5513 Tritium glow?

[mike369]

After months of searching , I finally got one 5513 with nice patina.
its a open 6 Maxi with submariner on the bottom of Ft/m
Just wondering is that normal that the Tritium not glow at all?

[mike369]

Just check in a really dark environment,
The dial does barely glow.
But the hands/pearl doesn't , I am start worring the hands and pearls are replacement/ repaint hands....

[ecsub44]

Tritium has a half-life of about 12.5 years. As a result, the lume will diminish significantly over time. After about 20 years it's nearly totally gone.

[mike369]

And I notice that the Lumi dot is bigger then my 14270 and 16670 ,
is that normal??
(right click to open image in link can see bigger picture)

[ecsub44]

I can't see any of your pics.

[mike369]

http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/27155976@N03/8756040333/

Please try the follow link for my 5513~
One more problem need expert here to solve.
I just sent my watch to local Rolex service center and they said the minute hands might be not correct due to its length seems longer.... :-(
Could anyone help about that ??
I want to know who's 5513 got same situation ?

[mike369]

More images
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/27155976@N03/8756070643/
http://m.flickr.com/lightbox?id=8756070643

[swish77]

Originally Posted by mike369

After months of searching , I finally got one 5513 with nice patina.
its a open 6 Maxi with submariner on the bottom of Ft/m
Just wondering is that normal that the Tritium not glow at all?

Yes, it's normal that it doesn't glow. The photos are small, so it's hard to tell for sure, but that looks like a very nice 5513. The patina seems to match, so my guess is that the dial and hands are original. Search on this forum about old tritium and glow and you'll find that your experience is normal. Congrats on your new Sub!

[FLY-DOG]

Yes, it's normal that it doesn't glow, my 16610 from 1991 doesn't glow anymore either. If I were looking at a Rolex from the mid 1990's or earlier and it did glow I would be suspect of a re-lume job or replaced parts (dial & hands) with newer ones.

[mike369]

Thanks all for your reply, I have been dreaming to own a 5513 for years it took several months of watch hunting, I finally manage this one in a local antique watch shop.
It cost me a fortune but its totally worth!
Now its been sent to RSC and need 2 weeks for authentic and body check .....
Hope everything is fine~

[mike369]

Just upload a bigger image for your reference
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27155976@N03/8757645419/

[kelgar21]

So my 1.5M 5512 does glow - a ton. Very well respected dealer told me it was all original and not re-lumed. Should I be concerned?

[TurboWatch]

Originally Posted by kelgar21

So my 1.5M 5512 does glow - a ton. Very well respected dealer told me it was all original and not re-lumed. Should I be concerned?

That's typical of the 60's tritium.

However, the glow should be very short ( within minutes ). If it glows for couple of hours, I'd be concerned.

[WilliamFoley]

Well it's all about the activity of the metal used. Above is a post which contains text about the half life of tritium which is 100% correct. I have searched about it a lot and its true that it glows for a certain period of years and than the glow diminishes and you already have quite an old watch that explains it.

[Shade]

Originally Posted by TurboWatch

That's typical of the 60's tritium.

However, the glow should be very short ( within minutes ). If it glows for couple of hours, I'd be concerned.

Sorry to hijack a thread, what if it's a 60's 5513? It glows very short, but, bright enough to be noticed that it glows. It doesn't glow like brand new of course.

[mike369]

For your experience, is that a chance that those hands of mine is reprint due to it doesn't grow like the dial ?
I got a 14270 and 16670 from early 90's and the hands and dial still grows a little bit in very dark environment.
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/2715597...70785/sizes/o/

Ps tritium is a radio active kind of material, it should be have a constant glow in the dark.
Not a few sec/ hr.

[kelgar21]

Originally Posted by TurboWatch

That's typical of the 60's tritium.

However, the glow should be very short ( within minutes ). If it glows for couple of hours, I'd be concerned.

Right - it doesn't glow for longer than a minute or so - but when I turn the lights out it is definitely visible. Thanks for the reply - I will sleep better tonight now.