15/11/2002
What danger to human health can something as seemingly harmless as a watch pose?
What danger to human health can something as seemingly harmless as a watch pose?
The answer seems obvious: the broken glass of a wristwatch threatens a cut wound, and if you collide with, say, a grandfather clock in the dark, you can easily break your forehead or bruise your ribs. But seriously, two things in watches can pose a danger to our health:
And the shooter
Materials and coatings of cases and bracelets
When the need arose to create watches whose readings would be visible in the dark (and this happened shortly before the start of World War II), manufacturers solved this issue quickly and simply: they began to cover the dials and hands with radioactive materials. No, no one wished harm on anyone, it’s just that at that time only very few nuclear physicists knew that radiation was not a useful thing. Well, when the whole world learned about it after the US Air Force nuclear attack on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they decided to get rid of the watch, which posed a real danger to humans, once and for all.
It is known, for example, that the radiation level of the Radiomir Panerai watch from the Italian company Officine Panerai released at the end of the war exceeded permissible standards so much that the entire batch intended for the underwater special forces of the Italian Navy was buried in a concrete container at the bottom of the ocean. This brand is still produced, but radium, of course, is no longer used to illuminate the dial and hands.
Currently used glow-in-the-dark materials can be divided into two groups. The first and very popular are light-accumulating paints. They are absolutely harmless to health. True, in order for such paint to glow, it must first be “recharged” - held in the sun or under a bright lamp. After this, for some period of time you will be able to find out what time it is, even in pitch darkness.
The second group is compositions based on the radioactive isotope of hydrogen - tritium. These do not need recharging, they glow on their own. At the same time, such materials are by no means eternal: the material gradually disintegrates (the age of tritium is 25 years), and over the years it seems to “evaporate.” So when you notice empty holes on the hands and markers of old watches, know that there was once a tritium-based material there.
According to the standards in force in Switzerland, the letter T is placed on the dial of “tritium” watches. Usually these are watches for scuba diving and other extraordinary activities. By and large, tritium is also harmless to humans, since the range of the emitted electrons is very short (they barely reach the watch glass). It is harmful only in industrial quantities, for example, during production. In the entire Soviet Union there were only two workshops (in Chistopol and Chelyabinsk), where elements of watches and other devices were decorated with tritium.
The radiation dose received by a person when wearing a watch with a radioluminescent dial for a year is 20 times less than the dose received from an X-ray and 525 times less than the dose received by a person within 12 months from natural background radiation. Thus, luminous materials used in watches today do not pose a health hazard.
However, a watch consists of more than just a dial and hands. Some cases and bracelets can also pose a hazard. And the most harmful material used in watches is considered to be nickel. It can cause skin diseases, allergies, burns, itching and other sores. But each person’s sensitivity to nickel is individual, and approximately the same number of people do not tolerate contact with this metal as suffer from, say, cats. Nevertheless, you need to think about everyone, which is why there are standards defined by GOST for the release of nickel in watches. Before going on sale in Russia, all watches, in theory, must successfully pass the nickel release test.
Nickel may be present in the steel of the case and bracelet, but this content is very small. Much more dangerous is the nickel contained in the plating of watches. A number of properties of this metal have led to its widespread use not only in watches, but also in the manufacture of various accessories - belt buckles and handbags, hairpins, jewelry, etc. By the way, they are also subject to regulatory requirements for nickel content.
Nickel release problems most often occur in cheap watches. Although, of course, it’s not a matter of price, but, above all, of production technologies. The plating of some watches consists of a layer of nickel and a layer of decorative coating - usually chrome (if the color of the plating is white), titanium nitride or gold plated (if the color of the plating is yellow). So, sometimes the thickness of the outer coating is so insignificant that it quickly wears off, exposing the nickel hidden underneath.
Decorative coating is always used in watches made of brass or alloy (an alloy based on zinc, aluminum, lead and other components). However, you should not be afraid: not all watches made of brass have nickel in their coating.
Modern technologies do not require the use of nickel as an underlayer material, and all more or less serious companies have long ago modernized their production, since in Europe the sale of watches with a nickel base is simply prohibited. But if you are still afraid of this metal, buy a watch made of steel or titanium. They are absolutely safe because they contain no nickel at all.
Theoretically, a watch strap can also pose a danger, since a solution containing nickel salts is also used when making genuine leather products. This means that a small amount of harmful metal may remain in the strap. However, no one in the watch business has ever heard of a customer being allergic to straps.
At one time, doctors probably expressed fair concerns that the first models of quartz watches used batteries that contained mercury compounds. However, this was quite a long time ago, and as for modern batteries, they are not able to cause any harm to the owner of the watch. This does not mean that they can be disassembled or swallowed. We don't recommend it.
In general, as you probably already understood, watches that are harmful to health are not produced today, and everything depends primarily on the individual characteristics of your body. One begins to choke in the presence of cats, another cries in the spring, a third has an itchy wrist from a leather strap, and doctors do not recommend that severely hypertensive patients wear watches even made of pure gold in the heat. As for individual characteristics, they were once taken into account even when hiring for watch factories.
In addition to the standard medical examination, candidates underwent a sweat test for acidity. If certain standards were exceeded, the path was closed to a person, for example, for assembly, since if a person with high acidity of sweat touched the dial, after a few months it would begin to darken and may even rot entirely.
Most experts believe that fears associated with the dangers of watches are greatly exaggerated. All watches sold in Russia undergo special tests and receive a certificate confirming their safety for the consumer.
Night Vision Tube, LLT, Trigalight, Tritium Gas Light Source- all these are designations of the newest type of illumination using tritium of hands and marks on the dials of advanced models of wristwatches, marine and aviation instruments, and in general any equipment that is used in the dark, at great depths, in caves, in difficult weather conditions, at night .
What is tritium? Why did this lighting method appear only recently? How does tritium illumination work? Is this technology harmful to human health? We will answer everything in order.
Tritium(from the Ancient Greek τρίτος or "third"), is a gas, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, which is represented by the symbols T And 3H. It was discovered by English scientists Ernest Rutherford, Marcus Oliphant and Paul Harteck in 1934. Now it is used in biology and chemistry as a radioactive tag, in experiments to study the properties of neutrinos, in geology for dating natural waters, and in solving many applied problems. But decades pass from the discovery of such a level to utilitarian use. The main thing is where to get industrial tritium in sufficient quantities? Only now has it become possible to obtain it by irradiating lithium-6 with neutrons in nuclear reactors. But tritium is not cheap: the cost of producing a kilogram of this gas is about $30 million. The market price, of course, is much higher.
Operating principle of tritium backlight It’s easy to understand if you remember an ordinary old TV with a picture tube. There, a ray gun sends targeted beams and makes the surface of the screen glow. It's the same here. Tritium is placed in a small sealed container, usually made of borosilicate glass, on the inner surface of which is applied a thin layer of a substance that glows when exposed to electrons. Tritium backlight can also be colored: the most intense in glow and brightness - green, it is taken as 100%. Next in descending order are in comparison with green - yellow (80%), white (60%), pale blue (60%), orange (40%), red (20%) and blue (15%).
Tritium pointer or mark represent sealed vessel, coated inside with a phosphor, or luminous substance, and the application of such a substance can only be done manually. Next is an arrow or mark, number, etc. filled with tritium (hydrogen isotope) and the vessel is sealed. The process of installing the tritium backlight of the watch is also done manually.
Tritium illumination is completely harmless to human health. The energy of the released electrons is so low that the thickness of the phosphor and the walls of the container are sufficient to completely absorb these electrons. Tritium itself does not pose a radiation hazard as long as it is enclosed in sealed tubes that are impenetrable to hydrogen. Exposure to some dose is possible if tritium is inhaled or ingested. But even if the substance leaks from the backlight, there is practically no danger, since there is a very small amount of tritium there, and it simply will not have time to affect the owner of the watch - it will simply evaporate into the atmosphere. But even after entering the body, if it occurs to someone to swallow a broken watch, chewing the hands and markers properly, tritium will soon simply come out of there practically without stopping, causing minimal damage.
And now that you know everything about the properties of tritium and are confident in its safety (materials about this are available in Wikipedia and other sources) - a few words about the benefits of trigalight.
He's different constant glow and complete autonomy. That is, no light sources are required for “feeding”- as long as the tritium has not decayed, the trigalight is in working order. Most light-accumulating compositions require regular light “charging” and lose up to 90% of brightness in the dark within an hour. And trigalite will lose half its brightness only after 12 years from the date of manufacture (tritium half-life is ~ 12.5 years) and 75% of its brightness - in 25 years.
For a diver, a watch with such illumination is irreplaceable! For example, models Luminox A.6251BO, Luminox A.8825KMGHR, Luminox A.9274 Perfect for a high-class diver. And for professionals Luminox has released a line of Deep Dive watches with WR-500 water resistance. Deep Dive– a series for scuba divers and divers, certified according to special underwater equipment standard - ISO 6425. Luminox Deep Dive originally designed to work at depth. And in absolute darkness, depth readings are clearly visible, and the backlight does not require battery power.
Military experts will appreciate the watch Traser H3 watches. They are designed to withstand the most extreme conditions - temperature (not only heat, but also cold!), air humidity, sudden changes in altitude, protected from magnetic fields, resistant to serious mechanical stress and shock, moisture- and waterproof. And here the backlight works - trigalight, which will be visible in the dark, at twilight, fog, under water! Traser P6600.91K.C3.01, Traser P6704.4A0.I2.01, Traser 6602.R51.N4A.01BL are excellent watches for the military, geologists, speleologists, parachutists, and for people spending long periods of time in the wild.
All these are men's watches Traser H3 watches that meet military standard WWW. Watch Traser P 6600 Type 6 Mil-G Certified to US Army standard MIL-PRF-46374G Type 3 Class 1. They are used as military watches and are fully functional USA military watch.
On May 31, 1989, a new military standard officially came into force in the United States. MIL-W-46374E regulating the use of tritium backlighting in military wristwatches. The new illumination system required design changes to the dial and hands. Also on the dial of military watches Traser H3 watches there is a marking H3(tritium).
This is superheavy hydrogen, the nucleus of which consists of two neutrons and a proton. However, in modern watches, the technology of using radioactive isotopes has been simplified to a minimum. Today, the operating principle of tritium illumination looks something like this: a phosphor is applied to the inner surface of a glass vessel and the space is filled with tritium. Next, the flask is sealed, and the atomic reactions that have begun inside the vessel form a dim glow of the applied marks.
The peculiarity of universal illumination is that the lighting process is completely autonomous. It does not require recharging or other tedious manipulations and is used in many modern products: bracelets, handsets, watches. Moreover, the brightness will drop to zero within decades. Therefore, tritium clocks became widely used. Such samples will not “go out” soon. Even after 25 years, a tritium watch will emit a dial glow within 25% of its original brightness.
Production of illuminated watches
Watches with tritium backlight are absolutely safe. This statement is supported by the production of millions of watches using this technology. It was introduced into production in 1991 for the needs of the US Army during Operation Desert Storm. Three years later, Luminox began producing tritium watches. It is especially noteworthy that this model was supplied to the US Navy special forces.
The technology described above is used in the dial and hands. They contain tritium capsules produced by the Swiss company Mb-microtec. "Teaser" - tritium watches are consistently produced based on modern developments. They are purchased by hunters, fishermen, tourists, divers and special services. Despite the fact that Mb-microtec is considered the pioneer of progressive technology, well-known brands have followed in its footsteps: TAWATEC and ArmourLite. They also make tritium backlit watches. The last manufacturer mentioned produces "ISOBrite" with the brightest tritium.
“What is this? A watch with a radioactive substance? It also glows? You don’t have to come home and go cool off with your reactor on your hand!” - this is what they told me at home when they saw an unusual thing. The tritium-backlit watch has caused mixed reactions at home. But their fears were in vain.
In general, I ended up with a black TRITEC BLACK EDITION G watch with a greenish backlight. I tried it in real life in all lighting conditions from slight twilight to absolute darkness. The uniqueness of the watch lies in the following - the tritium backlight perfectly indicates both the clock hands and the dial markers.
The tritium backlight adjusts in proportion to the light level, illuminating all key details of the dial with a subtle glow. All symbols are perfectly visible at any light level.
Another significant advantage of the backlight is the stability of its level, regardless of operating time. The comfortable metal bracelet does not put pressure on the wrist and, at the same time, fits comfortably without dangling. The bracelet has a high degree of strength and reliability, and is additionally equipped with a clasp protection against accidental opening.
The slightly recessed dial gives the watch a special chic. There are no unnecessary flashy details on it, everything is strictly and extremely concise. The arrows and marks are clear, there is no need to look closely.
The watch is water resistant, which has also been tested through numerous experiments. They do not sweat, do not change the passage of time (slowing down or speeding up). These are key points for any consumer, which is why I chose this watch.
Similar innovative technologies are widely used for Swiss military watches.
GTLS (Gaseous Tritium Light Source) is a unique Trigalight light source related to tritium gas watch backlights. We can safely say that this is one of the “bright” (literally and figuratively) technologies adopted from the military and successfully integrated into everyday products.
The know-how was invented and put into mass production by the famous Swiss company Mb-mictrotec. The uniqueness of GTLS technology lies in small light sources that are characterized by stable glow over a quarter of a century. The basis of this phenomenon is the special property of tritium, sealed in miniature flasks, to interact with the phosphor, which lines the surface of the cones on the inside.
I'll check my watch. I want to return home and for this I need proof.
We take a professional dosimeter-search engine. If there is a nuclear reactor there, the dosimeter will show the slightest changes.
The readings have not changed, the distance from the sensor to the watch is 5-4 mm. Why is that? They are definitely made of radioactive material. Tritium itself does not pose a radiation hazard because it is enclosed in sealed tubes inaccessible to hydrogen. Therefore there will be no reaction. Even if the whole thing is broken (which I doubt), the tritium will escape into the atmosphere. There is a tiny amount of it there, and in its pure form it does not participate in the reaction and does not linger in the body. Tritium illumination is allowed in all countries of the world. Can be sent by mail, since such lighting meets the safety standards of Russia and other countries. The real danger can come from things in which tritium has been replaced by who knows what. Avoid fakes.
Additionally, the watch has a shockproof back cover, fixed to the main body using a threaded mechanism. The lid is made of stainless steel. The watch head is screwed down. All this makes the watch even more resistant to any external irritants.
Benefits of Tritec watches.
The mechanism is completely waterproof even during significant dives up to 200m, so it is ideal for diving;
The bracelet and case are made of stainless steel and are not subject to corrosion. Maximum long service life while maintaining high performance characteristics throughout the entire period of use;
The outside of the case is coated with PVD paint;
Shockproof glass has properties superior to sapphire products;
What else do they have?:
Unidirectional bezel installed;
- high-precision Ronda 515 movement, made in Switzerland, which emphasizes its impeccable quality and reliability;
- built-in calendar indicator located between 4 and 5 o'clock;
- stability of the illumination of dial symbols for a quarter of a century, guaranteed by the Swiss company mb-microtec. Specializing in safe technologies for long-term glow;
- each watch model has its own unique number, which gives the right to a warranty for 2 years.
When choosing a watch, future owners will certainly look at the cost of the mechanism, what the case and glass are made of, and what kind of material the strap or bracelet is made of. The question of which watch backlight is better arises less often. Meanwhile, the performance of this function differs significantly in models of different watch brands. We will tell you which backlit watches are comfortable to wear every day in the city, which ones will light your way on a hiking trip, and which ones will pierce the water column with their powerful light when scuba diving.
Fluorescent clock illumination
Back in the 19th century, Swiss craftsmen came up with a way to keep the dial of a pocket watch legible in the dark - the hands and indexes were treated with a luminous substance, barium sulfide. Today, luminescent watch lighting is found in the collections of TAG Heuer, Breitling, Corum and other leaders in the watch industry. Manufacturers treat indexes, hands and watch bezels with light-accumulating compounds.
Breitling Professional EVO Night Mission pilot's watch dial with luminescent markers
SuperLuminova
In 1993, the Japanese company Nemoto introduced a light-accumulating composition (luminophor) based on strontium aluminate. Prior to this, the basis for phosphors was mostly zinc sulfide. The new product shone ten times brighter and longer than its predecessors; in addition, it was non-toxic and economical - the pigment did not fade for years. The composition is called Luminova. The phosphor was “recharged” by contact with light waves with a length of 200-400 nm, the initial color was green. In 1998, industrial production was established, and in 2000, an improved version of SuperLuminova was released - one of the most popular backlights for watches today.
Cozy green glow
SuperLuminova is twice as bright as the 1993 version; divers love watches with this backlight. Dial markers treated with phosphor are perfectly readable at any depth. A striking example is the TAG Heuer Aquaracer watch, which has already become a classic piece of equipment for diving enthusiasts. The model's faceted indices and hands are coated with white SuperLuminova. The glow time from the moment of contact with the light source is 6-12 hours. In this case, the clock will not go out at once - the brightness of the backlight will gradually decrease every hour. A watch with this backlight is suitable for both deep-sea diving and a long evening walk.
Clock with LED backlight
LED watches are popular due to their convenience and their bright light. It is enough to press one button on the case and small LEDs located along the entire diameter will evenly illuminate the entire dial. The famous G-Shock collection of the Japanese brand Casio includes many models with LED backlighting, which is activated intuitively - in poor lighting, just turn your hand and it will turn on itself.
Military-tough GA700 Camo Series with neoshaved backlight
Tritium (super-heavy hydrogen) is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that is actively used in the production of nuclear weapons. Surely, such a characteristic sounds at least alarming, but the fears are in vain - the radioactive element is securely enclosed in sealed borosilicate glass containers. Even if the container is damaged, the substance is not capable of causing harm to health due to its small amount. It is only important to remember that under no circumstances should you swallow or inhale tritium!
Tritium flasks
If the LED backlight depends on a battery, and the accumulative backlight, although it lasts a long time, requires mandatory contact with the light source, the tritium backlight of the watch does not need external recharging and lasts about 25 years. This explains the frequent use of tritium in the creation of night vision devices for the army, aviation and navy.
Trigalight
Trigalight (GTLS, trigalight) is a technology of self-activated tritium backlight for wristwatches, developed by the Swiss company Mb-microtec. The concern has been developing tritium light sources since 1968. The first wristwatch with a trigalight of the Traser brand was released in 1991 by order of the US Department of Defense. The US Army ordered 60,000 watches for units participating in Operation Desert Storm. The debut model Traser P6500 Type 6 was released until 2003.
Classic milatari watch Traser with trigalight
Today, Traser watches with tritium backlight are worn by military personnel in 59 countries. The brand has also become a favorite among lovers of extreme tourism.
Luminox watches
When choosing a model whose dial is readable in any light, pay attention to water resistance.
