No, the tritium would not shine in the dark. Tritium based luminescence works specifically because the flow of radioactive electrons from the tritium energizes the Luminous material, which gives off light. In this case the lume needs a constant flow of energy to glow- which is why you can energize tritium markers with an ultraviolet light source and they will glow
briefly. They've been re-energized enough to give off some glow.
Luminova uses a completely different luminous material which absorbs energy and glows for a much longer period; it doesn't need constant energizing.
Secondarily, tritium is an isotope of hydrogen, and the tritium is
literally part of the hydrocarbon binding material of the luminescent paint itself. As tritium decays, one of the neutrons emits a beta particle (high energy electron). The result is no longer hydrogen, but essentially helium. This means that tritium paint is literally breaking down on the molecular level as it ages. A workaround is tritium gas tubes- I think some watches still may employ these (but someone else will have to chime in).
Is a Speedmaster water resistant enough for this - rain and hands washing?(I've seen people on the web calling it paper)
People on the web are... I'm trying to come up with a polite way of saying absolute morons, so if you've got one, let me know. But they're absolute morons. A speedmaster can handle handwashing and rainstorms. Here on omegaforums we often joke about not wearing a Speedy while mowing the lawn, but its a joke. You can, and you can even swim with a speedmaster. It is good to its rated 50meters of water pressure/5bar. I wouldn't
dive with one. And I wouldn't swim in the ocean with one. but if it has been pressure tested recently I
am comfortable with submerging it in the sink, wearing in the shower, even lake play.
Again- this is absolutely going to come down to what watch
you would be happy with though.