The Actual Risks of Vintage Radium Dial Watches: A Guide

Many people today are unaware of the potential dangers that these watches can pose to their health. In this video, I will explore the actual risks of vintage radium dial watches, including the type of radiation that they emit, the level of exposure that they can cause, and the dangers that this exposure can pose to your health. We will also discuss how you can protect yourself from these risks and what you need to know if you own a vintage radium dial watch. Whether you are a collector or simply someone who is interested in vintage watches, this video will provide you with important information that you need to know.
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[mlsproject]

Hard to believe we can have a YouTube video with actual science and reasonable, common sense explanations in today's day and age. Excellent work.

[Crazyguy_MC]

Ok this was very helpful. I just found a old pocket compass that has a small amount of radium. I don't intend on opening up the glass or even carrying it around. I just plan on keeping it in a glass display. So now I know I should be completely fine since I will rarely be handling it and it will be behind glass most of the time. I'm probably going to buy a Geiger counter since I plan on collecting uranium glass soon so I can just check the radiation the compass gives off while inside the case. I'm assuming in the case its going to be barely anything.

[woolshire]

Good job on the video, once again! A couple of the largest numbers you derived, although accurate, are definitely worst case. One would need to be on top of those exposed hands and dials for 16 hours per day for a year. It should be noted that the glass and case will lower the dose, as they do provide some beta shielding, and all alpha shielding. Removing the radium under liquid is exactly the correct procedure because the ingestion pathway is waaaay worse than general exposure. And, it’s the alpha radioactivity that finds its way into your bones and never leaves. Also, alpha will not register (for the most part) on the dose rate instrument. I’m a 33 yr career radiochemist. Bottom line; handle with care and be deliberate about minimizing direct exposure to the radium. ie move them several feet away under glass after removing them. Your dose will be very minimal that way.

[justinvmonti]

I exposed myself without knowledge cleaning dial of old bulova from the 1920s.
People think I am crazy when I tell them about radiation in vintage timepieces! Great video

[normanrehme]

You did it again. How did you know this was an issue I’ve been wrestling with and trying to decide how to handle? Thanks again for being a mind reader.

[samnova]

Thanks for the feedback on this topic. Just happens I have already ordered a GMC-300S from Amazon.

[peerhauser]

In your experiment you put the Geiger counter on the hands directly. You compare that with the study, but as you show at 16:30 they're assuming a distance of 30 cm. I too bought a Geiger counter, because I am rather safe than sorry and experimented with distance. And the radiation decreases I would say almost exponentially at distance.
However, this is not a statement for the safe working on radium watches. I myself stored every radium watch in a safe place, never opened and do not intend to ever work on them. That's just my risk profile.

Also on inhalation of radium: I am curious why they are assuming that after one watch repair the radiation after inhalation stops and continues only with the next repair. Don't the particles continue to radiate in your lungs and thus add up with every repaired watch until the half life turns down the emitted radiation?

I also wonder if the trash can is the correct disposable container for radiation paint. I am not into the limit's of house trash allowance however. I asked a local trash provider and they gave me a number for radioctive waste disposal, but never called since I am just storing the watches for now.

Thank you for shining a light on this. It might safe some people new to the trait to not make stupid moves. Also a nice trick to do it submerged in liquid.

[bryanscottandrews]

Ironically I was wondering about this as I was just putting a new strap on a 1927 Elgin with radium dial and hands when this video popped up.

[julienbouillot]

As always - I really appreciate the research and the pragmatic approach to it. Also really enjoy those focused and very detailed videos that explore the intricacies of watch repair. Thank you Alex!

[benkirkland]

This video came through at just the right time. I’ve been researching more about it, questioning here and there, and boom! your next video pops up in my subscriptions with some great answers. Super appreciate it. Looking forward to the next one.

[eggsalad]

This video is so so so amazing thank you! I just started collecting uranium glass and have a Radium clock on the way and have been so confused by all the conflicting information !

[robcarnaroli]

Being able to measure it and let the owner know might be valuable too. They may have no idea and would like it removed. Great vid.

[lonniesharp]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I have a Gruen Precision with a 510 RSS movement in it, which I'm pretty sure is very close to the "Very-Thin" on the video. I looked into it and got hit with a barrage of scaremongering so this definitely put my mind at ease. Thank you for being so thorough and not sensationalizing.

[soundmindtv]

Great info! Very well presented in a logical and analytical way that makes us better informed and able to evaluate the risk. I appreciate it!

[osobad]

First! Love your videos they are so informative!

[pablosoto]

1.- watch perfect seals is a must if you work with radioactive vintages, radioactive dust its the worst way of exposure and surrounding environment contamination way (cause generate possibilities to be breathe/eaten, really the worst ways of exposure cause there its a direct and permanent way of exposure).
2.- Doses are affected by interposing materials, so its lesser at back (due metal) and more in front (plexy or glass) for your arm skin, but in any case less than a direct paint measure.
3.- Today there are Tritium instead Radium (T swiss made T noted at dial for paint, and tiny sealed tritium tubes), a less hazard material but its also discussed.
4.- You cannot thrown away radioactive materials into trash, well you can but you are not being responsible of a 3rd affected, children, humans, garbage workers, animals, soils...these materials need to be stored, labeled with all details and warnings, and ideally, delivered to a radioactive organization in your country. If that doesn't exists in your country, who knows, maybe your own hole capable of storage and resist the next 1k or more years...who knows, In many places there is no safer solution, so solutions in this topics need to be discussed.

[rossjackson]

Thank you Alex. Keeping up with technical issues is just so easy using your tutorials. As an honorary apprentice I feel chuffed.

[Surge]

Great video. Very well researched and presented. Kudos. I appreciate the fact that you provided “numbers” that the viewer could work with the evaluation exposure risk. A lot of these videos are a lot of talk and even measure parts with Geiger counters but don’t provide any context to determine safety exposure.

I am just getting into vintage watches - specifically ww2 era military - and am definitely getting a Geiger counter.

[coffeepanther]

This was very helpful. However, I think a relevant discussion point would be to compare the exposure measured to natural background radiation in addition to recommendations for occupational exposure, especially when you consider studies have found those who work occupationally with radiation to have higher rates of solid cancers. With this as a comparison, you can note that your radiation dosage is comparatively much higher, even if you don’t open the watch.

[michaelemig]

Thanks Alex. Love the way you share your knowledge as I begin my journey into watch service and repair.