Thu 17 Jan 2008
Dial Luminosity on Watches – COOL LUMES!
Posted by The Breitling Source under General Posts[7] Comments
There have been three types of lumes that have been used on watch dials to enable reading the time in the dark. These include Super-LumiNova, Tritium and Tritium Tubes (Trasers). Nowadays, pretty much all watches use SuperLuminova or Trasers. Some watches have the marking “T – Swiss Made – T” to indicate Tritium, and “L – Swiss Made – L” to indicate Super-LumiNova on the dial.
Super-LumiNova
Also called photo-luminescent pigment, Luminova needs to be charged by light in order to glow. It is non-radioactive and slowly decreases in brightness throughout the night until it is recharged with more light. All modern watches use Super-Luminova aside from the ones that use Tritium Tubes.
Tritium
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of Hydrogen, and is no longer used on watch dials due to it’s radioactivity. Tritum glows without the need to be recharged and will slowly decrease in luminosity over time. This takes many (5+) years.
Trasers
These are glass tubes filled with Tritium Gas and with the inside of the tube coated with phosphor to create the color of the glow. They come in many different colors such as Orange, Blue, Green and Red. The Tritium Gas is sealed within the glass tube so though they are radioactive, they do not emit any radiation. Trasers typically glow for 10-20 years. Ball and Luminox are two Swiss watch companies that use Trasers extensively in their watches.
And now, here are some cool Lume shots for you to check out! Notice the larger lumed areas make the watch easier to read, and also last longer. Couldn’t find any shots of Tritium… but got lots of Luminova and a Traser.
Rolex Submariner
Omega Seamaster
Omega Seamaster ChronoDiver
Ball EMII Diver
Fortis B-42
Breitling SuperOcean
Breitling B-1 with Backlight
January 21st, 2008 at 7:36 am
Hi,
I always read with interest your articles and your reviews.
I love watches and I am going to make the first important watch purchase of my life.
I evaluated many brands and models which I like and I am now going to decide for one of the two following watches:
Breitling Navitimer World
Panerai Luminor Submersible
These two models are very different from each other, although the prices is similar. I like both of them for different reasons. Breitling is very elegant and more rich and complex from the technical point of view. Panerai is more design, sportly and I deem it is perhaps a better investment (Panerai does not produce huge volumes per year and the quotations of the watches are always very high).
What do you think? Can you help me in taking the right decision?
Thank you.
Gianni
January 21st, 2008 at 9:41 am
If you plan to re-sell the watch at some point, then the Panerai is indeed the better investment.
The only problem I see here with the Navitimer World is that if it is your only watch, then you might want to get something more waterproof.
I personally like both watches, but I prefer the Navitimer World over the Panerai… I would get just Luminor Marina myself over the submersible, but that’s just personal preference.
In the end, my opinion is that you should buy the watch you like – the one that will make you happy. Whether you value resale, design, history, or usability – they all matter to some people.. but you need to make that choice yourself otherwise you might not be happy.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:30 am
Thanks.
When you say that I might want to get something more waterproof… The Navitimer World is 3-bar waterproof. This should correspond to ca. 30 mt of water pressure. It is not much, but it should be enought to bath and swim, or? Are you aware about waterproof problems?
January 21st, 2008 at 11:44 am
Definately not enough to swim. I would also not bathe with it on… The Navitimers were not designed to be used in Water. 30m Water resistance is not that much.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Hello,
I have to commend you on your website and very informative videos.
I have a question regarding the sq breitling B1, I would like to know, where would be the best place to find one and what would be a fair market price? I realise this model is discontinued, replaced by the airwolf which in my opinion just looks way too cluttered, had they left the superimposed turbine off the face it might work, sorry off track a little.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Con.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Hi Con, Thanks!
As for where to get an SQ B1, I would try getting one used somewhere. They are hard to find new, and cost quite a bit sometimes, depending on the dealer – some might give you a big discout because they are discontinued, some not. You can get a used SQ B1 for around $1700-1800 I think.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Nice looking blog. Which template are you using?