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Lume life - what is normal?
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Author:  Mybeamishboy [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Lume life - what is normal?
I just purchased a 2001 Emergency from a forum member and love the watch. Compared to my 2008 Airwolf it is comfortable, light, sleek-ish and significantly more readable. (I can't get happy with having to hold the Airwolf at an angle in order to get the hands to contrast with that artsy dial).

There are two things about the Emergency that have caught my attention: 1) the alarm is barely audible (compared to the Airwolf) which I understand due to differences in the backs 2) the luminescence on the dial and hands is weak, at best. Admittedly, I don't have another Emergency to compare to, but of my watch collection this watch is notably dim.

Even after exposing it to a very bright LED flashlight for two full minutes I only get a relatively bright glow for maybe 60 seconds - I can actually watch it rapidly dim.

The authenticity of the watch is not in question. It's the real deal.

Any thoughts?
Author:  doctor diesel [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
send to breitling for an overhaul and new dial (not that expensive) they will replace dial & hands
Author:  sander_dutch [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
Actually, I read the service costs for these watches yesterday. You can find them on the official Breitling website.
Any service or overhaul for an Emergency will be about 5000+ HKD (500+ euro), compared to around 300 euro for any other regular Breitling
Author:  Roffensian [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
A couple of points.....

Super Luminova doesn't really 'age'. There have been a couple of people reporting problems with the lume not working, but it may just be that it's dimmer than you expect - Breitling lume on many watches is less than impressive (though I can't give personal experience with the Emergency).

In terms of Emergency servicing, the cost isn't in the watch service, it's the additional transmitter service that Dassault have to do. However the first Emergency service is free (although on a 2001 that's likely been used up).

I would ask for a quote before asking for a dial change - it might not be that cheap - certainly a dial colour change is very expensive. As DD suggests Breitling will insist on a service at the same time that they do a dial change. However if it is just bad lume, Breitling can re-lume it without changing the dial.

Finally, one possible cause of lume problems is contamination so if it is generally bad lume it may indicate a more serious problem - like water in the watch.
Author:  Mybeamishboy [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
Thanks, all. My problem is really of not being able to compare it to another Emergency. Maybe they all have relatively weak lume?

There is no evidence of water damage under the lupe. The watch is holding perfect time, too. I left it in the watch case in my closet today so it will get exactly the same light as the other watches. I'll take a look at it in the dark next to the other watches, including several Breitlings to make a completely objective comparison.

Ironically, the watch is very readable in normal light, even at extreme angles. THAT part I like.

I did get the number for a repair center in Florida from Breitling USA. Breitling could not, or would not, quote pricing but told me the repair center would.

Anyway, many of the things and people I most enjoy have little idiosyncrasies that are just part of their character. Maybe having to carry a flashlight at night will be the Emergency's. :wink:
Author:  dbniner [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
My emergency has good lume. it is pretty bright, and comparable to my other breitlings. i will try to get a good shot this weekend. it might help you.
Author:  Driver8 [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
As has been said, Breitling lume is pretty poor compared to other manufacturers so it's probably normal.

In my experience (with an old poorly resealed Seiko), water ingress into the case usually results in the lume getting black spots on it - it tends to look like mould - not an even, all over discolouration. If it's the same all over then it's probably not water.....which is a good thing indeed!
Author:  Mybeamishboy [ Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
Thanks all, for the comments. I took my '08 Airworlf and the '01 Emergency, turned off the lights, and shone a very bright LED flashlight directly on the face of the Airwolf for a 20 second count, then on the Emergency for the same count. The difference was very obvious. The Airwolf was perhaps three times as bright in spite of being the first one charged up. I could clearly see the Emergency lume quickly and obviously fading immediately.

My conclusion is that the lume on the Emergency is of either a different type, or at a different state, than that on the Airwolf. Probably age is the material is the difference.

Anyway, my first impression that the lume was not up to snuff on the Emergency was accurate. While I would prefer to be able to read the watch after the lights go out, I can live with it the way it is.

Maybe someday someone will create the LEGO watch in which you can assemble all the pieces you desire into one watch. I like the (daylight) clarity of the Emergency dial, the accuracy of the Super Quartz, the beeper of the Airwolf, the water resistance of the SuperOcean Steelfish, the minute repeater of my Citizen, the barometer of my Tissot, the comfort of my titanium Skyhawk ... anyway.

But, if someone did that I couldn't justify all these watch purchases! :roll:
Author:  sonyman [ Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
I dont want to be rude here but just satisfying my curiosity are you a pilot?
Author:  Mybeamishboy [ Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
Sonyman -

Your question is not rude - or at least it does not appear to be to me. My aviation credentials extend to having a father and a brother who were aviators and one flying lesson.

I was introduced to the world of fine watches when I served on Grand Jury with a career watch salesman. I couldn't understand, at that time, why anyone would pay more than $100 for a watch when a $40 Timex quartz would get the job done.

Anyway, he showed up one day with a Breitling Steelfish Plus-X that a customer of his had recently purchased and wanted to get rid of it because none of his co-workers had noticed his fine new watch :roll: It was the first time I hefted a watch that felt like it weighed more than my firstborn. I purchased the Steelfish at a great price and was provided with all paperwork including the AD stamp dated for when I purchased it. Thus began my interest in nice timepieces.

Why the aviation style? I don't really know, unless it is simply because they appeal to me on a functional level. I don't really find "dressy" or bejeweled watches appealing at all. But, slap on a slide-rule bezel (that I have absolutely no idea of how it works) and ... I'm there.

I have several pilot-style watches that I really like, but truthfully I have long ago crossed the boundaries of common sense with respect to watch ownership. I am sure I will eventually thin the herd down and settle on a few that are really special to me. But, until then ....

Cheers!
Author:  Breitling-nutt [ Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lume life - what is normal?
I am not sure if Suerluminova was used back in the early 2000's, however based on what I've read about it, superluminova should not develop any patina(yellow) over time nor does its luminosity deteriorate.
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