SWISS-T<25 vs. SWISS, need help, whats the difference

[russ86]

I am shopping for 16700 Pepsi right now and I see 2 different models of the dial, one says SWISS-T<25 and another just says SWISS. Someone told me not to get SWISS because there were used as replacement dials back then, is that true? If not does it make a difference which one to get?
Please help and thanks.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by russ86

I am shopping for 16700 Pepsi right now and I see 2 different models of the dial, one says SWISS-T<25 and another just says SWISS. Someone told me not to get SWISS because there were used as replacement dials back then, is that true? If not does it make a difference which one to get?
Please help and thanks.

Up till 1960 Rolex used the word SWISS then dials were Radioactive Radium from around early 1960 on Rolex used T.Swiss.T bottom of dial less than 277 MBq (7.5mCi) and Swiss <T25 less than925 MBq (25mCi)on there dial depending on how much radioactivity they had on dials from 1960 till mid/late 1998.Swiss only dials were then used with the introduction of Luminova dials from 1998 to 2000, then after 2000 back to Swiss Made with Superluminova later around 2008 we have cromolight dials now more on a blue spectrum colour lume. SWISS-T<25 will be a period correct Tritium dial, while the Swiss dial will be a service luminover dial.

[037]

Originally Posted by padi56

SWISS-T<25 will be a period correct Tritium dial, while the Swiss dial will be a service luminover dial.

This is true except with 16700s made in late 1998 to 1999 with 'A' serials. Many of those came with Swiss dials from the factory.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by 037

This is true except with 16700s made in late 1998 to 1999 with 'A' serials. Many of those came with Swiss dials from the factory.

Yes they are know as the “Swiss” only dials....anything before 99 with a “swiss made” dial is a luminova Replacement and will likely still glow

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 037

This is true except with 16700s made in late 1998 to 1999 with 'A' serials. Many of those came with Swiss dials from the factory.

Yes thats possible with the very last production 16700.

[faimag]

This is true for all models (16700, 16710, 16610, 14060, etc). In 1998-1999, the luminova dials were all labeled SWISS.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by 037

This is true except with 16700s made in late 1998 to 1999 with 'A' serials. Many of those came with Swiss dials from the factory.

Precisely
There's also some strong evidence to suggest that "SWISS" dials had Luminova.
The later "SWISS MADE" dials had Superluminova.

As an aside, depending on the manufacture date there are transitional dials around that were marked as Tritium but the lume was actually Luminova from factory.

[Tavli3]

I believe the 16700 was tritium in early production then in and I could be wrong about the exact date but think it was sometime in 98 they made switch to luminova dials that had SWISS only on the dial and then in 99 they went to super luminova dials with SWISS MADE dials.

So the Swiss only dial is sort of a transition dial. One would think the Swiss only dial would be more rare/desirable from collector’s point of view. But not an expert on such.


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[nachopc]

I got mine from 1999, A series, Swiss and Luminova.


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[psv]

Swiss only was around 1999, which would make it very later U serial or early A serial. In the case of the GMT, I think the photo on the right would be of a 16700 because if it was a 16710 wouldn’t it say GMT Master II?

Regardless, make sure the tritium dial on the left has matching tritium hands as well, it is not uncommon that they were switched out to Luminova hands during service.

[JohnGingerwood]

Originally Posted by padi56

Up till 1960 Rolex used the word SWISS then dials were Radioactive Radium from around early 1960 on Rolex used T.Swiss.T bottom of dial less than 277 MBq (7.5mCi) and Swiss <T25 less than925 MBq (25mCi)on there dial depending on how much radioactivity they had on dials from 1960 till mid/late 1998.Swiss only dials were then used with the introduction of Luminova dials from 1998 to 2000, then after 2000 back to Swiss Made with Superluminova later around 2008 we have cromolight dials now more on a blue spectrum colour lume. SWISS-T<25 will be a period correct Tritium dial, while the Swiss dial will be a service luminover dial.

We're not worthy, we're not worthy!

[Tools]

On a GMT 16700, a Swiss dial should only be on the 98/99 releases. If it's on any other release, it is a service dial.

Still, whoever the "someone" is, it's not their watch. Nothing wrong with having a proper, functional, service dial.

If you are looking for a collector piece then everything original and proper may be a goal, otherwise, a service dial is always better than one damaged or deteriorated.

[Dhiren]

The 16700 Swiss only dial also know as the forgotten reference… here is my 17600 A series I believe it was the transition dual made for a very short period of time



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[sensei123123]

I'm looking at buying a GMT 16750 with SWISS. I believe it was purchased originally around 1986. Is this a replacement dial? Is this bad? Is this good? Any thoughts?

[Orangeface]

Always liked the "Swiss" only dial. Had a date and a no-date Sub, both A-series. Seems there was a bit of a twilight zone transition back in 1999-2000. One of the wonderful mysteries of Rolex.

[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by sensei123123

I'm looking at buying a GMT 16750 with SWISS. I believe it was purchased originally around 1986. Is this a replacement dial? Is this bad? Is this good? Any thoughts?

What does the serial number start with........ if it is a U or A, it would likely be the original dial.....

[faimag]

What U or A? He/She said "originally purchased around 1986"!!!
SWISS on that one is a service dial.

[Pw92676]

Great learning here. Thanks for the contributions.

[Father and Son]

Former 16700 owner. If my memory serves me a SWISS dial is an A or a U Series...

[huba01]

Great thread, so much learned

[MannySDG]

Originally Posted by padi56

Up till 1960 Rolex used the word SWISS then dials were Radioactive Radium from around early 1960 on Rolex used T.Swiss.T bottom of dial less than 277 MBq (7.5mCi) and Swiss <T25 less than925 MBq (25mCi)on there dial depending on how much radioactivity they had on dials from 1960 till mid/late 1998.Swiss only dials were then used with the introduction of Luminova dials from 1998 to 2000, then after 2000 back to Swiss Made with Superluminova later around 2008 we have cromolight dials now more on a blue spectrum colour lume. SWISS-T<25 will be a period correct Tritium dial, while the Swiss dial will be a service luminover dial.

Is that general info pertaining to all Rolex watches, or just the one in question and posted by the OP?

I am assuming my dial would be an original one still, and if that's the case, it would be a radium dial and therefore maybe dangerous to use?