Super-LumiNova is a brand name under which strontium aluminate–based non- radioactive and

nontoxic Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a subs ...

photoluminescent Photoluminescence (abbreviated as PL) is light emission from any form of matter after the absorption of photons (electromagnetic radiation). It is one of many forms of luminescence (light emission) and is initiated by photoexcitation (i.e. pho ...

or afterglow pigments for illuminating markings on watch dials, hands and

bezel Bezel may refer to: Object * Bezel (jewellery), the rim which encompasses and fastens a jewel, watch crystal, lens or other object * Bezel, the sloping facets of the crown of a cut gem after gem cutting * Screen bezel, a space or frame around a d ...

s, etc. in the dark are marketed. This technology offers up to ten times higher brightness than previous zinc sulfide–based materials. Super-LumiNova is based on LumiNova pigments, invented in 1993 by Nemoto & Co., Ltd. of Japan as a safe replacement for radium-based luminous paints. Nemoto & Co. was founded in December 1941 as a luminous paint processing company and has supplied paint to the watch and clock industry for over 70 years. Besides being used in timepieces, Super-LumiNova is also marketed for application on: * Instruments: scales, dials, markings, indicators etc. * Scales: engravings, silkscreen-printing * Aviation instruments and markings * Jewelry * Safety- and emergency-panels, signs, markings * Aiming posts * Various other parts These types of phosphorescent pigments, often called

lume Lume is a short term for the luminous phosphorescent glowing solution applied on watch dials. There are some people who "relume" watches, or replace faded lume. Formerly, lume consisted mostly of radium; however, radium is radioactive and has bee ...

, operate like a light battery. After sufficient activation by sunlight or artificial light, they glow in the dark for hours. Larger markings are visible for the whole night. This activation and subsequent light emission process can be repeated again and again, and the material does not suffer any practical aging. Strontium aluminate–based pigments have to be protected against contact with water or moisture, since this degrades the light emitting quality.

Alternative for afterglow pigments

Tritium-based devices called "gaseous tritium light source" (GTLS), that are an alternative for afterglow pigments, have the advantage of being self-powered and producing a consistent luminosity that does not fade during the night. However, they are radioactive and have a half-life of slightly over 12 years. This means the intensity of the tritium-powered light source will gradually fade, generally becoming too dim to be useful after 20 to 30 years. Tritium was used on almost all Swiss Watches like

Rolex watches Rolex SA () is a British-founded Swiss watch designer and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1905 as ''Wilsdorf and Davis'' by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, the company registered ''Rolex'' as the brand name of ...

from 1960 to 1998 when it was banned. and the original

Panerai Officine Panerai (also known simply as Panerai) is an Italian luxury watch manufacturer, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A. Officine Panerai designs, manufactures and markets watches through authorized dealer ...

Luminor dive watch Radiomir. Tritium-based substances ceased to be used by Omega SA in 1997. By the late 1960s, radium was phased out and replaced with much safer alternatives.

References

{{Reflist, 2

External links

Technical Features Superluminova
- Archived fro
the original

Luminosity in watches

Luminescence Horology

Alternative for afterglow pigments

See also

References

External links