Aging Lume

[bjw]

Is age itself the reason for Triruim lume to patina into creamy/pumpkin color over time? Or do the UV rays from general wearing/use play more of a part to reach that nice patina which is sought after by so many?

[joli160]

The UV rays play a role to keep the lume white or make it white again.
From what I know the watches that never see the sun tend to change color the most

[padi56]

Originally Posted by bjw

Is age itself the reason for Triruim lume to patina into creamy/pumpkin color over time? Or do the UV rays from general wearing/use play more of a part to reach that nice patina which is sought after by so many?

UV light effects most things including Tritium but today many Tritium dials and bezel inserts are artificially aged.Why because some are willing to pay extra for this,while modern day lume like Luminover it's extremely doubtful if these dials will ever show any patina.

[bjw]

Originally Posted by padi56

UV light effects most things including Tritium but today many Tritium dials and bezel inserts are artificially aged.Why because some are willing to pay extra for this,while modern day lume like Luminover it's extremely doubtful if these dials will ever show any patina.

I know newer watched like Tudor and the BB58 specifically obviously are remanufactured with that color. So your saying that a perfect orangey/pumpkin lune an a vintage watch( 30+ yrs) with no cracks are probably artificially enhanced and a naturally aged lume, say going bake 25+ years. Would it be safe to safe if a vintage watch doesn't have some type of crack or non-uniform color probably in suspect at least?

My reason for asking is that I saw a 1960s/70s sub with absolute flawless oragney/pumpkin patina and began to wonder.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by bjw

Is age itself the reason for Triruim lume to patina into creamy/pumpkin color over time? Or do the UV rays from general wearing/use play more of a part to reach that nice patina which is sought after by so many?

Pumpkin lume is damaged lume, likely from moisture or, as what seems all too common today, chemically baked for the look.

"Lume" is paint, tritium is a colorless radioactive ingredient and does not color over time. The paint is aging and turning brown from contamination and old age.

[bjw]

Originally Posted by Tools

Pumpkin lume is damaged lume, likely from moisture or, as what seems all too common today, chemically baked for the look.

"Lume" is paint, tritium is a colorless radioactive ingredient and does not color over time. The paint is aging and turning brown from contamination and old age.

I know newer watched like Tudor and the BB58 specifically obviously are remanufactured with that color. So your saying that a perfect orangey/pumpkin lune an a vintage watch( 30+ yrs) with no cracks are probably artificially enhanced and a naturally aged lume, say going bake 25+ years. Would it be safe to safe if a vintage watch doesn't have some type of crack or non-uniform color probably in suspect at least?

My reason for asking is that I saw a 1960s/70s sub with absolute flawless oragney/pumpkin patina and began to wonder.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Tools

Pumpkin lume is damaged lume, likely from moisture or, as what seems all too common today, chemically baked for the look.

"Lume" is paint, tritium is a colorless radioactive ingredient and does not color over time. The paint is aging and turning brown from contamination and old age.

I've seen radium burned watch dials and it results in a brownish cast around the indices/hands. Is it possible the tritium could contribute (but to a much lessor degree of course) to the yellowing of the lume?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

I've seen radium burned watch dials and it results in a brownish cast around the indices/hands. Is it possible the tritium could contribute (but to a much lessor degree of course) to the yellowing of the lume?

Radium and tritium are both radiation emitters. When active they generate internal heat and that could be exacerbated by moisture incursion as the beta particles will be knocking about the water molecules and not just exciting the phosphorous photons. More is happening than just flicking on the brights.

Still, it is discoloration of the paint, like burnt paint, and is damage and not a graceful, predictable color change. Likely, the more stable the paint, the less likely it would degrade in both color and consistency.

(theory)

[thenewrick]

Lume patina is one of those temporary things where it looks kinda cool and vintage for a while but eventually it will turn into dust and crumble away. Sometimes they're relumed with faux patina colored paint. In general it's best to stay out of the patina game unless you understand that it's often fake and always temporary.