IWC Schaffhausen has developed a proprietary luminous ceramic technology called Ceralume®. Based on a highly engineered and patent-pending process developed by IWC’s engineering division XPL, the technology enables IWC to produce fully luminous ceramic watch cases for the first time.
This is achieved by homogeneously mixing ceramic powders with high-grade Super-LumiNova® pigments, a luminous material that acts like a battery for storing light energy. A fully luminous concept watch manufactured using the Ceralume® technology in dark chamber tests has emitted a bright blueish light for more than 24 hours.
After introducing a range of TOP GUN models in striking coloured ceramic, IWC is now pushing the boundaries with Ceralume®. This luminescent ceramic is made using a highly engineered and patent-pending manufacturing process developed by IWC Schaffhausen.
How It’s Made?
Conventional white ceramic is made by mixing zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides. These powders are shaped into a so-called green body, machined close to the final case geometry and then sintered at high temperatures in a kiln.
For the white ceramic to glow in the dark, Super-LumiNova® pigments are added to the mix of raw materials. One of the main challenges in the development of Ceralume® was achieving a perfectly homogeneous mix of raw materials despite their different particle sizes and avoiding particle accumulations.
To achieve this, IWC’s engineers reverted to a dedicated ball milling process, which had to be customised to the raw materials used. In addition, the parameters of the sintering process and the grinding of the sintered ceramic body also needed to be specifically adapted to the luminous ceramic.
The First Fully Luminous Ceramic Concept Watch
Using the new Ceralume® technology, IWC’s experimental division XPL has manufactured a fully luminous ceramic concept watch for the first time. In addition to its Ceralume® case, the concept watch in a Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 design features a white luminescent dial and a white luminescent rubber strap.
The dial and the strap have also been enriched with Super-LumiNova® pigments. The dial’s brass base is sprayed with a Super-LumiNova® solution before the printing is added on top of the luminescent layer. Manufactured in an injection moulding process, the white rubber strap is likewise enriched with Super-LumiNova® pigments.
Discover the IWC Schaffhausen timepiece collections online or locate The Time Place boutique near you for a visit.
