Quick Facts about Luminox:

- Born from the inspiring heroes who protect the USA

- Nearly indestructible watches that fight back against all kinds of elements

- Near-infinite luminescence is provided by Tritium technology

- Pricing from $275 to under $1,000, these watches are unbelievably affordable

- Loved by men and women alike who are both 

History

In 1989 Barry Cohen, a man who truly lived the American dream, was a veteran to the timepiece industry who joined forces with Richard Timbo, and gave birth to the  Luminox brand. There’s no coincidence in the name: lumi is latin for light and nox is latin for night.

With knowledge about a Swiss self-powered system to illuminate the watches, their niche was claimed and later sought out in 1993 by Nick North, the Assistant RDT&E Officer for the Navy Seals. Night missions were missing a rugged and dependable watch, and Luminox had the perfect solution with their technology to build it to meet demanding SEAL specs [Navy SEAL 3000 Series].

After the SEAL deal, several years later Luminox was contact by the US Air Force to create watches for their pilots, which grew into an exclusive series arranged with military powerhouse Lockheed Martin. The series has timepieces named and designed after some of the US Air Force’s greatest fighter jets like the F-22 Raptor, F-117 Nighthawk, and the P-38 Lightning.

An evolutionary blend of visibility and stealth is what makes the watches by Luminox so desirable for the United State's military’s most elite forces, FBI, SWAT teams from San Francisco, San Diego, and Las Vegas, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF), to name a few, so you can imagine it will withstand any other rugged use a civilian could put it through. Even the US Coast Guard and local law enforcement can be found wearing these 24/7, dark room proof, water resistance timepieces that are a part of most wearer's everyday essentials. 

The key to Luminox’s brand is their tritium inserts which provide their long-term luminescence (their light source). Before you think “Tritium? You mean the radioactive isotope of hydrogen is sitting on my wrist?!”, have comfort in knowing that the low energy isotope emits beta radiation, which is not penetrable to the skin. Therefore, Luminox took advantage of the technology and utilized nuclear science for a glow that will last up to 25 years in any light condition. Long used by the Navy Seals, the luminox illumination technology is appreciated by the U.S. Air Force, Coast Guard, other U.S. special forces, professional divers, FBI officers, police officers, and more. The tritium tubes are behind the luminox light technology. With sturdy glass, stainless steel fixtures, and swiss made craftsmanship, luminox watches give United States elite forces a glowing sense of relief during stressful night missions without concern for those lights ever going out.

Swiss made and individually installed with the illumination system that gives Luminox their initial appeal, the time consuming process is what makes the brand so special and guarantees that it will be easily visible at a quick glance. However, the light technology is just the beginning of their usefulness. The lines are also water resistant with most designs being chemical and heat resistant, shock resistant, hypoallergenic, and extremely lightweight.  

The watch itself is made up of titanium, stainless steel, crystal, and some of the lightest carbon finish that gives the pieces their matte finish. The titanium used is as strong as most steels, but lighter-weight and cannot cause an allergic response (one of the most common allergies causing wrist and belt area rashes is an allergy to nickel – cheaper jewelry with  nickel often cause itchy rashes that rarely abate without treatment from an expert). Crystals used by Luminox are scratch resistant and much harder than conventional glass crystal, which is truly necessary for those testing their physical limits. The high grade stainless steel used in these timepieces have super strength, are scratch resistant, and won’t rust or discolor. Lastly, that matte finish that helps Luminox stay stealthy, and sexy, is made up of a special mix of polycarbonate specifically designed for those undercover missions.

Whether researched on YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter, the results are in, the Luminox brand is perfect for the active and stylish person with a need for quality craftsmanship. 

The minds behind Luminox have built a brand that is not only desired, rugged, and dependable, but affordable and easily accessible online and in store at  Woodrow Jewelers in Rye, NY. And as they are faced with harsher conditions to withstand and more extreme specifications by the nation’s finest, we have no doubt they will rise to the challenge.

Some of our favorite Luminox watches (and yours) are the Luminox 8350, Luminox 8150, Luminox a3051, and the Luminox Colormark 3050. The Luminox 8350 is a dive chrono timepiece that features big numbers, big date, illumination, stainless steel band, and water resistance at 200 meters (660 feet). 

Cost

Ranging from reasonable prices around $275 to just under $1,000, these iconic and rugged pieces are the kind of purchases that last generations weather you're looking for your mother, brother, cousin, or special guy in your life. 

Averaging less than $1,000 for a piece that can endure a variety of elevations, environmental insults, and still look good is a hard bargain to fight!

Reviews

Luminox timepieces are the perfect gift for Dad that meets all of his day to day style needs, yet able to handle outdoor chores, doing laps at the pool, and capable of jumping out of a plane in perfect synchronicity. Straps are available in silicone, leather, polycarbonate, and rubber. And with the added benefit of variety of colors of faces, straps, and watch shapes, there is bound to be a match for anyone's style.

These timepieces are great for the everyday wear when you don't want to take out the special-occasion watch, but can be dolled up enough that you could wear it to the annual company outing.