Top 10 Best Luminox Watches [List & Guide]

Top 10 Best Luminox Watches [List & Guide]

Luminox is a Swiss watch brand most closely associated with making sporty and robust military and tool watches. Luminox, in our experience, often tends to fall in the shade of Victorinox (which are two different brands by the way). But Luminox certainly deserves to be highlighted and praised for its great products.

Something that we appreciate about Luminox is that they have found their own style with their watches. This means that you know exactly what to expect from the brand: sporty, robust timepieces that are built to last, but also to look great.

Furthermore, Luminox doesn’t just make watches that are built to last in theory, but these watches are tried and true by some of the most demanding wearers. In 1992, the Assistant Officer in Charge (AOIC) for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Nick North, worked together with the Luminox founder Barry Cohen to develop a watch specifically for the Navy SEALs.

Luminox started providing watches to the SEALs, and soon thereafter, more elite units contacted the brand directly, including the U.S. Coast Guard, New York City Police Department, Singapore Air Force, Special Military Forces Israel, and many other law enforcement groups asking for watches.

In 1998, the US Air Force pilots flying the F-117 Nighthawk™ Stealth fighter jet approached Luminox, and this led to a worldwide license agreement to produce Lockheed Martin timepieces.

Luminox watches history & background

Luminox was founded in 1989 and the name services from the two words Lumi and Nox, which are Latin for light and night. In Luminox’s own words, it was ”driven by a commitment to offering cutting-edge luminescence and readability in its line of high-performance sports watches.”

Worth knowing is that Luminox is not a Swiss brand, but was rather founded in San Rafael, California. The watches, however, are made in Switzerland. Apart from being tough and durable, they are known for using luminous inserts and focus on great long-term luminescence for optimum legibility. Thanks to being US-based, the brand has been able to break into the US market very well, and successfully introduce its Swiss watches to the general public.

Best Luminox watches

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In this article, we will go through the best Luminox watches. Because the term ”best” is always subjective and dependent on which factors you look at, we will look at the most popular Luminox watches with the best reviews. This is a great starting point because if the general public has deemed these as the most popular, chances are, you will enjoy them too.

If you’re looking for robust and sporty military-inspired timepieces, Luminox is definitely a watch worth exploring. In addition, if you consider their price points, they also offer great value for money. So without further ado, let’s dig into the best Luminox watches.

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Luminox 3059 EVO Navy SEAL

The Luminox EVO Navy SEAL Colormark is a watch that is as tough as it looks. It is presented with a Polyurethane case with a diameter of 44mm and has a mineral crystal on top. The watch is water-resistant to 200m/660 feet, meaning it is suitable for recreational scuba diving

The watch is presented with large markers for optimum legibility and has a date window presented at 3 o’clock. In Luminox’s words, this watch glows 100 times brighter than other luminous watches, which allows for easier visibility. The watch has an all-black design which is contrasted by bright orange Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel.

All in all, it has a very sporty appearance and is built to handle harsh conditions and manage different tough situations you may subject it to. 

Specifications

• Diameter: 44mm
• Crystal: mineral
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

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Luminox Navy SEAL XS.3603/3600 Series

The Luminox Navy SEAL watch features a carbon case known as Carbonox which makes it very light. It is part of the Navy SEAL 3600 Series and is thus built for optimum performance.

It has a 45mm case and offers a water resistance of 200m/660 feet. The weight is a mere 75 grams which is rather impressive. The thickness is 24mm. On top of the case, it uses a sapphire crystal which is a nice detail that is mostly found in more expensive timepieces. To ensure perfect durability, it has a doubled screwed-down crown.

For durability and comfort, it is presented on a genuine rubber strap. To help with legibility, it uses an ”always visible” technology that ensures constant glow for up to 25 years.

It is presented with a unidirectional rotating bezel which allows you to measure elapsed time. The dial is blue and has a striped pattern. At 3 o’clock, it features a date window.

Like all Luminox watches, it is built to last and has a very sporty appearance.

Specifications

• Diameter: 45mm
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Weight: 75 grams
• Lug width: 24mm
• Crystal: sapphire
• Movement: Swiss quartz

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Luminox 3001 Quartz Navy SEAL Dive Watch

The Luminox 3001 Navy SEAL dive watch is one of Luminox’s most classic and popular timepieces. It is presented with a polyurethane case with a diameter of 43mm. It is water-resistant to 200m/660 feet and is powered by a precise Swiss quartz movement.

To ensure its water resistance, it has a screw-down case back and a crown with a double-security gasket. It features an aluminum case which makes it very light, but what makes it stand out is its all-black look with large white markers which provide optimum contrast and excellent legibility. It has a black dial and large Arabic numerals. The date window is positioned at 3 o’clock.

With its slightly smaller case design, this is a highly popular timepiece that is actually quite versatile, and its all-black look makes it somewhat discreet, whilst maintaining its sporty appeal.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Diameter: 43mm

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Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle Giant 44 mm XS.0337

The Luminox Sea Turtle Giant is presented with a 44mm Carbonox case which makes it extremely light, only 50 grams. The concept of the Sea Turtle collection is to make timepieces that incorporate all of the crucial components of a lightweight, tough and reliable watch, but at a more affordable price point. This is also what makes this watch so immensely popular and great value for money.

It has a very evident tough military-inspired design, in particular with its military green-colored dial. At 3 o’clock it has a date window, and it has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. To ensure water-resistant it has a hardened mineral crystal and a double-security gasket.

The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement. It incorporates a unidirectional rotating bezel to measure elapsed time.

Specifications

• Weight: 50 grams
• Thickness: 12mm
• Diameter: 44mm
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Crystal: hardened mineral glass

 

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Men’s Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle 44mm

This is one of our favorite Luminox watches, and also one of the most popular Luminox watches thanks to its classic and sporty appearance. This watch has a design that is exactly what we associate with Luminox.

The Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle is a 44mm watch with a Carbon compound case which makes it very light on the wrist. It is presented on a black rubber/silicone strap.

To ensure excellent legibility even in low-lit conditions, it incorporates night vision Illuminating tubes on the hands and hour markers. The watch is powered by a Swiss-made quartz movement and offers a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. On top, it has a scratch-resistant mineral crystal.

Thanks to its classic and relatively sleek and discreet design, it is quite a versatile timepiece that works great for everyday wear. And of course, without compromising on the quality.

Specifications

• Diameter: 44mm
• Water-resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Crystal: Mineral glass
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Lug width: 22mm

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Luminox 1801.NV Land Field Automatic 1800

The Luminox 1801.NV Land Field is an automatic watch, which is nice considering most Luminox watches are quartz. This will be particularly appreciated by watch nerds and horologists. As a result, the prices are naturally higher, but it’s still safe to say that the watch offers exceptional value for money as it incorporates lots of premium materials.

This watch is presented with a 43mm stainless steel case, which is another nice touch since many Luminox watches have carbon cases. This adds some heft to the watch and is great if you want a watch that provides a solid feeling on the wrist. Also, thanks to the stainless steel case with a satin finish, together with its brown leather strap, it becomes a more versatile timepiece that works great for everyday wear.

The watch has a water resistance of 10 ATMs and features a screw-down crown and a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. For excellent legibility in low-lit conditions, it features the Luminox light technology which is built to provide constant night visibility for up to 25 years. This comes in the form of tiny gas lights on the hands, hour markers, and on the bezel. 

As mentioned, this watch is powered by a self-winding automatic movement and also incorporates a day and date indication.

If you want a tough and durable watch with a great performance presented in a slightly more elegant design, this is a great alternative. It is built as a field watch and has a day and date window at 3 o’clock as well as large Arabic numerals. The dial has a nice vintage-inspired dial with lovely details.

Specifications

• Diameter: 43mm
• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Movement: Swiss automatic

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Luminox Automatic Sport Timer

This watch uses lots of high-quality premium materials that enhance its impression of quality and gives it more of a premium look.

The Automatic Sports timer is another watch with a stainless steel case, this time in 42mm. To give it a sporty appearance, Luminox has completely brushed the case both on the top and sides. A great value proposition that makes it appear more premium is the fact that it uses a unidirectional bezel with a ceramic insert. On top of the case, it has an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. To ensure its water resistance of 200m/660 feet, it also has a screw-down crown that sits protected between the crown guards.

Whilst still robust and durable with great premium materials, it weighs only 95 grams.

The watch is powered by the automatic SW-220 caliber. A nice detail is that if you turn the watch around, you’ll notice that it has a see-through case back allowing you to see the automatic movement inside. This is a detail that watch nerds will particularly appreciate-

For improved legibility, it uses Luminox’s classic self-powered illumination tubes which have been placed on the hands, markers, and bezel.

All in all, this is a durable and high-performing dive watch with a classic design that makes it suitable for everyday wear.

Specifications

• Weight: 95 grams
• Diameter: 42mm
• Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

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Victorinox 249087 Original XL

The Victorinox 249087 XL is a watch with a sleek and classic design yet with great durability without compromising on its performance. In addition, it is also one of Luminox’s most affordable watches. It has a white dial with a date window positioned at 3 o’clock and large black contrasting Arabic numerals. The water resistance o this watch is 100m/330 feet. For improved legibility in low-lit conditions, it has luminescent hands and hour markers.

It has a 43mm plastic case with mineral crystal on top. It is powered by a Swiss quartz movement. The case measures 43mm and has a thickness of 10mm.

All in all, this is a tough and affordable timepiece that is great if you want a trusted companion that you don’t have to worry too much about getting knocked around. It’s perhaps not elegant enough for everyday wear, but it is very suitable for the outdoors and sports.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Diameter: 43mm
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Crystal: Mineral glass
• Thickness: 10mm

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Luminox Men’s LM8822.MI Recon Point Black Watch

The Luminox LM8822.MI Recon Point Black has a classic Luminox design with a 45mm polycarbonate case with an anti-reflective sapphire dial window on top. It has a water resistance of 200m/660 feet which is suitable for professional marine activity and water sports, but not scuba diving.

It is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel with compass markings which can be convenient to have for outdoor activities. It is powered by a quartz movement. It is quite a busy dial with Arabic numerals and a walking speed scale around the outer rim of the dial. At 3 o’clock, it has a date window.

For excellent legibility in low-lit conditions, it uses Luminox’s signature luminescent tubes for a long-lasting glow.

If you want a sporty and tough timepiece with a sporty appeal, this is definitely a great choice. In addition, it is ready to take on any challenge you may put it through.

Specifications

• Diameter: 45mm
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Diameter: 50mm
• Thickness: 11mm
• Lug width: 23mm
• Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire

 

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Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic Blue XL.1003/1000 Series

Last but not least, we have the Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic Blue Dial XL.1003/1000 Series. This is a unique high-performing timepiece in a number of different ways.

The watch has a 46mm Carbonox case with crown protection. Its case design stands out of the ordinary due to its aggressive lugs with sharp angles. This is a tough and lightweight case, which is the reason why it weighs only 72 grams. On top of the case sits a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. The watch has a water resistance of 200m/660 feet. The thickness of this case is 13mm.

This watch is also the official watch of the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR), and if it is good enough for them, it should be good enough for us.

For excellent legibility in low.-lit conditions, it has luminous tubes on the hands and markers. These can glow for up to 25 years. The watch also has a beautiful textured blue dial with lots of attention to detail. The use of blue goes very well together with its purpose and its name.

Another great detail about this watch that is a nice value proposition is that it is powered by an automatic RONDA 515 HF 6 caliber.

Specifications

• Weight: 72grams
• Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire
• Movement: RONDA 515 HF 6
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Diameter: 46mm
• Thickness: 13mm

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Are Luminox watches good quality?

Luminox focuses on making affordable watches, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t of good quality. Luminox watches are known for being robust, durable, and qualitative. Luminox has a ton of different models made in all kinds of different materials. For obvious reasons, the plastic watches that Luminox makes aren’t as qualitative as its steel watches, but at the same time, they are affordably priced, and the relation between price and quality still remains high.

With this in mind, we can definitely say that Luminox watches are worth the money.

Is Luminox Swiss Made?

Luminox is an American brand of Swiss-made watches. With that said, Luminox watches are swiss made. In 2017, there was a new Swiss law that regulated what was allowed to be called Swiss-made and not. The law states that the components of Swiss manufacture account for at least 60 percent of the total value.

In addition, the movement must be swiss and encased in Switzerland. The final inspection must also be done in Switzerland. And Luminox watches meet all these criteria, giving them the ability to use the “Swiss made” marking.

Is Luminox used by Navy SEALs?

Yes, Luminox watches have been the go-to choice for a number of professionals, including Navy SEALs, the US Coast Guard, law enforcement divers, and many more for more than 25 years. The ultimate testimony of a tough watch is that it is being used by professionals in demanding situations without failing, and that is exactly what Luminox watches have proven themselves to be able to do.

Since just a short time after the company launched, it has had close partnerships with the US Navy SEALS and other elite units. Luminox also makes watches for a number of additional elite units all over the world, including the Singapore Air Force, and the Special Military forces in Israel.

How long will a Luminox watch last?

The luminous glow in a Luminox watch will continuously glow for up to 25 years. In terms of quality, how long the watch will last ultimately depends on how you use it and care for it. If it is a quartz watch, you need to change the battery, but if you do that, a Luminox watch can last for decades with the proper care.

What kind of movement does Luminox use?

Luminox only uses Swiss movements. The exact type of movement they use depends on the model, but most of Luminox’s watches are quartz. The company focuses on quartz movements but also makes some automatic watches. Just like with its quartz movements, the automatic movements are Swiss-made.

Are Luminox watches waterproof?

All Luminox watches are water-resistant from 100 – 500 meters depending on the model. The water resistance of your timepiece will sometimes be indicated on the dial, otherwise on the case back. To ensure water resistance over time, it is always advised to pressure test the watch occasionally before jumping into the water. But thanks to the fact that they are all at least 100m water-resistant, it means that you can go swimming with any Luminox watch.