Glossary · Case & Dial
Luminous paint (radium)
Radioactive luminous compounds applied to dials and hands from the early twentieth century.
Explanation
Radium luminous paint, used on dials and hands roughly from the 1910s to the 1960s, made markings glow in the dark. The radium itself barely fades, but it degrades the zinc sulphide phosphor, so old radium dials usually no longer glow — while remaining radioactive. Do not open, scrape or re-lume such dials casually; handle with the case closed, avoid inhaling dust, and have any work done by professionals aware of the hazard. Tritium and later non-radioactive paints (LumiNova and similar) replaced it.
In the object catalogue
Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Luminous paint (radium)”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.
Pocket watch
Buren Grand Prix WWII Military Pocket Watch
“This is a Swiss open-face military pocket watch by Buren, dated by the seller to circa 1940 and reported as used by the British government during World War II. The white enamel …”
Wristwatch
Movado Military Watch 1913-1993
“Luminous paint on numerals and hands”