Need some Help RE: "A" Series Rolex Sub

[MartinF79]

Hi All -

New to the forum... first off, everyone on here seems very helpful and clearly, a tremdous level of knowledge.

I recently purchased a two-done SS/18K Gold blue dial Sub w/ a "P" series serial number. Absolutely love the watch!

Currently in the markey for a SS black sub. I've sourced an "A" series that I'm interested in. I've read up that 1998 was a transition year for the dials (from trillium to luminous). I plan on having the watch authenticated at a Rolex dealer, but was wondering if there is any way to confirm what type of dials the watch will have. I've been told that the Trilium are more collectable, however given the "radiation" myth, prefer the luminous hands.

Any insight anyone can share would be appreciated.

Martin

[moviefreak]

What is the radiation myth...?? That you will start to glow... Most tritium dials do not glow at all anymore...12.5yrs half life..
Tritium dials have a T swiss T at the bottom...

[Thatguy]

I believe the trilium will have a small T at 6 o clock on the dial. Someone will correct me if I am mistaken.

[Jolu]

Originally Posted by Thatguy

I believe the trilium will have a small T at 6 o clock on the dial. Someone will correct me if I am mistaken.

An A-serial will most likely have a luminova dial, but there are 3 options in that transitional period. A tritium dial will have "Swiss-T<25", a luminova dial will have "Swiss" only, and a superluminova dial will have "Swiss Made".

[MartinF79]

Originally Posted by Jolu

An A-serial will most likely have a luminova dial, but there are 3 options in that transitional period. A tritium dial will have "Swiss-T<25", a luminova dial will have "Swiss" only, and a superluminova dial will have "Swiss Made".

Thanks everyone .... this really helps. AT least the above (while not 100% accurate in all instances) will atleast give me some direction... appreciate it.

[77T]

During the changeover period some dials would be marked with a "T" even though Rolex applied Luminova to them after the Tritium was phased out.

The change was made so fast Rolex still had T dials around and like the good cost-conscious Swiss people that they are, they said why waste them?

[MartinF79]

Originally Posted by 77T

During the changeover period some dials would be marked with a "T" even though Rolex applied Luminova to them after the Tritium was phased out.

The change was made so fast Rolex still had T dials around and like the good cost-conscious Swiss people that they are, they said why waste them?

I just confirmed from the buyer that the A-Serial does have "Swiss-T<25" at the 6 o'colock mark, so given the above, is is possible that the dials are luminova and not Tritium? Would an authorized rolex watch service man be able to confirm what they are actually made of when I have it authenticated?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by MartinF79

I just confirmed from the buyer that the A-Serial does have "Swiss-T<25" at the 6 o'colock mark, so given the above, is is possible that the dials are luminova and not Tritium? Would an authorized rolex watch service man be able to confirm what they are actually made of when I have it authenticated?

Its possible at that time frame but doubtful and but no big deal either way . Now if you charged the lume with a bright light then go into complete darkness and the lume was quite bright. Then if would be safe to say it was luminover but if hardly any glow then its Tritium.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by MartinF79

Hi All -

New to the forum... first off, everyone on here seems very helpful and clearly, a tremdous level of knowledge.

I recently purchased a two-done SS/18K Gold blue dial Sub w/ a "P" series serial number. Absolutely love the watch!

Currently in the markey for a SS black sub. I've sourced an "A" series that I'm interested in. I've read up that 1998 was a transition year for the dials (from trillium to luminous). I plan on having the watch authenticated at a Rolex dealer, but was wondering if there is any way to confirm what type of dials the watch will have. I've been told that the Trilium are more collectable, however given the "radiation" myth, prefer the luminous hands.

Any insight anyone can share would be appreciated.

Martin

I would doubt if any 16610 could be classed as collectible just too many of them around both with Tritium and luminover. But who knows what will happen in 20-50 years time.And Rolex have never made a series of any watch they are just case serials nothing more and many serials overlap in different so called production years.Now if its a Tritium dial there would be very little glow left now in darkness.And all the Tritium based dials after 1960 are perfectly safe and bare no risk whatsoever.Now pre 1960 Radium was used on some dials that were a slight risk but these were removed from sale as they were over the limit then for radioactivity..

[77T]

Originally Posted by padi56

And all the Tritium based dials after 1960 are perfectly safe and bare no risk whatsoever.

Only one thing to mention here Peter. Tritium, with a half-life of 12.3 years (let's use 12.5 just to be conservative), can still be dangerous if anyone was to fiddle with a dial made between 1988-1998. So care should be exercised with exposed dials from R, L, E, X, N, C, S, W, T, & U case s/n's.

The element in those Tritium dials still emits a very low energy beta particle. It is safe in a sealed watchcase - but handling those dials outside the case (without proper precautions) can cause absorbtion.

[swish77]

One point to keep in mind that hasn't been mentioned here is patina. Tritium develops it over time, turning ivory, yellow or even orange in some cases, depending on many different factors, such as exposure to light, humidity, how the tritium was mixed, etc .... This can take years and might not be an issue for you, but if you want a dial that has white luminous on the dial and hands _ and for the most part won't change _ stick with a luminova dial/hands. Unless, of course, you're like me and many others who love the look of tritium with patina. Good luck!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 77T

Only one thing to mention here Peter. Tritium, with a half-life of 12.3 years (let's use 12.5 just to be conservative), can still be dangerous if anyone was to fiddle with a dial made between 1988-1998. So care should be exercised with exposed dials from R, L, E, X, N, C, S, W, T, & U case s/n's.

The element in those Tritium dials still emits a very low energy beta particle. It is safe in a sealed watchcase - but handling those dials outside the case (without proper precautions) can cause absorbtion.

Today there are dose calculations done for all watches still employing tritium paint,mainly because the doses from the paint would be higher than those from Tritium gas type tubes. Since the extremely low doses of any form of radiation the estimates to anyone wearing any watch even Rolex that contained all forms of Tritium paint are typically 0.04 to 0.06% mrem per year even if the crystal was removed.Now compare this to the 300 mrem per year that an average resident of the UK or the United States receives each year from natural sources of radiation.

[77T]

Originally Posted by padi56

Today there are dose calculations done for all watches still employing tritium paint,mainly because the doses from the paint would be higher than those from Tritium gas type tubes. Since the extremely low doses of any form of radiation the estimates to anyone wearing any watch even Rolex that contained all forms of Tritium paint are typically 0.04 to 0.06% mrem per year even if the crystal was removed.Now compare this to the 300 mrem per year that an average resident of the UK or the United States receives each year from natural sources of radiation.

I agree. I was thinking more about our members who are handy with a case tool and fiddle with their watches.

Repeated Tritium dial handling and exposure simply calls for precautions.

[phantom357]

Martin, I understand your concern but think you over thinking it & will suffer from paralysis by analysis. Good luck in your quest.

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[montpyt]

Originally Posted by phantom357

Martin, I understand your concern but think you over thinking it & will suffer from paralysis by analysis. Good luck in your quest.

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