Where does radium fit in?

I read that Rolex switched from radium to tritium in the early 1960’s. How were the radium dials marked?

Was radium ever used in conjunction with tritium or was there a sudden and complete change over? Do we know exactly when this occurred?

I assume the radium (half-life 1620 years) dials will still glow when tritium (half-life 12.3 years) has lost its luminescence? At least that’s longer than the poor workers who licked their brushes.

Regards

Andrew

💰1882 Marketplace Listings for Rolex›

Hi,Swiss-T<25....

By: LangeHeng : July 4th, 2009-05:28

Swiss-T<25 MEAN..... Some said confirm Tritium treated???? Andt some said dial with white gold ring is confirm luminova????? than why they still put Swiss-T<25 if it is luminova????? Rolex experts please help. Thank you Heng.

Here you have something..............

By: Jocke - Bad Santa : July 4th, 2009-06:27

Normally so should it be Tritium when it says T<25 at the dial but there is some replacement dials from the late 90's and early 20's that have this marking at a Luminova dial. The easiest way to check what you got is to put the watch for a minute below a ...

All has been perfectly said. Thanks, Jocke, I was on to answer! :)))

By: amanico : July 4th, 2009-06:33

Perfectly documented answer....

By: DrStrong : July 5th, 2009-02:18

I will store this in the reference section, thanks Jocke ! Cheers Jeff

Thanks,Jocke,Amanico,DrStrong & rick2

By: LangeHeng : July 5th, 2009-08:01

So will the Luminova index & hands turn yellowish after many yeras? Thanks Heng.

I didn't notice that, Heng

By: amanico : July 5th, 2009-08:04

I'm pretty sure that Luminova doesn't turn yellowish with time. At the contrary of Radium or Tritium. Best, Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-07-05 08:04:49

We don't know muck about how Luminova aging yet.....

By: Jocke - Bad Santa : July 5th, 2009-11:02

But we haven't seen something that indicate it will change color. Tritium and Radium is another story. I use to repaint my Tritium dials, some say it's dangerous but I haven't noticed something that proof it is. Jocke...

ROFL, Jocke!

By: amanico : July 5th, 2009-11:05

Excellent! Yep, if you pay attention to 1998 Lumi dials, you won't notice any modification of color from the Luminova. Best, Nicolas

Effects of long term exposure to TRITIUM!

By: rick2 : July 5th, 2009-13:58

...

Dentists will tell you: Nothing can beat Tritium...Good for health! :)))

By: amanico : July 5th, 2009-14:02

This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-07-05 14:03:08

Now I only need a LV to match the skin. LOL [nt]

By: Jocke - Bad Santa : July 5th, 2009-14:04

No message body

Thanks again,Jocke,Amanico,DrStrong & rick2...

By: LangeHeng : July 5th, 2009-20:18

I really learn alot from this forum. Best Regards Heng.

Where does radium fit in?

By: AndrewD : July 10th, 2009-08:25

I read that Rolex switched from radium to tritium in the early 1960’s. How were the radium dials marked? Was radium ever used in conjunction with tritium or was there a sudden and complete change over? Do we know exactly when this occurred? I assume the r...

The effects of Radium are ....

By: rick2 : July 10th, 2009-15:42

so gruesome that if I posted a pic, I would definitely be ban for life! I can't let that happen. Sorry

Tritium and Luminova

By: rick2 : July 4th, 2009-06:36

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 var...