The new Luminox Tony Kanaan Valjoux (Ref. A.1188) limited edition chronograph offers a strong blend of an unusual, aggressive-looking body combined with a bullet-proof automatic movement and offered at a fairly competitive price.
Luminox
Luminox Atacama Field Day-Date 1945 Quartz
For the upcoming year, the American watchmaker has updated its military-styled Atacama series. Soon to be offered as Luminox Atacama Field Day-Date 1945 (ref. A.1945), the quartz-powered gadget is noticeably larger than the previous version and now features a slightly facelifted, more sober-looking dial.
Luminox Mariner Series 6250 Quartz Diver
Usually associated with ‘tactical’ timepieces that come in durable and feather-light polyurethane bodies, from time to time the watchmaking specialist introduces similarly specced timekeepers packed in dressier, stainless steel bodies. Though designed with us, civilians, in mind, the new Luminox Mariner Series 6250 family of quartz-powered divers still features an almost unrivaled nighttime legibility thanks to the use of T25-type micro-tubes filled with mildly radioactive tritium gas.
Luminox Deep Dive Automatic 500M
The 2012 Luminox Deep Dive 500M 1500 Collection (refs. A.1512 & A.1513) is a minor facelift of their 2011 Deep Dive LLT military-style diver, but with a less tactical, more civilian touch to it. Instead of the stealthy black body, the latest version sports a satin-finished steel body and a more traditional rotating bezel that now sports a painted aluminum insert. Still, the watch keeps the signature features of the earlier model with its patent-pending bezel locking system that also acts as a crown protector and sports the same impressive power reserve rating of whole 50 ATM.
Luminox Navy SEALs Colormark Whiteout (Ref. 3057.WO)
The formerly American and now Swiss-owned brand Luminox, a company that still sells watches for the U.S. military and law enforcement agencies, has recently expanded its “Colormark” line of diving timepieces with the snow-white Luminox Navy SEALs Colormark Whiteout (Ref. 3057.WO) model. Although clearly designed to be worn with snow camo, the watch still looks good enough with a pair of blue jeans, especially if you color key it to white sneakers or, at least, white socks.
Luminox Valjoux Field Chronograph 1860 Blackout (Ref. A.1861.BO)
Besides the tactical Original Navy SEALs 3000 Blackout (Ref. A.3001.BO) that was presented at the Baselworld 2012, the Swiss-based watchmaker has also recently added another, approximately ten times more expensive black-on-black model. Essentially completing their extensive product range of ruggedized, military-styled timekeepers that surprisingly look equally good with bulletproof vests and good old blue jeans, the new watch is called Luminox Valjoux Field Chronograph 1860 Blackout (Ref. A.1861.BO). Being essentially the same Field automatic chronograph model with a new, more impressive in its stealthy, kill-em-all-style color scheme, it offers the same winning formula of classic exterior design and a great self-winding movement that is as reliable as a well-cared Glock.
Luminox Original Navy SEALs 3000 Blackout (Ref. A.3001.BO)
Luminox has finally updated the Original Navy SEALs 3000 range of military-inspired timekeepers with a totally black model. Presented in a black carbon-reinforced polycarbonate body, the 2012 Luminox Original Navy SEALs 3000 Blackout (Ref. A.3001.BO) has its dial, as well all inscriptions, repainted either black or very dark grey. Its nighttime legibility (the main feature of any “tactical” watch) remains unharmed, though, thanks to 15 LLT micro-tubes that are filled with light-emitting tritium gas.
Luminox F-35 Lightning II Chronograph
As I promised back in August 2011 while briefly reviewing their then-new F-22 Raptor 9270 Series quartz chronograph, I am finally getting back to its sister model: an even more massive Luminox F-35 Lightning II Chronograph (ref. 9388 aka GGL.L9388). Placed in the same price category (the model has an official price tag of $1200, but you can find one online at about $250-$300 less,) the watch offers basically the same exterior styling.
Luminox Navy SEALs 3000 Japan Tsunami Relief Edition (A.3007.JTAF)
Earlier this year the watchmaking brand that’s especially popular among the military and law enforcement community, as well as among millions of enthusiasts, has released a special edition of its Navy SEALs 3000 diver. Called Luminox Navy SEALs 3000 Limited Edition Red Cross Japan Tsunami Aid (Ref. A.3007.JTAF), the watch was presented with its dial painted in the distinctive white and red color scheme of the Japanese national flag. The occasion is sort of obvious: half a year ago, Japan was hit with a devastating tsunami that, besides taking many human lives, also destroyed the infamous Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Even despite the morbid aura about this new timekeeper, it still would be nice to have this special edition model in any collection.
Luminox F-22 Raptor 9270 Series Quartz Chronograph
The American brand has recently started selling a couple of new aviation-inspired chronographs. One of them is named Luminox F-22 Raptor and the other (we’ll get to it later) the Luminox F35 Lightning II. Being, in fact, updated versions of existing models, they feature more prominent titanium cases covered with stealthy matte black DLC treatment. As usual, both feature a set of signature ever-glowing tubes filled with T25 tritium radioactive gas.