Rolex

rick2
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Tritium and Luminova

Up to 1997, indices used Tritium, on both matte dials and glossy dials with WG surround indices (during the mid to late '80s was the switch from matte to glossy dials). Service dials replacing old matte dials will have luminova after 1997. There was a variant to the Swiss dial (luminova) after 1997 that had the SWISS T<25 (with luminova) on some watches (ex. 16700).

Since the half life of Tritium is 12.5 years, those original dials no longer glow (had a Tritium on my '93 TAG and stop glowing a few years ago), but are still sought after as more collectable than watches with service dials.

I have read that if you want a service dial to have the patina of the original, you should soak it in coffee or tea!??? Have not try it on my 1680 service dial.