One of the newer limited-edition Luminox watches presently out is the Restricted Grasp Carbon SEAL reference 3802.GO.SET that you simply see earlier than you on this aBlogtoWatch evaluation. The timepiece is definitely among the many pricier “traditional-style” Luminox watches accessible, and in reviewing, it I saved asking myself how nicely this Restricted Grasp Carbon SEAL 3802 watch displays the Luminox I first acquired to know years in the past. Luminox is a model that was launched to many individuals by the now-defunct retail chain often called Sharper Picture. The Web killed Sharper Picture (Brookstone by no means actually changed it nicely sufficient) however it was not for lack of a great retail idea. The Sharper Picture was what we’d name at the moment a “idea retailer,” and it was all about delivering a curated collection of cool gear for males, girls, the home, and the outside. Whereas the Sharper Picture didn’t have quite a lot of watches, most areas and catalogs I noticed carried Luminox. The promise was easy — don’t you desire a cool tactical trying timepiece produced with US Navy SEALs in thoughts?
The Luminox gross sales proposition was easy and efficient. For round $300, you, too, could possibly be outfitted with a self-illuminated dive-style watch whose look made you suppose its distant uncle was a tank. Regardless of my curiosity, I by no means truly acquired myself a Luminox watch as a child — primarily as a result of value (which, by at the moment’s requirements, feels fairly inexpensive) and since my mindset on the time was “why pay extra for an analog watch when a digital watch does a lot extra?” Sure, I used to be very sensible, I do know. That mentioned, I recall pondering to myself that, if I had been going to get an analog watch, it could be a Luminox. Whereas the Restricted Grasp Carbon SEAL 3802 just isn’t the primary Luminox I’ve reviewed since my youthful days stalking the gross sales flooring of Sharper Picture mall retailer areas, it’s the first time I’ve thought again to that point. Maybe it’s as a result of this explicit Luminox watch takes the normal idea of the watch and does its greatest to make it each a bit extra trendy, in addition to fashionably fashionable.
Should you aren’t an knowledgeable with the varied Luminox watch fashions, it may be very obscure the variations amongst among the similar-looking fashions. There may be the Luminox Navy SEAL authentic 3001, all the way in which as much as the Grasp Carbon SEAL 3800 sequence, and so much in between. You may have fashions in fiberglass instances, carbon compound instances (Carbonox), metal instances, and Carbonox+ — which is what this timepiece occurs to be made from. Carbonox+ is Luminox’s model of solid carbon, and it has an awesome really feel to it. The 46mm-wide Carbonox case is nicely machined, easy to the contact, and, in line with Luminox, six occasions lighter than metal. Such a fabric has confirmed extraordinarily sturdy and resilient and makes quite a lot of sense for a product equivalent to this. The caseback and crown are in metal, and the motive force’s-style case is waterproof to 300 meters.
How will you inform the Grasp Carbon SEAL from among the different related, albeit cheaper, Luminox watches? At a look, it may be robust. The Grasp Carbon SEAL 3800 sequence is the most important at 46mm-wide (and about 14mm-thick with a roughly 52mm lug-to-lug distance) and likewise options an AR-coated sapphire versus mineral crystal. The 3800 sequence additionally has 300 versus 200 meters of water resistance (like among the extra fundamental Navy SEAL fashions). The case materials isn’t simply Carbonox, however Carbonox+. The distinction between the 2 isn’t apparent at first, however after performing some digging, I used to be capable of finding extra data.
Carbonox appears to be what Luminox calls its extra historic carbon compound materials, whereas Carbonox+ can be carbon, however one with the next density and proportion of carbon fibers. Luminox says that Carbonox+ has twice as a lot tensile power as Carbonox and thrice much less water absorption. What does that imply in real-world phrases? First is the aesthetic factor, since Carbonox+ gives a extra attention-grabbing floor texture. Extra vital is the upper tensile power, which I imagine not solely makes the case extra scratch-resistant, but in addition permits for the case to be extra precision-machined, providing shared edges and flatter surfaces. This latter half is essential to advertise the distinctive form of the case, in addition to permit for a extra “high-end look” from the watch.
For this explicit limited-edition Grasp Carbon SEAL watch, Luminox determined to go together with a dial whose coloration matches the darkish grey case materials. So, what you have got is a comparatively unusual scenario through which the case and dial coloration (in addition to strap for those who put on it on the rubber band) are the same, uniform coloration. Whereas the textures and tones are a bit totally different, the watch is form of the grey model of a phantom watch (all black). What saves legibility in all lighting situations is Luminox’s predictable use of tritium fuel tubes for the fingers and hour markers. The small, barely (but safely) radioactive tubes naturally glow for as much as 25 years and emit a tender inexperienced mild. Luminox just isn’t the one firm to make use of these Swiss Made fuel tubes, but for lots of people, it was Luminox that launched the advantage of tritium fuel tubes in a sport-style watch.
Advertising and marketing photographs of the Luminox 3802.GO.SET watch actually exhibit the vertical line texturing of the dial, however in individual it is a bit tougher to see. I feel the model was going for a texture that appears a bit like concrete, however the impact is a bit mildereal life. That mentioned, the dial texture is definitely a bit extra seen than the shiny grey painted Arabic numeral hour markers — a disgrace as a result of the stencil-style font is enticing. Given the “all grey” theme, it could have been good for the date disc to even be grey in coloration, versus white. A single level of coloration exists on the dial within the type of the sunshine blue tip of the seconds hand, and it’s a pleasant contact when you’ll be able to see it.
As I discussed above, this explicit limited-edition Grasp Carbon SEAL 3802 watch is a trend versus purely functionally themed timepiece. Luminox wished to go together with a principally grey coloration theme, and with that got here some legibility sacrifices, even for those who can simply see the fingers and hour markers, due to the light-colored fuel tubes. There are different Grasp Carbon SEAL fashions with higher-contrast dials for individuals who need to see the hour markers a bit extra clearly. That mentioned, the all-gray look is fairly good-looking.
Across the dial is a uni-directional rotating diver’s model 60-minute timing bezel with a tritium fuel tube lume pip situated on the 60-minute marker. In Carbonox, the bezel nonetheless has a pleasant turning motion to it, full with assuring clicks for every of the 60 positions. Contained in the watch is a Swiss Made quartz motion. I do choose my watches to be mechanical more often than not, however for one thing like this, which is much more of an open air/sport timepiece or “beater watch,” as we typically name it, then a well-made and correct quartz motion is commonly a greater wager. I wouldn’t have spent as a lot time talking in regards to the motion, save for the greater than $700 value of the Luminox 3802.GO.SET — which is in funds mechanical watch territory.
Not like many Luminox watches, the Restricted Grasp Carbon SEAL comes with two straps (24mm-wide), and every is of a really prime quality. My most well-liked strap for practicality is the bespoke textured black rubber strap, however the extra fashionable choice is the grey NATO-style strap. Every of the straps comes with a finely made Luminox signed buckle, which is additional made attention-grabbing by the truth that the 2 straps have totally different types of buckles (you simply don’t see that too usually). As it is a limited-edition “set,” Luminox additionally features a fairly helpful strap altering instrument – although I get an increasing number of accustoned to seeing manufacturers embody tool-less spring bars to make the strap altering course of simpler.
Pretty much as good trying weekend warrior watch, the Luminox Restricted Grasp Carbon SEAL 3802 is a more-than-decent wrist companion. It makes just a few performance sacrifices on the dial within the identify of trend, however, then once more, arguably refunds that loss to the proprietor within the type of exclusivity, on condition that Luminox solely produced 888 items of this limited-edition set. The 46mm-wide case measurement will probably be too giant for some and excellent for others. It’s about as giant as I might go together with this form of case however, generally, I like the big measurement. Luminox has performed nicely to supply numerous technical and aesthetic enhancements to a product which many individuals initially turned aware of within the early 1990s. Whereas precise Navy SEAL members can put on no matter timepieces they like, Luminox continues its custom of positioning any such product as being supposed for the US Navy SEALs and additional consists of the group’s emblem on the caseback. However, typically all it takes to make an proprietor completely happy is a snug case and the promise that, if you end up in a tactically demanding scenario, your timepiece is likely to be higher ready to deal with it than you might be. Value for the Luminox Restricted Grasp Carbon SEAL reference 3802.GO-SET is $725 USD. Study extra or order on the Luminox web site right here.
Needed Knowledge
>Model: Luminox
>Mannequin: Restricted Grasp Carbon SEAL reference 3802.GO.SET
>Value: $725 USD
>Measurement: 46mm-wide, 14mm-thick, and about 52mm lug-to-lug distance.
>When reviewer would personally put on it: Although huge in measurement and a bit expensive, the watch serves nicely in sports activities, outside, or swimming environments while you don’t need to fear in regards to the well being of your timepiece however nonetheless need to look cool.
>Good friend we’d suggest it to first: Fashionable fashionista who likes the thought of a military-style sport watch and needs one thing grey to go together with nearly something of their wardrobe. Or for anybody who makes use of the time period “tactical” with the intention to describe their trend sense, life-style, or spare time activity selections.
>Finest attribute of watch: Carbonox+ materials is nicely performed and gives actual weight financial savings over metallic or different supplies. Case is nicely designed and cozy on the wrist. Every of the straps choices is enticing and cozy to put on.
>Worst attribute of watch: In any other case enticing dial has legibility points numerous in lighting situations, though tritium tubes are at all times simple to identify. Regardless of among the high-end supplies and good construct high quality, the worth feels costly when in comparison with among the competitors. Restricted product data and no storytelling on the Luminox web site.
