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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TANSTAAFL" data-source="post: 3916193" data-attributes="member: 27098">If it were tritium paint two things occur, Tritium (Hydrogen 3) has a half life of 11 years, so if any remains after 6 1/2 lives it may be undetectable. Hydrogen molecules do have a tendency to "leak" over a period of years as well. They are so small they even have a slight tendency to "leak" through glass! Wax or chemical varnishes are no match for holding it. So, assuming all the Hydrogen is still there, it may not be easily detected after almost 6 half lives even with very sensitive geiger counters.Another Isotope was used in self luminous paints as well, Pm 147 (promethium). It has a half life of only 2.5 years. So after almost 6 decades, well over 10 half lives have passed. Neodymium is the decay product, it is not radioactive.Of course this is speculation, it could simply be they used an ordinary luminous paint (non radioactive) that oxidized. After decades many luminous paints lose their ability to capture light and re emit light in the dark.  Modern luminous paints more than likely will work for scores of decades.To get back on topic the Bulova is beautiful. It is a very desirable watch among collectors and <h4>[USER=24867]thor447[/USER] has actually taken this timepeice, had respect for its provenance and history, and added much value to it and made it more of a collectors piece. Kudos on not re-luming it. Personally if it were in my family I would have re-lumed it, since I would have no desire to re sell it.  </h4></blockquote>

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