Clock lights facts

Wrist Watch

"Let there be light!" Backlights in hours - a necessary component of everyday life, without it it is already impossible to imagine a modern wristwatch. This is a reality where the quality of the backlight is everything.

Today, wristwatches often include electroluminescent backlight, but backlight is gaining momentum from day to day tritium.

backlight Indiglopresented by an American company Timex в 1992 year, is the best fit as an example electroluminescent backlight... We press the button, electricity is converted into light by applying a voltage of 100-200 volts to phosphorus atoms. Of course, a voltage converter (1: 100) plays a role here, without which it would be impossible to obtain even a hundred volts. Having received a charge, the phosphorus atoms emit photons, and they illuminate the dial. The name itself "Indiglo" derived from the word "Indigo"... Precisely by color indigo (a cross between blue and purple) the dial of the watch model of the family was illuminated Ironman... This series of watches became the first in the history of the company Timexequipped with backlight Indiglo.

 

The ubiquitous Japanese corporation Casio could not stay away, in 1995 responding to the invention of the Americans with backlight Illuminator... Backlight Casio illuminator in its design is similar to the backlight Indiglo... In Japan, backlight Illuminator bears the name "Fox Fire".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only the hands and markers of a given dial can be equipped with tritium backlightwhile an electroluminescent backlight illuminates the entire dial. But do not rush to jump to conclusions!

The use of tritium backlighting in dials is a much more complex process than installing an electroluminescent backlight. Tritium backlight does not require pressing buttons and does not use auxiliary energy sources - be it a watch battery or sunlight. Accordingly, such illumination does not affect the "vitality" reserve of the watch's energy carrier.

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Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen used in thermonuclear weapons as a source of neutrons and fuel. "That's enough for me, leave the watch with such a backlight for yourself, and I'd rather choose a harmless electroluminescent backlight!" - you might think. And you will be wrong.

Tritium poses no radiation hazard, because it is enclosed in sealed containers made of borosilicate glass. But even if the dial of the watch suddenly cracked, and the sealed container with tritium was damaged, then nothing will threaten our health. The containers located on the watch dials contain a relatively small amount of tritium, which, if leaked, will have time to escape into the atmosphere without harmful consequences for humans. The most important thing is not to inhale or swallow tritium. Especially when the leak came from a large container.

Long service life without any recharging is the main trump card of the tritium backlight. Tritium backlight can last as long as 25 years. During this time, the tritium in the containers will undergo radioactive beta decay, which forces the emerging electrons to act on the phosphor atoms. It is this process that gives a bright green glow to the hands and markers, which can help the owner of the watch under any circumstances.

By the way, tritium backlighting can be presented in a variety of colors, not only green, but also dark blue, yellow, orange, red, white... In the watch industry, however, it is precisely green that is used, because the human eye perceives it as the brightest (intensity - 100%). The tritium backlight will lose half of its brightness in 12 years, and after 25 years of service, it “emaciates” by 80% brightness.

A highly sought after watch from the military and firefighters Traser are remarkable not only for their durability, but also for tritium illumination trigalight... A well-known company does not lag behind Luminox, which gives a 25-year guarantee for the continuous operation of the tritium backlight in its watches.

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The backlight is worthy of special mention SuperLuminova... This system has declared itself in 1993 year, clearly identifying their positive properties. Backlight operation SuperLumiNova made possible by strontium aluminate, a substance applied to the hands and indexes of hour dials. System SuperLumiNova does not contain radioactive substances, which means it will not lose its quality over time, as it happens with tritium backlighting. For backlight SuperLuminova periodical "meetings" with sunlight or artificial light are important, they charge the luminous coating of arrows and marks with the required energy.

Some watches not only have an advanced dial illumination system, but can also be used as an independent source of illumination. Men's Watch Victorinox Swiss Army Night Vision Is the best example of this.

Their dial is illuminated by a high power LED for excellent readability in the dark. But as soon as we go beyond the edges of the dial, a flashlight built into the body reminds of itself, operating in three modes. The various lighting systems in watches today are able to meet the needs of many people. Practical electroluminescent light on the watch Timex, Casio contributes to the appearance of attractive prices for the models of these companies. More difficult to manufacture tritium illumination awaits on watch dials Traser и Luminox.

Simplicity and accessibility, or technical sophistication and innovation? The choice is yours!