Are tritium watches safe to wear? A complete guide for tritium watches
What Is Tritium?
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with the symbol T or 3H. It has one proton and two neutrons in its nucleus, making it heavier than the most common hydrogen isotope. Tritium has a half-life of about 12.3 years, meaning that it takes that amount of time for half of the tritium to decay into helium-3, which is a stable isotope of helium. The beta rays emitted from tritium can be shielded with a thin sheet due to their low energy.
Tritium occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere when cosmic rays strike nitrogen molecules in the air. It can also be produced during nuclear weapons explosions and as a byproduct in nuclear reactors. Tritiated water, which is water containing tritium, has a biological half-life of 10 days but can bind to proteins, fat, and carbohydrates in the body with an average 40-day half-life.
Although large quantities of tritium have been released into the environment, human exposure to tritium is small because it primarily enters the body when people swallow tritiated water, inhale tritium as a gas in the air or absorb it through their skin. Tritiated water moves through the environment like ordinary water and can enter nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats or proteins. Tritium consumed in food poses a slightly greater health risk than tritiated water because it retains longer in the body.
How do the tritium illumination work?
Tritium illumination works by using small amounts of tritium in combination with a phosphor material. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, with a nucleus containing two neutrons that are not usually present in hydrogen atoms. The tritium emits electrons through beta-decay, which excite the phosphor and cause it to emit visible light. Tritium radioluminescence is the use of gaseous tritium to create visible light. The electrons emitted by the tritium come into direct contact with the phosphor, resulting in the phosphor being energized and producing continuous light output.
Tritium glow lights are marketed as self-illuminating safety devices for identifying a location in hours of darkness or low visibility conditions. They can be used for exit signs, watch tiles, flashlights, and rifle sights. In exit signs, tritium gas is contained in sealed glass vials lined with a light-emitting phosphorous compound; the isotope emits low-energy radiation that causes the compound to glow continuously for up to 20 years without requiring any external power source.
Tritium for the watches
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that is used in self-illuminating watches. Tritium gas is sealed inside tiny glass tubes, which are coated with a thin layer of phosphor powder and then exposed to electrons. This creates a low-level light that glows continuously for up to 25 years. Tritium watches are popular among military personnel due to their ability to be read in low light or total darkness. They are also available commercially, with brands such as Aquatico offering tritium dive watches on Aquaticowatch.com.
How long does the tritium last on the watches?
Tritium has a half-life of 12 years. This means that after 12 years, half of the glow will be gone, and after another 12 years, only 25% of the original glow will remain[1]. Tritium gas is used in tubes for lume applications in modern watches. The tritium constantly emits electrons through beta decay, which interact with a phosphorous material to create a fluorescent light that can last up to 20 years.
There are conflicting reports on how long tritium glows usefully for. Some posts claim that it glows usefully for 10, 15 or even 20 years, while others state that the useful glow is only a few years. However, tritium watches are known for holding a constant and bright glow for up to 25 years thanks to the use of tritium gas inside borosilicate glass capsules.
In summary, tritium has a half-life of 12 years and its glow will diminish over time. Tritium gas is used in tubes for lume applications in modern watches and can last up to 20 years. However, tritium watches are known for holding a constant and bright glow for up to 25 years.
Are there any safety concerns with tritium watches?
are tritium watches safe to wear?
Tritium watches are not dangerous and are safe to wear. Tritium emits a very weak beta particle, and people are exposed to small amounts of radiation. The only way tritium can be dangerous is if it is ingested. A person who wore a BP with tritium painted hands and indices continuously from 2000 to 2009 did not experience any health concerns related to the minimal radiation in tritium watches.
As a soft beta emitter, Tritium is incapable of penetrating the outer skin layers and used in our watches, the Tritium illumination does not emit any harmful radiation because the electrons cannot pass through the hermetically sealed glass capillaries.
We source all of our GTLS from mb-microtec of Switzerland – the original founders and market leaders of the technology and you can find more information on them via the trigalight website (https://trigalight.com/).
What are the benefits of tritium watches?
| Tritium | Traditional Iuminous/Light Sources | |
| Brightness | 100 Times Brighter Than Traditional Luminous | Normal |
| Glowing Time | 24 Hour Glowing Even Under Sunlight | Only In The Dark Environment |
| Life Span | 25 years | Around 5-10 years |
| Need Charging Of Light | No | Yes |
| Need "Push To Light" System | No | Yes |
Tritium watches have several benefits over traditional luminescent watches. Tritium illumination provides a constant glow throughout the night, unlike traditional illumination such as Super-LumiNova which gradually fades in a matter of hours. The legibility of tritium is superb and does not fade through the night. Tritium watches glow up to 100 times more brightly than ordinary luminescent watches and require no external light source to recharge the illumination.
One of the biggest advantages of tritium watches is that they do not need batteries or an external light source to charge them up. This means that they are always ready to use, even in low-light conditions. Tritium constantly emits large quantities of electrons, which collide with the luminescent layer on the inside of the glass tube, creating a constant glow.
Tritium watches are also popular among military personnel and elite forces because they provide good sight acquisition in low-light conditions. They are also durable and can withstand harsh environments. Several brands offer tritium watches, including Aquatico, Armourlite, IsoBright Watches, Traser Watches, H3 Tactical Watches, UZI Watches, Smith and Wesson Watches, Wrist Armor Tritium Watches and Mondaine Watches.
Tritium T25 VS T100, Which is better and what's the difference?
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that is used to illuminate watch dials. The T25 and T100 designations refer to the amount of tritium gas that is hermetically sealed in the glass tubes in a watch. T25 watches have up to 25 mCi (millicuries) of tritium gas, while T100 means there is up to 100 mCi of tritium gas in the watch. The radiation content of watches with a T25 mark contains no more than 25mCi of radiation content, and similarly, watches with a T100 mark contain no more than 100mCi.
T100 represents the latest technology in tritium watches and makes seeing the time in the dark much easier on the eyes. The increased visible brightness of T100 makes it four times brighter than traditional T25 strength Tritium used by virtually all their competitors. However, it should be noted that both T25 and T100 are safe for human use as they emit low levels of radiation.
In summary, the difference between Tritium T25 and Tritium T100 is the amount of tritium gas that is hermetically sealed in the glass tubes in a watch. Watches with a T25 rating contain up to 25mCi of radiation content, while watches with a T100 rating contain above 25mCi and up to 100mCi. The increased visible brightness of Tritium T100 makes it four times brighter than traditional Tritium strength used by virtually all their competitors.
How to care your tritium watch?
Tritium watches are different from other watches because they use a radioactive isotope of hydrogen called Tritium H-3 as the luminous substance on watch dials. The substance doesn't glow on its own but needs to be activated or "charged" by an external light source. It is important to mention that Tritium used for Rolex watches with luminescent parts is not harmful when sealed inside the watch.
To care for your tritium watch, it is recommended to remove the dial and hands of radium/tritium watches while wearing nitrile gloves and place them in a secure location. If you need to restore your tritium watch, it is best to clean it up and possibly fix anything that is broken without re-luming or re-finishing it.
It is essential to handle tritium watches with care. If you need to open your tritium watch, make sure you know what you are doing and take necessary precautions. It would be best if you did not repeat mistakes made in the past when opening watches without knowing that there were other radioactive materials used apart from radium.
Recommend tritium watches 2023
There are several options for tritium watches in 2023. When choosing a tritium watch, it is important to consider the size and weight of the watch, as well as the quality of the tritium illumination system . Tritium is a highly reliable material for self-powered illumination, but not all tritium watches are created equal. Look for a watch with a high-quality tritium illumination system that will provide consistent and long-lasting glow . The lifespan of a tritium watch can be affected by several factors, such as the quality of the tritium illumination system, the overall durability of the watch, and how the watch is used and cared for.
Some of the best tritium watches on the market in 2023 include
Marathon Search & Rescue Diver's Automatic Watch,
The Marathon Search & Rescue Diver's Automatic is a dive watch built to ISO 6425 standards and designed for use by Search and Rescue (SAR) divers. It is issued to the United States Marine Corps and is built to withstand extreme conditions. The watch is water-resistant down to 30 ATM - 300 meters (1000 feet) underwater, and it uses a scratch-resistant sapphire glass. The Marathon GSAR 41 mm Diver’s watch is made from 316L surgical grade stainless steel, making it a high-quality, purpose-built watch that can reliably accompany you on any adventure
Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark Chronograph Watch,
The Luminox Navy Seal Colormark Chronograph watch is a popular watch collection inspired by the Navy SEALs and designed specifically for highly trained tactical teams. The collection features a chronograph function that performs as a stopwatch, with an independent sweep second hand that can be started, stopped, and returned to zero by successive pressure on the stem. The watch also has a date display at 4 o'clock.
MWC P656 2023 Model Titanium Tactical Series Watch with GTLS Tritium and Ten Year Battery Life (Date Version),
The MWC P656 2023 Model Titanium Tactical Series Watch with GTLS Tritium and Ten Year Battery Life (Date Version) is a robust watch designed for law enforcement, marine, surface, and airborne applications. It is manufactured to surpass U.S W-46374F Type 6 specifications. The watch has a high-quality Ronda high precision Quartz Movement (Ronda calibre 715li) that can withstand high G-forces. It is water-resistant up to 300m.
Traser P67 Officer Pro Gunmetal Black Chronograph Watch with Sapphire Crystal #107718
The Traser P67 Officer Pro GunMetal Black chronograph watch features a black dial, anti-reflective sapphire glass, and a PVD-coated stainless steel case. The watch is equipped with trigalight self-powered illumination technology, making it readable in all temperature and visibility conditions. It has a NATO strap and is water-resistant up to 10 atm/10 bar.
The watch is also available on other websites such as Aristor Watches and R2A Watches. The Traser P67 Officer Pro GunMetal Black chronograph watch is part of the P67 Officer Pro series, which has clear and purist lines that provide the collection with its fresh and urban look.
It is worth noting that Traser watches were supplied to the US army in 1991 and have since become popular among civilians and athletes due to their solidity, durability, and precision.
Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II DG2018C-S9C-BE Men's Watch
The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II DG2018C-S9C-BE is a men's watch with a 42mm case diameter. It has a 24-hour scale on the bezel with red (day) and blue (night) zones. The watch features an automatic caliber BALL RR1201-C movement, which is COSC certified and beats at 28,800 vph (4Hz). It has a power reserve of +/- 42 hours and contains 21 jewels. The case is made of stainless steel and has a solid case back.
The watch comes with different bracelet options such as stainless steel or NATO strap. The price of the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II DG2018C-S9C-BE varies depending on the retailer. It can be purchased for $2879.00 from Prestige Time, $3,599.00 from Abt, or $3599 from Chrono24[1][2][5]. Exquisite Timepieces lists it as out of stock but offers financing options for purchasing the watch.
Overall, the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II DG2018C-S9C-BE is a high-quality men's watch that features an automatic movement and unique design elements such as the 24-hour scale on the bezel.
Isobrite ISO3003 Afterburner Black T100 Tritium Illuminated Watch
The Isobrite ISO3003 Afterburner Black T100 Tritium Illuminated Watch is a 47mm black and gray accented Swiss Made watch that features 21 ultra-bright T100 tritium markers that will glow for many decades. The combination of green and orange tritium markers makes it incredibly easy to tell the time in any lighting environment. The watch has a black nylon military-style band with stainless steel hardware and comes with a spring bar pin tool for swapping out bands.
The Isobrite T100 watches have tiny glass tubes that are filled with up to 100 mCi of tritium gas and then hermetically sealed. The electrons of the gas continuously react with phosphorescent paint resulting in a radio luminescent light source that glows constantly for many decades. No external power is required.
The watch also features a date display, low-battery EOL indicator, and hacking function. It is powered by a Swiss-Made Ronda 715Li movement. The Isobrite Afterburner Series limited edition watches were inspired by the incredible power of the twin afterburners of the F-22 Raptor, not only in shape but also in visible intensity. When the afterburners ignite to thrust the F-22 through the night sky, the exhaust flames light up the night. The manufacturer has successfully harnessed the power of the F-22 afterburners with these incredibly bright and rugged watches.
Aquatico Super Charger Bronze T100 Tritium Dive watch.
The Aquatico Super Charger Bronze T100 Tritium Dive Watch is a vintage-style diving watch with a Black dial and a unidirectional ceramic bezel. It has a case made of CuSn8 bronze, which gives it a unique look that will develop a patina over time. The watch has a water resistance of 1000m, making it suitable for professional diving. The lume on the watch is T100 tritium, which provides excellent visibility in low light conditions.
The Super Charger is Aquatico's brightest tritium watch to date. It comes in different dial colors such as green and blue. The tritium sticks on the dial and hands shine very brightly, although not as brightly as freshly exposed luma. The watch has a screw-down crown and is powered by an Swiss Made ETA2824-2 automatic movement.
Overall, the Aquatico Super Charger Bronze T100 Tritium Dive Watch is an excellent choice for those who want a vintage-style diving watch with modern features. Its unique design and high-quality materials make it stand out from other dive watches on the market.
Aquatico Steel Man T100 Tritium Automatic Watch
The Aquatico Steel Man T100 Tritium Automatic Watch is a diving watch that features Tritium illumination technology, which provides a constant glow throughout the night and has been trusted for decades. The watch is powered by a Seiko NH35 automatic movement and has an AR-coated sapphire crystal and a glossy ceramic bezel insert. The case of the watch measures 43.5mm wide, 50mm long, and 15.5 thick, with a lug to lug distance of 50mm. The watch has a water resistance of 1000m.
Aquatico offers several models of Tritium watches for men and women on their website, including the Aquatico Steel Man Black Dial Ceramic Bezel Watch (Swiss ETA2824-2) and the Aquatico Super Ocean Blue Dial (Swiss ETA2824-2) T100 tritium watches. The Aquatico Steel Man Green NH35 is available for purchase on Aquaticowatch.com.
There is also a YouTube video that examines the Aquatico Super Ocean (SW200) T100 Tritium Watch hands-on.
AQUATICO SUPER OCEAN BLUE DIAL (SWISS MADE ETA2824-2) T100 TRITIUM WATCH
The Aquatico Super Ocean Blue Dial (Swiss Made ETA2824-2) T100 Tritium Watch is a dive watch that features Swiss-made ETA2824-2 automatic movement and T100 tritium illumination. The watch has a blue dial with white hour markers and hands, and a date window at the 4:30 o'clock position. The case is made of stainless steel, and the watch has a unidirectional rotating bezel with a blue ceramic insert. The watch is water-resistant up to 300 meters.it is a well-regarded dive watch that offers good value for its price point. The T100 tritium illumination is a notable feature that provides excellent visibility in low-light conditions. The Swiss-made ETA2824-2 automatic movement is also highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability.Overall, if you are looking for an affordable dive watch with high-quality features such as tritium illumination and Swiss-made movement, the Aquatico Super Ocean Blue Dial (Swiss Made ETA2824-2) T100 Tritium Watch may be worth considering.
These watches use high-quality tritium illumination systems that provide consistent and long-lasting glow.
Tritium watches are self-illuminating and do not require charging with light or an external power supply.
They glow continuously for up to 25 years . The price range for these watches varies depending on brand and features.
It is important to choose a watch that fits your budget while also meeting your needs.
