The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


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

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12 March 2018, 11:00 AM   #1
certainmisuse
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1
Lume Color of 1980s DJ and Lume in General

Hello Folks,

First time poster here.

I am a few months away from purchasing a 1980s DateJust. I noticed that the color of the lume from this time period can be white or yellow, where yellow indicates aging due to the the well known affects of the chemical/material over time. My question is: does the white lume necessarily mean that the watch has been restored? Or is it possible that the lume has remained white due to environmental conditions? For example, I wonder if keeping a watch away from light more often will take longer to go to that mustard color we are all aware of.

Thoughts appreciated.

Thanks. David.
certainmisuse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2018, 02:55 PM   #2
springer
2024 Pledge Member
 
springer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,157
This topic has been discussed many times on the forum. Try a search in the Vintage Forum and you'll find many threads regarding lume.

My comments below are directed at the vintage and later models that had tritium lume prior to 1998 before luminova was introduced.

In a nutshell, locking up vintage watches in a safe, out of the light, tends to darken the lume and create patina. Wearing a vintage tritium watch every day with patina will lighten up in time.

I own a few watches from the 1980s where the lume is white on some and yellow on others - just like what you noticed with the Datejusts you described
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990.

INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP
Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.
springer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 March 2018, 02:58 PM   #3
henrylee
"TRF" Member
 
henrylee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Socal/LA
Watch: 116610LN Ceramic
Posts: 3,205
David does the lume still work at night? If it still glows than it's been restored.
__________________
♛ Sub 116610LN 2011 ♛ GMT 126710BLNR 2021 ♛ GMT 126711CHNR 2020 ♛ Datejust 16233 X-series 1993 Ω Speedmaster Mitsukoshi 2019 č Cartier Tank w5200025 2021
henrylee 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.