If you have been ever tasked with sketching a Luminox watch from reminiscence, you’d almost certainly begin with the model’s daring two-tone chevron wordmark, round which you’d in all probability draw a black, outsized case, that sharply textured polymer bezel, including in some syringe-shaped palms earlier than ending the dial with a hoop of luminous tritium tubes — all hallmarks of the model’s unique Navy SEALs watch. Some 25 years later, it’s the identical silhouette that persists on the model’s newest evolution of the SEALs watch — a third-generation device watch that shares a lot of the core DNA of the primary Luminox watch that was known as into service by the Navy SEALs again in ‘92, due to a fortuitous assembly with a U.S. Navy SEAL officer at an outside gear present.
A contemporary re-issue of the the unique 3000-Sequence SEALs watch from 1994.
Inside the labyrinthine world of military-issued merchandise commissioned by numerous authorities contracts, Particular Forces just like the Navy SEALs function on a unique degree. These models are usually allowed to decide on their very own weapons and equipment, which allows their RDT&E Officers (or Analysis, Growth, Testing, & Analysis, for these protecting rating at residence) to hunt out the merchandise greatest suited to mission use. Naturally, an endorsement by the Navy SEALs could be amongst probably the most coveted in watchmaking — in spite of everything, who’s better-suited for example a watch’s sturdiness or functionality than a crack navy unit whose grueling choice course of is dubbed “hell week?” That endorsement, and subsequent deployment on the wrists of the world’s most elite combating power, has lengthy remained the holy grail for device watch producers and even a number of high-end luxurious watchmakers like Graham and (maybe extra famously) Jaeger LeCoultre.
However what the SEALs truly select to put on on missions vs. what luxurious watchmakers would need us to imagine they put on are two completely various things. What makes the Luminox story distinctive, although, is that a Navy SEAL RDT&E officer truly labored straight with the model to design an analog watch that met the unit’s particular wants. Most of the above hallmarks — the rugged, non-reflective black case, the deeply scalloped bezel, and the luminous tritium parts (enjoyable truth: those self same tubes are used on numerous weapon sights for higher goal acquisition and legibility in low gentle) made their manner on to what would finally be the 3000-Sequence, and the ultimate watches bought and utilized by the SEALs.
That early endorsement by the SEALs would pave the best way to different Luminox contracts with numerous navy, legislation enforcement and first response models around the globe. Now in its third iteration, the brand new 3600 Sequence SEALs watch has been subtly up to date, presenting itself with a sleeker, extra stripped-down visible type that preserves the core performance of the unique SEALs watch, whereas ratcheting again the overt tactical type in favor of what’s arguably a extra fashionable aesthetic. Just like the outgoing 3500 Sequence, the brand new watches are nonetheless constructed with the Ronda 515 Swiss quartz motion inside a light-weight black carbon fiber-reinforced composite case (known as Carbonox) that’s waterproof to 200 meters, due to its metal screwdown crown and caseback, however it’s now fitted with a brand new stamped dial that’s just a little extra enjoyable to take a look at below numerous lighting angles. You’ll be aware that solely the even-numbered hours stay, decreasing a lot of the visible muddle that characterised earlier generations of the SEALs watches.
Talking of visible muddle, the scalloped ratcheting dive bezel is again (be aware it’s textured each prime and sides, enabling simple rotation from both a gloved palm or fingertip), however solely the 10-minute graduations persist, which, once more, cleans issues up significantly from a visible standpoint. The tip outcome feels just a little extra dynamic (significantly within the drab olive inexperienced), and maybe just a little extra high-end, due additionally partially to the brand new AR-coated sapphire crystal defending the dial. Notably when in comparison with earlier generations of the SEALs watches, which felt nearly too tactical — just like the timekeeping equal of an aftermarket AR-15 inventory.
In fact, it wouldn’t be a Luminox with out the GTLS (gaseous tritium gentle supply) or tritium tubes that ring the dial, glowing with none exterior charging or gentle supply for as much as 25 years. These tubes are actually vertically oriented, although, which creates a sequence of 12 “dots” across the dial, somewhat than the luminous “dashes” that characterised earlier SEAL watches. It’s a cool visible impact, for certain, although the tradeoff is probably going much less seen luminescent materials at a look, because the floor space of the biggest tubes are, kind of, relegated to the sword-style hour and minute palms. Additionally new is a cyclops that magnifies the date aperture at three o’clock. Between all of the contemporary design updates, that is maybe probably the most incongruous ingredient, arguably including a little bit of visible muddle, whereas all the opposite adjustments make the watch extra spartan in its method.
On the wrist, the 45mm Carbonox case wears as anticipated: it’s actually giant, however not overly so, due to its extraordinarily gentle weight. Usually talking, I’d argue a best-case put on state of affairs for a Luminox isn’t on a regular basis put on, however as the last word weekend or journey watch – each contexts the place a barely bigger watch (significantly one powered by a quartz motion) could be forgiven within the title of higher legibility or sturdiness. The Luminox 3600 Sequence Navy SEALs watches have a urged retail worth of $495. These wanting so as to add one to their gear locker can study extra in regards to the new assortment at luminox-usa.com.
