16570 Explorer II Tritium 1995. Will the lumes turn yellow?

[JasonBetts]

OK I admit it, I have a fetish for cream/yellow lume patina.

Looking to acquire this 16570 with promising unpolished case but the lumes don't or haven't seem to age into yellowish/cream complexion.

Question:

It's been 26 years and lumes still look white. In your experience, will it stay like that or it will gradually turn one day?






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[subtona]

probably not.

[Dan S]

I wouldn't count on it, but if you're willing to wait another 26 years, you can do the experiment.

Or just buy one that appeals to you right now.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I wouldn't count on it, but if you're willing to wait another 26 years, you can do the experiment.

Or just buy one that appeals to you right now.

Lol. Problem is haven't really found nice example with decent case conditions, which is quite important to me. I've been waiting for more than 3 years btw, longer than AD's wait list


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[stmoore]

If you look close it has changed slightly… but it’s likely not to darken any further.

[arcadelt]

Mine is similar in age to the one you have pictured, and the lume has "turned". I'm not sure what the trigger is, or if there are many triggers, but I'd say that unless you are relocating it to a vastly different place, with a different environment, then chances are it’s going to stay pretty much the same as is.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

Mine is similar in age to the one you have pictured, and the lume has "turned". I'm not sure what the trigger is, or if there are many triggers, but I'd say that unless you are relocating it to a vastly different place, with a different environment, then chances are it’s going to stay pretty much the same as is.

Made sense. If it's still white, I might just get the younger Swiss made luminova as the lumes are still functional.

I love the lume plots on yours. I also liked the leather. Care to share where did you get it?


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[BloodyElbow]

These watches are approx 10 years apart you can see the Tritium looks similar in color. I would not expect much change.

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

I also liked the leather. Care to share where did you get it?

It's a strap from Venlenist. Not particularly cheap, but certainly of the same quality and cheaper than those from Hodinkee, Bulang & Sons, A Collected Man, etc. I believe this was called "Mars Pebbled", but not sure it is available anymore.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

It's a strap from Venlenist. Not particularly cheap, but certainly of the same quality and cheaper than those from Hodinkee, Bulang & Sons, A Collected Man, etc. I believe this was called "Mars Pebbled", but not sure it is available anymore.

Nicely complement the lume color of your Polar. I'll check them out. Thanks


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[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Nicely complement the lume color of your Polar. I'll check them out. Thanks

Sorry, just realised a mistake - the name is Veblenist.

[1665fan]

That watch is not even close to unpolished..... matter of fact the top right lug hole is fish eyed terribly among other signs of poor polish

[Andjwhite]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

That watch is not even close to unpolished..... matter of fact the top right lug hole is fish eyed terribly among other signs of poor polish

Er, facts. Although I don’t see where the OP claimed this watch was unpolished.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

That watch is not even close to unpolished..... matter of fact the top right lug hole is fish eyed terribly among other signs of poor polish

Well you're right. I saw this watch in steel today and it's definitely polished although the seller claimed it's not.


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[vintagewaferthin]

I'd imagine if they haven't yet, they probably wont.

[XavierM]

If you’re looking for an unpolished one with patina, run from this one :)

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by XavierM

If you’re looking for an unpolished one with patina, run from this one :)

Yes correct. It doesn't have both


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[yowlie]

One of the most heavily polished 16570's I've ever seen.

[Dries]

Here's mine T series

我從使用 Tapatalk 的 SM-A7050 發送

[Richard Carver]

It's a Tritium dial so the potential for patina is always there. I bought my '91 X serial in 2015, The following pic was provided by the seller and looks snow white. The minute hand had begun turning, the hands are darker to this day.



The turning started becoming evident very quickly. It's a very pale yellow which my aging Iphone 6 Plus has difficulty capturing.



It's a lovely thing to watch. :)

[Tavli3]

Originally Posted by Dries

Here's mine T series

我從使用 Tapatalk 的 SM-A7050 發送

That’s one of the nicest ones I’ve seen


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[Dries]

Originally Posted by Tavli3

That’s one of the nicest ones I’ve seen


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Thanks

[inadeje]

Just a hunch. I wonder if like most cases of oxidizing, that the turning yellow is caused by simple oxygen incursion from perished seals over many years? A well serviced watch with frequent seal changes may not experience the incursion, and as such, the chemical degradation process doesn’t occur? Conspiracy?

[Tavli3]

There are many different theories one of which is if it’s kept in the dark for a many years will cause it to turn.


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[Greg 59]

You could always leave the indices as they are and have the dial cream instead.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

It's a Tritium dial so the potential for patina is always there. I bought my '91 X serial in 2015, The following pic was provided by the seller and looks snow white. The minute hand had begun turning, the hands are darker to this day. ]

Nice. Do you wear it out in the sun often or keep in the dark mostly? How many years do you start to notice the color change?


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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Just a hunch. I wonder if like most cases of oxidizing, that the turning yellow is caused by simple oxygen incursion from perished seals over many years? A well serviced watch with frequent seal changes may not experience the incursion, and as such, the chemical degradation process doesn’t occur? Conspiracy?

From what I gathered, yes humidity / exposure to moisture can make the lumes to turn yellow too but it will take toll on the hands to get corroded as well. I also have NOS 16700 that spent it's lifetime in the safe have also turned yellow.


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[JasonBetts]

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[FrenchBigCrown]

Originally Posted by Greg 59

You could always leave the indices as they are and have the dial cream instead.

[tekno]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

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It doesn’t get much better than that.


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