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gmcjetpilot · 8 May 2023, 12:50 PM

My 32 yr old (1991) Rolex Explorer II, has tritium dial and hands. As the original owner and only having it serviced once by Rolex I am sure it's all all original.

I can tell the dial markers are subtly turning cream. The hands are still white.

Reading once I recall this is normal, where dial turns first and hands stay white longer? Can't find the reference.

Can anyone enlighten be on this topic of Tritium Lum turning into

SamP · 9 May 2023, 02:55 AM

Hi,
Vintage dial plots often patina at different rates to hands because they came from different supplying companies in addition to being produced at different times. Even now Rolex still does not make its own hands, but has pretty much bought up most other suppliers to become comprehensibly vertically integrated.
Regards

subprimero · 9 May 2023, 05:10 AM

My 92 14060 is the same.

Phrank · 9 May 2023, 05:39 AM

1990 Rolex 16700....same, and have found several examples online as well.

TimeLord2 · 9 May 2023, 08:12 AM

Great looking watch! For the Explorer II, it is called chica de mais. Here is a pic of my dad's watch. I think it too is from 1991 and he never replaced the hands.

Edit: A recent post in the classifieds: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=888828

8 May 2023, 12:50 PM	#1
gmcjetpilot "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Real Name: George Location: Memphis TN Watch: Explorer II 16570 Posts: 32	Tritium Dial Turning "Tropical" (Cream) but Hands Aren't My 32 yr old (1991) Rolex Explorer II, has tritium dial and hands. As the original owner and only having it serviced once by Rolex I am sure it's all all original. I can tell the dial markers are subtly turning cream. The hands are still white. Reading once I recall this is normal, where dial turns first and hands stay white longer? Can't find the reference. Can anyone enlighten be on this topic of Tritium Lum turning into

9 May 2023, 05:10 AM	#3
subprimero "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: John Location: Texas Watch: 14060 Posts: 3,434	My 92 14060 is the same. Attached Images

9 May 2023, 05:39 AM	#4
Phrank 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Toronto Watch: ♕ Posts: 2,125	1990 Rolex 16700....same, and have found several examples online as well. Attached Images

9 May 2023, 08:12 AM	#5
TimeLord2 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Valencia, CA Watch: GMT Master 1675/3 Posts: 2,191	Great looking watch! For the Explorer II, it is called chica de mais. Here is a pic of my dad's watch. I think it too is from 1991 and he never replaced the hands. Edit: A recent post in the classifieds: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=888828 Attached Images

9 May 2023, 02:55 AM	#2
SamP "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: London Watch: 1680/8 & '88 16528 Posts: 723	Hi, Vintage dial plots often patina at different rates to hands because they came from different supplying companies in addition to being produced at different times. Even now Rolex still does not make its own hands, but has pretty much bought up most other suppliers to become comprehensibly vertically integrated. Regards

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