If you’ve ever wondered what the best tritium watches are, you may enjoy reading this article. We’ll delve into the history of luminous materials in watchmaking and how tritium came to be what it is today.
The need to read the time in the dark is paramount to those with demanding jobs that operate through the night. Whether you’re a security guard, a combat soldier, or a PADI night diver, you’ll need to reference your watch.
So, what is tritium and how did it come to be?
Well, to answer that question, we need to delve back into the archives to see how luminescent material has evolved.
Table of Contents
The History of Tritium Watches
For hundreds of years, watchmakers have been trying to improve this area of expertise. Minute repeaters and sonneries were once a solution to this, but they proved expensive.
A cheaper alternative arrived in the early 1900s — luminous paint. But this method also brought challenges of its own. The earliest substances proved unsafe.
The first luminous material launched in a watch was a radioactive substance named radium in the 1920s. Founded by Guido Panerai, it provided a long-lasting glow, yet factory workers soon began falling ill and dying.
Safer working environments and a ban on Radiomir would follow in the 1960s.
The replacement of radium-based luminous material was a compound named Promethium. It was less radioactive but only produced 2.5 years of glow.
Next came Tritium H-3. The radioactive isotope of hydrogen offered 12 years of battery life and was less hazardous to work with.
The same material boosted the explosive powers of atomic bombs. It did, however, tend to seep onto the wrist (yikes!). Subsequently, there came a ban on brands using this material for their watches.
The majority of watch brands used a newer replacement for tritium named Super-LumiNova. It worked differently, absorbing light and gradually fading, recharging in daylight the following day.
Those who stuck with the material found a different way to harness its qualities.
Enter tube-filled tritium watches…
The Evolution of Tritium Watches
Even when the industry adopted Super-LumiNova universally, many still preferred tritium. It was, after all, stronger and brighter. Without needing an outside light source, it could offer longer-lasting luminescence.
A solution presented itself in the 1990s with the launch of the GTLS process. It required filling glass tubes with small amounts of H3 gas and adding them to the watch dial.
Glass tubes were less permeable thanks to a luminous powder applied to the inside. Once this powder reacted with the electrons in the gas, it produced a strong glow.
Watches incorporating this luminous technology became some of the best tools on the market. The expansion of different colored gas tubes has made for even more visual effects in a watch.
What is the Best Tritium Watch?
Answering the question; “What is the best tritium watch?” is not exactly straight-forward. There are several brands known worldwide for their innovative tritium watch designs.
Take, for example, Traser, who designed the P68 Pathfinder Automatic. It is one of the best tactical tritium watches out there.
Also, the Ball Engineer III Legend Chronograph is another notable model. Thanks to its innovative Night Reading Evolution, it offers exceptional color and readability at night.
If you like military watches, the Marathon General Purpose Mechanical is affordable and practical enough for everyday use.
It uses tritium gas tubes to illuminate its dial during important tactical missions or night-based exploration. It would be unfair not to mention Luminox too. The brand has an esteemed reputation for creating tritium watches.
Models like the. Original Navy Seal 3001 focuses on night-time legibility with its stealthy design.
Brands That Make the Best Tritium Watches
As mentioned, there are several watch brands still using tritium as their luminous material. Contained in glass tubes on the dial, they can provide a bright and longer-lasting glow.
Here is an overview of some of the most well-known brands associated with making tritium watches.
Ball Watch Company
Long-in-the-tooth brand Ball Watch Company is the most prominent manufacturer of tritium watches. Founded in La Chaux de Fonds, it played a pivotal role in developing accurate railroad instruments.
Ball’s patented anti-shock and anti-magnetic systems, as well as its chronometer-certified timepieces still impress enthusiasts today.
Above all, Ball incorporates “Night Reading Evolution” technology into its watches, and makes use of tritium gas tubes on the dial.
The gas tubes are almost unbreakable. Even if they were to break, the gas can evaporate safely.
Some models are distinguishable for their high number of micro-gas tubes in an array of glowing colors.
Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon NEDU
The Engineer Hydrocarbon NEDU watch uses 27 micro-gas tubes. The watch also features a COSC-certified movement and the signature railroad-inspired RR counterweight on the seconds hand.
The movement is also resistant to magnetic fields reaching up to 80,000 gauss thanks to a mu-metal alloy inner cage. It also features a proprietary Amortiser system for superior shock resistance.
Luminox
Born in the 1980s, Luminox pretty quickly became well-known for its high-performance sports watches. Navy SEALS and other military units use Luminox watches. Even Bear Grylls has enjoyed a partnership with this brand.
Luminox claims its watches last up to 25 years with Tritium tubes that glow 24/7.
Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle Giant 44mm – 0337
The Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle Giant watch is a model you’ll want to wear if you’re into beefy dive watches. Its rugged 44mm CARBONOX case features a 100-meter water resistance.
Its unidirectional rotating bezel is perfect for tracking elapsed time with a visible 60-minute dive scale.
What’s more, its turtle-shaped case with a protected crown is perfect for land-based missions too. One of the most appealing features has to be its Khaki green-colored dial.
Traser
Traser has origins that link to a Bern-based company. That same company also worked with Ball to develop an innovative light technology for a US Army watch. Its P6500 Type 6 was the first ever self-illuminated watch in history.
Today, Traser watches still have a strong military focus.
If you like tool watches and field watches, Traser is a brand you’ll enjoy perusing. Its outdoor, diving, and tactical watches benefit from tritium tubes.
Traser fills its laser-cut glass tubes with the brand’s “trigalight” technology, constituting a highly legible watch for all purposes.
Traser H3 SuperSub Blue 46
The SuperSub Blue watch from Traser’s H3, collection could quite possibly be the brand’s most luminous design. Its 50-meter water-resistant case measuring 46mm is a sporty and confident design.
Its Trigalight technology meets the needs of divers and the military. Its dial in deep blue boasts the original luminous technology developed by mb-microtec, ensuring permanent, bright glowing dial elements, even in the darkest of environments.
Marathon
Marathon has been a renowned manufacturer of watches for the North American market since the 1940s. It has supplied the US Armed Forces with reliable tools, mainly thanks to its luminous, legible dials.
Designed in Canada but made in Switzerland, these unique watches are incredibly durable.
Marathon uses H3 gas tubes, which come in the form of models like the General Purpose Mechanical Field Watch.
Marathon General Purpose Mechanical Field Watch
Joining this guide to the best tritium watches is the Marathon General Purpose Mechanical Field watch. It’s a great all-rounder. Its dual winding movement, which can operate in manual or automatic format measures a compact 34mm size.
Of all the luminous watches we’ve mentioned in this article, the Marathon is the most manageable in size.
Its black dial with tritium-filled tubes becomes illuminated with a rich glow at night.
As well as the usual 12 Arabic numeral hour markers, the watch also features a 25-hour scale that gives the watch its familiar field watch aesthetic.
Best Alternatives to Tritium Watches
So, what are the best alternatives to tritium watches? Well, hands down, tritium is the best kind of luminous material for those who need unparalleled readability in a watch.
That said, there are alternatives on the market that impress with their luminous capability. The reason why luminosity in watches varies is that different brands use different blends of materials.
In most cases, the key ingredient is strontium aluminate. The brightness produced, however, depends on the chemistry of the luminous materials.
Many believe that Omega, Seiko, and Panerai produce some of the most luminous watches using Super-LumiNova. Seiko’s LumiBrite is a version of the material, while Rolex calls its version of the material Chromalight.
Below: Seiko LumiBrite technology
Whether you choose tritium watches or an equivalent like Super-LumiNova, a legible watch for the dark is a necessity. Luminous material Is something that will likely continue to evolve in watch development.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about watch dials with tritium features.
Do any Watches Still Use Tritium?
Not many watch brands use tritium in their watch dials today. Instead, the industry uses a light-absorbing material called Super-LumiNova.
What is the Lifespan of a Tritium Watch?
After 12 years, Tritium will reach its half-life. This means that thereafter, the material will perform less effectively and with less brilliance. Despite this, a tritium watch can have a life span expectancy of 25 years in total.
Is it Legal to Buy Tritium Watches in the US?
Tritium watches that use the luminous gas inside glass tubes on a watch dial are safe. You can therefore purchase tritium watches in the US.
Conclusion
The big advantage of tritium in a watch is that it doesn’t need charging. The material is now safe to use and many brands are using it for its longer-lasting, brighter glow. Luminox, Ball, Traser, and Marathon watches are just a few examples of brands manufacturing tritium watches.
That said, most luxury watches on the market offer a sufficient luminosity.
The question remains whether you are happy with the rechargeable qualities of Super-LumiNova. If not, the guarantee of 25 years of consistent glow offered by a tritium watch may be the better option for you.
For more luminous watch options, you may find this curated list by The Slender Wrist helpful.
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