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When did Omega stop using tritium lume?

502 to right
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When did Omega stop using tritium? Was it at the same as Rolex? (which I believe was 1997-98)

The reason I ask is that I own a quartz Omega 2541.80 (the GoldenEye watch) that has a serial number dating to 1995. But the lume on the dial and hands glows after charging with light. I've seen many trititum Bond SMP's and they have usually developed a yellowish color as the tritium has aged. Mine has not and it has the characteristic white/green coloration found on Superluminova.

So I'm assuming my watch was serviced by Omega at some point and the dial was replaced by a Superluminova version. And the hands as well.

Not a problem, as I wasn't intending to buy tritium dial and hands when I bought this 5 years ago. But right now I'm just curious.
 
gbesq
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1997, give or take. I believe that the first year of production of the Speedmaster 3570.50 was 1996 and that it was another year or so before Omega used superluminova on that model.
Edited:
 
padders
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The issue here is likely your dating of the watch. What is the serial?

ps SL lume wasn’t seen on any model until late 1997. The 3570.50 had tritium in its first year.
 
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padders padders
The issue here is likely your dating of the watch. What is the serial?

ps SL lume wasn’t seen on any model until late 1997. The 3570.50 had tritium in its first year.
55,873,XXX
 
Dan S
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Instead of trying to translate serial number to year and the estimated year to the type of lume (which is just based on previous estimates and personal opinions, and can lead to all sorts of uncertainty), you should probably do explicit research on your particular reference. In your place, I would try to identify 10 example of that watch in a reasonably close serial number range, and make note of the dial and lume. Then you can post the results of your research and the thread will serve as a great resource for people in the future.
 
ErichPryde
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I think the very first production omega with SL instead of tritium was the 40th anniversary speedmaster "albino," please correct me if I'm wrong. 1997.
Edited:
 
Gael.Bx
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in 1997 the new 3572.50 still have tritium during few time, for me luminova is around end of 1997 begining of 1998
 
padders
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The reason
502 to right 502 to right
55,873,XXX
Based on watches I have owned and handled, in fact think you might be right to think that serial is indicative of 1995/1996 production, so as you suggest still in the tritium era. Perhaps your watch did indeed receive a new dial and hands at some point at a service. It wouldn't bother me, many watches look much better with tritium lume but IMO fully functional clean bright Superluminova suits the SMP since the tritium examples often look mismatched and tired.
 
B
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Dan S Dan S
In your place, I would try to identify 10 example of that watch in a reasonably close serial number range, and make note of the dial and lume.
How could anyone do that? Just curious.
 
Dan S
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B BuckyBuckwild
How could anyone do that? Just curious.
It's called research, we do it all the time with vintage watches to develop knowledge. Over time, you find examples of watches on the internet, and assemble a database. It's a project and it takes time and effort.

For example, at one point I became interested in when Rolex introduced hacking movements, so I started to keep a spreadsheet of serial numbers (and reference numbers) and whether the watch was hacking or non-hacking and eventually I was able to get it reasonably narrowed down. As I got it narrowed to a serial number interval, when I saw a watch posted on a forum that might be in that interval, I would send a message to the owner asking for information about it. Interestingly there were some discrepancies in the sequence, which emphasizes the importance of gathering a sufficient amount of data to be able to identify anomalies.
Edited:
 
sathomasga
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For one data point, my 2561.80, serial number 57415622, has Super-LumiNova.
 
B
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Dan S Dan S
I started to keep a spreadsheet of serial numbers (and reference numbers) and whether the watch was hacking or non-hacking and eventually I was able to get it reasonably narrowed down. As I got it narrowed to a serial number interval, when I saw a watch posted on a forum that might be in that interval, I would send a message to the owner asking for information about it. Interestingly there were some discrepancies in the sequence, which emphasizes the importance of gathering a sufficient amount of data to be able to identify anomalies.
That's... that's certainly dedication.
 
Dan S
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B BuckyBuckwild
That's... that's certainly dedication.
That kind of minor project is nothing compared to the types of records that some collectors keep.

Just wait until some highly desirable Omega comes up for sale, and an OF member posts their records of the previous times that particular watch was sold, including information about how it was tampered with since the previous sale.
 
WatchIdiot
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My dated by the warranty card 2531.80 says it sold in 97. I can shine a light on my hands and dial for a few mins and go in to a dark room and after 30-60 seconds there is no glow. In fact last night I was laying in bed and after my eyes had adjusted I took my watch and tried to look at the dial and I saw basically no glow. I was in bed for less than 30 mins, I was able to hold the watch almost touching my glasses and could see ever so slight of a glow. Like almost to the point I could not tell unless I moved the watch around to get the glow to move in my field of vision.

My dial does not have the T on it.

bond omega.webp
 
DenisChalandier
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WatchIdiot WatchIdiot
My dated by the warranty card 2531.80 says it sold in 97. I can shine a light on my hands and dial for a few mins and go in to a dark room and after 30-60 seconds there is no glow. In fact last night I was laying in bed and after my eyes had adjusted I took my watch and tried to look at the dial and I saw basically no glow. I was in bed for less than 30 mins, I was able to hold the watch almost touching my glasses and could see ever so slight of a glow. Like almost to the point I could not tell unless I moved the watch around to get the glow to move in my field of vision.

My dial does not have the T on it.

bond omega.webp
Your watch is obvious full tritium. There is never a T on SMP300 Dial.

She has been produced at max early 1996.

Transition between Lum and Tr is 1997.
 
WatchIdiot
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DenisChalandier DenisChalandier
Your watch is obvious full tritium. There is never a T on SMP300 Dial.

She has been produced at max early 1996.

Transition between Lum and Tr is 1997.
Yes I know ( about the tritium ), but the warranty card is dated 4-17-97. So it probably sat for a while before it sold, it has the cream colored card. The dealer markings are a printed on sticker that is in I assume either japanese or another asian country. So I could see it taking a little bit to get there and then be sold.
 
DenisChalandier
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Dan S Dan S
Instead of trying to translate serial number to year and the estimated year to the type of lume (which is just based on previous estimates and personal opinions, and can lead to all sorts of uncertainty), you should probably do explicit research on your particular reference. In your place, I would try to identify 10 example of that watch in a reasonably close serial number range, and make note of the dial and lume. Then you can post the results of your research and the thread will serve as a great resource for people in the future.
For 2541.80

No Omega logo He valve, Tritium : 1993/1994
Omega logo Valve, Tritium, assymetrical 3 : 1995
Omega logo Vale, Tritium, symetrical 3 : 1996
Omega Logo Valve SL, symetrical 3 : 1997 and after.
Omega Logo valve SL with an assymetrical 3 comes back more or less around 2001/2.

All mixed Tr/Lum are post service. All 3 lines of text.

Of course there is no straight line on January 1st of each year.
 
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