lume on 116610ln problem

[cab56]

Originally Posted by sco

I'm guessing that you are not letting your eyes adjust to a very dark room. My 116610 lume will last all night with a bright light source to charge it first. It may get a little dimmer, but it does glow.

OP, two comments.

(1) In your shoes, I would have the replacement done. The RSC apparently agrees with you that the lume should last longer.

(2) I have a 2016 Explorer 1. The lume is fantastic. When I turn out the bedroom lights, it glows strongly. Later, at 5 in the morning, I can easily read the time (partially my eyes have adjusted to the dark room, partially the lume still glows). Also, I recently replaced the tritium dial and hands on a submariner with a superlume service dial and hands. Like my Explorer 1, the lume glows strongly when I first turn out the lights and it still glows at 5 in the morning. The submariner has smaller hour markers, so the general impression is more refined/discreet than the Explorer 1.

[socalsub]

Don't fix what ain't broken. You are likely to cause more damage than good. I can't think of many people who would actually need the lume to last that many hours. My SubC lume never lasted very long from the start. Try to enjoy it for the other fine things it offers, and don't sweat the small stuff. I'm sorry for your loss, and hope you can enjoy the nice gift from your father.

[esscaster]

I don't know what it is about blue-ish lume, but with a couple 8500 PO's I had and a the 116610LN I've owned briefly and my Milgauss Z-Blue, I just find that the blue glow seems to be a bit more faint initially and fade a bit more quickly. Maybe it's just the physical spectrum of the light I'm not sure, but if you for example roam around a darkened house and go to bed than it doesn't have much charge to it.

Maybe charge it up by holding it under a bathroom light for about 15 seconds, it should glow really brightly, fade fast, but at least last through the night. I personally would not go back to Rolex for this. It may just be the nature of the chromalight, a material I don't think is as bright or as good as the old luminova they used.

[saskmh]

Originally Posted by SubMariner17

I'd like it to glow at least 6 hours so in 20 years, it'll hopefully glow for at least 3 hours.

If I understand this line I think you are confusing the chromalight lume which is photoluminescent (and what is on your new watch) with tritium lume which is radioluminescent and has a half life of 12.5 years (and hasn't been used in 20 years) . Chromalight should glow just as bright/long 20 years from now as it does today.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SubMariner17

I was just thinking "doesn't it bother you guys that for the past 9 years (since Chromalight was released) Rolex has been grossly overstating (3 hours isn't remotely close to 8 hours) the duration of the lume"? Is it wrong to assume that people paying $9,000 USD for a stainless steel watch would have made a bigger statement than "just buy a Tudor, everyone knows Rolex lumes only last 3 hours"? My next watch was going to be the 2017 Sea Dweller becuse of the 3235 movement. But, I'm not going to pay $12,000 for another stainless steel watch when it seems like Rolex has major quality control issues. Are there any other "known" quality control issues that Rolex owners simply accept/expect with their new time pieces?

Afraid the only major quality control issues are IMHO in your own head and Chromolight is just another form of Luminover. Chromalight is only a different colour combination of Luminover paint, and would expect made by the same Japanese company . Luminover is made by Nemoto a Japanese luminous paint maker now they moved a part of its factory to Switzerland in 1998 in Joint-ventured with RC-Tritec AG.This was to establish Luminova AG Switzerland for supplying Luminova to all the Swiss watch industry including Rolex and most all of the major brands.Later around 2001/2 the name was changed to super-luminover and many other names for basically the same product under the various brand made up names. But its mostly all basically the same paint with a slightly different colour pigments. Plus hand and marker surface area on most all of Rolex watches is quite small, the more surface area the brighter the glow will seem.And now we have Chromolight which is more on the blue spectrum colour now which is a Rolex trademark name. But again this could be a special colour blend of luminous paint by Nemoto for Rolex, I would doubt if Rolex themselves would make lume paint.
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[Speed]

For a mere pittance, pick up a Seiko Turtle. You'll have to avert your eyes from the bright glowing lume!

A fun beater (sorry Padi) to have around!

http://wornandwound.com/the-return-o...ack-a-classic/

[Quailhunter]

You asked " Do you happen to know if Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Breguet or Lange & Sohne are known to have the reliability of a Lexus? "

I have owned 3 Pateks. My experience is an inadequate sample size to judge the brand for quality. My experience is that my 3 Pateks have been somewhat fragile. The service on each time has been well in excess of $1000 and 6 months to a year for turnaround. My wife's Patek needed a new battery. Patek doesn't just replace a battery. The service, including a battery, was about $800 and took 3 months.

I own 4 Rolex with the oldest being in excess of 25 years. Again, my experience is an inadequate sample size to arrive at an overall judgement on the brand. All of my Rolex have been very durable. Serviced about every 5-7 years with a cost well under $1000 and turnaround of a couple of weeks.

I have owned 9 Lexus cars. All have been totally trouble free. I would say that Rolex isn't far off from Lexus in quality.

I can afford the other watches, but will only buy Rolex.

[Maiden]

If you have NO lume after 3 hours there is a problem. I have two modern subs and the lume is there after 7 hours. Just today, went to be at 10pm last night, woke up at 4:17am and read that time off my lumed 114060, no problem. Does it dim after a few hours yes, but still easily readable.

[phez]

Originally Posted by Devildog

like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Lovin-.../dp/B007XHFZ76

I'm curious as to what kind of relationship you have with your watch Paul. I know we love our Rolexes but dude....

Ok, ok, typo and autocorrect and I'm sticking to that excuse

[SubMariner17]

Devildog - thanks for your reply. I looked at my watch immediately when I woke up this morning and you are right, if I look hard enough (and under heavy comforters so it's pitch black) it is still glowing (lol). I'm starting to get amused. I never thought when Rolex said "BLUE LUMINESCENCE: The Chromalight display on the dial is an innovation that pushes the boundaries of visibility in dark environments. The blue glow lasts up to eight hours..." I would need to have my eyes adjusted for complete darkness (not even visible at midnight while watching TV)... yikes. I'm laughing out loud now.

https://www.rolex.com/watches/submar...610ln-0001.pdf

PHEZ - wow, charged for a few seconds with artificial light and you're getting 8 hours... IMPRESSIVE. You hit the Chromlight lottery! I hope to get that kind of glow when I send my Rolex in for servicing in 4 1/2 years before the 5yr warranty expires. Any chance you can post a pic? I'm curious what shade of Blue/Aqua is on your Rolex.

SCO - you are correct. I needed to have my eyes completely adjusted to the dark. Looked at my watch immediately after I woke up this morning. But, mine barely glows. Your "a little dimmer experience" is better than my lume.

SOCALSUB - thank you for your kind words. I am encouraged by all of these great responses. One reason I wanted my Sub to glow at least 5 hours is because at night I, when I can see the "pearl" glow, it reminds me of my mother". Pearls were her favorite gem. I'm still grieving over her passing. So, seeing the "pearl" at night has been a source of comfort. I just don't like having to recharge it every hour so I can keep seeing it. Especially when Rolex says it should last 7-8 hours. They should really say "The blue glow lasts up to eight hours with a luminosity easily visible for 2-3 hours"... lol.

QUAILHUNTER - I wish I got up to 5 hours. Thanks for your reply

[JoelUlrich]

I've found that giving it a good charge from a strong light before going to bed, the Chromalight will last pretty much through the night. Don't just rely on ambient light to charge it.


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[SubMariner17]

DEVILDOG and PHEZ, you too must've been so much fun to have around in college. The must've had the guys rolling on the floor laughing =)

[SeaDweller50]

Think yourself lucky you have a maxi dial.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SubMariner17

Devildog - thanks for your reply. I looked at my watch immediately when I woke up this morning and you are right, if I look hard enough (and under heavy comforters so it's pitch black) it is still glowing (lol). I'm starting to get amused. I never thought when Rolex said "BLUE LUMINESCENCE: The Chromalight display on the dial is an innovation that pushes the boundaries of visibility in dark environments. The blue glow lasts up to eight hours..." I would need to have my eyes adjusted for complete darkness (not even visible at midnight while watching TV)... yikes. I'm laughing out loud now.

https://www.rolex.com/watches/submar...610ln-0001.pdf

PHEZ - wow, charged for a few seconds with artificial light and you're getting 8 hours... IMPRESSIVE. You hit the Chromlight lottery! I hope to get that kind of glow when I send my Rolex in for servicing in 4 1/2 years before the 5yr warranty expires. Any chance you can post a pic? I'm curious what shade of Blue/Aqua is on your Rolex.

SCO - you are correct. I needed to have my eyes completely adjusted to the dark. Looked at my watch immediately after I woke up this morning. But, mine barely glows. Your "a little dimmer experience" is better than my lume.

SOCALSUB - thank you for your kind words. I am encouraged by all of these great responses. One reason I wanted my Sub to glow at least 5 hours is because at night I, when I can see the "pearl" glow, it reminds me of my mother". Pearls were her favorite gem. I'm still grieving over her passing. So, seeing the "pearl" at night has been a source of comfort. I just don't like having to recharge it every hour so I can keep seeing it. Especially when Rolex says it should last 7-8 hours. They should really say "The blue glow lasts up to eight hours with a luminosity easily visible for 2-3 hours"... lol.

QUAILHUNTER - I wish I got up to 5 hours. Thanks for your reply

So Rolex does not have a quality control issue, the issue was down to yourself and your own eyes.

[SubMariner17]

Padi56, the Service Center in Beverly Hills said the lume is expected to be CLEARLY visible (not barely visible) up to 7-8 hours. They believe it is a quality control issue. What I've gathered is that few owners actually receive this kind of quality. And, most owners simply accept that Rolex's chromalight isn't what Rolex advertises.

[sleddog]

Can't believe this is still going.

RSC is being polite over the phone and taking your word for it.
When you take the watch in, they will make their own assessment. Most likely, they will tell you nothing is wrong with it, as I, and most here have already told you.

Your perception of the lume is skewed. You want better lume, I get it. You have already admitted you could still view the lume the next morning, although dull. EXACTLY what I told you in one of my first comments on the matter. Your watch is fine. It's just not up to your expectations.

The people whom are agreeing with you, are under the assumption you have NO lume after three hours, you have said yourself that isn't true... Many here will not read the whole thread, and are only responding to the first post.

Please, take your watch in, have it looked at. I'm willing to bet they will do nothing.
You are beating a dead horse on this issue now.

[SubMariner17]

I'm getting it inspected in 4 1/2 years right before the warranty expires. I'm curious, has anyone had their Chromalight inspected within the initial warranty period (specifically in Beverly Hills, Dallas or NYC)? If yes, what was the outcome? I will report back in 2021.

[904VT]

Did I happen to miss the pics of the lume you posted? Perhaps a simple pic of the lume at a few points in time would better convey what you're looking at.

You could also buy a charging flashlight. One point to mention is the lume isn't placed on a watch for your visual enjoyment, but as a functional use. The lume really is only for times when you can't see the hands and markers otherwise. During a dive it's darker environment. If not you can see the bezel anyway. In the sceanarios you describe I also don't think lume should show on a higher end watch for extended periods. It would look quite silly for your Sub to be glowing bright blue for hours at a jacket and tie event in dim lighting.

[SubMariner17]

904VT, your "Sub to be glowing bright blue for hours at a jacket and tie event in dim lighting" comment made me smile. I was picturing my Sub glowing bright at the opera at the Palais Garnier in Paris :)