Trigalight
The self-powered illumination technology trigalight
“An indispensable part of the equipment” These are the words longstanding user Lieutenant Norman Kiesewetter used in an interview when describing the role trigalight plays in his job working as a police officer in the US. The energy independent self-powered illumination technology gives light to even the smallest watch components for years and allows for an optimal reading of the time under all circumstances. Using the smallest tritium gas light capillaries in the world, the Swiss microtechnology specialist mb-microtec ag offers the watch industry a light source that distinguishes itself through uncompromising functionality.
Reliability and precision define the usefulness of every timepiece. In order to deliver this added value around the clock, different light sources are used throughout the watch industry. Conventional solutions are reliant on activation through sunlight or an external power source such as a battery. Their luminescence either fades quickly or only offers reliable light after they have been charged.
With trigalight, mb-microtec – the inventor of the world’s smallest tritium gas light capillaries – offers the watch industry a light source that differentiates itself from the conventional solutions in one crucial way: a constant source of light that glows for years without the need of an external power source.
The significance of its luminosity
The strength of the light contained in a watch is dependent on the number of trigalight capillaries mounted in the watch, as well as their size and the pressure with which they were filled. While the technology offers great versatility due to its availability in different shapes and colors, minimal installation size and abundance of integration possibilities, watch manufacturers care especially about the regulatory conditions they need to follow. Though the technology gives off no noteworthy amount of radiation, different markets have different thresholds that need to be met.
The revealing indicator here is the T-Value. This expresses how much luminosity a watch gives off. In a watch marked as a T25, tritium delivers luminosity with a total activity of under 25 millicurie (mCi) – or just under one gigabecquerel. In comparison: an intercontinental flight has 15 times as much radioactive decay as the theoretical breakage of all trigalight light capillaries contained in a watch.
While many European countries only allow for T25 timepieces to be distributed, T100 watches can be sold in the USA. These watches deliver up to four times as much luminosity – and as a result a better reading of the time in complete darkness. mb-microtec ag offers support and consultation in keeping in line with market specific guidelines, and has long-standing experience when it comes to market entry worldwide due to its affiliated brand traser.
The difference in luminosity between a T25 and T100 shown using a traser P67 Diver Automatic trigalight a brand of mb-microtec ag trigalight.com Freiburgstrasse 624 mbmicrotec.com 3172 Niederwangen bei Bern Switzerland September 2022
“Quality gives confidence”
The crucial roles that luminosity, precision and reliability play in the function of a watch is experienced daily by US police Lieutenant Norman Kiesewetter. Ever since his beginnings as military police officer over 37 years ago, watches with tritium gas light capillaries have become his daily companions. He speaks of his experience with trigalight in the following interview.
How did you first become aware of the brand trigalight?
Norman Kiesewetter: Over the years, I have owned various watches with tritium light sources, mostly on the job but also off duty. Though the actual introduction to the company trigalight came a few years ago while fixing up a watch that also contained tritium. The watch brand didn’t offer replacement tritium capillaries, so I looked around for other providers and suppliers. Little did I know that the true inventor was a brand from Switzerland named trigalight, and that basically all tritium light sources are manufactured by them.
What characteristics distinguish trigalight from other light sources?
Norman Kiesewetter: What sets trigalight apart from any other illumination solution is definitely its reliability. When do batteries usually give out or the glow of regular luminous substances fade? More often than not, when we need it most. With tritium light sources, no matter the circumstances, I know I can rely on them. It doesn’t need to be turned on, activated or charged – and for me that means one less thing to think about when I am on duty.
What benefit has trigalight had on your job?
Norman Kiesewetter: More than anything, knowing you have a watch with trigalight technology on your wrist gives you confidence when going into any situation. I know that if I have to read off the time in the dark, my timepiece will give me that reading. Especially the T100 watches I have owned over time, have proven to be reliable companions in poor visibility conditions. At the same time, I know the watch won’t glow too bright as to give away my location or compromise my night vision. That allows me to concentrate on the important aspects of my job.
What has sparked your general passion for watches in particular?
Norman Kiesewetter: With a career of over 37 years of military and law enforcement experience I have learned many valuable lessons. One thing I have observed over the years is the emotional attachment many of my colleagues developed to their watches. Their watches have seen them through some of the most challenging times in their lives, and have become meaningful companions to them.
In order for a watch to become a steady companion, it must be one thing above everything else: reliably functional. Along with its materials and mechanical functions, readability plays a deciding role. With trigalight, watch manufacturers and wearers such as Norman Kiesewetter find a light source they can count on at all times.
About trigalight
Self-powered illumination
trigalight is a brand of mb-microtec, a microtechnology company founded in 1969 in Niederwangen near Bern. The brand represents a unique self-powered illumination technology with the world’s smallest gaseous tritium light sources (GTLS) that deliver luminescence for decades without any external energy source. mb-microtec ag is the inventor and global market leader in the development and production of this unique self powered illumination technology, that is primarily used in the tactical, watch, security, automotive, aerospace, and aeronautical industry. Around one hundred qualified employees work at the Swiss headquarters of the family-owned company, which has comprehensive knowledge in the fields of microtechnology, chemistry and physics as well as a state-of-the-art infrastructure where the entire development and production processes take place. Up to 90 percent of the Swiss made goods are exported.
