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ct11127 · 26 May 2012, 08:46 PM

I was just wondering why Rolex switched from painted tritium lume plots to lume plots with white gold surrounds on their sports watches. Was this strictly an aesthetic matter, or is there a non-aesthetic purpose to the white gold surrounds?

Also, what about the switch from tritium to luminova? Is one better than the other? What would be the pros and cons of each?

Many thanks to the forum in advance.

Cheers,

Chris

dddrees · 26 May 2012, 08:56 PM

This may help explain part of your question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

Well the older dials pre 1997/8 had Tritium lume that had a half live of just over 12 years.Now Rolex uses luminover and a form of superluminover now this luminescence should last the life time of the watch.But Rolex watches in general are not noted for there lume.The lume surface area on most Rolex watches are quite small compared to many others.The more surface area of lume the brighter the glow.

Not an expert on the gold surrounds, but I would think it was done in great part so Rolex could say they use gold surrounds. Seems to me this would sound better to some people when advertised if nothing else.

Darlinboy · 26 May 2012, 09:07 PM

Certainly has marketing value, but IMO was primarily intended as an enhancement and evolutionary step up to the finishing.

Personally, I'm a fan of the gold surrounds.

mmmmp · 26 May 2012, 09:49 PM

Although I have no proof, I suspect the gold surrounds were introduced because gold will remain bright 'n' shiny. Plus, it's good marketing.

ecsub44 · 26 May 2012, 11:59 PM

Gold surround markers are easy to install on the dial.

And some people think the gold surrounds look better.

Beelzy · 27 May 2012, 12:05 AM

Simple, you can't raise the price of a Rolex by many hundred of dollars every year without giving people something.

ecsub44 · 27 May 2012, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beelzy

Simple, you can't raise the price of a Rolex by many hundred of dollars every year without giving people something.

Sure you can. And they sure HAVE!

capote · 27 May 2012, 01:55 AM

On some older tritium dials without the gold surrounding the lume looks quite uneven, but maybe that is just because of old age.

26 May 2012, 08:46 PM	#1
ct11127 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PA Posts: 101	Painted Tritium vs White Gold Surrounds I was just wondering why Rolex switched from painted tritium lume plots to lume plots with white gold surrounds on their sports watches. Was this strictly an aesthetic matter, or is there a non-aesthetic purpose to the white gold surrounds? Also, what about the switch from tritium to luminova? Is one better than the other? What would be the pros and cons of each? Many thanks to the forum in advance. Cheers, Chris

26 May 2012, 09:07 PM	#3
Darlinboy 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: DB Location: :noitacoL Watch: :hctaW Posts: 6,703	Certainly has marketing value, but IMO was primarily intended as an enhancement and evolutionary step up to the finishing. Personally, I'm a fan of the gold surrounds. __________________ Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

26 May 2012, 11:59 PM	#5
ecsub44 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: US Watch: Sub Posts: 3,175	Gold surround markers are easy to install on the dial. And some people think the gold surrounds look better. __________________ *侘寂 -- wabi-sabi --* acceptance of transience and imperfection by finding beauty in that which is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete Commissioner of WEIRD POLICE , Badge # ecsub44

26 May 2012, 09:49 PM	#4
mmmmp "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Mark P Location: Toronto Watch: SS Wimbledon DJ41 Posts: 2,046	Although I have no proof, I suspect the gold surrounds were introduced because gold will remain bright 'n' shiny. Plus, it's good marketing.

27 May 2012, 12:05 AM	#6
Beelzy "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Chris Location: Cen-Cal Watch: 16610 Posts: 869	Simple, you can't raise the price of a Rolex by many hundred of dollars every year without giving people something.

27 May 2012, 01:55 AM	#8
capote "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Daniel Location: Sweden Watch: 16570 Posts: 7,315	On some older tritium dials without the gold surrounding the lume looks quite uneven, but maybe that is just because of old age.

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