When did Rolex stop using radium?

Rolex stopped using radium in 1963 due to the high risk of cancer that this radioactive substance has. This applied to the people who worked with it daily in the factory. In fact, people did develop cancer from working with applying radium to Rolex's dials. So Rolex found a different material to use instead of Radium.

When did watches stop using radium?

Many of these workers developed bone cancer, usually in their jaws. Eventually, scientists and medical professionals realized that these workers' illnesses were being caused by internal contamination from the radium they ingested. By the 1970s, radium was no longer used on watch and clock dials.

Did Rolex use radium?

RADIUM. The first luminous material used in Rolex watches was radium; and it remained the standard until 1963. Before then, the effects of radiation exposure were not well understood, until the highly toxic material caused radiation poisoning among factory workers.

How can I tell if my watch has radium?

Plastic crystals can often exhibit a burn-in from the paint. Radium-based paint was banned in the 1960s and all of the paint was phased out a decade later. The easiest way to tell if a watch is radioactive is to pick up a simple Geiger counter. This will tell you definitively if a piece is radioactive.

Are old Rolex watches radioactive?

From the 1950s to the late 90s, Rolex used the radioactive material Tritium, which refers to the chemical used on the hands and hour markers of the watches, which causes them to illuminate.

Radioactive watches tested: Radium lume, Tritium, Promethium (Rolex Explorer 1016, Seiko, CertinaDS)

When did Rolex start using blue lume?

2008: Rolex debuts its proprietary Chromalight display on the Sea-Dweller, which glows blue.

Are radium watches harmful?

Radium dials are watch, clock and other apparatuses that are painted with radioluminescent paint containing radium-226. Radium is highly radioactive which has a high half life period. So, it can be said that these watches are not safe. They radiate while glowing which causes harm to a wearer.

Do they still make radium watches?

Radium paint itself was eventually phased out and has not been used in watches since 1968.

Do radium watches still glow?

Radium dials usually lose their ability to glow in the dark in a period ranging anywhere from a few years to several decades, but all will cease to glow at some point.

What replaced radium in watches?

Tritium, introduced in the early 1960s, had replaced radium (Radium-226) in watches largely by the end of the 1960s, and although still radioactive and potentially hazardous, the beta particles are not able to escape through the watch glass or skin (but it is a health threat if ingested).

When did Rolex change the lume?

By 2000, Rolex had switched to Nemoto & Co's Super-Luminova, a strontium aluminate lume. This lume compound stores photons when exposed to sunlight or artificial light, allowing it to glow in darkness for hours after initial light exposure.

How many years does Rolex lume last?

After roughly 24 years, the glow is so weak that it's barely noticeable in most environments. Therefore, the lume no longer serves any real purpose.

Are old tritium watches safe?

Contrary to urban myths, these watches are not dangerous. Tritium emits a very weak beta particle and people are exposed to small amounts of tritium every day, since it is widely dispersed in the environment and in the food chain.

Does Rolex still use tritium?

Rolex stopped using tritium in 1998 when it was banned.

Following this, Rolex started using Luminova – a non-radioactive luminous material.

Are old glow in the dark watches safe?

Essentially the watch is coated in a paint which absorbs light and then re-emits it. These watches are completely harmless.

Does a real Rolex glow in the dark?

A glowing watch does possess a functional advantage over its non-glowing equivalent; however most vintage Rolex watches have lost their ability to glow, and it is simply considered a trait that is consistent with older timepieces.

When did watches stop using tritium?

Tritium tubes are famously used in Ball watches which are known for their highly visible dials in low light conditions. Many watchmakers used tritium throughout the years including the most recognized luxury watch brand; Rolex. When did Rolex stop using tritium? In 1998 once the use of tritium paint was banned.

What color is Rolex lume?

When Rolex introduced their bluish “Chromalight” lume, many watch enthusiasts didn't know what to make of it. Rolex touts Chromalight as being highly legible, long-lasting and easier to see in murky conditions – conditions you might encounter by diving 12,800 feet below the ocean surface with your Deepsea dive watch.

How much is tritium worth?

As of 2000, commercial demand for tritium is 400 grams per year and the cost is approximately US$30,000 per gram.

Does Ball replace tritium tubes?

Ball has stated that they will be able to service their watches with tritium tubes for a while, and that most of the time they will replace the dials.

Do Luminox watches use tritium?

Luminox is a modern watch brand that was created around the use of Tritium illumination. The brand produces military and outdoor tool watches, having created special editions for the US Navy Seals and others.

Does Rolex lume wear out?

Most watches made after the 1990s will have Super-LumiNova or a similar material, (strontium aluminate photoluminescent lume) that needs to be "charged" with a light. SrAl is chemically and radioactively inert, so it should basically last forever regardless of use.

Does Rolex Datejust have lume?

The Rolex Datejust II 116334 features lumed Arabic numerals in blue lume and hands with green lume, for a unique effect.

How long will a Rolex last?

In the majority of cases, a Rolex timepiece can last a lifetime, especially if it's serviced regularly. While Rolex recommends service every ten years, it's a good idea to have your watch looked at every 5 to 7 years to ensure optimal performance.

How long does watch luminescence last?

The more coats applied, the longer the lume will last after being fully charged. Most watches painted with lume need only 30 minutes in optimal light conditions to fully charge. Once they fully charge, they can last from as little as 30 minutes to eight hours. Some watches can glow in the dark for long periods.