Ceralume Luminous Ceramic Technology
We’re naturally drawn to the glow of a luminous watch, and IWC’s innovative Ceralume technology is truly captivating. Let’s delve into what makes this development so special.
IWC Schaffhausen has developed a proprietary luminous ceramic technology called Ceralume®. This highly engineered and patent-pending process, developed by IWC’s engineering division XPL, enables the production of fully luminous ceramic watch cases for the first time.
The technology involves homogeneously mixing ceramic powders with high-grade Super-LumiNova® pigments, a luminous material that stores light energy. A fully luminous concept watch using Ceralume® technology in dark chamber tests emitted a bright bluish light for over 24 hours.
Photo Credit – IWC Schaffhausen
Over nearly four decades, IWC Schaffhausen has gained extensive expertise in engineering ceramic watches. Ceramic is lightweight, tough, and highly resistant to scratches. In 1986, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer launched the world’s first wristwatch with a black zirconium oxide ceramic case.
Since then, IWC has introduced major innovations, including watch cases made of brown silicon nitride ceramic and black boron carbide ceramic, one of the hardest known substances. Following the introduction of a range of TOP GUN models in striking coloured ceramic, IWC is now pushing the boundaries with Ceralume®. IWC Schaffhausen creates this luminescent ceramic using a highly engineered and patent-pending manufacturing process.
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The captivating glow of Ceralume® is achieved by integrating advanced Super-LumiNova® pigments into the ceramic base materials. Created by Swiss firm RC Tritec, Super-LumiNova® functions like a light storage device, absorbing light energy from natural or artificial sources, storing it temporarily, and then releasing it as visible light.
This process can be repeated indefinitely without degrading the material or its light retention abilities. In controlled dark room tests, Ceralume® watch cases have consistently emitted a bright bluish light for over 24 hours.
Photo Credit – IWC Schaffhausen
Crafting traditional white ceramic involves blending zirconium oxide with various metallic oxides. They shape these powders into a “green body,” approximating the final case design, and then sinter it at high temperatures in a kiln. They incorporate Super-LumiNova® pigments into the raw material mix to make the ceramic glow in the dark. One of the primary challenges in developing Ceralume® was achieving a perfectly uniform blend of materials despite their differing particle sizes and preventing particle clumping.
To address this, IWC’s engineers employed a specialised ball milling process, customised for the specific raw materials. They meticulously adjusted the sintering and grinding parameters for the ceramic body to accommodate its luminous properties.
Photo Credit – IWC Schaffhausen
The First Fully Luminous Ceramic Concept Watch
Using the innovative Ceralume® technology, IWC’s experimental division XPL has created a fully luminous ceramic concept watch for the first time. This concept watch is designed as a Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41. It features a Ceralume® case, a white luminescent dial, and a white luminescent rubber strap. Both the dial and the strap are enhanced with Super-LumiNova® pigments.
They coat the dial’s brass base with a Super-LumiNova® solution before printing the luminescent layer on top. They manufacture the white rubber strap through an injection moulding process, infusing it with Super-LumiNova® pigments.
Photo Credit – IWC Schaffhausen
Our Thoughts
The first we saw of this amazing concept piece, was an image of Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. He was at the Monaco GP wearing it whilst off-track. He’s such a lucky guy, as I was certain, I’d get first dibs with it. Nevertheless, to see it being worn, and not just rendered photos, means, it’s not too far away. Although out of reach for most of us, in time, other brands will start playing with similar technology. Making it more affordable and getting a wider reach.
What do I think about it? Amazing seems an insufficient word to use. But it is just that! I love to see brands evolving and this new IWC Ceralume is another mark in time we should acknowledge. I’m excited to see where this will go and would love to see it in the flesh. You have my number IWC 🙂
For More Information On the IWC Ceralume – Click HERE
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