No Radiation Watch Dial

What’s with that no radiation symbol on some watches?

The no radiation symbol on watch dials indicates that the lume on the watch is not radioactive. The lume material contains no radium, no tritium. For example, Super-LumiNova lume.

The radiation hazard symbol itself is a universal design designated for labeling radioactive material. Radiation is energy that is omitted from atoms that are unstable and decaying. Radioactive materials (as well as radiation producing devices) have to be marked with this symbol.

Some watch enthusiasts absolutely love the “No Rad” dials and others would never consider buying a watch with it.

Below is a Zixen ME-109S flieger watch that we sold in our store (Zinex later turned into Zixen). Apart from the huge case size, bold legible dial, and aviator crown, the bright yellow and orange No Radiation symbol stands out immediately. It almost looks like a warning sign, which is interesting since it is technically the opposite – alerting the user that there is no danger of radioactive material present.

 

No Radiation Pilot Watch

The most well-known example of a watch with the No Radiation symbol on the dial is the vintage Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bundeswehr.

Blancpain 50 Fathoms Bundeswehr

The Precista PRS-50 is a Fifty Fathoms homage watch and another example of a No Rad dial.

Precista Pr 50 No Radiation

If you know of any other watches featuring a No Rad dial, please let us know and we’ll add it to the list!

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