From IWC, a Watch That Glows in the Dark

Luxury Swiss watch brand IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled its first-ever watch that glows in the dark.  IWC developed a proprietary luminous ceramic material called Ceralume that’s based on a technology that enables IWC to produce fully luminous ceramic watch cases for the first time. 

The engineering process involves homogeneously mixing ceramic powders with high-grade Super-LumiNova pigments, which is a luminous material that acts like a battery for storing light energy normally used in index markers and hands placed on watch dials. Inside a dark chamber, the watch can emit a bright bluish light for over 24 hours.

This glow effect is achieved by adding high-grade Super-LumiNova pigments to the ceramic raw materials using a high-tech ceramic compound that behaves like a light storage battery. This material absorbs light energy from sunlight or artificial light, and stores it temporarily and then emits the absorbed energy as visible light. This is a perpetual cycle that can be repeated an infinite number of times without ever causing the material to age or diminishing its light storage capacity.

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IWC says the Ceralume watch is a reflection of its legacy of avant-garde technology, combining advanced materials and innovative craftsmanship to create a timepiece that is both functional and extraordinarily beautiful.

Ceramic is known as a scratch-resistant and lightweight material, providing an ideal foundation for the watch. The addition of a bright lume enhances the functional aspect, ensuring the indices and hands glow brightly, thanks to a special treatment that absorbs light and releasing it gradually over time. This makes the Ceralume watch not just a stylish accessory but also a practical tool for night-time use or something as technical as deep-sea exploration.

IWC has been using ceramic materials for over almost four decades for its timepieces, having accumulated a comprehensive expertise in engineering of ceramic watches. In 1986, it introduced the world’s first wristwatch with a black zirconium oxide ceramic case. In the years that followed, IWC has introduced ceramic innovations that included watch cases made of brown silicon nitride ceramic and black boron carbide ceramic, one of the hardest substances known to man. Even its Top Gun series comes in striking colored ceramic. 

The design of the IWC Ceralume watch blends tradition and modernity. It features a sleek, minimalist dial, often seen in IWC's classic collections, which is juxtaposed with the futuristic glow of Ceralume. It is even fitted with a luminous watch strap as well using an injection molding process, with its white rubber strap enriched likewise with Super-LumiNova pigments. The contrast creates a visually striking effect that captures the essence of IWC's design philosophy—timeless elegance with a contemporary twist.

“With the first fully luminous ceramic case rings, we underscore our role as a pioneer and innovator in ceramic watches,” said Dr. Lorenz Brunner, department manager for research and innovation at IWC Schaffhausen. “The development of Ceralume took several years. The main challenges we faced were producing watch cases with maximum homogeneity and meeting our exacting quality standards. To achieve these goals, we engineered a ground-breaking new manufacturing process – tailored to the unique combination of ceramic powders and Super-LumiNova pigments.” 

Spotted at last week’s Monaco F1 Grand Prix was seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton wearing the Ceralume. IWC is the official timepiece for Mercedes Petronas F1 team and Hamilton has been IWC’s brand ambassador since 2013.