Rolex

chippyfly
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Baron . . .

Thank you.   I have read all the articles, which are great but what was generally missing was the answer to the question: Can one wear such a radioactive watch safely and if so for how long?!

I previously came to the conclusion that up to 0.3 µSv/hr was generally OK for daily use, up to 1.25 µSv/hr was OK daytime for a very few days at a time but greater than 10 to 12  µSv/hr was an hour or so maximum.   I tried to use the inverse square law to find the radiation level at the watch (ie where it would be on the wrist) where the Geiger reading was showing its maximum 9.99.    At 3cms the reading was 8.8µSv/hour, at 4cms: 5.0µSv/hour, at 8cms: 1.24µSv/hour, at 12cms: 0.56µSv/hour (accuracy not very great but I wanted to see a ball park).   The watch is a 1958 G-P 7317 Gyromatic in great condition that I should love to wear but do not!   Instead it sits in a box away from we humans at home.   The Gyromatic does not glow at all even after light exposure, which indicates to me the presence of radium 226.   The amount of lumen on the hands and dial is very small, which just goes to show how difficult it is to make any assessment based on apparent quantities.   I bought the G-P at auction and now wonder what happened to the original owner ie when did he die and what of?!!   

Regards

Clive