Das hat Asimut bei Paneristi gepostet (Quelle: Asimut/Paneristi)
Well, we all know that sometime in the 40's Radium dials were replaced with Tritium dials. The fact is the Radium dials emit gamma particles and are indeed radioactive to the extent they could be harmful, if not for the user of the watch at least to the people producing the dials or assembling the watches. Tritium enhanced dials should not emit any gamma radiation (only beta, which although is not so dangerous, was also banned in the early 90's) and are in use for diving watches until today.
So, decided to test 2 of my tritium dialed watches, the vintage 6152/1 Luminor Panerai and the pre-A 004 Luminor Marina.
The test was done with your standard Geiger counter, which can read gamma radiation.
1st watch tested is the pre-A 004. No reading as expected (some background clutter has no meaning)
2nd is the 6152/1,,,,,,YIKES,,,,,overload,,,,LOL
OK, OK don't panic! This reading is done with the most sensitive scale, it is still a very small gamma radiation reading and is not dangerous by any means. But what it may tell us is that perhaps the transition to Tritium involved some kind of "mixed" formula with reduced Radium? Your guess is as good as mine.
Cheers,
~Asi~
Tritium (symbol T or 3H) is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. It is a gas (T2 or 3H2) at standard temperature and pressure.
Tritium is radioactive with a half-life of 12.32 years.
The low-energy beta radiation from tritium cannot penetrate human skin, so tritium is only dangerous if inhaled or ingested. was bei Uhren verwendet wird
Tritium has several important uses. Its most significant use is as a component in the triggering mechanism in thermonuclear (fusion) weapons.
The emitted electrons from small amounts of tritium cause phosphors to glow so as to make self-powered lighting devices called trasers which are now used in watches and exit signs. It is also used in certain countries to make glowing keychains, and compasses. In recent years, the same process has been used to make self-illuminating gun sights for firearms. These take the place of radium, which can cause bone cancer, and so has been banned in most countries for decades.
Source: epa.gov