![]() Some of the dials are called “tropical” because they also changed color in time due to exposure to sunlight in tropical areas (usually). Even some modern watches (Jeager leCoultre and Omega, to name a few) are made with “fake” patina, yellow luminous material. Vintage collectors grew up to appreciate a beautiful aged lume on their watches and a rich yellow patina, orange or brown is always desired if original and natural. Strontium aluminate based afterglow pigments are marketed under brandnames like Super-LumiNova, watchlume, NoctiLumina, and Glow in the Dark (Phosphorescent) Technologies.” Strontium oxide aluminate based pigments are now used in exit signs, pathway marking, and other safety related signage. However, the development of strontium oxide aluminate, with a luminance approximately 10 times greater than zinc sulfide, has relegated most zinc sulfide based products to the novelty category. ![]() ![]() Use of zinc sulfide for safety related products dates back to the 1930s. Formerly, lume consisted mostly of radium however, radium is radioactive and has been mostly replaced on new watches by less bright, but less toxic compounds.Ĭommon pigments used in lume include the phosphorescent pigments zinc sulfide and strontium aluminate. There are some people who “relume” watches, or replace faded lume. “Lume is a short term for the luminous phosphorescent glowing solution applied on watch dials.
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