58 Year Old Lume on a 1675 GMT

[Bluetinfloor]

Dug the 1675 out of the drawer today for a belated bonding after a few years apart (although always in same room..) and couldn't resist a quick blast of the UV torch on the 58 year old puffy lume. Never fails to amaze me after all this time that it still briefly shines strong to perfectly highlight the lumed parts. (I appreciate I am probably easily amazed...)

An old pic



And today

[blackal]

Impressive!

I have one of the last of the 1675s (1981 I think) and still with original dial - I must test the lume under the covers tonight.

[Bluetinfloor]

I think an 1981 version will have dead lume by now...the puffy mid 1960's lume is a particular thing, had the same on both a 65 and 66 5513, but the later ones lose it.

[Wallasey Runner]

Rolex used the puffy zinc sulfide lume plots and hands until late 1967 then used standard tritium. These do tend to react better to UV light.

Stunning watch, gilt dial and small 24 hour hand do put it to 1966 at the latest.

Get it on SC now

[sweets]

Most trit will react to UV. The trit is not what makes the light. The trit source excites the light emitter, and any UV light will do the same job.
Sure, the emitter also degrades over time, but nothing like as fast as the trit.

[Bluetinfloor]

Stunning watch, gilt dial and small 24 hour hand do put it to 1966 at the latest.

Yep - serial is 1966, I didnt buy it new (ho,ho) but have had it 20 odd years

[blackal]

I think an 1981 version will have dead lume by now...the puffy mid 1960's lume is a particular thing, had the same on both a 65 and 66 5513, but the later ones lose it.

There goes my enjoyment under the bedcovers................. thanks for that!

[uwtc]

Lovely dial.

[pseunomis]

I'm amazed you leave it in a drawer - it's beautiful!

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[Bluetinfloor]

I'm amazed you leave it in a drawer - it's beautiful!

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Agree...should be worn.

This was one that I sent to Rolex Bexley for a vintage service that they offered at the time, retaining all the parts that a standard service might replace and it came back so good I didn't wear it.

I had quite a few vintage Rolex back in the day ( I can use that expression.....I am over 60 ) but always ended up wearing a 1680 Sub, which is still my daily wearer.

[pseunomis]

Great choice ... I really miss mine. ?

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[P9CLY]

Lovely watch indeed.

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[Redwolf]

I love this. So beautiful and an icon.


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[mrbieler]

That is a beautiful piece.

The vintage lume is fascinating. My Doxa WWII GSTP will still briefly light up when I put it in the sun for a few minutes.