Lume Condition Variations

Freedom7 · Apr 24, 2025

Can someone explain how vintage watches of the same model can have such differences in the condition of dial lume? I’m assuming it’s perhaps because of water infiltration or repeated work by the same ham-fisted watchmaker but that’s just a guess. It just seems odd to me there are such condition variations to an aspect that spends its life covered and relatively sealed.
Thanks!

seekingseaquest · Apr 24, 2025

Dials are removed when a watch is serviced, which over many decades can mean that happens many times. Also, many watches aren’t waterproof and have very little resistance to the elements (water and air goes right in those chrono pusher holes). And then of course watches are mistreated over the years, resulting in all kinds of damage that could impact the dial.

Peemacgee · Apr 24, 2025

Multiple possibilities.

Where the watch has spent its life (heat/sun/moisture)
Variations in the make up of the lume itself (different dial manufacturers)
Type of lume (radium/tritium)
Case types - not all cases are made equal with regards moisture/dust ingress

bsowers34 · Apr 24, 2025

I knew someone with an old Rolex he was super proud of. It looked like someone applied new lume with a paint brush. Hideous, and if it was real tritium, had to cost a fortune too.

Davidt · Apr 24, 2025

Assuming it’s the same luminous compound, changes are due to different environmental conditions over the decades, such as UV, moisture, dust etc.

Lume Condition Variations

Freedom7

seekingseaquest

Peemacgee

bsowers34

Davidt

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