Review: Luminox Navy SEAL (3001)

Luminox Navy SEAL Dive Watch (3001)

After much deliberation I decided it was time for a slightly smaller, refined go anywhere watch to accompany my G-Shock Mudman G-9300-1ER. The G-Shock aviation series seemed appealing but too large and garish to wear comfortably with a shirt or jacket, so as a result, I decided the answer lay with the simple but classically designed Luminox Navy SEAL (reference 3001). 

History

An earlier version of the 3001 was originally produced in 1993 as a sports diving watch, however, in 1994 the watch went through a redesign before becoming standard issue for SEAL Team Five, Luminox explain: 

In 1993, the Assistant RDT&E Officer for the Navy SEALs, Nick North, was asked to seek a more dependable watch for night missions and found the solution at a trade show where he discovered Luminox. He worked with Cohen to develop a watch specifically for them and a revolution was born.

Today, as well as being used by the Navy SEALs the watch is also used an arrange of military and security services, some of these including: FBI, CIA, SWAT, Secret Service, DEA, US Air Force Stealth Pilots and the Canadian Special Forces. Impressive.

Time on the wrist

So, how does the watch perform? Very well, is the answer. What sets Luminox watches apart from all other competitors is their luminescent technology. Luminox originally opted to use tritium filled gas tubes on the hands and number markings due to the continuous 25 year glow they emit, eliminating the need to be charged by sun light perfect. All of the gas tubes are applied by hand, an impressive testament to the watches' pedigree.

The 3001 may not have the features found in a G-Shock, but that's not what this watch is about - the Navy SEAL is solely about timekeeping, nothing more, nothing less. Everything on this watch is to the point, what I mean by this is that it doesn't do anymore than is necessary and what it does do, it does without fuss. The face is black with pure white dials and numbers (both 12hr and 24hr), the chunky bezel follows suits, the rubber/silicone strap keeps the watch snug and of course the tritium gas tubes can be seen for miles.

Specifications

• Movement : Quartz
• Size of case diameter (mm): 43
• Case material: Carbon reinforced PC
• Case Bezel: Rotating 1-Way Diver
• Case Back: Caseback with Screws
• Crown: Double-Security Gasket
• Crystal/Glass material: Hardened Mineral
• Water resistance (m/ft/atm): 200 / 660 / 20
• Strap/Bracelet material: Rubber / Silicone / PU
• Illumination: Night Vision Tubes (25 years)

The 3001 also boasts at being a Swiss Made, ensuring reliability, top build quality and precision components before going through rigorous Swiss quality control. Perhaps it is because I have come from wearing a larger watch but one thing that I like the most about the Navy SEAL is the size, the case diameter is claimed to be 43mm, however, it feels much smaller. It's also a very light watch, sitting snug to the wrist with ease which was one of my main reasons for buying. Due to the constant glow given off the 3001 works perfectly sat up as a clock during the night time, it's small things such like this that give a watch character.

So when it comes down to it, would I prefer the Luminox Navy Seal 3001 over a G-Shock when on the side of a mountain? Probably not, but here's why: the purpose of the watch, unlike that of a G-Shock, is that it isn't just a tool, it's also a classic looking watch that oozes 'cool' - a crossover, that in this category of watch is very hard to do. Think of a cross between the Fonz and Rambo - that's the 3001, it has the capability of doing both with ease. Being light, durable and great looking combined with its' history make the Luminox Navy SEAL 3001 a modern classic that will stay on my wrist for some time to come.

For more on Luminox, click here.