Geiger Reading of a 2998

Radium emits alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Alpha and beta can't pass through metal and most of it won't pass through the hesalite. Gamma can pass through both.

The real danger with radium is ingesting it as the alpha and beta radiation will directly impact internal soft tissue (alpha for example is stopped by your skin).

4.48 micro sieverts per hour is equivalent to 0.448 mrem/hr. For context, a commercial airplane flight can easily expose passengers to ~1mrem/hr but that's to the whole body. Wearing a watch would only expose your wrist to the radiation... which is much less sensitive to stochastic effects.

As ibis888 says, the real danger is ingestion. This includes inhaling particles or transferring tiny particles from your fingers to any orifice (nose, eyes, mouth etc). Wash your hands after handling the dial or hands with the crystal off. The risk is very small, but better safe than sorry.

That’s an amazing looking 2998.