1986 16550
1989 16570.
__________________
He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex.

Ian Fleming
101031-28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 07:11 AM   #46
1665fan
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: East coast
Posts: 6,584
Quote:
Originally Posted by springer View Post
1995 Submariner 16610 with tritium dial.
That’s the benefit of tritium....nice one
1665fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 09:09 AM   #47
RolexBrian
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Playa Vista
Posts: 104
“Triple 0“ (168000)
Attached Images
File Type: jpeg 2EBF9AA8-7B49-4989-9199-2CC8651EF8AF.jpeg (140.2 KB, 252 views)
RolexBrian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 09:39 AM   #48
MickCollins1916
"TRF" Member
 
MickCollins1916's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Real Name: Bill
Location: Baltimore, MD
Watch: 116600 SD4K
Posts: 3,232
Quote:
Originally Posted by ramonrq731 View Post
Gees Mick... with all those numbers I thought you were an accountant but no, actually a colleague! Cheers for those patinated beauties whichever got there!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk



My tritium-dialed triple 6 is currently getting some love from LAWW and they sent me some nice pics of it in process.
MickCollins1916 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 12:55 PM   #49
Boostmiser
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Delaware
Posts: 29
Does anyone know where to get tritium hands?
I have a U serial with great petunia on the dial and pearl. The hands are luminova making the watch more functional. But I think I want to replace them with period correct hands.
Boostmiser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 02:58 PM   #50
214270Explorer
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: United States
Watch: me buy Watches
Posts: 3,956
Quote:
Originally Posted by JePro View Post
Does Tritium emits even a low amount of radiation? I like the look of a patinated tritium but i'm afraid i'm exposing myself to some radiation in the process.
Tritium radiation does not exit the watch. Tritium watch radiation, should you be exposed by a broken crystal, watch disassembly, etc., is not a danger.

The radiation type that is Tritium will literally not penetrate human skin. Which makes it safe for us. In fact, a Russian Vostok I have (396778) with H3 Tritium states in the user manual that the watch is safe for disposal in regular trash. Well, it is not likely for me to ever do that, but they make the point that the H3 in the watch is not a hazard.
__________________
The display of actual intelligence terrifies much of mankind

Rolex "some"
Tudor "some"
Damasko "some"
Misc Pieces "some"
Marathon "some"
GS Spring Drive "some"
Hamilton "some"
Findeisen "some"
214270Explorer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 August 2020, 06:31 PM   #51
Andad
2024 Pledge Member
 
Andad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Eddie
Location: Australia
Watch: A few.
Posts: 36,695
Wow!

Great pix.

Why even consider buying new?

__________________
E

Andad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 August 2020, 05:04 PM   #52
thedudde35
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: France
Posts: 3
Hello folks
Insert bezel for Rolex triple 6 mark 1 (1982) is made in aluminium or bakelite?
Thx in adavnce
thedudde35 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 August 2020, 08:37 PM   #53
faimag
"TRF" Member
 
faimag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: US, SG, DK, GR
Watch: Reverso
Posts: 3,060
Quote:
Originally Posted by JePro View Post
Does Tritium emits even a low amount of radiation? I like the look of a patinated tritium but i'm afraid i'm exposing myself to some radiation in the process.
Tritium emits low energy beta rays that can't penetrate the skin. Given the last batch of T<25 dials where produced in the late 1990s and the half-life is 12.5 yrs, you should be perfectly fine
faimag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2020, 06:59 AM   #54
Tazzz
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: California
Posts: 1
Hi folks. I’m new to RF. Where should I go to sell 168000 triple zero. Any recommendations or suggestions. Thank you.
Tazzz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2020, 08:06 AM   #55
subprimero
"TRF" Member
 
subprimero's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: John
Location: Texas
Watch: 14060
Posts: 3,431
For the masses, a negative. For the collector, a positive.
subprimero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2020, 08:59 AM   #56
Tools
TRF Moderator & 2024 Patron
 
Tools's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 42,991
A tritium dial is an era designator, not really a "rather have this or that".

If you want a pre-98 watch, that's what you get, post 98 and you don't get it. I don't see it as a tritium vs non-tritium consideration.
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....)
NAWCC Member
Tools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2020, 09:33 AM   #57
BOA
"TRF" Member
 
BOA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Real Name: Bruce
Location: Chicago, IL
Watch: Meteorite DD
Posts: 2,129


Sourcing matching tritium hands is difficult, but sooner or later, I hope to make this one right.
BOA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2020, 09:44 AM   #58
Alcan
2024 Pledge Member
 
Alcan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Al
Location: Way Up North
Watch: your P's & Q's
Posts: 10,473
Quote:
Originally Posted by kanton1 View Post
Is have a Tritium Dial more of a pro or con for the masses?
The "masses" wouldn't recognize a Rolex with a tritium dial if you smacked them in the face with one.

My 1950's Tudor, on the other hand......
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Schneider Tudor 5.jpg (89.3 KB, 163 views)
__________________
Member #1,315

I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!
Alcan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2020, 09:47 AM   #59
HogwldFLTR
2024 Pledge Member
 
HogwldFLTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Lee
Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48
Watch: What's on my wrist
Posts: 33,249
Tritium is still being used; I love it. Actually wearing the top one (T<25) right now. If I had my way Rolex would get their crap together and engineer the use of Tritium in a unique way. I really am not a fan of Super-Luminova, fwiw. I thinks it's utter horse pucky the way they show their 15min lume on their website. Total misrepresentation. But that's just me.



__________________
Troglodyte in residence!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=808599
HogwldFLTR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2020, 09:53 AM   #60
giruto
"TRF" Member
 
giruto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: Gil
Location: Springfield, NJ
Watch: GMT, Hulk, TOG
Posts: 265
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tools View Post
A tritium dial is an era designator, not really a "rather have this or that".

If you want a pre-98 watch, that's what you get, post 98 and you don't get it. I don't see it as a tritium vs non-tritium consideration.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
giruto is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.