Super
Luminova
Luminous watches have been in existence for quite a while now. People who are less knowledgeable or familiar with the watchmaking world and its many terminologies will probably see lume as just another element that makes for a decent timepiece. Little do they know that there was a period when watch illumination was perceived as one of the most technologically advanced developments in horology.
History of
The super-LumiNova
Super-LumiNova is based on LumiNova branded pigments, invented in 1993 by the Nemoto staff members Yoshihiko Murayama, Nobuyoshi Takeuchi, Yasumitsu Aoki and Takashi Matsuzawa as a safe replacement for radium-based luminous paints The invention was patented by Nemoto & Co. Ltd. and licensed to other manufacturers and watch brands.
In 1998 Nemoto & Co. established a join-venture with RC Tritech AG called LumiNove AG, Schweitz to manufacture 100 percent Swiss made afterglow pigments branded as Super-LumiNova. After that, the production of radioactive luminous compounds by RC Tritech AG was completely stopped. According to RC Tritech AG the Swiss watch brands all use their Super-LumiNova pigments.