The Breitling Watch Source Forums

If luminescence is even a word, i'd just like to ask something regarding it... I got my 1997 Blackbird today and it has absolutely no light from anything. Does the coating wear off with time? I love the watch anyway but just wondered. My 2003 Tag still shines brightly so i thought i'd ask you clever peple if this was normal.

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Breitling Blackbird (original)
Oris TT1 lume 44mm
TAG Professional 2000
Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird

Luminescence is indeed a word!!

I think by 1997 the watches were all coated with Super Luminova but you can check by looking at the dial. If there is a letter T either side of the Swiss Made at 6 o'clock then the watch is lumed with Tritium, if it is L or blank then it is Super Luminova.

Super Luminova doesn't fade, but Tritium does age because it is a radioactive isotope with a half life.

Breitling lume is generally not that great relative to some other brands so it will depend on what you are used to whether you are impressed or not.

Wikipedia is your friend

FWIW,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminescence

although nothing related to breitling.

The wikipedia definition is open to updates.

Thanks for the info. Mine doesn't say Swiss made. Unless I'm looking in the wrong place. It did light up slighty in the night in pit h black. Can it be renewed on a service and if so what is the likely cost in the uk? Superb watch by the way!

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Breitling Blackbird (original)
Oris TT1 lume 44mm
TAG Professional 2000
Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird

I don't think BUK will relume a dial : usually they just replace the dial if there's a problem with it. However you may struggle with this as your watch is fairly old now and BUK probably won't still have one a spare dial in stock. Give BUK a call and ask - they are very friendly and professional and should be able to give you an answer there and then.

Alternatively you could have the dial relumed by an aftermarket watch-customiser/watch repairer. Even one of the vintage repairers on this forum may be able to assist you. Perhaps drop forum member "Chronodeco" a quick PM - he may be able to help.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Hi Roff !

I am almost ready to send my Old Navitimer to BUSA for a complete service/overhaul. The tritium is almost non-existent on the piece.

I was wondering two things:

1. During a complete service/overhaul would they re-apply the tritium or is that an additional service. (In other words can the dial's luminescence be brought back to its original splender?)

2. In doing so would the dial still be considered original or refinished/altered (BUSA would be doing the work) - it is my understanding that watches with refinished /altered dials are not as desirable nor as collectable.

Best Regards,

Enezdez

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IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

Well first off, they won't redo tritium - period.

Tritium is a controlled substance these days as it is radioactive and the US Government actually threatened Breiting with a lawsuit a few years back over importing without a license. They can apply SuperLuminova, but generally only at your request (and obviously cost).

In terms of whether it would affect future value, well that's subjective. It's a harsh critic that would consider that a redial - it's still original, just with refreshed lume.

Some collectors are anal about originality, and it would put them off, but others want a practical watch and a professional SL application to replace tritium would be a good thing. I personally feel that it will have minimal resale impact so do what makes the most sense for you.

Very informative.
Thanks Roff

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Rolex DeepSea, GMT Master II TT, Pres 18038, DJ TT 16013
Breitling Chronomat 39mm (bullet+UTC), Starliner SS/MOP (wife)

back with ROLEX

Thank You Very Much Roff for your prompt reply!

Have A Nice Day!


Best Regards,

Enezdez

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IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

Hi Roff!

I just got off the phone with BUSA and the girl stated that it would require a new dial and that I would have to pay for that. Additionally when I tried to explain that it was a Snowbird Edition and how much it would cost - she just added well send it in for the service and we will give you an estimate.

To me it doesn't sound right that they would replace the dial; furthermore, this watch is from 1995 as a result any dial that they may have in Switzerland is going to have the same issue. The reason why I know that the dial has to come from Switzerland is because it was replaced once before due to a scratch on the original dial and I had to wait like an additional 6 or 8 weeks for the dial to be shipped and that was around the year 1998 or 1999.

The girl at BUSA I have spoken with her in the past year several times and has given me faulty information in the past and at times has had a little bit of an attitude but unfortunately I keep getting her due to my location and the first letter of my last name.

Is she correct or is she wrong?

And am I right or wrong that any replacement dial for the Snowbird would have the same issue due to them being manufactured in 1995?

I have a feeling this is going to be a hassle and I should just get the service and learn to live with it if you ask me honestly!

Best Regards,

Enezdez

_________________
IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

As I said in my very first post in this thread, it doesn't surprise me at all that BUSA said it'd be a replacement dial. That is the way they tend to do it.

However, as it's a limited edition that you have, they will undoubtedly have problems with finding a new one, so there is a definite possibilty that they will relume it. (It'd be either that, or re-logo-ing a new dial, and of those two options reluming would be many times easier). Of course they may just say there is nothing they can do, but you won't know until you send your watch in to them I'm afraid.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

You know its funny. I have looked at this thread maybe 10 times and keep feeling the need to add a comment, but it isn't about the blackbird and would be off topic so I didn't, but here it goes because I HAVE to My Super avenger (Maybe a month old) doesn't luminate very well unless I hold it in front of my headlights.... My 6.75 shines like I can't believe in the dark without any headlight help... Both are worn in the same lighting and I keep wondering if I should send it in. I got my 6.75 back from busa and they scratched up the bracelet and clasp pretty bad so have been very hesitant to look into the super avenger lume issue.... Sorry I know this is off your origonal topic.

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Breitling Bentley 6.75
White Baton Super Avenger
Rolex DSSD

@enezdez:

I'm not sure when in the manufacturing process the lume is applied, so I guess it's possible that a 1995 dial would not have been lumed yet, in which case no problem, but I very much doubt it - so you are correct in thinking that the lume will have deteriorated - it's just chemistry, tritium ages based on it's half life.

There is no technical reason why the current dial cannot be relumed, I suspect that the redial approach is just 'easier' in most cases, but not here given that it's an LE.

If you want it relumed then I would make sure that you put in writing that you do not want a redial, but want the reluming done if possible. They should advise as part of the quotation before completing the work.


@ravenloff:

Breitlings generally do not have great lume relative to some brands, and there are variations from model to model. There isn't really the concept of 'bad' SuperLuminova, though it can be damaged by exposure to moisture. I suspect that what you are seeing is just the difference in lume between models.

Thanks Again Roff !

Have A Nice Day !


Best Regards,

Enezdez

_________________
IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015