The Safety of WWII German Service Watches: Separating Fact from Fiction

What Makes These Watches Special

World War II-era German service watches, known for their historical significance and distinctive markings, are a topic of fascination for collectors and history enthusiasts. Among the notable features of these watches are the “DH,” “D,” “DU,” and the rarer “DIH” stamps on their casebacks. Special Kriegsmarine watches also exist with only a serial number on the caseback, but a “KM” mark on the dial. These watches were often painted with radium, which gave them a glow-in-the-dark capability. However, there are concerns about the potential dangers of radium, particularly regarding radiation exposure. In this post, I want to clarify these concerns and explain why these watches are generally safe to wear.

The Radium Connection

Radiation is dangerous—but only in certain levels. The universe has something called cosmic background radiation, which is leftover from the Big Bang and present in every occupiable space in the universe. The level of background radiation is about 0.1–0.3 MicroSievert (μSv) on Earth. This is also the standard acceptable amount of radiation for humans for continued exposure. For reference, 1 μSv equals 0.001 mSv.

According to radiationanswers.org:

• 0–50 mSv received in a short period or over a long period is safe—we don’t expect observable health effects.

• 50–100 mSv is still safe—an effect is either nonexistent or too small to observe.

• 100–500 mSv may slightly increase your chances of getting cancer. At about 500 mSv in a few minutes, we may also see short-term blood cell decreases.

• 500–1,000 mSv over time increases your chance of cancer. At this level, you may see changes in blood cells, but the body usually recovers.

• 1,000–2,000 mSv in a short period will cause nausea and fatigue. Over a long period, it increases your chances of cancer.

• 2,000–3,000 mSv in a short time will cause nausea and vomiting within 24–48 hours. Medical attention should be sought.

• 3,000–5,000 mSv will cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea within hours. Hair loss and appetite loss occur within a week. Without medical help, half of people exposed will not survive.

• 5,000–12,000 mSv will likely lead to death in a few days.

• More than 100,000 mSv will cause death within hours.

Radium paint, used on the dials of these watches, made the numbers and hands glow in the dark. Radium is a radioactive element that emits three types of radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. Understanding these types of radiation and how they behave helps clear up the myths surrounding radium-painted watches.

Types of Radiation Explained

Alpha Radiation

• Characteristics: Heavy particles, blocked by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of human skin.

• Health Risk: Dangerous only if inhaled or ingested, as they can damage internal tissue.

• Relevance to watches: Radium-painted watches mainly emit alpha radiation. The watch case and crystal keep it sealed inside. The real risk comes if you open the watch and release radium dust.

Beta Radiation

• Characteristics: Lighter than alpha particles, can penetrate paper but stopped by plastic or glass.

• Health Risk: Can cause skin damage if exposure is prolonged.

• Relevance to watches: Radium in watches emits very little beta radiation, so it's not much of a concern.

Gamma Radiation

• Characteristics: Highly penetrating, can go through the human body and various materials.

• Health Risk: Prolonged exposure can be harmful and cause radiation sickness or cancer.

• Relevance to watches: Radium gives off a small amount of gamma radiation. But the amount used in watches is so small that it quickly loses strength over distance.

Dispelling the Myths: Safety of Wearing Radium-Painted Watches

Radiation Levels

The results in the pictures I show are taken by measuring the highest reading of μSv within 5 minutes of continuous measurement. The radiation from radium-painted watches is very low and not harmful when the watch is intact. Here's why:

• Alpha Radiation: As long as the watch stays closed, alpha particles can't escape. The case is enough to block them.

• Gamma and Beta Radiation: The level of gamma and beta radiation is very low. And at a normal wearing distance (about 60cm or 24"), the exposure drops even more and becomes negligible.

Practical Precautions

Even though these watches are safe to wear, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Avoid opening the watch: Unless really needed, keep the watch closed to avoid releasing any possible radium dust.

• Proper handling: If it needs to be opened for repair or maintenance, do it in a well-ventilated space. Wear gloves and a respirator. After working on it, dispose of the gloves, filters, and materials used.

Historical and Collectible Value

These watches have great historical value. They're not just timepieces—they're artifacts that tell stories from the past. The stamps on the back show their origins and wartime service. For collectors, knowing how to safely handle and wear them adds to their appreciation and makes sure they stay safe for the future.

Do you own a WWII German service watch? Have you ever tested it for radiation—or wondered if you should? I’m going to be at Ciney in April 2025. If you have a watch and you’d like to check it for radiation, come by my stand—I’ll test it for you! I’ll share more details about where exactly I’ll be at Ciney in next week’s update, so if you’re planning to go, stay tuned!

If you want to check out my available watches, click this link to see what I currently have on my website.

Also, make sure to watch my YouTube Short below where I talk about the type of watch German spies wore in WWII—very James Bond style.

👉 What are your thoughts on these WWII German watches?
Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading—hope you found it interesting and maybe learned something new!

See you next week!

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