Disappointing Lume on an current gen Explorer 2

[inadeje]

I’ve never understood Rolex and its lume quandary. I have 100$ seiko divers that look like a lantern after merely get a glimpse of sunlight, yet every Rolex I have ever owned is miserable. Weak lume and short lived

[jimcameron]

If I need to be able tell the time in the dark, I wear my Timex.

[Jackie Daytona]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I’ve never understood Rolex and its lume quandary. I have 100$ seiko divers that look like a lantern after merely get a glimpse of sunlight, yet every Rolex I have ever owned is miserable. Weak lume and short lived

Completely agree. My Seiko samurai of all watches is really good. Actually when I wake up before sunrise it still has a glow typically sufficient to read with my eyes still adjusted to the darkness.

[SamArj]

Not just a Rolex issue. My Omega Seamaster is absolutely pants, indecipherable dial after about an hour or two

[DD58]

Originally Posted by sub2011

Buy a Seiko!!

Is was thinking the same thing. My skx007 out preformed everything I have so far. Tudor gmt omega seamaster Tudor ranger. So sad


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[Subterranean]

Apparently,,,,,Seiko have a secret lume recipe ;-)

[Paka]

My every Rolex's lume (including Explorer II) SUCKS compared to my IWC watches.

[chris242]

The lume on my polar lasts all night. I have the now discontinued 42. That being said, I live in a tropical place, so lots of direct sunlight.
Even with my 11 series subs, it lasts all night.
I have a feeling lots of the people who complain about lume, never properly get their watches exposed to the light they actually need!
Just my opinion…


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[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by SamArj

Not just a Rolex issue. My Omega Seamaster is absolutely pants, indecipherable dial after about an hour or two

It depends which SMP you have!




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[shedlock2000]

I have read on a number of forums that Rolex’s Chromalite is not as bright as Superluminova when initially coming out of the light into a very dark space nor does it seem to show in the dial when you come inside from bright light. However, the Chromalite was intended to stay moderately brighter for longer — its more that the moderate brightness continues for a greater duration of time.

I don’t own a Chomalite watch, so this is only from what I have read. Lume is important to me too, and my current piece is the Blake-era SMP GMT above. To be honest, I have never had anything be as bright or last as long as that.


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[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Annan

Have to agree that EXPII is the best lume Rolex has to offer. The best lume I have ever had on any watch is my TAG Heuer Aquaracer.

Ming and a specific Panerai (1117 / 1118 / 1119) use the X1 formula, the brightness is utterly awe-inspiring and does stay lit enough to see all night (am wearing an Exp II Polar while typing this).

[173rdabn]

My 216570 Polar is fine. Glows all night and easy to read/see.

[Redemption144]

I live in a sunny place but both my 16570 (black and Polar) Super Luminovas are fine to read time at night in dark room once my eyes are adjusted too. Last all night too, not an issue.
Are they bright enough to read a book with? No, not quite. But to read time, fine.

[bluestreak]

Does the average Rolex buyer want or care about crazy bright and long lasting lume?
My guess would be no. Hence why it doesn’t look like Seiko.

That being said, I’m ok with the Explorer 2, if I’m outside for a decent part of the day, I can read it in a pitch black room all night. Which is what I thought was the purpose. Not to burn like a candle for hours.