Tips on optimal chromalight charging?

[daOnlyBG]

I do know that Rolex doesn't have the best lume out there. I also know not to expect lume to last all night on a 5-minute charge.

What I'd like to ask, though, is what practice most optimises the lume glow, especially with regards to duration/length, and strength of the lume.

For example, my GMT was able to glow throughout the night last night (albeit slowly dimming as each hour passed), but mainly because I had it charging next to a regular 40w desk lamp for like, a little over an hour.

Some here have claimed that a UV light charges the chromalight better than regular light.

Any comments or suggestions on how to get the most lume out of chromalight?

[Buzzlite]

Get a pocket UV torch, it will charge up in a jiffy

[nighthawk77]

Originally Posted by buzzlite

get a pocket uv torch, it will charge up in a jiffy

+1

[Bybybmw]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

I do know that Rolex doesn't have the best lume out there. I also know not to expect lume to last all night on a 5-minute charge.

What I'd like to ask, though, is what practice most optimises the lume glow, especially with regards to duration/length, and strength of the lume.

For example, my GMT was able to glow throughout the night last night (albeit slowly dimming as each hour passed), but mainly because I had it charging next to a regular 40w desk lamp for like, a little over an hour.

Some here have claimed that a UV light charges the chromalight better than regular light.

Any comments or suggestions on how to get the most lume out of chromalight?

Well, I don't know what my OP 34 has but have noted two things.
1. Charges very fast with a UV flashlight.
2. Does NOT charge up at all under a LED light bulb.

[locutus49]

Sunlight works well for me.

[Finslayer83]

Originally Posted by Buzzlite

Get a pocket UV torch (flashlight for us here in the Colonies), it will charge up in a jiffy

This, they are $5 on amazon.

[sillo]

One thing nobody ever mentions... make sure your eyes are adjusted for the dark. Most watches have plenty of lume to last deep into the night.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by sillo38

One thing nobody ever mentions... make sure your eyes are adjusted for the dark. Most watches have plenty of lume to last deep into the night.

This is actually a pretty good point. My watch's lume could be weak, but once my eyes are adjusted, I could even see the seconds hand moving.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

This is actually a pretty good point. My watch's lume could be weak, but once my eyes are adjusted, I could even see the seconds hand moving.

I'm pretty happy with Tritium lumes. Considering getting another one.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by sillo38

One thing nobody ever mentions... make sure your eyes are adjusted for the dark. Most watches have plenty of lume to last deep into the night.

Yep!

I can read all mine late into the night & morning hours with no ‘charge’ or special treatment before bed.
As long as ones eyes are accustomed to the dark, and you have decent vision, you should be able to read a modern Rolex at anytime throughout the evening.

[Tools]

Lume is not a battery that charges more over time. Once it is fully excited, that's all there is.... full excitation (charge) is 30 seconds.

Here is a handy chart. (New Chromalight is light blue)

luminova.jpg

[Mystro]

500 lume tactical light for 10 seconds will make the watch glow like a full sun charge. I can read the watch for the entire night from about 10 PM to 5 AM.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I'm pretty happy with Tritium lumes. Considering getting another one.

You're referring to the dials with interchangeable lumes, right? It's not as though the older GMTs still light up.

Originally Posted by Tools

Lume is not a battery that charges more over time. Once it is fully excited, that's all there is.... full excitation (charge) is 30 seconds.

Here is a handy chart. (New Chromalight is light blue)

Attachment 1082256

That's a really helpful chart- thanks for sharing!

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by Mystro

500 lume tactical light for 10 seconds will make the watch glow like a full sun charge. I can read the watch for the entire night from about 10 PM to 5 AM.

I'm a bit new to this- how does 500 lumen compare with a UV light?

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

I'm a bit new to this- how does 500 lumen compare with a UV light?

UV is better. Hardly takes any time all.

Either works though.

Secondary uses:

Flashlight->flashlight

UV light->inspect fabrics and other materials for exposure to bodily fluids

[jon_jon]

It seems lumes fade over time. My 10-year old 116520 used to be easily legible throughout the night. Nowadays it is no longer legible even after 30-60 minutes. Maybe I need to try a UV torch. I know the older green lumes are not as good as the newer chromalight.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

It seems lumes fade over time. My 10-year old 116520 used to be easily legible throughout the night. Nowadays it is no longer legible even after 30-60 minutes. Maybe I need to try a UV torch. I know the older green lumes are not as good as the newer chromalight.

That gets me wondering: could excessive light/UV light potentially damage the chromalight or even super-luminova?

[RJRJRJ]

It only takes a second or two in the sun. No matter how you charge it, that super bright look will be gone in a couple of minutes, and as said above, your eyes have to be adjusted for you to see it.

[Ssunnylee24]

iPhone light works well

[El Cascarrabias]

If I put my glasses on I can read my 5 digit Sub all night even though it's dim. 10 seconds max with a flashlight's all it needs.

[WS9D]

Originally Posted by sillo38

One thing nobody ever mentions... make sure your eyes are adjusted for the dark. Most watches have plenty of lume to last deep into the night.

This. Everyone always forgets this.

[jimcameron]

If you want all night lume, you bought the wrong brand of watch.

Try a Ball.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by sillo38

One thing nobody ever mentions... make sure your eyes are adjusted for the dark. Most watches have plenty of lume to last deep into the night.

This point cannot be stressed enough

Our eyes take about 45 mins to adjust to darkness fully.

[Maiden]

I find these lume threads interesting, I wonder if it really does vary watch by watch? Interestingly enough I did a lume experiment last night/this morning so very timely in regards to this thread.

Firstly I charged up my 2014 114060 for about two minutes under a standard light bulb at around 7pm. I wore the watch until I went bed, lights went off at 10:00pm. I had my sub on my nightstand and I noticed looking over a few feet away at my dresser, I could see my 16713 GMT's superluminova glowing green. Now this watch had not been charged only being exposed to normal daylight in a room. I decided to put this one on the nightstand as well to see how it did, superluminova vs chromolight, and a non charged superluminova at that.

Fast forward to 4:20 am , nature calls, I look at both watches, both still easily readable and glowing. I was surprised by the GMT frankly. Anyhow, alarm goes 6am, both watches still glowing and easily readable in a dark room.

Conclusion for me, Rolex lume superluminova and chromolight is quite effective and lasts at least a solid 8 hours. YMMV

[In-Cog-Neeto]

Originally Posted by Buzzlite

Get a pocket UV torch, it will charge up in a jiffy

This

It’s unreal how quickly it charges it up - quite fun

[Docaw007]

Old fishing trick for glow in the dark lures, use a stand alone camera flash

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Docaw007

Old fishing trick for glow in the dark lures, use a stand alone camera flash

Just tried this. Works great! Lotsa photons!

[eskimochaos]

Just wear it???

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by Maiden

I find these lume threads interesting, I wonder if it really does vary watch by watch? Interestingly enough I did a lume experiment last night/this morning so very timely in regards to this thread.



Firstly I charged up my 2014 114060 for about two minutes under a standard light bulb at around 7pm. I wore the watch until I went bed, lights went off at 10:00pm. I had my sub on my nightstand and I noticed looking over a few feet away at my dresser, I could see my 16713 GMT's superluminova glowing green. Now this watch had not been charged only being exposed to normal daylight in a room. I decided to put this one on the nightstand as well to see how it did, superluminova vs chromolight, and a non charged superluminova at that.



Fast forward to 4:20 am , nature calls, I look at both watches, both still easily readable and glowing. I was surprised by the GMT frankly. Anyhow, alarm goes 6am, both watches still glowing and easily readable in a dark room.



Conclusion for me, Rolex lume superluminova and chromolight is quite effective and lasts at least a solid 8 hours. YMMV

I have similar experience. I haven’t done any real testing per se, but in general, I don’t notice any real difference by morning, wether I charge or not. The only difference that is really noticeable seems to be the amount of coverage. Larger areas covered with lume are predictably more legible by morning.

The UV blast is pretty cool though.

[brandrea]

What GMT reference do you own?