You only need to cross paths with a Luminox watch once to understand and fully appreciate their reputation for toughness, strength and visibility. Trusted by elite forces around the globe, their watches are highly tactical in design boasting robust cases and dials decorated with unbelievably bright tritium gas tubes. Ticking all these boxes is two new collections of Luminox tool watches for 2023: the Master Carbon SEAL Automatic 45mm and the Pacific Diver Ripple 39mm.
The Luminox Master Carbon SEAL Automatic 3860 Series
For over 30 years, pretty much since the beginning of Luminox’s history, the watchmaker has been a proud partner to the Navy SEALs. Now paying homage to that relationship is the new Luminox Master Carbon SEAL Automatic 3860, a series of two durable, adventure-ready timepieces geared towards the same difficult environments observed by military personnel. The large 45mm cases and notched unidirectional bezels are engineered from CARBONOX™+, a lightweight, high-performance carbon long bar compound in which carbon fibres account for 40% of its makeup. Trust us when we say these watch cases are super strong and lightweight, and the carbon fibre pattern visible on the case is a nice addition to its field driven aesthetic.
Luminox Master Carbon Seal Automatic - Credit Luminox
The Luminox Master Carbon SEAL Automatic 3860 watches are 200 metres water resistant and protect their jet black dials with scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass treated with anti-reflective coating. The dials are available with a green or steel grey minutes ring which pair with cut-to-fit rubber straps in that same colour. We’re also advised there may be a limited edition version of this watch coming later in the year, a special red-striped edition with a matching red rubber strap. The watches are powered by a Swiss made Sellita-based automatic winding movement with 38 hour power reserves and are generously adorned in Luminox’s legendary Light Technology.
Luminox Master Carbon Seal Automatic - Credit Luminox
WatchGecko Magazine staff have written extensively about Luminox in the past. Recently we interviewed their Head of Global Marketing Pierrick Marcoux and reviewed the classic military Navy SEAL 3501. One of their Bear Grylls ranges of adventure watches, the Survival 3780, was actually my colleague Richard’s watch of the year in 2021!
And if you enjoyed them, the good news is that we have just received a sample Master Carbon from Luminox UK so look out for a full review of this impressive watch in the very near future.
Master Carbon Specifications:
- Case Dimensions: 45mm
- Case Material: CARBONOX™+
- Bezel: Unidirectional rotating, CARBONOX™+ and stainless steel with IP black coating
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating
- Case Back: Hardened mineral crystal
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Swiss automatic SELLITA SW 200-1
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Dial: Black with green or steel grey minutes ring, Luminox Light Technology
- Strap: Rubber
- Price: £999
Luminox Master Carbon Seal Automatic- Credit Luminox
Luminox Pacific Diver Ripple Collection 3120M Series
While the Luminox Master Carbon SEAL Automatic is your obvious tool watch, the Luminox Pacific Diver Ripple Collection offers a range of timepieces that are just as suited to a casual 9-5 lifestyle as one of adventure. The Luminox Pacific Diver has been seen previously with a solid 44mm case but now for even more versatile wear, you can enjoy it in a wonderfully unisex 39mm diameter. There are six designs to choose from, all are engineered with a stainless steel case and CARBONOX™ bezel with sapphire crystal glass, a Swiss quartz movement with a date complication, and a water-resistant up to 200 metres.
Luminox Pacific Diver 'Ripple Collection' - Credit Luminox
Three of the Luminox Pacific Diver Ripple Collection 3120M Series watches come with a mother of pearl dial; one is delivered with a stainless steel Jubilee-style bracelet, another opts for a light blue rubber strap and the third comes with a set of two rubber straps in white and bright pink. Then you have the more conventional stainless steel duo with a blue or black sunburst dial and a final black PVD model with a crisp white dial. The new releases incorporate the Luminox Light Technology on the hour and minute hands and on the minute markers in a unique horizontal placement for visibility in darkness for up to 25 years.
Pacific Diver Specifications:
- Case Dimensions: 39mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Unidirectional rotating, CARBONOX™
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating
- Case Back: Screw down, stainless steel
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Swiss quartz Ronda 515
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Dial: Mother of pearl, black, blue or white
- Strap: Rubber or stainless steel Jubilee bracelet
- Price: £559-£699
Luminox Pacific Diver 'Ripple Collection' - Credit Luminox
The Beauty of the Tritium
One thing Luminox has always done right is dial lume. Traditional lumes like Superluminova are used by the majority of watch brands nowadays, and while they offer a perfectly acceptable level of luminosity for everyday wear, you’ll never find a brighter dial than those set with tritium.
Luminox Light Technology is an outstandingly bright, self-powered illumination system created using tiny tritium gas tubes for unmatched visibility in complete darkness. Whereas Superluminova needs to be recharged by light, tritium watches will constantly glow 24/7 for up to 25 years. It makes watches like the new Luminox Master Carbon SEAL Automatic and Luminox Pacific Diver Ripple very cool pieces of kit, especially if you’re excited by high levels of luminescence.
Luminox Pacific Diver 'Ripple Collection' - Credit Luminox
Final Thoughts
At WatchGecko we have always been impressed by Luminox. They deliver high-performance tool watches in cutting edge technology durable and lightweight cases, Swiss made movements and tritium-decorated dials at an extremely reasonable price point – not something you can say about many watch brands these days.
The Luminox Master Carbon Seal watches are going to be a sure-fire win for those that want something solid yet lightweight, and the horizontally-grooved dials are a nice touch. Thew Master series elevate the classic Navy SEAL watch beyond “military issue” and will be sure to appeal to a wider demographic who are seeking tritium but in a higher end package.
The new Luminox Pacific Diver Ripple Collection is an easy winner for me though, as I particularly love the mother of pearl references; they bring a touch of unexpected elegance to an otherwise masculine sports watch.
Thanks as always to Gemma at Luminox UK for keeping us up to speed with new models and the loan. If you want to know everything about tritium click here to see our YouTube interview with an expert.
