Introduction
Super-LumiNova has become the industry standard for luminous watch materials, offering safety, durability, and impressive performance. Understanding the Super-LumiNova grades and applications is essential for watch manufacturers looking to optimize their designs and meet consumer expectations. This comprehensive guide explores the grades of Super-LumiNova, their performance characteristics, and practical applications in watchmaking.
The Evolution of Luminous Watch Materials
Luminous watch materials have undergone significant evolution over the past century. Early 20th-century watches used radium-based luminous paints, which posed serious health risks due to their radioactivity. The industry transitioned to safer alternatives like zinc sulfide and eventually to strontium aluminate-based materials, which led to the development of Super-LumiNova in the 1990s.
Super-LumiNova is a Swiss-made illumination product manufactured using 100% Swiss materials and contains no radioactive chemicals, making it completely safe for both manufacturers and consumers. This material boasts high resistance to environmental changes and meets the REACH criteria set by the European Chemicals Agency. Developed through significant research and experimentation, Super-LumiNova is now manufactured and sold in powder form, available in various qualities and colors to suit different watchmaking needs.
Understanding the Three Grades of Super-LumiNova
Super-LumiNova is currently available in three primary grades, each offering different performance levels:
Standard Grade
The Standard Grade represents the baseline Super-LumiNova product. While still offering reliable luminescence, it serves as the reference point against which the performance of higher grades is measured. This grade is often used in mid-range watches where cost considerations must be balanced with acceptable luminous performance.
Grade A
Grade A Super-LumiNova offers improved performance over the Standard Grade. It provides enhanced brightness and longer-lasting luminescence, making it suitable for quality timepieces. Many Swiss watch manufacturers utilize Grade A Super-LumiNova for their premium models to ensure excellent readability in low-light conditions.
Grade X1
Grade X1 is the most recently developed and highest-performing Super-LumiNova grade currently available. According to manufacturer data, Grade X1 delivers a performance increase of up to 60% after two hours compared to the Standard Grade. This significant improvement extends legibility according to the ISO 3157 standard by at least a factor of 1.6 over the long term. Grade X1 represents the cutting edge in luminous watch technology and is preferred for luxury timepieces where performance is paramount.
Performance Comparison: How Different Super-LumiNova Grades Stack Up
When comparing the performance of different Super-LumiNova grades, several key metrics stand out:
| Grade | Relative Brightness | Performance After 2 Hours | ISO 3157 Standard Extension | Best Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Grade | Baseline (100%) | Baseline | Standard compliance | Entry to mid-range watches |
| Grade A | Superior to Standard | Better than Standard | Extended compliance | Premium watches |
| Grade X1 | Highest | 60% better than Standard | Extended by factor of 1.6 | Luxury and professional watches |
This performance difference is achieved through refined formulations and manufacturing processes that RC Tritec AG has developed through its 80+ years of experience in luminous materials. For watch manufacturers, selecting the appropriate grade involves balancing performance requirements with cost considerations.
The Color Spectrum of Super-LumiNova
Super-LumiNova is available in eight main afterglow colors, offering watchmakers creative flexibility in their designs:
Afterglow Colors
BL – Blue Line (blue emission)
GL – Green Line (green emission)
VL – Violet Line (violet emission)
WL – White Line (white emission)
YL – Yellow Line (yellow emission)
OL – Orange Line (orange emission)
PL – Pink Line (pink emission)
UL – Ultramarine Line (ultramarine blue emission)
Popular Super-LumiNova Pigments
Among these color options, three specific pigments have gained popularity in the watch industry due to their superior performance:
C3: Known for exceptional brightness and a slightly yellowish-green color in daylight with a green afterglow
BGW-9: Offers a pure white appearance in daylight with a blue afterglow
T-C1: Provides good brightness with specific color characteristics
These pigments are particularly favored for dive watches and aviator timepieces, where optimal legibility in various conditions is essential. Each pigment offers different aesthetic and functional characteristics, allowing manufacturers to tailor their watch designs to specific requirements and consumer preferences.
Advanced Application Techniques: Maximizing Luminosity
The performance of Super-LumiNova isn’t solely determined by the grade selected but also by the application technique:
Traditional Application Methods
In traditional applications, steel indexes are shaped with hollow middle parts where a mixture of lume pigments and varnisher is filled. While effective, this method has limitations in terms of the volume of luminous material that can be applied.
Multiple Layer Application
Technical research has shown that Super-LumiNova watches glow brighter when manufacturers apply multiple layers of lume to watch components. This layering technique increases the concentration of luminous material, resulting in improved performance. However, there’s a point of diminishing returns where additional thickness doesn’t significantly enhance brightness, as the curve of luminosity versus deposit thickness eventually flattens.
Lumicast: The Next Generation of Luminous Technology
Lumicast represents an innovative advancement in the application of luminous materials:
What is Lumicast?
Lumicast consists of high-precision Swiss-made ceramic-alike parts with luminous effect. Unlike traditional methods, Lumicast parts are 100% made of Swiss Super-LumiNova, created by filling lume pigments into silicon molds and allowing them to dry. This results in solid casted pieces with extremely high concentrations of luminous material.
Performance Benefits
The higher concentration of Swiss Super-LumiNova in Lumicast ceramic parts yields much greater brightness than conventional luminous deposits. This technology has previously been used primarily by prestigious brands like IWC and H. Moser & Cie, but is now becoming available to a broader range of manufacturers.
Production Process
Lumicast production involves a sophisticated process:
Designing precise hour markers or other components
Creating silicon molds to the exact specifications
Filling the molds with Super-LumiNova pigments
Drying and finishing the components
This process requires collaboration with specialized producers like RC Tritec AG and dial makers such as Les Cadraniers De Genève to ensure optimal results
FAQ
Grade X1 provides up to 60% better performance after two hours compared to Standard Grade, with Grade A falling between these two. The performance difference becomes especially noticeable in extended low-light situations, making higher grades particularly valuable for professional diving or aviation watches.
Super-LumiNova’s glow duration depends on the grade, application thickness, and charging conditions. While specific duration data varies, Grade X1 extends legibility according to ISO 3157 standards by at least a factor of 1.6 compared to Standard Grade. Typically, higher grades remain visible for several hours after exposure to light.
The C3 and BGW-9 pigments are generally considered to offer the best brightness and afterglow performance. C3 produces a green afterglow while BGW-9 yields a blue afterglow. The choice between them often depends on the overall design aesthetic and specific visibility requirements of the watch.
Super-LumiNova works like small batteries that charge with sunlight or artificial light and release the stored energy in darkness. Regular exposure to light is sufficient to maintain performance, with no special maintenance required. Unlike radium or tritium-based lumes, Super-LumiNova doesn’t degrade over time due to radioactive decay.
Lumicast is a newer technology that uses solid cast ceramic parts made entirely of Super-LumiNova pigments, while traditional applications involve filling hollow parts with a mixture of lume and varnish. The higher concentration in Lumicast results in superior brightness and afterglow performance compared to conventional application methods.
Understanding the different grades of Super-LumiNova is essential for watch manufacturers looking to create timepieces with optimal performance in low-light conditions. From the baseline Standard Grade to the high-performing Grade X1, each option offers different benefits and applications in watchmaking.
For manufacturers, selecting the appropriate grade involves balancing performance requirements with cost considerations, while also considering the application technique and color options. Innovative technologies like Lumicast further expand the possibilities for creating watches with exceptional luminous properties.
As a watch manufacturer, staying informed about these developments in luminous technology can provide a competitive edge in a market where performance, safety, and environmental considerations continue to grow in importance. By choosing the right Super-LumiNova grade and application method, manufacturers can enhance the functionality, aesthetic appeal, and value of their timepieces.