japanic Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 I've been considering buying either a gen Sub or a GMT for some time now, the question I have is if I bought a model from before 1998 when Rolex switched to Superluminova; how long would the tritium last? The main reason for my asking is I do love the look and functionality of drilled lugs and they seem to have been phased out in the late 90s for most models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Tritium has a half life of about 12.5 years (half-life is the time it takes half the tritium to decay). So, under most circumstances, it should glow for about 25 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 The "modern" 14060 no-date Sub still has/had lug holes so you could have your holes and Luminova too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnBeever Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 You could buy a Seadweller they had Superluminova and lug holes for about 3 years 2000-2003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 My beater 16800 gen has a circa '98 tritium dial replacement and hands from Rolex and they still glow very nicely. Lugholes in the sub cases went out around 2003. The 93150 bracelet gave way to the 93250 around maybe 2000 which was when Rolex changed from tritium to luminova (1 year) and then to SL. So you could find a sub from 2001-2003 with lugholes and SL which is the best lume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 I can tell you anecdotally that I have a '66 sub and it still glows. It may not glow like new but there is still glow in the dial and hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praetor Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 tritium lume = phosphorescent material + tritium Thus, even if all the tritium is gone, it'll still glow for about 10 min after being lit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiesn089 Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Jup noticed this yesterday on my gen 1974ish Sigma dial, it only lasted a few minutes though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 tritium lume = phosphorescent material + tritium Thus, even if all the tritium is gone, it'll still glow for about 10 min after being lit. cant seem to get my 5513 to shine. havnt tried a blacklight yet though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 tritium lume = phosphorescent material + tritium Thus, even if all the tritium is gone, it'll still glow for about 10 min after being lit. Exactly, tritium is a gas and the bonding agent (phospor) is the key. Panerai's bonding agent is far inferior - or at least it seems to last half as long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 my knowledge is limited on panerais but it was my understanding they refused to use tritec/superlume in favour of their own in house brand of "secret sauce" lume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valty Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Tritium has a half life of about 12.5 years (half-life is the time it takes half the tritium to decay). So, under most circumstances, it should glow for about 25 years. Warning, the half life of a radioactive component does not means the entire life is "half-life x2". My Tritium dial & hands still glows (with extreme light conditions, okay)... and it's from 1967 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipSlap Posted August 6, 2011 Report Share Posted August 6, 2011 Exactly, tritium is a gas and the bonding agent (phospor) is the key. Panerai's bonding agent is far inferior - or at least it seems to last half as long. Not to be pedantic, but tritium is what hydrogen with 1 proton and 2 neutrons is called. It is tritium whether it is in pure (T-T), or heterogeneous (T-x) form. It is gaseous when part of a gaseous molecule, and solid or liquid when parts of molecules in those phases. Since it has identical properties with standard, single-nucleon, hydrogen; it can be substituted in a molecule almost anywhere hydrogen can. I used to use tritiated compounds to track drug distribution in animals it works great for that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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