The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Just wondering what the general consensus is about the extent of luminosity of your Brietling. I have a Skyland and can't make out the hands and numeral points unless I'm in a very dark environment.

Is this your experience? Does it depend on the type of paint applied?

Many thanks,
Martin

If I put my SA in the sunlight for a few quick seconds I can see it glowing in normal shade. VERY BRIGHT! It does seem to dim down rather quickly. I can still read it at night in bed after wearing it around the house at night.

All modern Breitlings use the same material - Super Luminova. In fact virtually all high end watch manufacturers use it. I couldn't begin to explain the science behind it, but you do need a larger area of application for longer luminosity, but generally speaking the largest areas - the hands say, should be visible through the night with enough 'charging'.

Of course the amount and duration of exposure to light makes a difference.

I don't usually wear the Skyland in bed but when I do have noticed that I can read the hands reasonably well. Of course, being in the UK in winter, it is a little hard at time to get enough sun exposure

My Navi-World doesn't stay bright long unlike my Submariner and my Flieger.

The Flieger is very luminous!!!

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Just as an aside to this thread, the most luminous watch markers I've ever come across are the modern Seikos such as the "Monster" Diver and the latest Kinetic divers watches. Seiko uses a non-radioactive substance that they call Lumibrite, and it puts absolutely everything else in the shade (no pun intended!).

I've never found my Breitlings to be overly great for luminosity, but to be honest it doesn't hugely bother me.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

As an expat I feel I can say this.....

Is the rain brighter in summer?





Everyone (who sells in the US) uses non radioactive luminosity these days - it's a Homlenad Security thing - and no, I'm not joking.

What about tritium gas tube used in Ball watches or some Marathon ones?




Everyone (who sells in the US) uses non radioactive luminosity these days - it's a Homlenad Security thing - and no, I'm not joking.[/quote]

That's a good point there Iceman. I had a look at a Marathon on-line a week or so back, as I'd heard about them but not seen one, and I was amazed to see a radioactivity symbol on the dial! They take it pretty seriously!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

You're right, I'd forgotten about those. They have been given a license by the US Government, the radioactive symbol is part of the licensing agreement I believe.

The majority of manufacturers moved away from tritium when the US imposed sever restrictions on the importation, movement, tracking, etc of it and items containing it (such as watches).

The Ball pieces are super bright.

VERY cool.

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

The only other current major manufacturer I know that uses tritium are Oris on a few of their models - the Der Meistertaucher diver's regulator for one.

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Driver8

Site Moderator