Basel news - Luminox

LUMINOX - Deep Dive

The new automatic Deep Dive is the latest addition to the Luminox collection of certified watches designed for diving professionals. These instruments, which have been used for over 20 years by the Navy Seals, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Stan Waterman, a pioneer in the field, are the pride of Luminox, a brand which continually strives to push back the limits of the ocean depths while fulfilling the most demanding specifications. Water-resistant to 500 metres, the Deep Dive features an automatic helium valve, a bezel locking system (patent pending), and the unique Luminox Light Technology system. This ensures optimum visibility thanks to the micro-tubes which emit a blue glow, the last colour a diver can discern as he decends. Numbered limited edition.

does anyone own a Luminox here? I am curious about how an owner would review the watch.

Thanks Boscoe

I have an F-16 quartz three hand model that I won in a karma giveaway at BDWF, from a pilot who actually flew an F-16 while wearing it. It's a very solid watch, 40mm case (looks smaller), great bezel action, and the tubes light up nicely. The second hand is slightly off the minute markers. It came on a hard rubber Luminox strap, and I bought an aftermarket Oyster bracelet because I could not source the Luminox bracelet anywhere.

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I have 2 Luminox watches. Both are solidly built and the tubes really light up. The thing about tubes is that the brightness isn't really at it's max until your eyes adjust to the dark. At first it's not a big deal,but look an hour later and it's amazing. Both mine are quartz so I can't vouch for their automatic offerings.

Just got the Luminox Black out quarts in Jan. Very light and comfey. Tubes are great. Great night time watch.

I have a steel cased Navy Seals and recently purchased a plastic cased Navy Seals with the new beveled chapter ring and yellow dial. The steel version rocks, I guess I just like steel watches. The carbon version is light and like wearing nothing, which makes it comfortable but like I said, I guess I like steel watches, so I'm somewhat underwhelmed with that one. It was bought to feed my lust for a yellow dial watch. Both are quartz with EOL for the battery. The steel Luminox ran in EOL mode (second jumps 2 to 3 seconds when the battery is low) for a month before the battery finally died. Ample warning to get a new battery when the time comes, but I wanted to see how long it would go.

Decent watches for the money I spent (both of mine preowned), for dependable, no fuss, lume. That said..... If it wasn't for the lume, and I think others may agree, Luminox would not be a watch I would go for.

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I had two in the past, a Navy Seal II and the F-117 Nighthawk stainless w/black IP plating. From a cost standpoint, I was very satisfied with what I got for the money. I had both for quite a while, and got my fair share of use out of them and was still able to get a fair price when sold.
They both were as good as some and way better than others. I used the Seal as my beater for at least three and a half years. I went thru a few straps, but the watch head itself was as tough and light as you could want, and you don't have to worry about seeing it at night. Of course the tubes aren't as bright as newly charged luminous material, but after a while it fades to nothing. After your eyes become attuned to the low or no light conditions the tubes become very easy to see and read at a glance.
Good watches at a fair price. I really would like to see Luminox open up with the designs a little. Maybe do something sorta like Reactor did in combining the tubes with top notch and heavily applied luminous paint. More autos and good chronos. Good company, good product. Field tested about as well as any watch could be.
Avoid Smith and Wesson tube watches. Not as well built, and it would not surprise me if they were buying weak or old tubes for them. They were very dim and impossible to read without squinting. There are plenty more options around now, that's for sure.

I had a chance to get one a year ago from a friend, I for some reason passed on it.