The Rolex Submariner, a legend in the world of dive watches, boasts a rich history intertwined with the evolution of luminous materials. Understanding this history requires delving into the use of tritium, a radioactive isotope once widely employed in watch dials and hands for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. This article explores the period during which Rolex utilized tritium in its Submariner models, addressing the complexities surrounding its implementation, the reasons for its eventual discontinuation, and the broader context of Rolex's luminous material evolution. The question, "Bis wann wurde bei Rolex Submariner Tritium verbaut?" translates to "Until when was tritium used in Rolex Submariner watches?" and the answer, though seemingly straightforward, involves a nuanced exploration of production dates, model variations, and the regulatory landscape surrounding radioactive materials.
The Early Days: Pre-Tritium Luminescence and the Submariner's Naming Challenges
Before focusing on tritium, it's crucial to establish the context of the early Submariner models. The information provided – "Auf Grund von Problemen bei der Registrierung des Terms „Submariner“ erschienen die Modelle bis Ende 1954 ohne oder mit übermaltem Schriftzug" – highlights an important initial phase. This translates to: "Due to problems registering the term 'Submariner,' the models appeared until the end of 1954 without or with an overpainted inscription." This period, before the trademark issues were resolved, offers a glimpse into the early production challenges faced by Rolex. While the exact luminous material used during this initial phase isn't definitively stated in the provided text, it's highly probable that radium-based paints were employed, a common practice in the watchmaking industry at the time. Radium, while providing strong luminescence, posed significant health risks due to its radioactivity.
The Rise of Tritium: A Safer (But Still Radioactive) Alternative
The transition from radium to tritium marked a significant step forward in terms of safety, although tritium itself is a radioactive isotope. Tritium, a hydrogen isotope, emits beta radiation, a less penetrating form of radiation than the alpha and gamma radiation emitted by radium. This meant that while still radioactive, tritium presented a lower risk of external radiation exposure. The use of tritium in watches, therefore, represented a compromise – offering improved luminous properties while minimizing the health hazards associated with radium.
Pinpointing the exact date Rolex began using tritium in Submariner models requires a meticulous examination of production records and individual watch examples. While readily available documentation might not offer a precise cut-off date, research suggests that Rolex's adoption of tritium likely occurred sometime in the mid-to-late 1950s, perhaps overlapping with the resolution of the "Submariner" trademark issues mentioned earlier. The transition would not have been immediate; it's plausible that some watches continued to use radium-based paints for a period of time.
Identifying Tritium in Rolex Submariners: Clues and Characteristics
Identifying a tritium-based dial in a vintage Rolex Submariner requires careful observation. Tritium lume often exhibits a characteristic creamy or yellowish-green glow, unlike the brighter, more intense glow of radium or the later Super-LumiNova. The color of the lume can also fade and darken over time due to the decay of the tritium itself, leading to variations in appearance between watches of the same era. The absence of a particularly bright glow doesn't necessarily indicate the absence of tritium; the decay process significantly reduces luminance over time.
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