Luminous Rolex Watches: A History of Super-LumiNova
Rolex, a luxury watch brand known for its precision and durability, uses luminous material on the hands and indices of its watches to ensure readability in any light. In recent years, the luminous material of choice for Rolex has been Super-LumiNova. This article delves into the historical background, properties, and reasons for Rolex’s adoption of Super-LumiNova.
What is Super-LumiNova?
Super-LumiNova is a phosphorescent pigment co-developed by RC Tritec AG of Switzerland, based on LumiNova, which was developed by Nemoto & Co., Ltd. 1. It was initially developed in 1993 by Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd. in Japan as “N-Luminous / LumiNova” 2. In 1998, LumiNova AG was established as a joint venture between Nemoto Special Chemical and Tritec AG of Switzerland 4, establishing a supply system for the Swiss watch industry.
With strontium aluminate as its main component 5, it absorbs external light energy and emits light in the dark. Compared to conventional luminous paints, it boasts a longer luminescence duration and is about 10 times brighter 6. Furthermore, it does not contain any radioactive materials, making it safe for both humans and the environment 9. Super-LumiNova can be applied to various watch parts, including dials, bezels, and hands, to enhance visibility in the dark 11.
Luminous Paints Used by Rolex
| Paint | Main Component | Characteristics | Adoption Period | Example Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radium | Radium | Naturally luminescent, but poses health risks due to radioactivity | Until the early 1960s | Ref.6542, Ref.5508 |
| Tritium | Tritium | Radioactive substance with higher safety than radium | Mid-1960s to late 1990s | Ref.6538, Ref.1680 |
| Super-LumiNova | Strontium aluminate | Non-radioactive luminous paint | Late 1990s to present | Submariner Ref.16610, Explorer II Ref.16570 |
| Chromalight | Strontium aluminate | Rolex’s proprietary Super-LumiNova | 2008 to present | Deepsea Sea-Dweller, Submariner (post-2008) |
Types and Colors of Super-LumiNova
Super-LumiNova comes in various types and colors, including blue, green, purple, white, yellow, orange, pink, and ultramarine 17, each with different luminescence durations and brightness levels 19. The color of Super-LumiNova is adjusted by adding various colorants to the luminescent pigment. These colorants absorb light and may affect the brightness of the luminescence 20.
Rolex often uses C3 grade Super-LumiNova, but other colors and grades are used depending on the model and period. C3 is a grade that emits green light and is said to be the brightest among Super-LumiNova 21. Since 2008, some models have adopted Chromalight, a blue-emitting Super-LumiNova developed by Rolex 7. Chromalight has approximately twice the luminescence duration of standard Super-LumiNova, ensuring high visibility even in dark places such as the deep sea, making it suitable for diver’s watches.
In addition to its diverse colors, Super-LumiNova also boasts excellent durability.
Durability and Aging of Super-LumiNova
Super-LumiNova is highly durable and hardly discolors with age 7 due to its ceramic-based main ingredient 8. On the other hand, tritium has a half-life of about 12 years, and its luminescence fades with age 7. Tritium paint can also cause discoloration of the dial over time 24. However, this discoloration is valued among collectors as proof of the authenticity of vintage watches and for the unique patina it creates 25.
Super-LumiNova is superior to tritium in that it maintains high visibility over long periods. However, as it is a phosphorescent paint that absorbs and emits light, rather than emitting light on its own like radioactive materials, it needs to be exposed to light regularly to maintain its brightness 26.
Why Rolex Adopted Super-LumiNova
Rolex adopted Super-LumiNova for the following reasons:
- Safety: It does not contain radioactive materials and has no impact on humans or the environment.
- High brightness: It is about 10 times brighter than conventional luminous paints.
- Long life: It has a long luminescence duration, ensuring visibility over long periods.
- Durability: It has little deterioration over time and can be used semi-permanently.
For these reasons, Super-LumiNova is an ideal luminous paint for Rolex watches.
Conclusion
Super-LumiNova not only enhances the visibility of Rolex watches, but also provides safety, durability, and environmental friendliness. Rolex constantly pursues the best technology and continues to evolve its watches. The adoption of Super-LumiNova symbolizes this attitude and is one of the reasons why Rolex watches continue to be loved worldwide.
The advent of Super-LumiNova marked a major turning point in the history of luminous paint in the watch industry. By eliminating the dangers of radioactive materials and realizing safer and higher-performance luminous paints, the functionality and design of watches have dramatically improved. Super-LumiNova is used not only in the watch industry but also in various other fields, making our lives more convenient and safer. By adopting Super-LumiNova, Rolex contributes not only to improving the functionality of its watches but also to fulfilling its social responsibilities, such as environmental issues and sustainability.