116520 Chromalight or Superluminova

[Maximus88]

Hi guys

Love the thinner hands on the older models but fancy Chromalight at the same time.

What is your experience comparing both, the 116520 Chromalight vs the older Superluminova dials.

Many thanks for your advice

[ROLEXster]

116520 Chromalight APH vs 16610 Superluminova
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[Maximus88]

I only got Superluminova ones, thats why I am drawn towards a Chromalight one.

My dilemma is that I would really enjoy the “better” lume but in the same time I prefer the thinner hands.

[rolexero]

Shape of the hands is more important IMO. Luminova is fine for night visibility.

[Maximus88]

I find the thinner hands more elegant.
Does anyone one know why the Chromalight 116520’s tend to be more expensive?

Is that just because of the production time?

[1665fan]

Thinner hands on the early white 116520 have dials that can turn cream which is a huge bonus....

[Grnvette65]

Not a chromalight fan. Reminds me of a timex from the 80’s. The watch is viewed more during the daylight hours so go w the thinner hands.

[subdateII]

I prefer the thin hand dial of the early production 116520 but Chromalight is a functionally better lume on the margin. Are you thinking black or white dial? That may also be a factor.

For instance, for the GMT C I would be absolutely fine with a 116710 LN with either lume systems. With the BLNR I would only take chromalight (it’s the only option anyways) because of the blue

[ecdc]

Originally Posted by Maximus88

Hi guys

Love the thinner hands on the older models but fancy Chromalight at the same time.

What is your experience comparing both, the 116520 Chromalight vs the older Superluminova dials.

Many thanks for your advice

I have a 116520. Black face, late 2015. It has Chromalight. I asked my wife last night what color it was glowing. She said it looked green. And it kind of does, unless it's next to a watch that glows more obviously green, like my Panerai. I challenge anyone else to ask their spouse, kid, etc. what color their Chromalight Rolex glows in the dark. I bet more than half will say green, not blue.

For reference --

20200119_101040.jpg

[Ihatecheese]

The older green lume does not last as long (on my near 20yo watch) . Maybe ten mins of actual glow. The newer blue white lume lasts longer and whiter light. Not that I'd trust either after an hour or so.

[Maximus88]

Originally Posted by subdateII

I prefer the thin hand dial of the early production 116520 but Chromalight is a functionally better lume on the margin. Are you thinking black or white dial? That may also be a factor.

For instance, for the GMT C I would be absolutely fine with a 116710 LN with either lume systems. With the BLNR I would only take chromalight (it’s the only option anyways) because of the blue

Definitely tending more towards the black dial. Seems to be more versatile.
White dial I would only be interested in the 16520 Zenith

[Maximus88]

Originally Posted by ecdc

I have a 116520. Black face, late 2015. It has Chromalight. I asked my wife last night what color it was glowing. She said it looked green. And it kind of does, unless it's next to a watch that glows more obviously green, like my Panerai. I challenge anyone else to ask their spouse, kid, etc. what color their Chromalight Rolex glows in the dark. I bet more than half will say green, not blue.

For reference --

Attachment 1131404

Thanks ecdc,

I do like the blue lume - I guess I just had to decide:
Thin hands or blue lume :P
Not an easy one though

[Maximus88]

Legibility is another important point comparing the 2

[911Daytona]

Chromalight hands down

[subdateII]

Originally Posted by Maximus88

Definitely tending more towards the black dial. Seems to be more versatile.
White dial I would only be interested in the 16520 Zenith

I went with the 116520 black thin hands. Can’t argue that the late production 116520 have better lume with Chromalight and a newer spring loaded clasp.

Since, I already have other watches with those attributes and I like the vintage feel of the early production 116520 with slimmer hands/clasp/brownish subdials I am happy with my choice.

But frankly, all 116520 are good. One cannot do any wrong in choosing. Perhaps, it is more important to select a good honest example. That would be my focus personally.

[Maximus88]

Originally Posted by subdateII

I went with the 116520 black thin hands. Can’t argue that the late production 116520 have better lume with Chromalight.

Since, I already have other watches with those attributes and I like the vintage feel of the early production 116520 with slimmer hands/claps/brownish subdials I am happy with my choice.

But frankly, all 116520 are good. One cannot do any wrong in choosing. Perhaps, it is more important to select a good honest example. That would be my focus personally.

Thank you

By honest, do you just mean full set and unpolished condition?
I was not aware that any of the 116520’s have brownish subdials?

[subdateII]

Originally Posted by Maximus88

Thank you

By honest, do you just mean full set and unpolished condition?
I was not aware that any of the 116520’s have brownish subdials?

Honest is for you to determine. I went to with a full set that has been lightly polished. The 116520 thin hand is a 20-year Watch. I’m not sure you will find a lot of unpolished example and even then how to determine if it is really true.

So if unpolished/full set is paramount to you it might be easier to source a the Chromalight version.

There is not enough scholarship of the matter to answer the more brownish color of the subdials. I can’t tell if they were made that way or if it is “patina”. One thing is for sure, if you put the 116520 Chromalight next to a 116520 thin hand the former subdials will be very shiny/silvery and the latter more matt/brownish.

There are few forum members and discussions that will mention this.

[Maximus88]

Originally Posted by subdateII

Honest is for you to determine. I went to with a full set that has been lightly polished. The 116520 thin hand is a 20-year Watch. I’m not sure you will find a lot of unpolished example and even then how to determine if it is really true.

There is not enough scholarship of the matter to answer the more brownish color of the subdials. I can’t tell if they are born that way or if it is “patina”. One thing is for sure, if you put the 116520 Chromalight next to a 116520 thin hand the former will be very shiny/silvery and the latter more matt/brownish.

There are few forum members and discussions that will mention this.

Right, I’m with you - will definitely have to read some more about this as I’ve never seen them side by side in the flesh.

Many thanks