I’ve Been Bitten by the Tritium Bug!
In a previous post (https://www.watchcrunch.com/Iluvhomages/posts/what-sayeth-thou-oh-wise-cruchers-32447)) I broached the subject of buying a Smith & Wesson branded watch with tritium lume being the main selling point. After some careful consideration of both my own thoughts and the opinions of fellow Crunchers, I decided on a different route.
The original watch I considered purchasing closed in on $190 MSRP (realistically $120 on Amazon), so there were definitely more options I would be leaving on the table. My main thing was getting a watch featuring tritium lume. My mind goes straight to one brand that has made tritium their primary selling point (along with a tenuous link to the U.S. Navy).
The brand I’m referring to, of course, is Luminox. This watch came in at nearly the same price as the S&W, so how could I go with any other choice? I did some research on WatchCrunch and I was left a little defeated by the opinions of my fellow Crunchers concerning Luminox as a brand and value proposition. I considered sending it back as soon as it arrived, but after having worn it all day, I am going to welcome this Luminox into my collection.
It’s a bit smaller than your everyday Luminox at 43mm, which I think adds to the wearability of it. It’s very lightweight due to the Carbonox construction of the case and bezel. It does have a stainless, screw down case back though. The crown is screwdown and contributes to the 200 meters of water resistance advertised on the watches face.
On the subject of the watch band, the rubber is nice and pliable, while also feeling sturdy and durable. The main gripe I have is that it does not taper as it gets down to the buckle. I have elected to put it on a NATO strap, which I think is a much better look.
Anyone else out there a proud owner of a Luminox? Let me know in the comments below!
Been collecting watches since around 2014, although the watch that kicked off my obsession was a G-Shock 5600 I received in 2011 as a birthday gift. I currently have about a dozen Casio/G-Shock watche...
Congrats on the watch. I know very little of Luminox.
Congrats on the watch. I know very little of Luminox.
They’ve only been around since the ‘90s I believe. It’s a favorite of military wanna-bes and fans of tritium gas tubes. It’s a cool watch and a brand that is technically Swiss Made. All the positives of the watch outweigh the fact it’s not a Swiss automatic with sapphire crystal. I’d recommend this particular model, ad at less than $200, it’s a great value.
I received my Luminox as a gift. The watch sat in my watch box for a year unworn...then... the lume caught my eye! Great little inexpensive quartz banger. Luminox gets their bad rep from their dubious SEAL claims. I wish they would ditch that whole story line. If Rolex can claim Everest & the English Chanel falsely then why not claim the SEALs? He'll we were recently at war for 20 years and Luminox can't find one SEAL vet to pimp the brand? I digress. The BUD/S are way cool and Luminox is cheap Tritium cool!
Yep, once you go tritium there is no going back.
Did you heared about Traser before?
They offer different models but their mother company produces the tritium tubes, used allmost any other watch.
I bought into Luminox due to my dad who daily wears a 90's stainless steel 'Navy Seal' diver and he's never had a problem with it. I think in the beginning Luminox did have contracts with the Seals and other military branches but as is the modern way, G Shocks were cheaper and the advent of smart watches stopped the need for the traditional watch so the contracts dried up. Luminox still clings to that 'heritage' as much as Omega to the moon and Rolex to Everest, but they also have Bear Grylls as a brand ambassador with his own line of gaudy watches, so they still firmly believe in the robustness of their products.
This is my ICE SAR, made in partnership with the Icelandic search and rescue service, steel caseback, sapphire crystal, 200m water resistance carbonox construction make this a fantastic lightweight daily beater that'll easily stand up to daily life.
(For those curious the 112 isn't a misprint, it's the emergency service dial number that connects you to any network regardless of where you are)
I saw Luminox for the first time a couple days ago. I wandered into a jewelry store I had never seen before on Lake Boone Trail in Raleigh. They carry Luminox. The proprietor said he just ordered new stock that should get here in the next week or so.
I like the idea if Tritium tubes for Lume.
I saw Luminox for the first time a couple days ago. I wandered into a jewelry store I had never seen before on Lake Boone Trail in Raleigh. They carry Luminox. The proprietor said he just ordered new stock that should get here in the next week or so.
I like the idea if Tritium tubes for Lume.
I think tritium is amazing. The only drawback is that the tubes stand out considerably when incorporated into a watch dial. I'm sure there are some out there, but it would be cool to see a watch with a sandwich dial that places the tubes underneath the top dial so it allows the tritium to be seen, but obscures the tubes enough that it appears to be a regular painted lume dial.
I think tritium is amazing. The only drawback is that the tubes stand out considerably when incorporated into a watch dial. I'm sure there are some out there, but it would be cool to see a watch with a sandwich dial that places the tubes underneath the top dial so it allows the tritium to be seen, but obscures the tubes enough that it appears to be a regular painted lume dial.
That would be cool
That’s a nice watch