Glossary · Case & Dial
Emissive watch display
An indication that produces light, exemplified by LED digital watches.
Explanation
The Science Museum Group Pulsar account explains a light-emitting diode display activated by a button to limit battery consumption. This contrasts with a liquid-crystal display, which controls light rather than producing it in the same manner. A dark display photographed without activation is not a sufficient condition diagnosis. Keep the description of the historical design separate from present operation; an unassessed watch should not be powered merely to obtain a photograph.
Sources & references
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.