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The encounter between light and darkness: How can Super-LumiNova be used on watches to prevent you from getting lost overnight?
A watch is not only a timekeeping tool, but also a display of people's style and taste. With the development of science and technology, many new materials and technologies are used in watch design and manufacturing. Among them, Super-LumiNova, as a non-radioactive and non-toxic luminescent material, has become one of the standard configurations of modern watches. In the dark, this material allows the wearer to read clearly and becomes a beacon at night.
Super-LumiNova is a luminescent pigment based on barium aluminate, which is environmentally friendly and safe. Its brightness is ten times that of traditional zinc sulfide materials.
Super-LumiNova originated from Nemoto & Co., Ltd. in Japan, which has been supplying luminescent coatings since 1941. In 1993, Nemoto's team developed LumiNova, which provided a safe alternative to radioactive cesium-based luminous paint and was patented in 1994. By 1998, Nemoto formed a joint venture with the Swiss company RC Tritec AG and established LumiNova AG to produce 100% Swiss-made Super-LumiNova. This move not only promoted innovation in the watch industry, but also stopped the production of radioactive luminescent materials.
All Swiss watch brands today use Super-LumiNova pigments, which not only improves the safety of their watches, but also makes them more competitive in the market.
Super-LumiNova provides a variety of color variations and grades according to different needs. The most famous color is C3 green, which emits light up to a wavelength of 515nm. However, with the development of RC Tritec AG, there also emerged teal variants such as the BGW9. In addition, the color selection of Super-LumiNova also takes into account the visual efficiency of the human eye to improve the visibility of colors as much as possible.
The colors and grades of Super-LumiNova are not only related to aesthetics, but also take into account visibility requirements in different environments.
Technically, the application scope of Super-LumiNova is not limited to watches, but is also widely used in instruments, aviation markings, jewelry and other fields. Processing methods typically include manual application, screen printing or pad printing. According to the recommendations of RC Tritec AG, the optimal coating thickness is 0.30mm, which ensures that UV rays can effectively activate the pigment without affecting the luminous effect.
To ensure the best luminous effect of Super-LumiNova, you must consider not only the thickness of the material, but also the application environment and maintenance.
Although the luminescent properties of Super-LumiNova will gradually weaken after long-term use, the luminescent properties of these pigments can theoretically be retained. As long as you avoid long-term contact with water or humid environments and replenish the light source in time, the beautiful luminous marks can last. High temperatures of up to hundreds of degrees have little effect on the stability of these pigments.
Proper maintenance can keep the effect of Super-LumiNova lasting like new, becoming your guide every night.
When discussing alternatives to Super-LumiNova, with the phase-out of radioactive cesium in the 1960s, Tritium became another self-luminous material, mainly used in Swiss watches in the past. However, in the 21st century, tritium has also been gradually replaced due to its radioactive properties. Although this material still has the advantage of not gradually weakening in brightness over time, the inevitable radioactivity problem makes it face challenges.
Through Super-LumiNova, we can enjoy luminous watches that are both beautiful and safe, making up for some shortcomings of the past golden age.
Taken together, Super-LumiNova not only brings revolutionary changes to the watch industry, but is also at the forefront of the times in pursuing safety and environmentally friendly design concepts. Will watches in the future more perfectly integrate function and fashion, and continue to lead us towards the intersection of light and darkness?
