When the Navy SEALs first commissioned Luminox to produce watches as part of its Essential Gear, Luminox sought the use of a carbon case due to its strength and light weight that made it practical for missions. As one of the market leaders in creating carbon watches, Luminox went on to develop its signature CARBONOX™+. And with this new release, the Master Carbon SEALs 3860 is equipped with an automatic movement.
Quick takes on the new Luminox Master Carbon SEALs Automatic 3860 Series
The Luminox Master Carbon SEALs Automatic 3860 Series is priced at S$1,690 before GST.
The case and dial
The CARBONOX™+ achieved what it had set out to achieve. The case material is light, durable, hypoallergenic, weatherproof, and shock and scratch resistant. Aesthetically, the case retains the tough-as-nails look of their earlier SEAL watches.
Creating the CARBONOX™+ case to house the automatic movement was no easy feat. A great deal of research and development had to be done to determine the correct thickness of the case and adapt it to the weight of the movement. The end product measures 14mm in height and weighs 110 grams.
The CARBONOX™+ is smooth to the touch as one runs one’s finger over the surface, though the irregular pattern of its internal structure looks like it has a rough texture. Makes the case look even more rugged and meaner…which we guess is a good result for a watch of this stature.
Sized at 45mm, the carbon case is sandwiched by a 316L stainless steel, unidirectional rotating bezel and a see through caseback. The 12h bezel is fitted with a protected colored light tube with sapphire crystal.
The bezel of the Master Carbon SEALs Automatic is made of stainless steel with an IP black plating, and the bezel markings are in a very cool steel colour. The watch comes in either a blue or black dial and features a matching CUT-TO-FIT strap, another recent addition from Luminox. Legibility is very good, as the dial layout is clear, with large markers and colours chosen for good contrast.
All versions are water resistant to 200 meters and feature screw-in case backs and screw down crowns. Of course, the Master Carbon SEALs Automatic is equipped with Luminox’s LLT system, making sure the watch is totally visible in low or no light conditions, never having to rely on an exterior power source. LLT tubes are used for the markers as well as on the hour, minute and seconds hands.
Micro gas tubes filled with tritium gas are used by the brand. As tritium or H3 is a radioactive substance, it also contains radioluminescent properties. Unlike Superluminova that requires an external light source for ‘charging’, micro gas tubes glows in perpetuity and usually maintains its glow for up to 25 years.
The Movement
While Luminox has used quartz movements in the CARBONOX™+ case, it is the first time the brand is featuring an automatic movement in a CARBONOX™+ case.
The watch uses the Swiss Automatic – SELLITA SW 220-1 caliber. This is a variant of the ETA 2824 or 2836 used in many entry level Swiss timepieces. The movement also displays the day and date and has a hacking mechanism. It beats at 28,800 vph and has approximately 40 hours power reserve. The caseback reveals an ebauche movement with a customized rotor.
Concluding thoughts
The Luminox Carbon SEALs 3860 series is a real tool watch that performs and looks great. Having carbon on watch cases used to be exclusive to the big brands like Audemars Piguet. With this offering, Luminox provides an option for the carbon watch lovers, the full carbon look without the high ticket prices.
This is a handsome watch, as tough as it looks, will be a good choice, equally at home for the urban warrior or be combat ready when pressed into military use.
