First Rolex Help, lume dot

[maibilly]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to purchase my first birth year rolex and finally found a W serial 16234. I notice at the 7 o'clock there's a missing lume dot, is this something I should worry or prevent me from moving forward with purchasing? There is still some slight residue left from where it was stuck on the end of the stick/baton.

This will be my first rolex purchase, and with it being vintage I am definitely still learning.

Also any advice or feedback from pictures looking at the watch would greatly be appreciated.

Thank you!
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[214270Explorer]

NO problem there, maibilly. This is normal.
Deterioration of lume dots is very common (almost certain) in the older references.
My year 1987 #R150533 OPD has several dots that have done that. One dot is almost gone, and the other is half gone. (They appear as though they have been chewed by rats! Heh!) Also the lume is no good after 12 years or so as the half-life of Tritium is about 12.3 years. The lume gradually fades over the years.
(The non-Tritium Superluminova used today is not supposed to go bad, BUT it is not the greatest lume.)
The amount of "dust" is minimal and I have never heard of movement damages from it.
Any tiny amount of dust is cleaned away automatically during a service, anyway.
As it goes, you and I are both lucky to have so little deterioration of our watches.
I would not give this issue another thought.
P.S. "Vintage watches rule!"

P.P.S. Welcome to the forum.

[swaini3]

No big deal unless you are picky about these things. Some would it get repaired I guess, Its up to you.

[214270Explorer]

Having the dots relumed is a good way to devalue it.
Plus you would have to relume the hands or get service ones.
Leave as is for a vintage piece.
That is what vintage is all about.