U series/Swiss

[denicio7]

Hi Folks - I spent some time searching the topic, but I am still curious...my GMT-Master II has a U serial number but says "SWISS" on the dial. From what I read, it seems like A serials had "SWISS" on them for a short time. Was there a time when the U series had "SWISS" on the dial or am I looking at a replacement dial. Thanks!

[Frogman4me]

Yes u serial had them as well. It's a transitional dial they used before completely changing over from tritium to the luminous "swiss made" dial.

[denicio7]

thanks david!

[Newportkrieger]

So is the "swiss" dial Luminova or tritium? I assume it must be luminova bacuse it lacks the standard disclosure nessisary for a tritium dial right?

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Newportkrieger

So is the "swiss" dial Luminova or tritium? I assume it must be luminova bacuse it lacks the standard disclosure nessisary for a tritium dial right?

T<25 - Tritium
SWISS T<25- Luminova
SWISS - Super Luminova
SWISS MADE - Super Luminova

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by Jocke

T<25 - Tritium
SWISS T<25- Luminova
SWISS - Super Luminova
SWISS MADE - Super Luminova

Jocke,

Thanks for that complete explaination and visual. I am wondering, my daily wear watch is a E series (circa 1990) GMT ref# 16700 with a "SWISS T<25" marked dial yet it has no luminous quality at all even when charged point blank with a very strong light. What is the expected life of each of these materials when applied to a Rolex dial?

[Tools]

Any of the Rolex models that were made during the 1998/1999 transition years would have the "Swiss" on them.. Do not look at charts and decide that certain letters were not made then, there is always some carryover on manufacturing.. so U's and A's could be found either way..

Also, Rolex used the Swiss dials for Luminova service replacements so even earlier years could have such a dial...

You need to go back to before the '60s to see Swiss again, and those were the early radium dials..