Shedding Light on Lume: The Glowing Feature of Redwood Watches
When it comes to watches, there’s something undeniably captivating about a timepiece that glows in the dark. At Redwood Watches, we use applied Super-LumiNova® lume to provide that beautiful glow, ensuring you can tell the time even in low-light conditions. However, we’ve noticed some confusion about how lume works, especially compared to electronic backlighting like Indiglo® found in digital watches. Let’s delve into what lume is, its fascinating history, and why it’s a key feature in many high-quality timepieces.
What Is Lume?
Lume, short for “luminous material,” is a special compound applied to the hands, hour markers, or dials of a watch to make them glow in the dark. Unlike electronic backlighting, lume doesn’t require batteries or circuits. Instead, it works by absorbing light energy from a source like sunlight or artificial light, storing it, and then releasing it slowly as a glow.
The lume we use at Redwood is made from Super-LumiNova®, a premium photoluminescent material known for its brightness, longevity, and safety. It’s a modern, non-toxic, and non-radioactive formula that has become the gold standard in the watch industry.
A Brief History of Lume
The history of luminous watch dials stretches back to the early 20th century when radium-based paints were first used. Radium, a naturally radioactive element, provided a continuous glow without the need for external charging. These “radium dials” were revolutionary at the time but posed significant health risks to the workers who painted them and even to wearers in some cases.
By the mid-20th century, radium was replaced by tritium, another radioactive material, but one considered safer due to its lower radiation levels. However, tritium still required special handling, and its glow would diminish over a decade or two as the material decayed.
In the 1990s, Super-LumiNova® was introduced as a game-changer. It is entirely non-radioactive, safe to use, and can be recharged indefinitely by exposure to light. This innovation allowed watchmakers to achieve brilliant and long-lasting lume without the drawbacks of earlier materials.
How Does Lume Work?
Lume operates on a principle called photoluminescence. Here’s how it works:
1. Charging: When exposed to light, the photoluminescent pigments in the lume absorb photons, storing the energy.
2. Glowing: In the dark, the pigments release this stored energy as visible light, creating the glow you see.
3. Fading: Over time, the glow will gradually fade as the stored energy is depleted. However, simply re-exposing the lume to light will recharge it, ready to glow again.
The brightness and duration of the glow depend on several factors, including the quality and thickness of the lume application and the intensity of the light source used for charging. For example, a brief exposure to sunlight can provide hours of glow.
Understanding Light Habituation
When using a watch with lume, it’s important to understand the concept of light habituation. When you move from a brightly lit environment into a dark one, your eyes take time to adjust to the lower light levels. Initially, the lume on your watch might not seem very bright, but as your eyes adapt to the darkness, the glow becomes much more noticeable. This natural adjustment process highlights the practicality of lume for nighttime or low-light visibility, especially once your vision has acclimated to dim conditions.
Advantages of Super-LumiNova® Lume
- Safety: Unlike radium or tritium, Super-LumiNova® is entirely safe and free of radioactive materials.
- Brightness: It provides a bright, consistent glow that’s easy to read in the dark.
- Longevity: The material doesn’t degrade over time and can be recharged indefinitely by light exposure.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Lume adds a functional yet visually striking element to a watch, especially in low-light settings.
Why We Use Traditional Lume
At Redwood Watches, we prioritize craftsmanship and timeless design. By using applied Super-LumiNova®, we honor the traditional methods of watchmaking while offering modern performance. Our lume is carefully applied to ensure optimal brightness and durability.
While electronic backlighting like Indiglo® has its place in digital and quartz watches, we believe the charm of traditional lume lies in its simplicity and the artistry it represents. It’s a feature that connects our timepieces to the rich heritage of mechanical watchmaking.
Tips for Getting the Best Glow
To enjoy the full effect of your watch’s lume, follow these tips:
1. Charge It: Expose your watch to bright light for a few minutes before heading into the dark. Natural sunlight works best, but a strong flashlight will do in a pinch.
2. Keep It Clean: Dust or grime can diminish the brightness of the lume. Gently clean your watch with a soft cloth to keep it looking and glowing its best.
3. Set Realistic Expectations: Remember, lume is not a flashlight. Its purpose is to provide legibility in low-light conditions, not to illuminate a room.
Lume is more than just a functional feature—it’s an art form that embodies the craftsmanship and innovation of traditional watchmaking. At Redwood Watches, we’re proud to use Super-LumiNova® to create timepieces that are as practical as they are beautiful. By understanding how lume works, you can better appreciate the glow on your wrist and the history behind it.
If you have any questions about lume or any other features of our watches, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help illuminate your watch journey—literally and figuratively!