Forgotten 90's Dive Watch: Luminox 3000 Navy Seals Military Wristwatch By 555 Gear
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- What better captures early 90's military watch aesthetics than Luminox watches? With their poly case, tritium capsule dial, and oversized bezel, they are a watch to remember. In this video I touch on their sometimes overstated military connections and review how the watch handles and feels on the wrist. Certainly not the watch for everyone, it was fun to check out something that is also not just the flavor of the day. Let me know if you've ever rocked a Lumi in the comments!
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Cheers, Andrew
I bought my first luminox in 1999. I still have it. Keeps great time, still glows in the dark, I've only changed the battery once. Great watch. Mine also came with a sapphire crystal.
I have the 3100 series for at least 20 years and wear it every day still. Has never failed me. Very accurate. The rubber strap eventually breaks. Running a metal strap on it now.
Have this same watch for years. Never had an issue. Lume lasts for ages. Love it! One of the most accurate mechanical watches I've ever owned. I've never been inclined to pretend I was a Navy Seal, so it's connection or lack of one is irrelevant to me. It's been a great watch and kept perfect time for years.👍
Omg I remember this!
I had a unique version, got it in 2001 I think, it was a promotion Luminox did in conjunction with Volvo. Had the Volvo logo on the dial. The dealership gave it to me when I took my old Volvo 740 in for servicing after it had gone over 200,000 miles.
90's?? Holy shit I just bought one Friday.
Really, at it's core, the Luminox 3000 series is a hybrid drive/field watch. The brand Luminox I believe was trying to sell this watch with the idea if you owned one you were a becoming a part of something as elite as a Navy Seal. No different than those who market other dive and military inspired watches. It's the idea of being seen as adventurous. I work in the maritime industry, many of us out here are ex military as well. The most common "field watch" you see on the wrist is a G-shock or the occasional timex expedition scout. The Luminox is just as described in this video. It's not a very attractive watch, and they're are a lot more better choices out there such as a Hamilton khaki field. Which is my idea of the perfect retro field watch. Or perhaps the most practical; the Casio world time AE1200. Which happens to be a very popular watch in the watch collecting community. If not for the connection to the Navy Seals, I don't think this particular watch would've gained the attention it did.
My dad had one & literally EVERYTHING broke after 3-4 years. His old Casio watches from 20 years ago are still going strong today
Like the Luminox design ethic, Navy SEALS or not. Definitely looking to pick up a modern Luminox.
I just bought a reissue of sorts of the 3000 series- the 3003 Evo. I tucked away the rubber strap and put the watch on a Ritchie nylon strap. I believe it has the Ronda 515 movement. I also have a G-9000 Mudman, which has been the most accurate quartz watch I have ever owned.
I have one on right now, a tan-faced one which I think is now rare. I bought it in 2004 or 2005. Still runs perfect. Excellent, precise time. Good lume still at night. It is very light. I don't usually wear it but have been going through a phase now when I have rediscovered it.
Pluses:
- second hand lights up too and hits every marker on mine perfectly
- very light but tough carbon fiber case
- brightness lasts many years
- bezel is tight and clicks nicely
Negatives:
- no screw-down crown
- can at times seem a bit like a toy
You're correct. The tan face is rare. I have one and I never wear it. I am trying to sell it.
Classic. The blue looks great and I love how the logo pops. Sorry to see it’s not a lume master, though.
Definitely a handsome logo on this dial!
I just picked up the newest release of this watch 8/24/2023, and there have been improvements since this review. Sapphire crystal with AR coating, screw down crown and case back to be precise. (Perhaps the crown was that before.) As for the rotating bezel: I like it for timing a steak on the BBQ grill for example. It gives me a quick reference to how long on each side. Luminox calls this new release the Original Navy Seal Evo. Very easy to read in every lighting condition. Comparable in size to a G-Shock 5610 square. This wears well on a smaller wrist.
edit: Not completely new but some new colorways. I got the 3013 model. I am not entirely certain when the Evo model came out.
I have a 3400 series... any info on O ring replacement size?
Casio and Timex do similar versions of this watch but much cheaper.
Had one and believed the hype, that it was a tough, durable watch-the movement lasted 3 years or so. Sent it back and the replacement movement would have cost about as much as a new one.
good morning do you know what size the crown is on the 3000 i cant find any info and mine went missing i have to buy a new stem and crown for the ronda 515 and i cant find any info
I had one 10-15 years ago. Liked it at the time but don't know what happened to it. Since getting serious about watches I feel they are overpriced for what they are.
I agree. They were a novelty in the 90's I believe simply because of the connection to the elite Navy Seals. As an owner of such a watch I believe Luminox wanted to sell their products under that persona of elite performance. In today's market, they are just as you mentioned, purely over priced for what they are.
Hey, I'm new to the channel and I been thinking on getting this piece but I've heard that's over priced, so how much you think I worth to pay?? Great video
I think tritium tubes are a cool, fun feature. I'd like to get a watch with them and wear it to an opera, despite the fact that they're normally find in more utilitarian watches.
go with a Marathon GSAR then, they use tritium and make much better watches
I have a 0200 Navy SEAL for 6 y
it's a perfect watch to me
I wanted this exact Luminox for a bit but it didn't look quite right on my 7" wrist. I went with the 3050 model which looks great. Either one makes a great light, grab and go, beater sport watch.
When you say it didn't look right on your wrist, did you think it looked too small or big?
@@BuffaloNickel9 If I recall, it was smaller and didn't have the wrist presence I was looking for. The 3050 models were just slightly larger and they sit nice and centered on my wrist.
@@TheElectricCentaur thx ya much
Cool
Witch battery does it take.
I've had a Luminox navy seal dive watch for about 15 years now, maybe longer mine is unique and I cannot seem to find another watch that looks like mine, actually says the word "navy seals" on the watch face we're most are saying Swiss made. Can anyone help me out to identify my particular watch. It does indeed keep excellent time, it's been glowing steady for 15 years without an issue and holds up quite well.
Thank,
Jim
Maybe it was oncr a seals watch, but reading so many people complain about its quality in the recent years seems like its no longer what it used to be.
Nice watch I like the blue dial. Is the case plastic or steel? I have a feeling its plastic. The badge on the case back is that the navy seals logo? Thanks.
Ps. Do a video on your shot guns if you have time one day
Thanks for the vid recommendation!
Cousin had a luminox fell on the ground doing some sport and the watch shattered.
Bummer!
I dropped mine on the kitchen floor and the crystal shattered
Dropped mine on concrete parking lot,about 7’.a scratch on bezel,still runs.Still glows,had for about 20 years.only couple battery changes
it is not a seal watch, there is no such thing. The Luminox is a pure marketing watch with a 3 Euro movement inside.
There are alot of negative reviews on these. So i have not wanted to take a chance.
These are not real military watches like the Stocker and Yale or Marathon watches on the 80s, 90s and 2000s. They are basically just low to mid grade knock offs capitalizing on clever marketing and interesting design. And the same can be said for all Luminox watches, in terms of actual military lineage. However, they do produce many cool designs, including the original "SEAL" version. Therefore, I am still somewhat drawn to them. I see a lot of reviews stating they are fragile junk, but I've never experienced that. I've owned a half dozen and never had any sort of failure.
Hey guy, you gotta get the videos going again, guy
Doing what I can, thanks for tuning in!
My 3100 bought new 2007 is now obsolete..no spares..can't even get it serviced..Thanks Luminox Huh!!!
We got taken. They are just a basic watch which the Seals never wore.