What is Superluminova anyway?
Swiss Superluminova is a luminescent material that is often applied as a coating to the hands, numerals and markings of watches to improve their legibility in the dark. The darker the surroundings, the brighter the time appears. Superluminova consists of alkaline earth aluminate-based pigments which, simply explained, function like light storage batteries. They store both daylight and artificial light and emit it again with a time delay in the dark. The human eye perceives this as a fluorescent afterglow, making it possible to read the watch even in the dark. Superluminova is used in the production of high-quality watches, usually Swiss Superluminova® from the Swiss company RC TRITEC AG, which is 100% made in Switzerland.
The use of Swiss Superluminova
Superluminova was first used in watch manufacturing in the late 1990s. Prior to this, luminous colors based on radium were primarily used for watches. The health risks associated with the use of such substances due to radioactive radiation were not known for a long time. It was not until the 1920s that these substances were researched in more detail and replaced by the equally radioactive substance tritium. Ltd. came onto the market, causing a real revolution in the watch industry. This was followed just two years later by the material we know and use today, Superluminova, which is characterized by a stronger luminosity. It consists of alkaline earth aluminate pigments which, unlike the materials used in the past, are not radioactive. In order for the Superluminova pigments to be applied to the watch, they must be mixed in a certain ratio with lacquer as a primer. The ambient temperature, application thickness and drying method also play an important role. The luminous pigments can be applied to the hands, indices and bezel using a stylograph, screen printing or transfer printing.
What are the advantages of Superluminova?
In contrast to its luminescent predecessors radium and tritium, Superluminova is not radioactively charged. Wearing these watches is therefore completely safe. Unlike radioactive substances, however, Superluminova must first come into contact with light before it can be released again in the dark over a period of several hours. This charging process can be carried out countless times, as Superluminova does not wear out or deteriorate. The luminosity is therefore maintained for a lifetime. Another advantage of using Superluminova is that it is REACH-compliant. This means that the material is completely harmless to health, temperature-resistant and insensitive to environmental influences - provided it has been applied correctly. Another significant advantage over conventional luminescent materials based on zinc sulphide is the lightfastness of Swiss Superluminova. Even when exposed to strong sunlight, the pigments do not turn grey or lose their color. The choice of Superluminova colors is almost unlimited. There are a wide variety of luminous colors - from white to yellow to blue or reddish. Nevertheless, the color green is used in most cases, as the human eye reacts particularly sensitively in this wavelength range. Orange luminous colors are also easily visible to our eyes in the dark, while blue tones are preferred for diving watches under water.
The luminous duration of Superluminova watches
The luminous properties of Superluminova offer impressive quality and reliability in the watch industry. The duration and intensity of the glow of Superluminova depends heavily on how intensively and for how long the luminous pigments have been charged in advance. The luminous markings on all MIYEN MUNICH watches can glow for a long time if they are sufficiently charged. The luminous pigments function like small batteries that are charged with daylight or artificial light. Consequently, the luminous intensity depends on the amount of light stored. As soon as the watch is in the dark, it emits the stored light energy not linearly, but with decreasing intensity over time. Depending on the type of Superluminova material and the duration and intensity of the light source to which the watch has been exposed, the luminous period can vary considerably, ranging from a few minutes to several hours. Superluminova is charged electrically via the light source and, unlike a rechargeable battery, can be charged and discharged as often as required. In contrast to radium and tritium, which continuously degrade over time, Superluminova would not show any signs of wear even after millions of cycles. Tritium watches in particular are known to lose their luminosity after just a few years of use due to their half-life.
MIYEN MUNICH watches offer an impressive combination of style and functionality and, thanks to Superluminova, you can always read the time clearly and precisely, even in complete darkness or under water. This makes MIYEN MUNICH watches a reliable companion at any time of day or night. With the ability to be recharged as often as required without losing luminosity and the choice of different luminous colors, these watches combine high quality and durability.
