Q: What is "LumiNova" used in watches?
A: A phosphorescent paint that does not contain radioactive materials, developed by Nemoto Specialty Chemicals
The luminous paint used on watch hands and indexes is "N Luminova," developed by Nemoto Specialty Chemicals. It differs from the tritium used previously in that it is a luminous paint that stores external light and then emits light. Because it does not contain any radioactive materials, it is now used by many watch manufacturers. The type with the strongest luminescence is called Super-LumiNova, and is now used by many manufacturers.
In 1998, Nemoto Specialty Chemicals established a joint venture with Swiss company Tritec AG, Luminova AG, and developed Super-LumiNova, which has a higher luminous output, to meet Swiss standards. As a result, tritium was replaced by other luminous materials used by Swiss manufacturers from 2000 onwards.
Of the Super-LumiNova currently used in wristwatches, the C3 grade has the highest light absorption rate and emits the brightest light. Bell & Ross' 2020 model, the BR03-92 HUD, uses Super-LumiNova C3 for its indexes, hands, and hour disc. Automatic (BR-CAL.302). 25 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 40 hours. Ceramic (42mm diameter). Water resistant to 100m. Limited to 999 pieces worldwide. 480,000 yen (excluding tax).
Main types of Super-LumiNova
Currently, there are several types of Super-LumiNova:
C1 : White. Light output is 34% of C3.
C3 : Yellow. The brightest.
C5: Yellowish green. The luminescence is 89% of C3.
C7: Green. The luminescence is 84% of C3.
C9: Blue-green. The luminescence is 83% of C3.
The variety is increasing every year
Other colors available include violet, orange, pink, and ultramarine (and recently black). Super-LumiNova is now available in three grades based on its glow time: standard, Grade A, and X1. The higher the grade, the longer the glow time, with X1 emitting 60% more light after two hours than standard Super-LumiNova.
Note that Luminova is a registered trademark of Nemoto Yakou, and is not written as Luminova. Superluminova, on the other hand, is a registered trademark of Luminova AG, and the Japanese name has not yet been decided. Therefore, either Super Luminova or Super Luminova can be used.
http://www.webchronos.net/news/46148/
http://www.webchronos.net/features/43310/
http://www.webchronos.net/iconic/26801/
