I've had my Luminox USAF 3400 for 17 years. I wore it everyday through military service, and for years after. It's still ticking without any issues whatsoever. I've swam with it, went through SERE school, and even a water survival class in Pensacola with it. It does have a screw down crown, AR sapphire, and steel case though. The tritium is still better than any other lume I have for reading all night.

When I was in the Navy (many years ago), the 3051's were standard issue to the teams. They were very well made during the time and few out there were better. You had your G-shock fans, and some even wore Timex's, but Luminox was THE brand to have back then. I wore mine every day and only replaced the band because the rubber had deteriorated. I have a newer 3051 made in about 2015 which does not have ANY of the issues you mentioned. It is a tough watch. Went snorkeling, diving, and SCUBA with it and never had an issue. There is an inner rubber seal at the crown so when it is pushed down, no water gets in there. The tritium glow is still as bright as the day I bought it. The only thing even close to comparable regarding lume, in this price range is a Seiko SRP777, or Victorinox Airboss. Higher end, maybe an Omega Seamaster. The Tritium is designed for NO LIGHT, not low light. Why? Because it's nuclear. Mine glows all night in a dark room. No charging needed. EVERY night. Try that with another watch in this price range and within 20 minutes, their lume is non-existent. Is it a toy? Absolutely NOT. This watch is NOT a "kids watch." No disrespect to the OP pooping all over 'Nox, but this watch is bad-ass. Contrary to the OP's opinion video, just because it is lightweight, doesn't mean it's cheap. Many watches are lightweight and cheaply made. This is NOT one of them. Besides, is a Titanium Omega Seamaster cheap because it's light weight? Rhetorical question, as we all KNOW it isn't cheap. Lightweight, sure....but does that make it a "toy?" Absolutely not. Additionally, the Luminox is a Swiss movement, so right off the bat, that makes it more accurate than about 75% of the junk on the market today. This is a terrific watch, and gets a lot of attention whenever I wear mine.

An inexpensive alternative is the Casio MRW-200, it only costs 20 USD. 100M water resistance, rotating bezel, 43mm and a very strong material, I highly recommend it.

Both my sons are Military, both wear G Shocks day to day. All their buddy's wear G Shocks day to day. This watch is as tactical and useful as my lazy brother-in-law.

Gotta say, I like the increased focus on quartz watches.

I'm a professional diver and have had many many Dive watches over my 30 years of diving. For me, my Luminox is definitely a tool. It does have a screw in crown, sapphire crystal and plenty of lum on deep low viz dives. I like the bezel because it is easy to use it with thick dive gloves - I actually use the bezel as back up to my dive computer - I'm old school. It is light, comfortable and reliable. Definitely a Tool for me!

I have had mine for years and have worn it throughout my whole service in the army and have never had a single problem with it, keeps accurate time and the tritium is still bright have tried out many g shock and seiko watches and have always came back to my luminox I just liked the fact that in the field holding a rifle I could tell the time when it was dark without needing to hit any button for a back light or some shity glowing letter that need to be charged from the some and an hour after the sun sets can’t even read it

Bought a Luminox 3050/3950 about 15 years ago. Love it. Fits great on my wrist (42mm) with the rubber wrist strap ( Endmill) after market, and keeps fantastic time! Love the outstanding lume! Very happy.

Thanks God, finally someone is telling the truth about Luminox. I feel like some casio watches is much better than Luminox and much cheaper.

I’ve worn my luminox everyday for 7 deployments on a submarine. I absolutely love it. Yes there are other options. My only issue with it was the band has broken twice in 4 years.

I have 3 Luminox, all 3 bought used over 15 years ago, and all 3 still have good visibility at night. They have better visibility than any non-tritium watch I've ever owned including a lot of the Seiko famous divers. My 2 Navy Seals watches came to me already all beat up and well worn. I continue to wear them as beaters because they are already beyond being pretty. Most watch enthusiasts won't wear their beater watches where they might get dirty or beat up, but since mine are already beat up I don't baby them or protect them. Both run reliably and serve the tool function because I wear one or the other of them every night so I can see the time at any time of night. Granted I don't take mine diving but I do wear them when doing things like washing the car. All 3 of my Luminox watches continue to run well. So yes as far as I'm concerned they are definitely legitimate tool watches. And I also agree that they are overpriced for a quartz watch. Since I bought mine well used they were very low priced.

During my enlistment in the Marine Corps I served with Force Recon. Most of us preferred Marathon watches. When I went on embassy duty, I usually wore my Hamilton because it looked better with my dress uniform. These days, I think G-Shock is the go to brand. As for the Luminox, I totally agree with you.

Milspec = Mall-spec.

The tool is the one buying this watch

I think the SEALS might actually use G-Shocks

I have a titanium luminox with a screw down crown. I think all their metal watches have screw down crowns but not the plastic ones. I also love the tritium lights, always on and no need to push any buttons.

$30 for the watch, $470 for the navy seal name?

My recommended retail price for this watch is $15.95+gst aud

I prefer the Trasers, made by Microtec the people who make the the actual tritium tubes. They have no pretense of military spec just light weight rugged watches.

Even the cheapest g-shock would be better than the luminox for a tool watch

I came across this brand a few months ago when i was searching for an everyday watch for myself. I wanted a black housing watch and they had a bunch so that initially interested me and the designs were decent. However, the more I looked into them the lesser quality they seemed to be and when i realized they had basically plastic housing, I was done haha. Grabbed myself a hamilton khaki field watch (the new black housing and grey band) and couldn't be happier 👍

You are very straightforward, I was considering a Luminox but after watching this vid, not any more. In 10 min you covered the whole matte. Thnaks, Sal from Honduras

Buy a Marathon quartz, you can get some for 200$ with the hardened plastic case the tritium tubes is why I wear it every single night as the most consistent easy to read in the dark. It’s so light and pretty thin, on a good quality nato, it’s a perfect easy to read beater.

I used to wear a 3150 at work as an ER nurse. Eventually switched over to a g-shock 5610 and have been very happy with the switch. The 3150 was just a bit too thick under my scrub jacket.

I like them because they are lightweight and comfortable to wear. I also like to be able to read the time when it’s dark. But I agree, more of a toy watch. I have 3. The original has been perfect since day 1, almost 15 years. Another one needed to have the movement replaced and my 3rd Luminox needs to have the crystal cleaned or replaced. It’s gotten a little fogged/dull from the inside/underneath

I bought the Luminox Sentry and love it. I wasn't expecting it to be anywhere near as durable as a G-Shock. It's got regular lume on the 12,2,4,6,8 and 10 but the hands and the 1,3,5,7,9 and 11 are the gas tubes and in a dark room I can see them from 15 feet. No matter the condition I have never not been able to tell the time. It was one my most worn watches until I got my GD-350. I've worn a G-Shock since 1986 and you just can't beat them in durability.

My Luminox F-117 has a threaded crown and it has one of the best tritium glowing hands on any watch I’ve owned. Maybe they’ve changed over time ? I really love mine.

I tried it on today and thought it was ridiculously comfortable and fun summer watch.

A little over a year ago, this would've been my "grail watch", when I first got bitten by the watch collecting bug. When I tried it on, it felt so light and "high end" (I was clearly caught up in the moment). I'm so thankful to people like you who've taught me so much about quality watches. I finally saved up the dough for a good watch and invested it into a Seiko PADI Turtle, best decision ever. I would've regretted buying a Luminox. There are way too many reviews of these watches with the same negatives you've pointed out. There's also a bunch of buyers who've complained about the tritium tubes fading away into nothingness merely a couple of years after purchase. And heck, you can't all be wrong. And yea, that "lightness" when I first wore it? It did feel cheap, now that I think of it 😄

the best alternative i can think of is an entry level Citizen diver. they basically cost the same as an SKX but they have better automatic movements and decent quartz eco-drive options.

Thanks for the info. I was looking at this watch long and hard but now I’m not as convinced. I liked the looks but I really need a durable/dependable watch so I’ll have to keep on looking.

My grandmother brought me one from Switzerland as a kid, I frigging loved it. Reminds me of my childhood. I'll buy another one someday.

I own 2 luminox watches, I bought them at steep discount at a TJ Maxx because of how cool the tritium lume is. Mine work fine in the dark but the half life of Tritium is 11 years or so. I sleep with one on the wrist because they are so light and comfortable. Definitely more toy than tool but i know a patrol man who wore one on duty for years and while it looks chewed up it still runs.

I’ve had two for more than 20 years they keep great time and still glow

Imhad a Luminox F16 that I wore daily for a decade. I also did a ton of diving with it during that time. They don’t glow at all??? I don’t know what you’re looking at. No, they don’t glow like Seiko’s Lumibrite, but they don’t need charged before night use. I won’t get tritium tubes again unless they are t100 (the brightest tritium tubes). The F16 also jas a stainless case and bracelet, so it feels much more substantial than the plastic cased Luminox models. The mineral crystal really is a drag. I scratched mine in the first couple of weeks of wear. Finally, I flipped it when I started getting interested in automatic divers. But, I would never consider my Luminox F16 a toy. It was a serious daily wearer and dive watch for me. I have good memories associated with it.

I was gifted a Luminox 1594 back in 2001. It has a steel case and bezel as well as a screw down crown. Minus a battery replacement or two, and a clasp repair, that watch is still functioning great. When new, the lume was sufficiently bright that you needed to cover it up when in a movie theater or when going to sleep. Now, when I happen to open my watch box in the mornings and don't turn the lights on, it is still glowing cheerfully, brighter than its more modern lume neighbors. This doesn't invalidate your thoughts on Luminox at all, this was just an excuse for me to share my good experience with a watch my parents gave me a long time ago that I still enjoy and get good service from to this day. Thanks for the great videos.

I always liked victorinox for a good quartz watch. The inox series is super tough

Dude. Just buy a Casio mrw200-h for around $18. It even looks better.

I have an older Luminox with a sapphire crystal, stainless steel case back, screw down crown and it’s 15 years old going strong. It no longer glows though.

well I wear one for close to 15 years and it never let me down.still solid as day one. maybe the bezel is a bit stiff. beat the shit out of it. paid 100$ for it. just my 2 cents

For next to nothing you could've bought the Casio MRW-200H which is very similar and with a day/date complication.

I bought one about 10 years ago spent 140.00 and love it and yes the tritium works perfect

Currently there are no standard issue Navy Seal watches.They are worn by preference and individually owned.Most wear Casio DW6600,but aside from Luminox, they also wear Timex,Tudor,Rolex,Seiko Diver,and Suunto

In the army I wore a luminox or a gshock or pathfinder depending on my mood and mission. Most seals I know/knew wore sins or sea dwellers. Seals have a long history with Rolex and get a great deal on them direct from Rolex to the teams where they are “permanently issued” to the teams.

I just retired from the Navy last November. I can tell you the go to watch is the G-Shock. I never wore one because I'm not a fan of plastic or digital watches. However, Boatswain mates and Deck department, who due some of the dirtiest and arduous jobs a ship wear them and swear by them. The about of shocks they get from activities like needle gunning should be a certification for any "tough watch"

Thanks for the luminox vid. Havent seen anyone talk about them until now. Thought they were a good company but after this and tons of product reviews im finally off that train.

I’m tough on everything due to my line of work and my luminox has somehow survived. The band has broken once due to silicone rot and the quartz bezel has chipped, but it doesn’t leak. Would love to get another one but also give Gshock a shot.

From what I saw with the Luminox, I would prefer a G-Shock, or a Timex Shock type watch for the money invested. For durability and taking punishment the G-Shock watches have been the best for me. I tend to buy the G-Shock watches in the $400 to $600 range. The G-Shock and Timex watches I have are very accurate keeping within about +-4 to +-6 seconds per month.

Finally someone actually reviewing the Luminox brand. I've always been a g shock fan when it comes to toughness, but when I heard of luminox, I couldn't find much user information about them besides there own marketing. Thank you for clearing this up.

I have a stainless steel 3502 navy seal my dad gave me from the 90’s about ten years back. The crown is threaded and feels very sturdy, it also clicks well. The bezel movement feels good. Tritium is a bit faded, but the watch is around 30 years old so I suppose that’s to be expected. It’s sapphire as well. I believe when he bought it it was the same price as this one.I guess they don’t make ‘em like they used to. If you can find an older one, I highly recommend it!

I own several and you are absolutely right! I’ve taken mine on several deployments and they are not mil spec! Let alone the glow absolutely zero 24hr glow

Btw, on the note of military based quartz watches... Any chance you can take a crack at CWC navy diver(s)?

I really like my Lumi Nox. It is light and looks great. I have had many problems with mine though. Broken bands, broken crystal and the bezel fell off. I am rough on my stuff but I thought it would be tougher.

I can attest to the virtues of screw-down crowns. I had the crown fall out of a watch one time and never found it. Luckily it was a Timex Expedition that was only $37, I liked the look of it but since it was cheap I wore it as a work watch, now I usually wear my G-Shock to work.

I've been a diver since 1987 and served in the Navy for 20 years as an aircrewman. Recently, I was l looking for a replacement for my personal dive watch, a Citizen Aqualand. I was replacing it not because I lost it or of failure, but because I have it for close to 20 years and recently had the batteries replaced by a local jeweler that would not ensure that he pressure tested it. Rather than risk a possible leak, I decided to replace it. I went with the Luminox 4221 ANU, and could not have been happier with my decision. Currently I have 10 dives with it, with a max depth of 80'. The stainless steel case measures 45mm making it a "larger watch", but with my 7 3/4" I don't have a problem with it. The 23mm rubber strap distributes the weight nicely and secures it regardless of diving with a wet suit or on the skin. I do not have any issues with the 4221 ANU's crown or bezel as this is a stainless steel watch. I get T3's gripes about the 25th edition of the "Navy Seal" watch... but if you're going buy a "diver", buy a diver and not commemorative edition. The original Navy Seal 3001 currently on Amazon for $350, and I have seen it for as low as $268.00. Yes, it has the double security gasket (vice screw down), and a polyurethane case. I will put it to T3 and everyone else this way; "Don't take anything in ocean you're not willing part with." Just my 2¢.

I’ve had mine for a few years now and have beat it up still looks good and is very bright at night

Thanks for the advice

Thanks for the review. I was going to buy it but not anymore. Could you advise some watch similar to this one?

Really helpful video. I didn't expect your answer. You changed my opinion for these watches. Thanks.

I got a good deal on a SS case 3202 or something. It was ok in 2004. Still works after cracking the sapphire crystal and flooding it the shower after surfing. Got it fixed up and gave it to my 13 year old who thinks its cool. Lum is shot, but that’s expected. Heavy on marketing for sure. I had friends in the teams and they always gave me a hard time about it. Seiko SKX these days.

I had a carbon fiber Luminox for a while. When the battery went dead, first thing I noticed when opening is that one of the screw inserts that holds the back on is stripped out. Second was the rather generic Ronda movement with no apparent special shock protection at all (by contrast with my various G Shocks which have special purpose movements and evidence of careful protection design). Anyhow, even after the battery change, it stopped again. At that point it wound up in a drawer.

Thanks for the honest review. Im a bit cooled off now to go and get one for me. What do you think abot Traser?

I have the blackout Navy Seal chronograph. Got mine used for about 100 bucks, changed out the strap for a 23mm NATO strap; the mineral glass was already scratched so I changed it for a sapphire. The tritium tubes are still glowing, and when they wear out, I will try to remove and glue new ones. Of course I've got some watch repair tools, and this sort of dorking around with the watch is not for everybody. but I'm very satisfied with my Luminox as a backpacking watch: very light. However I would not have paid full retail price for it.

Any suggestions ?? I’d like a watch similar to Luminox weight and style but thinner and around 39-41mm but higher quality.

There are several complaints with Luminox. I love my 3583 chronograph, but its flawed and Ive read many reports of Luminox owners having the same issues. Some light fogging under the crystal with certain weather conditions and the second hand stopping just short of the 12 o clock position when resetting the chrono. Ive also read Luminox no longer offers tritium replacement services at its one service center in the US, which is a major buzzkill.

Have to agree. I enjoy my Luminox 3051 but the only reason I have one is the retailer I work for had it available and I get a 40% discount. I got my 3051 for about 180.00. I wear it on the thick velcro Luminox strap and it is ridiculously comfortable. For an additional 30 bucks, I installed a sapphire crystal. So, it's pretty sturdy now. I have had it in the shower but that's the extent of the water exposure. I wouldn't trust this in the pool with the flimsy crown. Also, having popped the mineral crystal out, it doesn't sit super tight in the case like a stainless dive watch press-in crystal. My tritium works fantastic but only in total darkness.

You've clarified some questions. Thanks.

I have 2 getting repaired for the 3rd time!! They last around 2 years if you use it every day and are always out. Also good luck getting it fixed! If you’re in US you have to send it in to the official repair in RI. I Am looking into a G-Shock..

A lot of good points. Glad I just ordered a Seiko.

Excellent review hopefully people will take note

I have been agonizing the last two months on purchasing a Luminox Navy SEAL watch for no other reason other than I like the style, but watching videos like this really put me off the asking price for the two models I like, both around £400. I've just purchased a Pulsar PM3129X1 for less than £60, looks so much like the watch I had issued whilst serving in the British Army, and its such a sturdy and heavy watch along with a great look, so comparing that to a Luminox, I think I'll wait until I have spare cash to throw away and then purchase a Luminox. Thanks for the honest review.

Great review -- thanks!😀

This could have been a review for my Tag Heuer Formula 1. It has all the same grips as the luminox.

I got one as a gift so I keep it for sentimental value. It's comfortable to wear but yeah, agreed on everything. The sad part is that it doesn't live up to the image its trying to have. That's the worst failing in any product.

I was close to falling for the Luminox marketing when I was purchasing a new duty watch. I’ve had great luck with dive watches as my duty watches and never had an issue with them. I ran into an associate running a Luminox. He wasn’t impressed and cracked two crystals when hitting it against the ground. Super glad I didn’t waste money on one of these.

I have the BlackOps 8881; basically the Navy Seal but with a sapphire crystal. I don't know how long you've had yours but the tritium on mine can light up a dark room. I paid $325, which is about $100 more than the Navy Seal but the sapphire crystal was worth it to me. The 'Navy Seal' or 'Black Ops' licensing doesn't mean anything to me as I think most special forces are using G-shocks. I bought mine because I think it looks really good, I love the tritium and I believe it's a very tough watch.

Yep, I heard about the Navy Seal association and thought it was cool, but I’d read about them steaming up, when used in the sea etc. Forces personnel will use G shocks in theatre most of the time, they’ll take a beating and from only £45 or so. I have a 1984 DW5200 and it still looks immaculate and it’s been to two conflicts, at least. If folk want to go down a mechanical route and have a timepiece that’ll last and look good in Mess dress, then something like a Seiko SKX007 would be a good choice. Rolex lookalikes can be a good choice if made well. I’ve been keeping an eye on Enoksen watches, lately, they look great! Great video BTW.

Glad I came across your vid. I was thinking about buying a Luminox, but not anymore. What's the best, most accurate analog quartz watch under $250?

i just a luminox in trade 5 years old new in box and it lights up at night really well trituim only soft glows like night sights

I own a 3051 BO. It’s an awesome looker, it gets a lot of attention, but the strap fell apart after about 2 yrs, and that’s not a daily wearer either. I really struggled to find a replacement. The strap doesn’t have any lugs either so the strap band constantly comes off. On the point of thickness, to be fair, my G-Shocks are just as thick, if not, thicker!

It's a toy. Don't buy. I have two. Regret both

This makes me appropriate my Gshocks even more.

What Crystal stands up best to welding sparks?

I just got my new Luminox 3600. It has a screw-down crown. I love this watch.

Most of them are basically cheaper made analog G-shocks that wear smaller on the wrist. My first one was probably the best in their lineup: the 4221. This was the only one I believe that was actually deemed “Authorized for Navy Use”. It had a threaded crown, full steel black DLC case and case back, 60 click rotating bezel, and the tritium tubes were not bad. the problem was that it was chunky and it wore very large. After losing a few pounds, it’s extremely heavy on my 6.5 inch wrist. The original 3000 Navy seal series was the only other one I knew of that possessed a threaded crown. Usually if it was a steel case with a 200m WR rating, it had a threaded crown. Outside of that, not likely.

Have you ever tried a Traser P6600 Mil-G? Are they any better than the Luminox? Similar price point.

I got the same one but in blue had it for a year good watch and lightweight

I bought two years ago at exact time in Merrillville Indiana . Both the watches were advertised as $500 on line but at the store they were $275 . I put one of them to the test as a heavy equipment technician working on construction sites and steel mills and it didn’t do to well the time was 15 sec fast every week the glass and bezel where scratched and beat up and finally the band pins failed and I lost it in a 992 Cat loader at US steel in a slag pit area, I had it for 3 years at that point . The other I just where to the store and in daily life outside of work and it’s been great the time is very accurate about a second of in a month surprisingly I’ve had to change the battery once after having it 10 years .

Luminox is a copy of the mil-w-46374f type 6. i.e. Traser P6500 Type 6, or Stocker & Yale SandY P650 Type 6. Stocker & Yale and Traser both no longer make them (Stocker & Yale being out of production for quite some time). You can still find the Traser P6500s (as well as the upgraded models), or look to KHS watches for newly produced ones.

I’m sure that if you took a real life survey of actual SEALs, you’d find that most (by far) are wearing GShocks and very few are wearing Luminoxes.

I totally agree with you The Time Teller. That's why I bought KHS tactical watch

After owning several Luminox quartz and then really getting into watches, I settled on Armourlite watches for daily "hard use". They have decent tritium, can be had as autos, and won't break my heart if I destroy one and have to throw it away. As a guy who has routinely gotten my hands dirty (and bloody), I have two automatic AL watches as "beater" watches. I now own a couple CrhWard autos, a Junghans MaxBill, a 1960's E. Borel, etc. But when I'm going to the field or putting out a house fire, I typically wear one of my AL autos. They are a good compromise of having a reliable auto that is fairly durable, but won’t break the bank or the heart.

Hey Jory, Love your channel. How about doing a video about quality tritium watches with automatic movements. I'm looking something that's more of a field watch than a diver with a good WR, sapphire crystal, and maybe a titatium case. Any ideas?

I got a luminox for one reason: the lume. They are pretty much the only game in town for tritium, "affordable" watches. I've had no complaints about it and rely on it at night to see what time it is without completely waking myself up with my phone. The bezel is functional and actually has the best lume I've ever seen on one, even compared to some of my Seikos with excelent lume. The movement is fine for what I need, it's an ok Ronda movement which I can replace for about $20 if I need. Here's the thing: I got it for a bit over $100 on sale. I wouldn't spend much more than that for it. It's fine for that price if you don't plan to submerge it or smash it against things regularly. As a matter of fact, I'd get another one at that price if this one was in rough shape or the lume started to go. I do agree, though, for that $500 mark DEFINITELY not enough in this watch to justify the price. Personally, I wish someone like Seiko, Citizen or even Timex would put tritium as an option on some of their bulletproof watches at an attainable price. TLDR: If you get this on a slammin' deal ($100-$200), and you know you're not buying something indestructible, go for it. Otherwise, consider spending a bit more for something that could outlast you like a Marathon, Traser or Ball.

When you said $550 I about shat myself.

My Luminox will light up a room with the damn tritium tubes. I got the seaturtle off ebay in like new condition for $150 and couldn't be happier. I am SO happy with it, I JUST purchased the 7250 Series with the Saphire crystal and steel case. Wanna borrow it and see if the steel seems better?

What's the production year of your luminox limited edition?

Luminox is the DW of tool watches. The only thing they have to recommended themselves is the tritium tubes.

I have the 2017 Luminox 821 800 Ultimate Field Watch (currently discountinued)and it's a pip. Steel case and simple steel bezel. Xtra-thick Sapphire, 200m, Tritium that works (it does have a 12 yr half-life so it doesn't last forever), screw-down crown, 23 jewel ETA 241 Chrono movement. Top-quality leather strap. They've upped their game in recent years..on some models anyway.

I love them I gave one as a gift and the person loved the look and comfort and quality After that I bought 2 so far Navy seal and comando green bezel I recommend both Mr mr on the video pls you have the knowledge on watches and it’s about appeal quality design Come on some people don’t like automatic watches and Luminox have the automatic line they have sapphire Crystal line ! Luminox is different is style plus and great conception watches