Swiss or Tritium

[16710Guy]

Any collecting benefits of "Swiss" only to tritium GMT Master dials or is this mostly just preference on patina and no patina or is this opening Pandora's box asking?

[Dan S]

Prices aren't really very sensitive to that issue at the moment, but if I had to guess, I would say that tritium dials will eventually command a premium over luminova/SL, including SWISS only.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Prices aren't really very sensitive to that issue at the moment, but if I had to guess, I would say that tritium dials will eventually command a premium over luminova/SL, including SWISS only.

x100. Condition conquers all though, so I'd much rather have a crisp watch with a perfect Swiss-only luminova dial than a mediocre watch with a tritium dial.

Interestingly, when I've shopped over the last few years for 16520s, the luminova dials (A and especially the final P serials) were more expensive than similar condition tritium-dial Daytonas. I don't expect that to always be the case.

[16710Guy]

Originally Posted by swish77

x100. Condition conquers all though, so I'd much rather have a crisp watch with a perfect Swiss-only luminova dial than a mediocre watch with a tritium dial.

Interestingly, when I've shopped over the last few years for 16520s, the luminova dials (A and especially P serials) were more expensive than similar condition tritium-dial Daytonas.

Thank you, as always.

[hutch300]

I think most collectors lean towards tritium. Swiss only would be better the swiss made for me but I prefer the charm of tritium.

[one80]

Agree with the above in that condition plays a big part - but all else being equal, would always go with tritium over luminova.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by 16710Guy

Any collecting benefits of "Swiss" only to tritium GMT Master dials or is this mostly just preference on patina and no patina or is this opening Pandora's box asking?

This cosmetic change simply denotes a period of time where you would expect to see it and feel comforted in that it may be an original part.

There is no "benefit" and most collectors do not seek out those years more than others. Some folks just like them, but it is likely an extremely small group.

[karleone]

As stated above condition is everything. I would rather have a very nice sharp luminova model vs an average or bad tritium

[16710Guy]

All good advice, thank you all

[TuRo]

I think we are the same point in the 80s where I was buying Gilt radium subs GMTs about same price as matte tritium, they are now 2 or 3 times more - I will state my (albeit some may say lackluster) reputation that likewise Tritium will be 2 or 3 times more than Luminova equivalent in 30-40 years too.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by TuRo

I think we are the same point in the 80s where I was buying Gilt radium subs GMTs about same price as matte tritium, they are now 2 or 3 times more - I will state my (albeit some may say lackluster) reputation that likewise Tritium will be 2 or 3 times more than Luminova equivalent in 30-40 years too.

Perhaps

I think that in 30-40 years folks will have time-chip implants, and the only place you will see analog watches is in museums or at the bottom of grandpas dresser drawer.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Tools

Perhaps

I think that in 30-40 years folks will have time-chip implants, and the only place you will see analog watches is in museums or at the bottom of grandpas dresser drawer.

Hope you are wrong, but you could be right if watches follow the pre-1930s 'brass cars' period where demand has fallen away last 20 yrs, as everyone old enough to remember them has now passed away and there is reduced interest/demand.... If so then all the old vintage watches might go that way too as will 30s / 40s guitars, motorcycles etc etc.

Scary thought if people have £££s tied up in them !

In fact there is some evidence of that - in 80s when I'd go to auction - A L L the watch investors ploughed huge money into Rolex bubblebacks (that was the sweet spot), and they imploded in value in late 90s and many are cheaper now than they were 40 yrs ago !!!, whilst 50-90s watches have soared so fashions/demand change for sure.

[ExplorerI]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Hope you are wrong, but you could be right if watches follow the pre-1930s 'brass cars' period where demand has fallen away last 20 yrs, as everyone old enough to remember them has now passed away and there is reduced interest/demand.... If so then all the old vintage watches might go that way too as will 30s / 40s guitars, motorcycles etc etc.

Scary thought if people have £££s tied up in them !

In fact there is some evidence of that - in 80s when I'd go to auction - A L L the watch investors ploughed huge money into Rolex bubblebacks (that was the sweet spot), and they imploded in value in late 90s and many are cheaper now than they were 40 yrs ago !!!, whilst 50-90s watches have soared so fashions/demand change for sure.

People tend to collect what they couldn’t afford to buy new in their prime. Boomers with money remember growing up with matte dial Rolex so those are being collected and bid up now. Tritium probably next. I think it will be a long time before 70s, 80s Rolex went down as that segment ages out.

[ExplorerI]

I like the tritium personally. Patinas to have a bit more character

[Dan S]

I think the only way that people will lose interest in vintage Subs or GMT-Masters would be if Rolex stopped making them entirely, and a whole generation totally forgot about them. IMO, Rolex's conservative design strategy, where they keep making very similar watches generation after generation, really supports the vintage market because the older watches are still very recognizable as early versions of the current models.

Bubble-backs, on the other hand, look obsolete to young people these days, and therefore much more obscure.

[RFC]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I think the only way that people will lose interest in vintage Subs or GMT-Masters would be if Rolex stopped making them entirely, and a whole generation totally forgot about them. IMO, Rolex's conservative design strategy, where they keep making very similar watches generation after generation, really supports the vintage market because the older watches are still very recognizable as early versions of the current models.

Bubble-backs, on the other hand, look obsolete to young people these days, and therefore much more obscure.

I agree. It’s interesting that to some millennials loving the new Sub 124060 opens a perspective to explore and like Rolex vintage, like the 5513 and not the other way around.

[Filipão]

Scary is the way cell phones are replacing wrist watches.

I'm 65 and no long have or wear a wallet, all docs and cards digital now, recognized even by law enforcement and public entities, so my phone is all I need.

Why do I wear a watch? Well, you all know the answer.

But none of my 14 grandkids wear a watch...

[RFC]

Originally Posted by Filipão

Scary is the way cell phones are replacing wrist watches.

I'm 65 and no long have or wear a wallet, all docs and cards digital now, recognized even by law enforcement and public entities, so my phone is all I need.

Why do I wear a watch? Well, you all know the answer.

But none of my 14 grandkids wear a watch...

That’s why I take a lot of pictures of my toddler grandkids and me wearing a Sub. So they hopefully become enthusiasts one day. As I grow older timepieces become your voice that you’ve left behind if you know what I mean.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Filipão

Scary is the way cell phones are replacing wrist watches.

I'm 65 and no long have or wear a wallet, all docs and cards digital now, recognized even by law enforcement and public entities, so my phone is all I need.

Why do I wear a watch? Well, you all know the answer.

But none of my 14 grandkids wear a watch...

I asked my 23 yr old son what he liked best of my little collection - he said ' oh that lovely (16613 - my words) blue dial one' - JEEZ - UTTER PHILISTINE....Can you disown a child !

[00st]

I like both but tritium dial gives the GMT a special look. The generation of watch collectors don’t really care about these things except there is an added value placed on it.

[Cooper33]

Do you know if the Swiss (or any non tritium hands for that matter) have a better resistance to corrosion? I only buy tritium models, but have been wondering what will happen to the hands after some years if they keep degrading...

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Cooper33

Do you know if the Swiss (or any non tritium hands for that matter) have a better resistance to corrosion? I only buy tritium models, but have been wondering what will happen to the hands after some years if they keep degrading...

Doubt it tbh as same steel. Tiny bit of tarnishing on edge of hands doesn't bother me one jot if it's in keeping with the rest of watch.