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32' Sub · 4 May 2013, 10:45 AM

I have an N series Sub circa 1991.
The lume on the hands and dial is no longer glowing. The "dot" (please tell me the correct term for this) still glows.
If I wanted the dial and hands to glow again, what would my options be?
Repainting the original-
re-dialing-
trade up to a newer Sub-
or should I leave it alone?
What should I expect to pay for any of these options?

Thanks in advance!

Tools · 4 May 2013, 10:52 AM

. Re-painting is seldom a good option unless you use a top-notch outfit.. They will likely not re-do in tritium but rather in non-radioactive Luminova..

. Re-dialing is an option and Rolex will put in a new Luminova dial with a service for a couple hundred on top of the 600 dollar service charge..

. Trade-up ? Your choice, but I am sure that plenty of folks will be happy with an early Trit dial..

. Leave it alone.. My best option.. There is seldom a time/place where you cannot find a decent light source no matter where you are to see your watch..

the insert dot likely glows because it was replaced at some point in time..

77T · 4 May 2013, 11:09 AM

Agree with Larry's 4th bullet - it is best kept original.

cop414 · 4 May 2013, 11:23 AM

I your lume is stable (not flaking off) I'd leave it alone. Many here would pay to have a nice patinaed (is that a word?) lume. The normal lume on a Sub isn't really that great anyway.

drainaps · 4 May 2013, 12:02 PM

Alone and untouched is best. If you REALLY need the glowing in the dark, some guys just swap the hands for replacement Luminovas. Make sure you keep the original ones, in case you want to sell the watch one day, as many a prospective buyer will appreciate the original hands and would pay less for glowing service hands.

By all means, do NOT swap the dial.

32' Sub · 4 May 2013, 01:38 PM

Thanks, gentlemen.
I think keeping it original is best. That satisfies my preservation ethic!

4 May 2013, 10:45 AM	#1
32' Sub Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 20	Lume question I have an N series Sub circa 1991. The lume on the hands and dial is no longer glowing. The "dot" (please tell me the correct term for this) still glows. If I wanted the dial and hands to glow again, what would my options be? Repainting the original- re-dialing- trade up to a newer Sub- or should I leave it alone? What should I expect to pay for any of these options? Thanks in advance!

4 May 2013, 10:52 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,516	. Re-painting is seldom a good option unless you use a top-notch outfit.. They will likely not re-do in tritium but rather in non-radioactive Luminova.. . Re-dialing is an option and Rolex will put in a new Luminova dial with a service for a couple hundred on top of the 600 dollar service charge.. . Trade-up ? Your choice, but I am sure that plenty of folks will be happy with an early Trit dial.. . Leave it alone.. My best option.. There is seldom a time/place where you cannot find a decent light source no matter where you are to see your watch.. the insert dot likely glows because it was replaced at some point in time.. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

4 May 2013, 11:09 AM	#3
77T 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,024	Agree with Larry's 4th bullet - it is best kept original. __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

4 May 2013, 11:23 AM	#4
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 72,261	I your lume is stable (not flaking off) I'd leave it alone. Many here would pay to have a nice patinaed (is that a word?) lume. The normal lume on a Sub isn't really that great anyway. __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

4 May 2013, 12:02 PM	#5
drainaps "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Shanghai Watch: Too many to tell Posts: 522	Alone and untouched is best. If you REALLY need the glowing in the dark, some guys just swap the hands for replacement Luminovas. Make sure you keep the original ones, in case you want to sell the watch one day, as many a prospective buyer will appreciate the original hands and would pay less for glowing service hands. By all means, do NOT swap the dial.

4 May 2013, 01:38 PM	#6
32' Sub Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 20	Thanks, gentlemen. I think keeping it original is best. That satisfies my preservation ethic!

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