If you’ve been browsing old watches, you’ve probably seen ones with glowing numbers and hands. Many of these used radium paint to make them visible in the dark. The glow was groundbreaking back in the day, but it also came with risks. Knowing what you’re dealing with is essential before you start collecting watches made…Read more
Category: Luminous dial
Browse our articles on vintage watches with luminous dials. From aged radium and tritium lume to distinctive dial layouts and hand designs, luminescence is an important feature for collectors.
Diving into history: The iconic Rolex Submariner
The Rolex Submariner is often hailed as one of the most iconic watches in the world, and for good reason. It has a blend of robust functionality, timeless design, and history dating back to the early 1950s. All of this has cemented its status as a classic timepiece, desired by vintage watch collectors around the…Read more
A guide to vintage watch patina
Over the past few decades, the vintage watch market has seen an interesting shift. According to Christie’s Auction House, the newfound appeal of vintage watch patina is a phenomenon that is here to stay. The appeal for “honest” patina has grown over the last decade. In the years preceding, many collectors were interested in acquiring…Read more
The history of watch luminescence
One of the limitations of early watches was that it was impossible to read the time without a reliable light source. In darkness, you would need to strike a match or light a candle to check the time. There were solutions, such as the braille watch or “montre a tact” developed by Abraham-Louis Breguet around…Read more