What is T-dial?

[kenlinliu1419]

Aiyah. I just SMS my shifu and he corrected me too.

He just told me that there are some people who try to sell the fake & extremely rare creamy explorer II. He told me that the original white dial version can be put under the sun to get the same effect, but it is not the natural cream colour that should be created under normal exposure over the years.

[kenlinliu1419]

Eh? I was told the opposite. My shifu sabbo me?

[Oceanklassik]

Tx u shifu

[caeden]

Yes, you are right...

Eh? But I thought it is the other way round, ie to achieve the 'patina' result on tritium, you need to hide the watch in a dark place long enough, as opposed to exposing it under sun and bright lights ? Can caeden and edimars pl advise?

[Oceanklassik]

Eh? But I thought it is the other way round, ie to achieve the 'patina' result on tritium, you need to hide the watch in a dark place long enough, as opposed to exposing it under sun and bright lights ? Can caeden and edimars pl advise?

[kenlinliu1419]

as far as i know,the luminova will never turn yellow or brown even if u leave it in the sun for hrs everyday.
u will never get the patina effect on a luminova deal..

My bad. I thought he typed tritium.
Yes, you are very correct Mingwen.

[mingwen]

will the panerai now(still in procduction like newer models eg pam0, 111, 5...) with luminova markers turn yellowish after 12 or so years?
cheers

as far as i know,the luminova will never turn yellow or brown even if u leave it in the sun for hrs everyday.
u will never get the patina effect on a luminova deal..

[kenlinliu1419]

will the panerai now(still in procduction like newer models eg pam0, 111, 5...) with luminova markers turn yellowish after 12 or so years?
cheers

If you leave it under the sun, you can can probably achieve it within the year! Some 'fake' patina are created like this, so be careful.

[joseph]

will the panerai now(still in procduction like newer models eg pam0, 111, 5...) with luminova markers turn yellowish after 12 or so years?
cheers

[kclee]

thanks to all the masters for the invaluable info

[Paneraii]

I am very low morale. I saw Visiotime Pre1A a week ago.................the fat numbers are fat. period

[KuchingKu]

T- dials are present in many watches pre 1998. But when found in Pam = expensive. Why? Rarity and demand.

[Keith8896]

Here are some nice t-dial photo from p.com

http://www.network54.com/Forum/35339...%28+VanniC+%29

[zameenzahari]

Hi

newbie here.

What is meants by "T-dial"?
Thanks

Its when you get a very expensive fever esp when it comes to Panerai!!!

As Ken mentioned, its the material that is used to make the markers/numbers luminous. Just to add to the very informative answer above, because Tritium is radioactive, it has a half life i.e. naturally it will decay (as in radioactive decay-you can google this) of approximately 12 plus years. The luminous property of tritium will be affected as it decays further but leaves behind a much desired effect whereby the markers begin to turn yellowish/brownish/red/orange (depending on your luck and of course the years that went by-each piece is unique in that sense)..this is what being called "patina" when it comes to T-dial. Some that ages gracefully are highly sought after. There are quite a few paneristis around who are exclusively T-dial collector and full time patina-hunter.

Hope that helps. I am sure there are many gurus and masters around who can significantly add to what I wrote..

HAGWE!

[kenlinliu1419]

More useful information

This refers to the chemical used on the hands and hour markers, which causes them to illuminate. I.e. Radioactive material!

Watchmakers used Tritium for the luminous material, and began indicating the amount of that radioactive material with a designation at the bottom of the dial (i.e. T SWISS T or SWISS T < 25).

Around 1998, watchmakers then changed the designation to read SWISS or SWISS MADE, when they replaced Tritium with LumiNova (an organic, non-radioactive chemical), as their source of luminescence.

T SWISS MADE T indicates that the radioactive material Tritium is present on the wristwatch. The amount of radioactive material emitted is limited to a maximum of 25 milliCurie.

SWISS T < 25 more specifically indicates that the wristwatch emits an amount of Tritium that is less than the 25 milliCurie limit.

SWISS T 25 indicates that the wristwatch emits the maximum allowable amount of Tritium (i.e. a full 25 milliCurie).

SWISS (or) SWISS MADE on wristwatches produced after 1998, indicates the presence of LumiNova as the luminous material.