Lume on my "Sophia Loren" almost non-existent.

[Lexxxus]

Just acquired my latest; GMT II Fat Lady / Sophia Loren.

Needs a re-furb and I neglected to check out it's lume before I made the deal.

Get this; only one marker (the 11:00) lights up (and faintly) I'd take a picture but my lume capturing skills are very weak. Don't have the right camera for it.

I've heard (of the older watches) if the watch was subjected to a lot of sunlight the lume will diminish greatly. This watch is about 25 years old (my oldest) and I've never experienced this in my 33 years of Rolex ownership. I had a sub that was 15 years old when I sold it and it still had good lume.

Was very surprised to see virtually "nada luma"... Hands too. Not a glimmer.

Does Rolex Service Centre offer luming?

I spoke to them today and was busy asking prices for crystal, insert etc and I completely forgot to ask.

Anyone know if they do it and a ballpark cost?

W
PS: Note to self, buy Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon. Those babies light up the night!

[lig]

Mine has zero lume, but I love the creamy patina of the markers.

No idea of the cost to re-lume, I'm afraid.

[springer]

I believe the half-life of tritium is 12 or 15 years. Your experience with the "fat lady" is normal.

[Chewbacca]

i believe tritium has a 25yr life. you can add luminova on the indices and hands at most watchmakers.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

i believe tritium has a 25yr life. you can add luminova on the indices and hands at most watchmakers.

Tritium's life is around 12.5 years,but gets much weaker from around eight to 10 years, roughly half of original lume strength, after about 12 years very little if any lume glow left.And to the original poster what has the so called fat lady has to do with Sophia Loren.??

[crockey]

I have a 16760 as well, and the plots are faintly visible at night.

If you relume the dial and hands though, I am going to douse myself in lighter fluid and light myself on fire. That would completely ruin and devalue your watch.

[Steve N]

Originally Posted by crockey

I have a 16760 as well, and the plots are faintly visible at night.

If you relume the dial and hands though, I am going to douse myself in lighter fluid and light myself on fire. That would completely ruin and devalue your watch.

Same here. Had mine since 1988. Never even thought about the strength of the lume.
Doesn't matter to me.
I'd never ever let someone loose with a paint brush on it though :

Actually have been wearing it with an all black insert for the last few months.
Original is still in good condition but thought I'd see what it looked like.
Quite like it

[powerfunk]

According to a recent thread, RSC in Manila, Phillipines relumes dials. No other RSC relumes to my knowledge.

But regardless, Mr. Crockey above has adequately stated my feelings about re-luming a Fat Lady. I hope you can get past the lack of glow! Part of the sacrifice of vintage. Congrats!

[samsmart]

I have a 1991 16710 - Very Very Faint Lume, and only when you first come in from being outside in daylight can you see it at all.

[SUBversive]

Old Lume doesn't last forever. Re-Lume at whatever the cost will probably damage the face for resale value in the eyes of most vintage purists.

[MAJSmith]

I have a 1995 GMT Master II with NO lume whatsoever. Slight patina on the hands, but none on the dial and not even a hint of lume.

[zeuloa]

OP: If you want lume your best bet is to have RSC replace the dial and hands. I have seen some re-lume jobs that are scary therefore I would stay away from that.

Padi: I believe in Italy the Fat Lady is also called Sophia Loren for its voluptuous curves!