“What is this? A watch with a radioactive substance? Does it also glow? You don’t have to come home and go cool off with your reactor on your hand!” - this is what they told me at home when they saw an unusual thing. The tritium-backlit watch has caused mixed reactions at home. But their fears were in vain.

In general, I ended up with a black TRITEC BLACK EDITION G watch with a greenish backlight. I tried it in real life in all lighting conditions from slight twilight to absolute darkness. The uniqueness of the watch lies in the following - the tritium backlight perfectly indicates both the clock hands and the dial markers.

The tritium backlight adjusts in proportion to the light level, illuminating all key details of the dial with a subtle glow. All symbols are perfectly visible at any light level.

Another significant advantage of the backlight is the stability of its level, regardless of operating time. The comfortable metal bracelet does not put pressure on the wrist and, at the same time, fits comfortably without dangling. The bracelet has a high degree of strength and reliability, and is additionally equipped with clasp protection against accidental opening.

The slightly recessed dial gives the watch a special chic. There are no unnecessary flashy details on it, everything is strictly and extremely concise. The arrows and marks are clear, there is no need to look closely.

The watch is water resistant, which has also been tested through numerous experiments. They do not sweat, do not change the passage of time (slowing down or speeding up). These are key points for any consumer, which is why I chose this watch.

Similar innovative technologies Widely used for military Swiss watches.

GTLS (Gaseous Tritium Light Source) is a unique Trigalight light source related to tritium gas watch backlights. We can safely say that this is one of the “bright” (literally and figuratively) technologies adopted from the military and successfully integrated into everyday products.

The know-how was invented and put into mass production by the famous Swiss company Mb-mictrotec. The uniqueness of GTLS technology lies in small light sources that are characterized by stable glow over a quarter of a century. The basis of this phenomenon is the special property of tritium, sealed in miniature flasks, to interact with the phosphor, which lines the surface of the cones on the inside.

I'll check my watch. I want to return home and for this I need proof.

We take a professional dosimeter-search engine. If there is a nuclear reactor there, the dosimeter will show the slightest changes.

The readings have not changed, the distance from the sensor to the watch is 5-4 mm. Why is this so? They are definitely made of radioactive material. Tritium itself does not pose a radiation hazard because it is enclosed in sealed tubes inaccessible to hydrogen. Therefore there will be no reaction. Even if the whole thing is broken (which I doubt), the tritium will escape into the atmosphere. There is a tiny amount of it there, and in its pure form it does not participate in the reaction and does not linger in the body. Tritium illumination is allowed in all countries of the world. Can be sent by mail, since such illumination meets the safety standards of Russia and other countries. The real danger may come from things in which tritium is replaced by who knows what. Avoid fakes.

Additionally, the watch has a shockproof back cover, fixed to the main body using a threaded mechanism. The lid is made of stainless steel. The watch head is screwed down. All this makes the watch even more resistant to any external irritants.

Benefits of Tritec watches.

The mechanism is completely waterproof even during significant dives up to 200m, so it is ideal for diving;

The bracelet and case are made of stainless steel and are not subject to corrosion. Maximum long service life while maintaining high performance characteristics throughout the entire period of use;

The outside of the case is coated with PVD paint;

Shockproof glass has properties superior to sapphire products;

What else do they have?:

Unidirectional bezel installed;
- high-precision Ronda 515 movement, made in Switzerland, which emphasizes its impeccable quality and reliability;
- built-in calendar indicator located between 4 and 5 o'clock;
- stability of the illumination of dial symbols for a quarter of a century, guaranteed by the Swiss company mb-microtec. Specializing in safe technologies for long-term glow;
- each watch model has its own unique number, giving the right to a warranty for 2 years.

Competent educational program on backlighting in watches

Friends, I present to your attention very intelligent thoughts in hearing about the backlight in watches from a person under the name Strong. Because they ask a lot of questions about different types highlights, I think this article will be a good educational source. Please ask any questions related to the article in the appropriate thread on the watch.ru forum. We also advise you to read about the types of backlight in watches.

1. In 1902, for the first time, a light composition activated by radium compounds was applied to a watch dial. About the dangers of radiation
Back then we didn’t worry too much, the main thing was that watches and military instruments were visible in the dark. But this phosphor from the alpha and beta radiation of radium degraded after a few years and stopped glowing, although the half-life of radium is 1600 years! But, nevertheless, watches and devices were covered with such light compositions right up to the 50s, then they began to look for a replacement and found tritium.

2. Light compositions with tritium activation are still used today, although to a lesser extent than before, since there is GTLS technology (tritium in tubes in the form of a gas, but more on that later). So, tritium, which is used in technology, is ALL produced artificially, by irradiating lithium with neutrons in reactors. And on Earth there is no more than 1 kg of natural tritium; it is active and quickly dissipates. Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen with a half-life of 12.3 years. Emits beta, which is blocked by a piece of paper, i.e. much less dangerous than radium and its compounds. I wondered how tritium is added to the light composition, since it is a gas! It turned out that in paraffin (candles are made from it) some of the hydrogen atoms are replaced with tritium atoms, and then added to the light composition that covers the dials and hands of watches (The most famous of the Soviet ones are the Vostok, Komandirskie and Amphibia watches, tritium was used there until the end of the 80s ).

3. GTLS technology or Trigalight is a development of the Swiss company Mb-microtec, a revolution in the field of backlighting (IMHO). These are borosilicate glass tubes into which tritium is pumped in the form of gas. The inner walls of the tubes are coated with a phosphor that glows from tritium beta radiation. The approximate time until the complete extinction of trigalight is 25 years (not bad!) The most famous and inexpensive watches with this technology are Traser, then Luminox, Nite, and the very elite Ball (their numbers are laid out from trigalights of different colors, in general, beautiful) . If anyone is interested, go to the website www.traser.ru, everything is detailed there)

This concludes the review of permanent illumination and moves on to light-accumulating compositions

1. Zinc sulfide-based light composition is the worst light-accumulating light composition! The afterglow time is no more than one hour - this is a shame and it is used in watches that are sold in underground passages for 100 rubles (((

2. Light composition based on strontium aluminate - afterglow time up to 18 hours (very good!). Hands and numbers coated with this light composition are visible all night without straining the eyes. An example is SuperLuminova.

Now the conclusion (this is my opinion, I do not impose my point of view on anyone):

When a person buys a watch, he reads the instructions, which indicate the type of watch mechanism, degree of water resistance, case material, etc. But NEVER IN ANY INSTRUCTION have I come across information about the afterglow time of the light composition! Why? Is this an optional clock parameter? In my opinion, reading information in the dark is VERY important. But manufacturers don’t bother with this in ANY way and this is not good (. I’m not delighted with the neobright used to cover the dials and hands on Casio watches - it’s average (lights up for about 6 hours). I solved the problem individually, I cover the dials myself with a good light composition and hands of my favorite watch. I use a composition based on Green GL phosphor (afterglow time is 12 hours) and INTERCOAT luminescent film (where it is impossible to carefully cover it with a luminous composition in liquid form).

LED backlight, EL-ILLUMINATOR and any kind of automatic backlight do not interest me, because the watch should ALWAYS be visible, without pressing any buttons or other actions, such as turning the hand with the watch towards you. This is not mine...

*Casio does not use tritium.

Expect a continuation of the series of educational publications on the blog (including an article about all possible types of backlighting in Casio watches).

Popular tritium keychains cause a lot of controversy: some are delighted with the bright, compact and “eternally” glowing products, while others talk about their radioactivity and health hazards. Manufacturers are confident in the safety of their products and offer tritium markers as alternative sources light that does not lose its brightness for 25 years. Who to believe? Let's try to figure it out.

What is tritium?

Natural tritium (T or H-3) is a super-heavy radioisotope of hydrogen with a half-life of 12.5 years. It is constantly formed in the atmosphere during the interaction of neutrons from secondary cosmic irradiation with nuclei of oxygen, nitrogen or argon. The isotope quickly turns into molecules of ordinary water contained in the air, and then falls to the ground in the form of rain. The biosphere contains extremely little of it - no more than 2 kg, and most(90%) of the radionuclide is concentrated in water.

Technogenic tritium is produced by irradiating neurons with isotopes of lithium-6 or uranium and plutonium in nuclear reactors. This technology is labor-intensive and expensive - the synthesis of 1 kg of tritium costs 30 million dollars. It can also be isolated and concentrated during the purification of heavy water used in nuclear reactors as a moderator.

The secret of the glow of tritium keychains

The glow of the key fob is provided by a backlight based on tritium gas, which is brighter than other permanent light compounds. The main component of the light element is a transparent sealed tube made of carbonate glass, coated on the inside with a luminescent compound and filled with tritium gas. The radionuclide emits beta electrons, which bombard the phosphor and cause a bright glow. The keychain is able to glow evenly for 12 years without recharging, since the half-life of tritium is 12.5 years, and the time for complete decomposition of this radioactive isotope is 25 years. That is, even after the guaranteed period, the key fobs will glow, then the intensity of the tritium light radiation drops, but not by more than 40%.

Tritium gas toxicity

Tritium gas is an important biological radioisotope that emits weak beta radiation. Due to the short path length - no more than 5.8 mm, tritium beta particles are destroyed in the air or are completely retained by human skin. IN to a greater extent The isotope is dangerous if ingested through breathing or eating and drinking. The low energy electrons it emits create increased ionization around them, causing damage to biological tissues and organs. Bremsstrahlung X-ray radiation, which occurs when electrons emitted by tritium are decelerated in the electrostatic field of the phosphor, also has a negative effect. And although it is weakened by glass, it still gives radiation up to 10 μR/h at a distance of one centimeter.

The first tritium-based light elements

The first company to use tritium gas as a base for luminescent paint in 1918 was Mb-microtec AG (Switzerland). Unfortunately, the resulting tritium paint quickly decomposed and reacted with water, forming highly radioactive tritium water. After much research, the company created GTLS technology and began producing tritium gas light sources under the Trigalight brand. Trigalight is a borosilicate tube with a diameter of 12 mm and a length of 1.5 meters. During the manufacturing process of the sources, it is drawn out on a special machine developed and patented by the company’s specialists. The result is up to 120 half-meter glass cones with a width of 0.5 mm.

Each of them is covered with reflective paint from the inside and filled with tritium gas. Since the brightness of the glow and the service life of the finished trigalight depend on its quantity, as much gas as possible is pumped into the container. At the final stage, long tubes filled with tritium are cut into pieces by laser, and the ends are immediately sealed. After cutting, the finished trigalights are checked for leaks by an operator in a dark room.

Every year Mb-microtec AG produces up to 10 million trigalights different sizes and colors that are used to illuminate not only key rings, but also information plates, marine compasses, portable flashlights, dials and hands of watches. Tritium illumination, placed on the sight of hand-held firearms, solved the problem with pointing accuracy that arises during night shooting. Bright trigalights are successfully used by leading manufacturers of military weapons: Kalashnikov, Kriss, Glock, Beretta.

In addition to the company Mb-microtec AG, similar light sources are produced by the Canadian company SRBT; they are used to illuminate the corridors of commercial and military aircraft.

Alternative tritium light compounds
There are other tritium-based continuous light sources. In such light compositions, the formulas of which are kept secret by manufacturers, it is in the form of tritiated resins, fatty acids or surfactants associated with the phosphor. However, self-luminous tritium paints are not used in tritium key fobs, since they are significantly inferior in brightness to trigalight and are more dangerous in terms of radiation.

Trigalight - a safe luminescent alternative

Trigalight light sources are fixed in the products in such a way that, subject to the thermal and mechanical operating conditions, capsule failure and leakage of tritium gas become unlikely. Numerous studies have confirmed the safety of these light sources due to the small size of the capsules and durable carbonate glass, as well as their compliance international standard ISO 9001 quality.

Unfortunately, today the market is flooded with cheap tritium key fobs made in China. They use glass capsules, similar to trigalights, but providing several times the background radiation. Experts suggest that instead of tritium, Chinese factories use another, cheaper gaseous isotope, which emits stronger beta radiation and negatively affects human health.

Tritium keychain: dangerous or not?

Tritium is always present in the human body, entering through food, air and through the skin. Being in a gaseous state, it does not pose a great danger, since beta particles formed during the decay of tritium have a weak penetrating effect and are quickly absorbed by an air layer 5 mm thick. If it gets into the lungs, it is eliminated from the body very quickly, literally in three minutes. An aqueous solution of tritium is much more dangerous for the body.

One of the most progressive military technologies, which today finds application in everyday life, became GTLS “Trigalight” technology (Gaseous Tritium Light Source - gas tritium light sources).

The Swiss company Mb-mictrotec, which founded the Traser watch brand, is a developer and manufacturer of GTLS elements. The latter are tiny light sources that have the ability to glow continuously for approximately 10-20 years. The glow occurs due to the interaction of tritium with the phosphor that takes place inside the flasks, covering the inner surfaces of the flasks. Thanks to the use of different phosphors, different glow colors of the flasks are possible. Today, Mb-mictrotec, thanks to the constant improvement of the production process, has begun producing Trigalight sources with a length of only 1.3 mm and a diameter of 0.55 mm.

The production of trigalight is the result of ten years of development and research in the field of radioluminescence carried out by Mb-microtec. Miniature, hermetically sealed tubes, which are coated on the inside with a luminous substance, are filled with tritium gas. The electrons emitted by tritium provide constant activation of the luminous substance.

Trigalight sources do not require maintenance, and their service life exceeds 25 years!

Production process

In fact, you can make a trigalight source from any sealed glass vessel. First, it is necessary to cover the inner surface of the source with a luminous substance, then fill the vessel with tritium gas (an isotope of hydrogen) and seal it hermetically.

The production of tubular lights follows the same principle. First of all, long glass capillaries are produced, which are then cut to the required length using a special laser.

What is the operating principle?

The operating principle of a trigalight source is comparable to the operation of a standard kinescope. The glass surface is covered with the thinnest layer of a luminous substance. Electrons released by tritium (H3) gas begin to interact with this layer, causing the glass surface to glow. This electrical charge is converted into light. While in a kinescope electrons are generated using a cathode, in a trigalite source electrons are released as a result of the radioactive decay of tritium (an isotope of hydrogen).

The distribution area of ​​decaying tritium electrons in the air is only 1-3 mm, which does not even allow them to penetrate human skin. They don’t have enough energy of 18 keV (this is the maximum possible value) for this. Accordingly, the emitted electrons (Beta radiation) cannot penetrate the hermetically sealed glass vessel of the trigalite source.

Service life

The duration of operation of trigalite sources is determined not only by the period of tritium fission (half-life is 12.3 years), but also depends on a number of associated factors.

The chemical composition and quality of the coating of the luminous substance used are of significant importance. Highly reliable light sources maintain brightness even after 20 summer period. In any case, the trigalight sources we offer are manufactured in accordance with the British standard and have a performance guarantee of at least 10 years!

Brightness/Colors

The brightness of the new trigalite source is determined by the thickness of its coating, the purity of the gas used, the geometric shape and the pressure when filling the source with tritium gas. An additional reflective layer during further use can also serve as a factor that enhances the glow. But one of the main factors is still considered the color of the light source. Green trigalight has a brighter glow than red or blue with other identical characteristics.

Brightness intensity by color:

Green color is taken as 100%. The brightness intensity of the remaining colors is given taking into account that all other parameters are identical.

Color		Intensity in %	Notes
green		100%	standard color
yellow		80 %	special color
white		60%	special color
pale blue		60 %	standard color
orange		40 %	special color
red		20 %	standard color
blue		15 %	standard color
UV/IR		--	special color

Tritium

In 1934, Ernest Rutheford, Marcus Oliphant and Paul Harteck discovered tritium (T or N-3). It is the third isotope of hydrogen (H or H-1) along with deuterium (D or H-2).

Tritium (also defined as super-heavy hydrogen) has now found widespread use in industrial purposes. The nucleus of a tritium atom is made up of a proton and two neutrons. Like hydrogen, this gas is unstable. The decay reaction is accompanied by the emission of beta radiation (electrons), the half-life is 12.3 years. Each tritium atom releases one electron, which is accompanied by the release of a maximum energy of approximately 18 keV. This energy is insignificant compared to other radioactive isotopes. For example, the movement of an electron can be stopped with an ordinary sheet of paper. One milliliter of this gas has an activity of about 2.54 Ci (Curie) or 94 GBq (Giga-Becquerel).

The remaining physical and chemical characteristics of tritium are very similar to those of hydrogen. For example, the combustion of tritium and oxygen is accompanied by the formation of water and tritium oxide. This gas is odorless and tasteless, much lighter than air. If tritium enters the cells of the human body, it is evenly distributed in the water that makes up the body, and then gradually eliminated with a biological half-life of 10 days.

Comparison of Trigalight (GTLS Trigalight) and SuperLumiNova backlights

In the case when the luminous capsules have the required dimensions and are installed correctly, the glow of the backlight is determined by the intensity of the glow of the capsule (flask). To clearly demonstrate the advantages of Trigalight backlighting over the glow of phosphorescent light sources, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the test results under the same conditions for watches with different types backlight:

1. Image No. 1 - the first moments after turning off the lights

2. Image No. 2 - only 5 minutes have passed, and already the glow of SuperLumiNova and Trigalight is approximately the same

3. Image No. 3 - after 15 minutes the advantage of the Trigalight backlight is obvious (much brighter)

4. Image No. 4 - after just 30 minutes the SuperLumiNova backlight has practically dried up and is not visible, the Trigalight continues to glow brightly

From all of the above, it should be concluded that the glow of the Trigalight backlight is constant and does not even require an initial light source, while the SuperLumiNova backlight burns brighter at first, but its light dries up very quickly until it disappears completely.

Accordingly, the SuperLumiNova's capabilities are limited to a short time interval, but the time readability of the Trigalight backlit watch is constant and absolutely reliable in all conditions.

Watches that use Trigalight backlight technology can be selected and purchased in our online store (

I have a CARNIVAL 8638G in silver with green tritium cones. I really like the watch - excellent workmanship. classic calm design, convenient size. And most importantly: the backlight works always and everywhere, the time indication is visible around the clock.

Now I decided to take a second such watch “in reserve”, but with a black case and bracelet and blue backlight. The design has changed somewhat. In the review you will see detailed description new watches, as well as comparison with old ones.

I purchased my first watch from the Gearbest store. Then they came to me in an ordinary watch box. For those interested in details, google my review “Excellent wrist watch CARNIVAL 8638G with tritium."

This time the watch arrived in a large, representative box. Dimensions 203 x 153 x 85 mm.

Inside were:

Gift package.

A simple device for shortening a bracelet.

Plastic warranty card and user manual.

Manual in Chinese and English.

Well, of course, inside was the box itself with the watch.

The situation with its quality has not changed over the past years.

Worn dust jacket.

The box itself is made of lumpy cardboard with tattered leatherette. As a result, this packaging is not very good as a gift.

The watch itself is placed on a leatherette pad with the company logo.

On the inside of the box there is a soft leatherette insert to prevent the watch from being damaged on the road.

The watch itself was completely covered with films. There was a branded tag hanging on the bracelet.

To better showcase the watch, I photographed it in different lighting, at home and outdoors.

The watch case dimensions are as follows: diameter 40 mm, width including crown 43.6 mm, height with lugs 49 mm.

The glass has a good anti-reflective coating. Therefore, at some angles the glass is invisible, and at others there are only small reflections in it.

Let's start getting acquainted with the dial. Its appearance is quite classic and resembles a military watch from the Seiko 5 series.

The manufacturer also has light-colored dials, but I perceive white hands on a black background as more contrasting, and I often choose this option.

The dial has two windows, the so-called apertures, through which the day of the week and the current day of the month are displayed. This is realized with the help of calendar disks included in the mechanism. Aesthetes may not like that the discs are on at different levels. The disk with the days of the week is located slightly higher.

The hour markers on the dial are flat and simply painted on.

Tritium flasks are glued next to all the hour markers. At the 12 o'clock position it is orange, the rest are blue.

The dial is marked T25, indicating the amount of tritium.

More details http://forum.watch.ru/archive/index.php/t-130262.html

Blue tritium bulbs are also glued onto all hands.

For those who are interested in details, I took a few more macro photos.

To show the case from all sides, it is more convenient for me to separate the links of the bracelet. So I’ll digress and show off another whole bracelet.

The clasp is a so-called hidden automatic butterfly clip.

The bracelet has a small margin in length, just right for my wrist with a girth of 20 cm.

The processing of the watch case combines areas with satin and polishing.

Not long ago, I learned that polished lug corners are an interesting “feature” in the appearance of a watch.

The coating on the case resembles IP (Ion plating), but it’s difficult to say for sure. More details https://www.alltime.ru/blog/?page=post&blog=watchblog&post_id=606

The thickness of the watch is 12 mm.

The glass is flat and protrudes slightly above the body. The store page promises sapphire, but home tests do not confirm this.

The crown with a glossy finish is decorated with the company logo, strongly reminiscent of the Omega symbols.

Crown diameter 6.2 mm.

The back cover is screwed down. Moreover, it is twisted so tightly that I could not open it with a special key. Therefore, we will not be able to look at the mechanism. If someone is very interested, I can take the watch to a watchmaker so that he can open the lid.

Let's now take a look at the bracelet.

Stainless steel bracelet, cast links.

Butterfly clasp.

The links of the bracelet are matte, treated with longitudinal satin.

There are small polished inserts with a glossy finish.

The metal on the links is not completely hidden under the coating; the side surfaces are “bare”.

The reverse side of the links is completely matte.

Place of connection with the body.

The bracelet feels like a strong mid-range budget watch, typical for a Chinese watch for $50, or a Japanese watch for $100. That is, to find fault with appearance complicated, but the links sometimes move a little stiffly, and do not “flow” freely, as in the bracelets of expensive watches.

Let me show you what the watch looks like on your hand.

Wrist circumference 20 cm. The case size fits well, any smaller would have looked small.

Readability is excellent.

Side view. For larger hands, the bracelet will be too small.

The watch is not very thick and does not get in the way under the sleeves.

I've been wearing the watch for a month now. The clasp has never failed.

The watch weighs 129.5 g. Personally, it doesn’t seem heavy to me.

Let's see how accurate the watch was during this month.

I posted the exact time on the website.

We'll check in a month.

We went ahead by 8 seconds. For a budget quartz movement, a decent result.

By the way, the clock ticks very quietly. I put it next to my pillow at night and it doesn’t disturb me at all.

Now I would like to compare with my silver Carnival.

It's amazing, the model number is the same, but the watches are different.

The most important difference is that the silver watch does not have a day window.

They have a Swiss mechanism from Ronda.

For the black clock, you can select the days of the week in either English or Chinese. I doubt that Swiss movements have a second option.

The remaining differences are purely cosmetic. The black watch does not have the Omega icon on the dial, but does have the inscription T25. The back covers are also designed differently; I didn’t take a comparative photo.

Let's now look at the tritium backlight from a comparative perspective. Let me remind you that for black watches it is blue, for silver watches it is green.

Tritium flasks do not glow very brightly, but this brightness is constant and does not dim without external lighting. As a result, the time can be clearly seen all night long. It is generally believed that green cones are the brightest compared to other colors, but in this case, the difference in brightness is negligible.

Let's sum it up result.

This is one of the most affordable tritium backlit watches.

But otherwise, they do not disappoint. Stainless steel case and bracelet, quiet and precise quartz movement. This already puts it in the $50-60 price range.

I am very pleased with my Carnival watch.

That's all.

Hours in at the moment cost $76.82

And finally, a few photos taken outside the city.