1963 – 1964, “Transitional” underline of which Rolex switched from Radium to Trtium, delivered dials are “swiss” signed but laminated with tritium. 1964 – 1967, The new generation tritium luminous got added on glossy dials, signing chanced from “Swiss” to “Swiss – T<25” & “T-Swiss-T”.
In this post
When did Rolex stop using T Swiss T?
Swiss-T <25, T SWISS T, T Swiss Made T
Rolex used tritium up until the 1990s when it replaced it with yet another material. Rolex changed to luminova in around 1999. Rolex used lumina for a relatively short period of time, and this can be seen with the watches that have ”Swiss” printed on the dial.
Why does my Rolex say T Swiss made T?
“T Swiss made T” means that the watch is Swiss and contains a certain quantity of tritium that emits less than 227 MBq (7.5 mCi). “Swiss T<25" means that the watch is Swiss and contains a certain quantity of tritium that emits less than 925 MBq (25 mCi).
What is the T Rolex?
A “T” on a watch dial indicates that the watch contains tritium-activated deposits. Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570. Swiss-T <25: This marking means that the watch is Swiss and contains an amount of tritium that emits less than 25 mCi. Vintage Rolex Day-Date.
When did Rolex stop using tritium?
1998
When did Rolex stop using tritium? In 1998 once the use of tritium paint was banned. They have been using Luminova instead.
When did Rolex start using Super-Luminova?
1998
LUMINOVA / SUPER LUMINOVA
Rolex began using Luminova in 1998. Aside from being non-radioactive, an added benefit of Luminova is that it doesn’t discolor over time. By 2000, Rolex had switched to Super Luminova, an improved version of the Luminova that is sold through a different company.
When did Rolex start using Chromalight?
In 2008, Rolex debuted the Chromalight display on the Deepsea Sea-Dweller. Although it is also a photoluminescent material, this time, rather than green, the Rolex proprietary compound gives off a blue glow in the dark.
What is the most popular Rolex dial?
black
By The Watch Standard
In a recent poll taken on the online Rolex Forum, the most popular Rolex dial colors ranking amongst members’ votes were black (43.3%), blue (39.2%), white (8.8%), green (6.0%), silver (1.4%) – with the remaining 1.3% categorized as “other”.
Will Rolex replace a tritium dial?
Most commonly for vintage Rolex dials is that the luminous material used for the watch (oftentimes tritium or radium), changes colors, ages, changes shape, and loses its glowing effect. During a service by Rolex, Rolex does not repair and restore old dials. Instead, they replace it with a new dial instead.
What is a Swiss only dial?
”Swiss only” refers to the small printing on the bottom of the dial at 6 o’clock on some Rolex watches. And the fact is that the printing at the bottom of the dial varies depending on what model it is and when it was made.
How can you tell if a Rolex is vintage?
On the majority Rolex watches the serial number is engraved between the case lugs at 6 o’clock just behind the bracelet end links. However on some earlier models (pre 1960) the serial number will be engraved on the outer case back. This 4-8 digit number can be used to determine the date of manufacture.
When did Rolex stop drilled lugs?
Rolex started removing the lug holes on the Professional models at the end of 2000. More specifically around the middle of the Y serial. This included the models Explorer II, GMT-Master II, Submariner Date, and Sea-Dweller.
When did Rolex start using white gold hands?
Rolex started to implement the white gold hands in the middle to the late 1980s. Some examples are seen from the early 1980s with white gold hands are seen.
When did they start using tritium in watches?
In 1968 the use of Radium in wrist watches was banned requiring alternative methods of lume to be used. Tritium became the material of choice.
When did they stop using radium in clocks?
1970s
Many of these workers developed bone cancer, usually in their jaws. Eventually, scientists and medical professionals realized that these workers’ illnesses were being caused by internal contamination from the radium they ingested. By the 1970s, radium was no longer used on watch and clock dials.
When was LumiNova invented?
1993
Super-LumiNova is based on LumiNova pigments, invented in 1993 by Nemoto & Co., Ltd. of Japan as a safe replacement for radium-based luminous paints. Nemoto & Co. was founded in December 1941 as a luminous paint processing company and has supplied paint to the watch and clock industry for over 70 years.
When did Rolex start using Chromalight on Daytona?
After 2009, Rolex introduced a new material called Chromalight. For this reason, the last batch of production of Daytona 116520 could have Chromalight instead Superluminova.
Does Super-LumiNova fade over time?
Luminova and (Swiss) Super-LumiNova are not prone to discoloration or ageing over time. They don’t fade, nor will interact with moisture.
When did Rolex switch lume?
In 1998, Rolex began using Luminova for the lume on its watch dials, a non-radioactive compound manufactured byNemoto & Co., Ltd. By 2000, Rolex had switched to Nemoto & Co’s Super-Luminova, a strontium aluminate lume.
How many years does Chromalight last?
The projections vary, but current owners with watches using Chromalight report up to 8 hours of luminescence per use. It will take time to see if Chromalight’s life expectancy will exceed that of Super Luminova, but there are projections that the material will continue to work properly for as long as five decades.
How long does LumiNova last?
Super-LumiNova lasts the entire lifetime of your watch. It doesn’t fade, decay, or age. Luckily for watch enthusiasts, the Japanese enterprise, Nemoto & Co. introduced a LumiNova pigment in the early 1990s.