Backlight in wristwatches: a spectacular and useful option
Backlight
in wristwatches: a spectacular and useful option
Wrist watches are a stylish
and indispensable accessory in men's wardrobe. This is not just a way to
determine the exact time. This is also a spectacular addition to the image, an
opportunity to emphasize your individuality, sense of style and refinement of
taste. Therefore, men approach the choice of this accessory very responsibly
and comprehensively. In the process of finding the perfect solution, the design
of the model, its functionality, wearability, and reliability are taken into
account.
In order to attract the
attention of as many customers as possible, watch manufacturers try to make
their products even more useful and unusual in appearance. So, one of the
rather interesting solutions that many brands of the watch market began to
implement in the production process was the dial illumination. This solution
significantly increased the convenience of using the accessory in the dark, in
poorly lit rooms. Modern technologies in this direction have gone far enough,
offering the market several advanced ways to highlight the dial. But, about
everything in order.
A
bit of history
Attempts to learn how to
determine the time in the dark without light have been made for a long time.
One of the first ideas that was put into practice was a wall clock with a
pendulum mechanism that beat a certain number of beats every hour. This
solution has become a classic. Many brands today continue to produce wall and
floor clocks with a fight, but this is more effective than a functional option.
Few modern people determine the time at night by the chimes.
Attempts to create an
illuminated dial for wristwatches were successful only towards the end of the
19th century. Swiss watchmakers began to cover the hands and tags of the
accessory with a special luminescent paint – barium sulfide. It was created
artificially. The peculiarity of synthetic paint was that it could accumulate
light during the day, radiating it in the dark. As a result, both the hands and
the dial markers glowed at night, allowing you to determine the exact time. But
over time, the ability to accumulate light decreased, which led to a decrease
in the brightness of the glow. As a result, the masters continued to look for
more advanced and reliable solutions.
Radioluminescent
illumination, which scientists managed to create in the first half of the 20th
century, became more "long-lasting". The hands and markers of the
dial were now covered with a zinc sulfide compound and a radiation source. The
glow here was really long and bright. But the scale of this technology has not
received due to the serious enough harm to human health, which was carried by
radiation. And attempts to create high-quality and safe illumination of
wristwatches in the dark continued.
Modern
types of illumination of the wrist watch dial
Today, a backlit wristwatch
will not surprise anyone. Many modern models are equipped with this option.
There are several technologies:
·
Electroluminescent
·
Indiglo night light
·
LED
·
Glow in the dark
·
Tritium
Let's look at each of the
technologies in more detail.
Electroluminescent
illumination of the dial
This is a cold glow that
stimulates the electromagnetic field. This option is activated by pressing the
corresponding button on the watch case. Recently, the market began to appear
models in which the electroluminescent lighting is turned on automatically.
Among the advantages of this technology is its simplicity and brightness. But
after about a year of using the accessory, it will fade.
Backlight
Indiglo night light
This is a unique author's
technology from the Timex watch brand. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that an
interesting blue-purple backlight works constantly, that is, both day and
night. In the production process, a special material is used that acts as a
hologram, providing the necessary contrast between the numbers, arrows and the
background. But this option drags a lot of energy, draining the battery faster.
If the charge is low, it will simply turn off.
LED
backlight for wristwatches
This is also an author's
development from Casio Illuminator. The smallest LEDs are located along the radius
of the screen. At the time, this technology made a splash in the watch market,
but today it has become commonplace. To turn it on, you must also press the
button on the case. By analogy with electroluminescent lighting, there is also
an option for automatic switching on, implemented in many modern models. But
even here, over time, the LEDs will fail, in turn. As a result, part of the
screen will no longer be highlighted.
Light-saving
illumination of the dial
This is one of the most
common types of backlight for the watch screen. A special composition that can
accumulate light can be applied to the hands, numbers, and labels themselves,
as well as to the entire dial. Mainly used strontium aluminate, which
guarantees a reliable glow throughout the night. This composition does not lose
its effectiveness for a very long time. But in order for it to work, it is
necessary to provide sufficient access to hours of sunlight during the day,
which is not very convenient if you wear long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, and
jackets.
Tritium
illumination
The exact name of the
Luminox Light Technology. It is based on the use of microscopic capsules filled
with a gaseous tritium composition. They are built into the housing and provide
stable illumination for 25 years or more. The main advantage is that the glow
occurs by itself, it does not need to be turned on. In addition, it is
completely safe for health.
The latest lighting
technology is now considered the most advanced and popular, it is implemented
in the products of many world brands. A striking representative of this
category is the model CARNIVAL MILLENIUM, more detailed information about WHICH
can be found in the catalog of the online store "best Time". You can
also use the professional advice of specialists and ask them for help in
choosing the right wristwatch for you.