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Watch lume question.

vishsam
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I recently acquired a mint condition Omega Speedmaster triple calendar 3523.30. This watch has never been worn and was kept in a safe for almost 30 years. I want to know whether the lume on this model is tritium or super luminova. There’s no T Swiss T on the bottom of the dial.

Secondly I want to know what the black spots on the hands are. They seem to be on the surface of the lume. Is it due to ageing or something else entirely?

IMG_3355.webp IMG_3357.webp
 
vishsam
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Ron_W Ron_W
The Omega website says production started in 1999, so it should be Luminova and still working. The dark spots could be mould from moisture that was in the enclosed air when it wasstored away ?

https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-speedmaster-day-date-3523-30-00
The warranty card says it was sold in 1998. I cant get the lume to glow no matter what I do. I tried to charge it using sunlight but it wont glow. What can be done if its mold? Do I leave it or clean it somehow?
 
Ron_W
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vishsam vishsam
The warranty card says it was sold in 1998. I cant get the lume to glow no matter what I do. I tried to charge it using sunlight but it wont glow. What can be done if its mold? Do I leave it or clean it somehow
Maybe it is Tritium.... ?? tritium does have that yellow colour and can mold. CAn you try with a UV flashlight ? Even old tritium does give a few seconds of reaction with UV light.
I dont know if it can be cleaned of, but it may be possible to order replacement hands. Check with an AD or Omega qualified watch maker.
 
vishsam
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One final question. I noticed this scratch on the dial edge. What could have caused this? As far as I know this watch has never been opened.

WhatsApp Image 2025-10-21 at 2.06.13 PM.webp
 
bsowers34
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Greetings from my 3523.80. I love these triple calendars. This one got new hands and dial a couple years ago by omega when it was serviced.
IMG_5604.webp IMG_5587.webp
 
bsowers34
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vishsam vishsam
The warranty card says it was sold in 1998. I cant get the lume to glow no matter what I do. I tried to charge it using sunlight but it wont glow. What can be done if its mold? Do I leave it or clean it somehow?
Send it to Omega for service, new hands are still available.
 
vishsam
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bsowers34 bsowers34
Greetings from my 3523.80. I love these triple calendars. This one got new hands and dial a couple years ago by omega when it was serviced.
IMG_5604.webp IMG_5587.webp
I love the blue dial!!! If you dont mind sharing, how much did it cost to service the watch?
 
bsowers34
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vishsam vishsam
I love the blue dial!!! If you dont mind sharing, how much did it cost to service the watch?
Full service was around 900usd, New dial was 400, the original delaminated a little, new crystal it didn't need was 150. Worth it to me because I love the thing.
 
vishsam
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bsowers34 bsowers34
Full service was around 900usd, New dial was 400, the original delaminated a little, new crystal it didn't need was 150. Worth it to me because I love the thing.
Ah okay. I like to keep my watches original as possible but there are two blemishes that bother me. You think Omega will replace the dial for me?

WhatsApp Image 2025-10-21 at 2.06.13 PM.webp IMG_3357.webp
 
bsowers34
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vishsam vishsam
Ah okay. I like to keep my watches original as possible but there are two blemishes that bother me. You think Omega will replace the dial for me?

WhatsApp Image 2025-10-21 at 2.06.13 PM.webp IMG_3357.webp
Sure. Unfortunately these aren't very high on the collectible list, so servicing and replacing parts aren't a big deal.
 
Dan S
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It will be a significant expense added to your purchase, but if you want clean and functional lume (and an undamaged dial), it sounds like you will need to pay Omega to replace the dial and hands during service. I agree that the hands are moldy, and whatever the material, the lume is obviously not functional.
 
vishsam
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Dan S Dan S
It will be a significant expense added to your purchase, but if you want clean and functional lume (and an undamaged dial), it sounds like you will need to pay Omega to replace the dial and hands during service. I agree that the hands are moldy, and whatever the material, the lume is obviously not functional.
Dan S Dan S
It will be a significant expense added to your purchase, but if you want clean and functional lume (and an undamaged dial), it sounds like you will need to pay Omega to replace the dial and hands during service. I agree that the hands are moldy, and whatever the material, the lume is obviously not functional.
Can they get moldy just by sitting in its box for many years? I am contemplating whether I can live with the hands in its current state or not.
 
Dan S
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vishsam vishsam
Can they get moldy just by sitting in its box for many years? I am contemplating whether I can live with the hands in its current state or not.
In principle, mold can grow anywhere there is a bit of moisture. But neither of us really knows the history of the watch, it's just a story the seller told. What can be seen with certainty is that the hands are definitely moldy, and the dial is damaged.
 
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