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1803 Rolex Day Date "Japan No Lume" 1972

K
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Hi everyone,

I have come across a Day Date with papers purchased in Hong Kong in 1972 with "No Lume". My research shows me that Tritium was banned in Asia around this time and Rolex produced watches for the Asian market with no lume plots or lume on the hands. Notwithstanding this the dial still says tritium. I think the dial is called a "Japan No Lume" but I stand to be corrected.

The hour markers are normal (not doorstop shaped). Not having lume plots makes the dial look more modern than it would otherwise look.

I have seen only one other Day Date on Chrono 24 from the Middle East and the asking price is $23,000 USD. It is specifically marketed as a "Japan No Lume" watch.

Does a "No Lume" dial carry a premium over a lumed dial? Is it more desirable?
 
Dan S
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No-lume Day-Dates, DJs, etc. (with T SWISS T dials) are pretty common and can be totally legit. Tritium was banned in Japan, but I don't know that it was an Asia-wide policy. No-lume Rolex examples are definitely common in Japan, but I have no reason to think that they were produced only for Japan, or only related to locations where tritium was banned. It could also have been sold elsewhere as a variation that some people preferred.

IMO, they are not more valuable or desirable in general and I don't personally find them more modern looking. Of course, if you prefer a no-lume dial (like someone I know, @seekingseaquest), then it might be more desirable to you.

Of course, without photos, we can't verify your particular watch, it could also be a fake or repainted.

This is a 1970s no-lume 1603 that passed through my hands. (I'm not a Day-Date guy, but the lume issue applies to several references.)

IMG_2397.webp
Edited:
 
M
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It has nothing to do with watches, but...
I don’t think tritium has ever been banned for import in Japan.
Submariners, Daytonas, Explorers, and Speedmasters from the same period that used tritium for luminescence were commonly sold in Japan.

Whether or not they have luminous features is just one of the many types of dials, and I think it’s simply a matter of personal preference.
Edited:
 
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