Have you ever marveled how your watch glows in the dark? Much of that magic can be attributed to the innovative luminescent technology developed by RC Tritec AG. As a leading expert in this field, the family owned company has been at the forefront of creating Swiss Super-LumiNova® pigments that offer exceptional brightness and durability.
Albert Zeller, CEO of RC Tritec AG, to discusses the company’s journey, the unique properties of their pigments, and the reasons why renowned Swiss watch brands consistently choose them as a trusted partner. Through his insights, Zeller showcases the company’s enduring reputation in the industry, illustrating its dedication to innovation and the high standards that have made it a key player in the world of luminescent solutions.
Bridges: Can you tell us about how your family business has innovated and adapted over the decades, particularly in the transition from radium-based luminescence to the safe and high-quality Swiss Super-LumiNova® we know today?
Albert Zeller: It all started with my great-grandfather, who was searching for innovative products. Back then, radium-based applications were seen as high-tech products. However, it was quickly discovered that radium is harmful to people’s health; therefore, he sought an alternative to radium-activated luminous compounds. Our solution was the invention of a tritium-activated glow-in-the-dark powder. Tritium was still radioactive but less dangerous compared to radium paint, and its radiation was harder to measure and absorbed by the watch case. By the 1950s, this was considered the best solution, allowing us to begin supplying our materials to the global watch industry.
However, as you know, the perception of radioactivity changed over the decades. The Cold War and accidents such as the one at Chernobyl led to a different demand in the watch industry: everyone wanted to offer non-radioactive solutions. This prompted us to collaborate with our Japanese partners to invent an alternative technology based on a ceramic that can be charged by UV light. This innovation, known as Swiss Super-LumiNova®, is now used by all the major Western watch brands.
For those unfamiliar with the technical aspects, can you explain in layman’s terms how Swiss Super-LumiNova® pigments work? What makes them such an effective and long-lasting light source for watches?
Actually, you can imagine each grain of our pigments as a tiny light battery. This battery is charged with UV light, which can be found in any light source. The UV light excites electrons, elevating them to a higher energy state. The activated electrons are then stored and released back to their base state after a certain period. This loss of energy emits visible light from the system. The advantage is that you can repeat this process indefinitely, meaning there will never be a reduction in luminous performance.
Swiss Super-LumiNova® pigments are the benchmark for top quality in the watch industry. What sets your pigments apart from the competition, and why do all exclusive Swiss watch brands choose RC Tritec AG?
Due to our intensive R&D efforts, we offer the brightest and longest-glowing luminous pigments available. We have a strong focus on quality and strive to meet all of our partners’ needs. This means you will always receive the exact same color, performance, grain size, and other specifications as you have been using before. If someone has a special request or demand for a particular color, we will make it a reality.
Due to our intensive R&D efforts, we offer the brightest and longest-glowing luminous pigments available. We have a strong focus on quality and strive to meet all of our partners’ needs.
Albert Zeller, Chief Executive Officer of RC Tritec AG
Since you can produce between 100 and 300 dials with one single gram of our materials, we do not make any compromises on quality. Even when applying the very smallest amounts of our pigments applied, you have the guarantee that you will not encounter any problems. If there is something that is unclear, our prototype lab is there to help our partners; to directly develop suitable solutions for them, which we then transfer to them, free of charge.
As RC Tritec AG celebrates its 90th anniversary, what exciting developments can we expect from your company in the future of luminescence technology? Are there any new innovations for Swiss Super-LumiNova® on the horizon?
Well, on one hand, we constantly work on improving the performance of our materials, with brighter and longer-lasting results always being the goal. Additionally, we are developing new application methods for our pigments. For example, we now produce hybrid-ceramic blocks made from our pigments. These pieces not only exhibit a superior glow but also look much nicer than regular prints, as they can be shaped into any design and surface structure.
Furthermore, we are exploring the integration of our pigments into new materials, such as injection-molding-ready materials and other injectable forms, and in ceramic watch cases. As for Swiss Super-LumiNova®, that development is already complete, but I believe this all illustrates the exciting direction in which we are headed.
