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thomaswentworth · 23 February 2018, 05:34 AM

I have a friend who has a friend who bought a 1990s Explorer 2. My friend's friend wants to re-lume the dial and hands because they don't glow.

I told him that is a bad idea from what I have read, but I guess his buddy insists that it needs to be re-lumed.

Can a recommendation and advice be provided? The dial markers are in cups.

I am of the opinion that it will de-value the watch, but it sounds like it is more important to my buddy's buddy that it glows brightly. Maybe he is a spelunker or something? Maybe he really needs to be able to discern am/pm by looking at his watch in complete darkness? With modern flashlights and stuff, not sure why he is so insistent, but that is what this guy wants.

I am kind of hoping that people will tell me that it is a bad idea to re-lume a pretty modern Rolex because there will come a point when a 90s Explorer II is 60 years old and it will be a re-lumed 60 year old vintage Rolex.

Or maybe it doesn't matter so much on a watch this new? I'd love to get some opinions. Thanks.

Uhtred59 · 23 February 2018, 06:40 AM

Here you are going to run into the crowd that thinks if you have a 1928 ford it is better to keep a broke original headlight than replace it with an OEM replacement bulb. I believe having a fully operational item fixed by original parts is better. But I don't run a museum.

jsuarez · 23 February 2018, 12:54 PM

I have a ‘93 ExpII that I think about reluming from time to time. It’s really just a minor inconvenience that it doesn’t glow anymore, but I see the point both ways. The main reason I don’t relume is because I’m afraid it won’t look as good as I want it to. Then I’m stuck with an ugly lume job.

DLRIDES · 23 February 2018, 01:03 PM

The watch will be devalued if re-lumed.

Sell and replace with one that has modern lume and better bracelet, 2009-2010

Raza_actual · 23 February 2018, 01:05 PM

I once had a watch relumed by Motor City Watch Works. He did a great job.

I am looking for an older Explorer II myself and it’s important to me to get one with Superluminova instead of tritium paint because being able to tell time in the dark is important to me. Half the day is darkness, even if you’re not in a cave. If you want to relume, go for it.

withthesword · 24 February 2018, 12:48 AM

is your friend a serial flipper? if the answer is no, let the man re-lume his watch. the most important thing is that he gets the enjoyment of it. if it means that it somewhat devalues the watch, so be it.

i myself, as a serial flipper, am seriously considering doing the same thing for my 91 polar. value be damned. i just want to enjoy it while i got it.

sillo · 24 February 2018, 12:51 AM

He could always try and source a luminova dial/handset and just swap them.

Juantxo · 24 February 2018, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhtred59

Here you are going to run into the crowd that thinks if you have a 1928 ford it is better to keep a broke original headlight than replace it with an OEM replacement bulb. I believe having a fully operational item fixed by original parts is better. But I don't run a museum.

I totally agree.

thomaswentworth · 24 February 2018, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by withthesword

is your friend a serial flipper? if the answer is no, let the man re-lume his watch. the most important thing is that he gets the enjoyment of it. if it means that it somewhat devalues the watch, so be it.

i myself, as a serial flipper, am seriously considering doing the same thing for my 91 polar. value be damned. i just want to enjoy it while i got it.

His buddy isn't a serial flipper afaik

Justinmg · 24 February 2018, 02:26 AM

My lume on my 14060 doesn’t illuminate anymore either, it doesn’t bother me though, never really find myself in the dark wondering the time, that’s just me. If he wants lume then do it, it’s his watch, what’s the point of having something that doesn’t meet your needs.

James444 · 24 February 2018, 02:41 AM

I use my hand phone to see the time in a dark area

Rolex fan 61 · 24 February 2018, 03:41 AM

If re-lumed then the watch will lose some of its value, however if you intend keeping the watch forever then it wont be a problem, do you REALLY need the lume though??

thomaswentworth · 24 February 2018, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolex fan 61

If re-lumed then the watch will lose some of its value, however if you intend keeping the watch forever then it wont be a problem, do you REALLY need the lume though??

I share that opinion. I'm not overly concerned with lume. This buddy of my friend is mega concerned though. Different strokes for different folks.

NLYogi · 24 February 2018, 03:52 AM

Relume it if you want it to glow!

joli160 · 24 February 2018, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLYogi

Relume it if you want it to glow!

Don't if you ever want to sell, will be near impossible

Jerrocop · 27 August 2019, 09:27 AM

Would you send it to RSC for Relume? Do they do that?

23 February 2018, 05:34 AM	#1
thomaswentworth Banned Join Date: Feb 2018 Real Name: Tom Wentworth Location: Los Angeles Watch: Rolex 116610 Sub Posts: 541	Rolex Explorer II Dial Re-Lume I have a friend who has a friend who bought a 1990s Explorer 2. My friend's friend wants to re-lume the dial and hands because they don't glow. I told him that is a bad idea from what I have read, but I guess his buddy insists that it needs to be re-lumed. Can a recommendation and advice be provided? The dial markers are in cups. I am of the opinion that it will de-value the watch, but it sounds like it is more important to my buddy's buddy that it glows brightly. Maybe he is a spelunker or something? Maybe he really needs to be able to discern am/pm by looking at his watch in complete darkness? With modern flashlights and stuff, not sure why he is so insistent, but that is what this guy wants. I am kind of hoping that people will tell me that it is a bad idea to re-lume a pretty modern Rolex because there will come a point when a 90s Explorer II is 60 years old and it will be a re-lumed 60 year old vintage Rolex. Or maybe it doesn't matter so much on a watch this new? I'd love to get some opinions. Thanks.

23 February 2018, 06:40 AM	#2
Uhtred59 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Real Name: Ken Location: Europa Watch: 216570 Posts: 693	Here you are going to run into the crowd that thinks if you have a 1928 ford it is better to keep a broke original headlight than replace it with an OEM replacement bulb. I believe having a fully operational item fixed by original parts is better. But I don't run a museum. __________________ "My center is yielding, my right is retreating. Excellent situation, I am attacking" Ferdinand Foch

23 February 2018, 01:03 PM	#4
DLRIDES 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Real Name: Don Location: NC/WY Watch: Me Posts: 4,599	The watch will be devalued if re-lumed. Sell and replace with one that has modern lume and better bracelet, 2009-2010 __________________ ”When citizens learn to vote themselves the treasury, they limit prosperity.”

23 February 2018, 01:05 PM	#5
Raza_actual "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Philadelphia Watch: Monaco Posts: 391	I once had a watch relumed by Motor City Watch Works. He did a great job. I am looking for an older Explorer II myself and it’s important to me to get one with Superluminova instead of tritium paint because being able to tell time in the dark is important to me. Half the day is darkness, even if you’re not in a cave. If you want to relume, go for it. __________________ TAG Heuer Monaco LE\|Omega Speedmaster\|Tudor Ranger\|Rolex Submariner

24 February 2018, 12:48 AM	#6
withthesword "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Real Name: Matte Location: Toronto Watch: 16570 Posts: 1,006	is your friend a serial flipper? if the answer is no, let the man re-lume his watch. the most important thing is that he gets the enjoyment of it. if it means that it somewhat devalues the watch, so be it. i myself, as a serial flipper, am seriously considering doing the same thing for my 91 polar. value be damned. i just want to enjoy it while i got it. __________________ Ready. Ready. Hack. My Flickr Photostream Wishlist: 1984 gmt

23 February 2018, 12:54 PM	#3
jsuarez "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: NYC Posts: 89	I have a ‘93 ExpII that I think about reluming from time to time. It’s really just a minor inconvenience that it doesn’t glow anymore, but I see the point both ways. The main reason I don’t relume is because I’m afraid it won’t look as good as I want it to. Then I’m stuck with an ugly lume job.

24 February 2018, 12:51 AM	#7
sillo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Real Name: Sean Location: NY Watch: 5 Digit Posts: 2,840	He could always try and source a luminova dial/handset and just swap them. __________________ 14060 \| 16570 \| 16600 \| 16700 \| 16800 \| 79260 @TheGMTHand

24 February 2018, 02:26 AM	#10
Justinmg "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Real Name: Justin Location: FL Watch: PO Posts: 3,353	My lume on my 14060 doesn’t illuminate anymore either, it doesn’t bother me though, never really find myself in the dark wondering the time, that’s just me. If he wants lume then do it, it’s his watch, what’s the point of having something that doesn’t meet your needs. __________________ //////////////////////////////// Member of The Nylon Nation Does it do anything? It tells the time.

24 February 2018, 02:41 AM	#11
James444 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Singapore Watch: Rolex n Tudor Posts: 507	I use my hand phone to see the time in a dark area

24 February 2018, 03:41 AM	#12
Rolex fan 61 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: UK Posts: 1,262	If re-lumed then the watch will lose some of its value, however if you intend keeping the watch forever then it wont be a problem, do you REALLY need the lume though??

24 February 2018, 03:52 AM	#14
NLYogi "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 761	Relume it if you want it to glow! __________________ ♛ Explorer 214270 ♛ Next: Day-Date 36 mm 1 Watch guy

27 August 2019, 09:27 AM	#16
Jerrocop "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: West Coast Watch: Explorer 39, SeaQ Posts: 859	Would you send it to RSC for Relume? Do they do that?

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