[inquest]

Night use - so we're talking radioactive (beta, I assume) glow?

So is this a standard feature in a lot of watches, or something that only scientist-types can get?

[RadioAstronomer]

Indeed. Beta decay. :-)

http://www.westcoastime.com/marnavnewall.html

http://store.lapolicegear.com/smithandwesson.html

http://www.righttime.com/rt/citizen/jr3060-59f.htm

(last one (Citizen) is the watch I wear. :-))