Luminox

Luminox is a brand of watches manufactured in Switzerland.

History

In 1989 the first Luminox watch was born. These watches are Swiss made, but the company was begun by two American businessmen. Employing a unique illumination system, with a Swiss watch mechanism, this watch was first developed for the active sports market, but was later rebuilt to meet the rigorous specifications as on the request of the U.S. Navy SEALs. After redesigning the watch, the revamped dive watch was offered to the SEAL teams in early 1994. This was the Original SEAL Dive Series I.

It became a success instantly. With the enhanced credibility of having been requested by and supplied to the U.S. Navy SEALS, consumers correctly reasoned that if it were good enough for one of the world’s most elite military forces, it surely was good enough for their recreational uses.

From there, Luminox expanded the collection to include a variety of dial colors, improved and upgraded versions of the original, and ultimately an entire line of watches of many types and styles created for the active consumer, the sportsman, law enforcement and military groups.

Technology

One possible advantage of a Luminox in comparison to other watches is its glow-in-the-dark capability. Every Luminox watch uses a self-powered system of illumination powered by very small gas lights (borosilicate glass capsules). These allow the watch to glow continuously for 10 years while having a much brighter illumination system.

The micro gas lights that are installed to every single hour, dial and bezels are called borosilicate glass capsules. Luminox watches need no external light source to “charge” the point on the dial or hands in order to glow as do conventional luminous watches. Nor do they require the push of a button to light the dial as do watches with electroluminescence. Instead, tiny hollow, cylindrically-shaped, beads are utilized. The inside of each bead is coated in a phosphorescent material, and a minuscule amount of gaseous Tritium is injected. The Tritium, being a slightly radioactive compound, casts off electrons as it decays. These electrons in turn excite the luminescent material inside the bead, creating the brightly illuminated point.

The U.S. military has recognized for some time the advantages of micro gas light sources and that is one of the reasons it was quickly recognized as Navy SEAL watches.

Luminox Watch Models

As of April 2007, below are the Luminox Watch Models that are commercially available:

Original LUMINOX Watch Navy SEAL Series

*LUMINOX Watch Navy SEAL Dive Watch -Series 1 (This is the original series that was introduced to SEAL TEAMs in 1994)
*LUMINOX Watch Navy SEAL Dive Watch -Series 2
*LUMINOX Watch Navy SEAL Steel Series

LUMINOX Watch Black Ops Series

*LUMINOX Watch Navy SEAL Titanium Series
*LUMINOX Watch Navy SEAL Steel/Carbon Fiber Dive Series
*LUMINOX Watch Ultimate Navy SEAL Dive Series

LUMINOX Watch Diver/Marine Series

*LUMINOX Watch Ladies Dive Series
*LUMINOX Watch Dive Professional Series
*LUMINOX Watch Sea Diver Series
*LUMINOX Watch Marine Series

Other LUMINOX Watch Special Forces Series

*LUMINOX Watch F-117 Nighthawk Series
*LUMINOX Watch F-16 Fighting Falcon Series
*LUMINOX Watch Special Forces Series

LUMINOX Watch Field Series

*LUMINOX Watch Dress Field Series (Men)
*LUMINOX Watch Dress Field Series (Ladies)
*LUMINOX Watch Ultimate Field Series

Other LUMINOX Watches

*LUMINOX Watch Compass Series
*LUMINOX Watch Silver Series
*LUMINOX Watch Automatic Mechanical Series
*LUMINOX Watch Quadrum Series

References

*"About Luminox." Luminox. 2006. .
*"About Luminox." Luminox Watch History .
*"The Technology." Luminox. 2006. .
*"The Technology."Luminox Watch Technology .
*"Luminox Watch Models."Luminox Watch Models
*"Luminox Lifestyle." Luminox Lifestyle. .
*"Luminox Watch UK Service Centres." Luminox UK watch servicing. .
*"Luminox Direct." .