In fact, "tritium" is too common for watch lovers, especially antique watch players, because tritium was once the main material for making the luminous coating of watches, and its color even determined the value of an antique watch to a great extent.
This antique TAG Heuer Autavia chronograph has a tritium-based luminous coating.
As for whether tritium is harmful or not, let's review the evolutionary history of luminescent materials together, and naturally it is not difficult to get the answer.
Radium-radio telescope
In the watch industry, the earliest luminous material put into use is "Radiomir" developed by Panerai. This radioactive substance based on radium can emit light without receiving external energy, so it was regarded as lightning that broke the darkness by early watchmakers.
At that time, people not only wore watches coated with radium, but also were keen on radium bath salts, radium sugar and cigarettes containing radium. But no one will ingest more of this toxic substance than the radium girl (from the movie Laser Girl), who is responsible for coating the dial with radium.
The tragic experience of the laser girl made people realize the harm of radioactive materials.
Tritium-emitter
1949, Panerai developed a new luminescent material "LUMINOR" based on tritium (hydrogen isotope) to replace the coating containing radium, and registered a patent with the trademark "Luminor" in 65438+1Oct.1in the same year.
Panerai diving watches and diving equipment are made of Luminor luminous materials.
Although Luminor is also a kind of self-luminous emission material, its radiation is very weak, and it will only release high-speed electrons (which will not pass through the human body) during the decay process, and its half-life is only 12 years (the half-life of radium is as long as 1602), so it will hardly have any side effects on the wearer. However, correspondingly, the luminous effect of Luminor coating will gradually decay with time, and aging and yellowing will inevitably occur after more than ten years.
Tritium gas cylinder-miniature tritium gas tube
In order to further improve the effect of luminescent display, a "tritium gas vial" appeared in the 1980s. It seals pure tritium gas in a very stable form in a miniature mineral glass tube with luminescent substances coated on the inner wall, and the size is even only 1 and 2mm. When electrons released by tritium decay hit the luminescent substance on the inner wall of the lamp tube, the lamp tube will emit light several times brighter than the traditional Luminor coating.
"Tritium gas vial"
Because the brightness of "micro-tritium trachea" is high enough to maintain the half-life of about two tritium, that is, the luminous effect of 25 years, and the color of light can be changed by the cold light substance on the inner wall of the lamp tube, this technology has become popular in the military watch world once it came out, and it still has many fans-which also proves the safety of tritium from another side.
The luminous mode of thermometer mostly adopts "tritium gas vial".
LumiNova and Super Luminova
Half a century after the popularity of tritium-based luminescent materials, another revolutionary material Luminova and its upgraded version Super-LumiNova were released in the 1990s. Its main component is strontium aluminate, an efficient phosphor. Its chemical properties are very stable, it will not change color after long-term use, and it is completely harmless to human body.
Super-LumiNova will continue to emit light for several hours after absorbing light energy, and its intensity will gradually weaken.
LumiNova and Super-LumiNova are not radioactive and cannot emit light by themselves. They need to be irradiated under light for a period of time to excite electrons to a higher energy state, and then they can continuously release energy (luminescence) for several hours, and the luminous intensity will gradually weaken.
Super luminous competition
As a perfect technical solution, Super-LumiNova super luminous coating has been widely used in watchmaking industry, but there are some differences in the formulations of different brands. Generally speaking, the blue luminous coating can last longer when it absorbs the same light at a time, while the green luminous coating can provide stronger brightness.
The 65-year replica diving watch made by Hollysys and Momotaro, an independent Japanese cowboy brand, adopts the Super-LumiNova luminous coating with the effect of "making old", which looks full of the times.
Rolex is the most enthusiastic brand in the watch industry to use luminous coatings. All oyster hand watches, including sports models and official models, have luminous coatings on their hands and time scales. Moreover, Rolex was one of the first watch manufacturers to accept Super-LumiNova material, and it was put into production as early as 1998. Since 2008, it has been using the second upgraded Chromalight coating (a rare earth element is added to the formula), which can emit a light similar to malachite blue.
As mentioned above, blue super luminous can last longer. Rolex Chromalight can maintain its brightness for about 8 hours after fully absorbing light, making it a "killer application" of Rolex Oyster Watch.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submersible, 18ct white gold hour markers and hands are coated with Chromalight luminous coating, which can emit lasting blue light.
Similar cases have also appeared in the works of other professional watchmaking brands. For example, his new Streamliner Speeder aurora green three-needle watch, and Henry Mu Si also applied Super-LumiNova luminous material and innovative ceramic substrate material Globolight for the first time, and the luminous effect was absolutely unexpected. Note that the luminous material on the 3D pointer and hour scale is not smeared, but pasted on the ceramic substrate, just like the luminous coating (with radian) embedded directly at the end of the pointer.
Henry yearns for a junior pointer watch, and the Globolight luminescent material attached to the ceramic substrate is directly embedded at the end of the pointer.
Several "Sao operations" of luminous coatings
Omega has always been an old gentleman in the eyes of many people, but in fact, Omega is more powerful than anyone else, especially in the use of luminous materials.
The second generation snoopy watch released by Omega 20 15, with a lazy snoopy lying on the small second hand dial at 9 o'clock, can shine in the dark environment, and is equipped with the famous "Failure is not an option" in the movie Apollo 13. Limited issue of 1970 pieces has now become the darling of the watch collection auction market.
In the second generation Snoopy watch released by Omega 20 15, a lazy luminous Snoopy lies on the small second hand dial at 9 o'clock.
Omega's mobile Altman series "Dark Side of the Moon" chronograph also includes models with enhanced luminous display. For example, this PitchBlack nightstool uses luminous speed scale and "Ω" logo on black ceramic bezel and black ceramic watch, which looks really handsome.
Omega Motorized Altman Series "Dark Side of the Moon" Chronograph
Omega released the limited edition of James Bond Platinum of the 300-meter seahorse series last year. In addition to the platinum case, there is also an egg, which is the number "50" hidden on the time scale of 10, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the release of Queen 007 (1969). This egg is invisible in normal light and will only be exposed to Super-LumiNova luminous coating in dark environment.
Omega hippocampus series 300 meters James Bond platinum, 10 luminous coating hides the number "50", and the hands and hour markers also show blue and green luminous effects.
The Beichen series noisy diving watch launched by Jaeger-LeCoultre this year follows the iconic three-crown design and "school clock" of the early Memovox noisy diving watch, which is as clear and pleasant as a kingfisher jumping into the water. Equipped with a layered gradient blue dial, the hands and hour markers are covered with SuperLumiNova luminous coating, and the hour hand and minute hand are distinguished in different colors to ensure easy distinction in dim environment.
Jaeger-lecoultre Beichen series noise diving wrist, hour hand and minute hand are distinguished by luminous coatings of different colors.
This year is a crucial year for China to launch its first Mars exploration mission, and it is also the significant anniversary of the launch of the Mars -500 experimental project 10. Fiyta simultaneously launched a limited edition new product "Mars-500"10 anniversary watch, and invited Swiss (China) designers to operate. The slender metal bar hour markers are inspired by the extended robotic arm of the rover. Only the hour, minute and 12 hour markers are coated with Super-LumiNova luminous coating, which means exploring the sky.
10th Anniversary Limited Edition of FIATA Space Series "Mars -500"
Luminescence is not limited to the dial.
If the traditional luminous coating is to help the wearer see the time at night, then its application in modern watches is mainly to attract others' attention and express a cool theme. After all, night walking in jinyi is not popular in modern society.
Let's take a look at the limited edition table released by Panerai to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Luminor luminous materials. Their main materials are black technology grade and enjoy a 70-year warranty service. But the most irresistible thing is the brand's application of the new generation Super-LumiNova luminous coating. You can see that the key elements including LUMINOR series crown, crown bridge, locking bar, brand iconic "sandwich" dial and strap stitching are all coated with Super-LumiNova X 1 luminous material, which not only makes the luminous effect more remarkable, but also lasts longer, making the wearer the "most beautiful baby" all night.
Panerai LUMINORMARINA series watches (PAM 0117), the "sandwich" dial, bezel, crown, bridge profile and strap stitching are all coated with advanced Super-LumiNova X 1 luminous materials.
Comprehensively enhance the luminous performance of watches, another senior player Bell &; Ross never wants to be left behind. We often see professional terms such as Super-LumiNova C3 and Super-LumiNova C5 in its product introduction, aiming at special luminescent materials applied in different positions. In this BR 03-92 all-Lum watch, the whole dial is painted with fluorescent paint made of Super-LumiNova C3, while the hands and hour markers are matte, which can reflect the current time in dark environment. Even the rubber strap is fused with luminous materials in the process of hot molding, and the effect at night is absolutely eye-catching.
Burroughs BR 03-92Full Lum watch, light green dial and rubber also use luminescent materials.
Roger Dube and Guinness are also eye-opening. The Excalibur double watch designed by the former applies a number of patented technologies, including making the movement splint made of mineral composite fiber emit bright night light, and the aging time exceeds 60% of the standard time. At the same time, the watch band made of FKM rubber also has luminous effect, which is like a laser around the wrist with the hollow double tourbillon movement.
Roger Dube ExcaliburTwofold watches can be seen in the dark from the movement to the strap.
The special edition wristwatch created by Truth in cooperation with Carl Cox, a world-renowned DJ and producer, looks like an artistic model of vinyl records during the day, but it exudes a strong nightclub atmosphere at sunset. Because its carbon fiber bezel also incorporates Super-LumiNova luminous material, it is unforgettable with the charming luminous effect of hands, time markers and 9-point jukebox (small second hand chronograph).
2 1 CarlCox special edition watch, the small second hand dial of special vinyl record is located at 9 o'clock, which also has charming luminous effect.
New highlights of complex menus
Do you think that only fashionable sports watches and diving watches will make a fuss about luminous coatings? Not exactly. In today's watch market, it is an original sin to walk at night in jinyi. The more high-end watches are, the more they need to make amazing moves in appearance. Luminous display has become the general trend, and even the complex menus of many traditional top brands are not immune.
Among the traditional top brands, Lan Zhi is undoubtedly the first to start layout, and its "Lumen" luminous series watches have come out to the fourth generation Dato Dato Graph Up/Down "Lumen" chronograph. This series of watches adopts translucent sapphire panel, which filters out most visible light through patented coating, and only allows ultraviolet rays that can replenish energy for luminous substances to pass through. The less light shines on the panel, the darker the background of the panel, and the more vivid the contrast of local details such as pointers, scales, small dials and large calendars with luminous effect. Even a complicated chronograph like Datograph Up/Down can be clearly seen in the dark.
Langedatographup/down "Lumen" chronograph, all the functions on the sapphire dial have luminous effect.
Let's take a look at the Golden Bridge Cosmic Complex menu with the theme of "Earth to Sky" launched by Zippo Watch last year. This watch combines tourbillon, solar time, universal time, star map and long power, and its complexity is visible to the naked eye. And its light in the dark environment also makes many sports diving watches on the market sigh.
Zippo's "Earthto Sky" Jinqiao series cosmic composite menu, the dial, the starry sky and the earth are covered with luminous coating.
The grand finale of this year's complicated menu is Patek Philippe's brand-new large-scale self-timer watch Ref.630 1P released last month. Since19th century was founded, Patek Philippe has always been the supreme king in the field of minute repeater. In recent years, it has made a variety of complex menus that can "sound". These menus are based on spontaneous sound devices with three hammers and three springs instead of the usual two hammers and two springs. The Ref630 1p introduced this year is Patek Philippe's first "pure" large-scale self-chime timepiece, that is, it only has self-chime and minute repeater, and has no other complicated functions.
Two of such pure works are completely unexpected. First, Patek Philippe broke the past practice and did not use hand-carved decorative techniques on the watch case to make it look like a plain face; Secondly, Patek Philippe subverts the century-old tradition and equips the minute repeater with luminous hands ... Since time is distinguished by sound, why should it shine? This is not a problem that I have to consider when I wait for an editor with a monthly salary of several thousand.
Patek Philippe's large automatic bell chronograph Ref.630 1P is extremely rare to equip a minute repeater with a luminous minute hand.
How wild are professional players?
In recent years, a large number of professional players in the field of luminous have emerged in the industry, among which independent watchmaking brands are the main ones. If you don't make something famous on the luminous display screen, it seems that you are embarrassed to call yourself an independent watchmaking brand.
Not much to say, directly above:
MB & ampf Medusa clock, the shell is hand-blown Murano glass, the upper and lower dials indicate hours and minutes respectively, and the luminous numbers can shine like jellyfish in the deep ocean.
Roger Dubey's ExcaliburBlacklight watch this year was inspired by the neon lights that are active in the city after sunset. The crystal miniature sapphire of the movement is suspected to adopt a technology similar to "miniature tritium tube", which can emit colorful light under ultraviolet irradiation, and the strap is also covered with luminous materials.
HYT H5 fluid display schedule. HYT uses mechanical devices to drive two groups of incompatible liquids (usually one containing ultraviolet dye and the other transparent) to flow in the bellows, which raises the time display to a philosophical level. Its visual effect at night eclipses the traditional mechanical watch.
ROMAGO automatic watch with luminous coating on the light controller, its carbon fiber case, hands, time markers and front pendulum are all coated with luminous coating. Even if the wearer can't see the time clearly, he won't feel lost when walking at night.
Genus GNS 1.2 watch adopts the original "chain minute indicator" complex structure, which makes time crawl on the dial like a strange arthropod, and the surface is covered with luminous coating. Imagine its effect in a safe and dark environment.
Baehrens rotary engine watch produced by domestic brand Baehrens is based on the invention of German engineer Winkle. The upper and lower "rotors" indicate the hours on the left and the minutes on the right, respectively, which are particularly charming in the night and have been shortlisted for this year's GPHG Geneva Watch Award.
After reading so many dazzling watches, I wish everyone the most beautiful at night!
Chen Guangda