Late 30's Omega. What did I buy?

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I have 2 radium dial watches from the 1940's that still glow. If the paint wasn't oxidized or damaged by moisture it may still be good. It will be radioactive, regardless.
I'll check it out when I get home.
 
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Take it into a room that is completely dark with no light, whatsoever. I have a windowless office in my basement that works. You may need to wait a few minutes for your eyes to adjust and then you will see a faint glow. I have 6 or 7 watches with radium from as early as 1930 up to the early 1960’s and all of them glow all night long - some brighter than others.
 
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Haven't had a chance to check. Does radium last that long?

Radium-226 has a half-life of 1600 years, so it should continue to glow faintly for the lifetime of the watch. Unlike Tritium, which decays rather quickly.
 
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Haven't had a chance to check. Does radium last that long?
Radium can glow for centuries if it's still undamaged and will continue to be radioactive for multiple lifetimes.
 
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Seems to be a 23xx reference! Those are tiny by today's standards with a 30-31mm case diameter. They typically run on an R17.8 or R17.8SC (for the center sweep pieces).

Taking the chance to share my ref 2300 too hehe

 
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Seems to be a 23xx reference! Those are tiny by today's standards with a 30-31mm case diameter. They typically run on an R17.8 or R17.8SC (for the center sweep pieces).

Taking the chance to share my ref 2300 too hehe

Thanks for the reference number!