Luminox Navy Seal Watch Review 2021
The Luminox navy seal watch belongs to the Original Navy SEAL Series that came to the scene back in 1994. A lot of credit goes to this series that made a significant contribution to putting Luminox on the map.
This series came into being due to the mutual coordination of Luminox and the Navy SEALs procurement in charge, Chief Nick North. After 25 years, the 3000 series is still going strong and is the number one choice for all law enforcement and elite military units across the globe.
This review is on the 3001, 3517 and 3601 Luminox Original Navy SEAL Dive Watch models from the same series. We will assess all the positives and negatives associated with it and see whether it is the right choice for the men on the street or not!
Last update on 2020-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Reviews
Illuminations system
This watch from Luminox features illumination with Tritium gas tubes. These tubes are there in hour-markers, hands along with the bezel pearl. These tubes can last for more than 25 years and can provide you with time reading in dark conditions without any problems.
Design
The dial face of this watch is black and Luminox has accented it with Arabic numeral markers in white. It also has large baton hands in white. The date function is located at 3’O’Clock and is clear to see even in the dark. The sapphire crystal used in the construction of this watch is scratch resistant and it comes with anti-reflective coating.
Build to last
The strap of this watch is also made of polyurethane and it has a crown with a double gasket. It is not only very easy to strap on but also holds the watch on your resist pretty well. The 3001 Navy SEAL Luminox watch also comes with a battery life of four years. When the battery is nearing the end; the second’s hand starts moving with 4-second increments.
Best for diving & everyday use
This is easily the best watch for divers as it is suitable for depths of up to 660 feet. A number of divers have used it and the watch remained consistent with its claims. Regardless of your experience in diving, this watch will work out for you pretty well.
If this watch has been approved by the Navy, it is definitely good for regular use. It can withstand harsh conditions due to its synthetic sapphire that is second to diamond in terms of hardness makes this watch a sturdy and tough timepiece.
Rotating bezel
The watch comes with a rotating bezel which according to a number of users is the coolest feature of this timepiece. This feature enables you to take note of the elapsed time. It doesn’t turn both ways but that doesn’t matter unless you want to be really critical.
Pros
- The illumination system of this watch features tritium gas tubes and they remain workable for up to 25 years.
- Its dial face has clear Arabic numerals that enable you to read the time even in the dark.
- The watch comes with a rotating bezel that allows you to take notice of the time elapsed.
- It has a construction that is best for everyday use.
Cons
- Not a shock-resistant watch
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Upgrade on aesthetics
Speaking of functions, there is not much difference between the 3001 and the 3517 watches. However, if you talk about the aesthetics then the 3517 is definitely going to take a slight upper hand here. It is by far the better-looking timepiece of them both. The 3517 is the modern culmination of the Original 3001. The Navy SEAL logo gets a deeper etching and you will get stainless steel for improved water resistance.
Bigger size
The 3517 Dive watch is available in a bigger size and if you are looking for this feature then you will love this watch. The bigger size, with a 24mm band and 25mm casing are not available in 3001 and if you are fond of large-sized watches then this is going to work out for you pretty well.
Webbed strap material
The strap material of this watch is webbed and if you are not interested in wearing a rubber band on your wrist then this is a good choice for you. The webbing makes sure that the air continues to flow through from under the band and you don’t feel any itches while wearing your timepiece.
Pros
- This model comes with a bigger dial.
- Not interested in wearing rubber on your wrist, then go for the highly breathable webbing of this watch.
- This watch comes with an upgrade on aesthetics and contributes to your style statement.
- The classic tritium gas tubes are there for illumination in the dark.
Cons
- It is still not the best option if you are looking for a proper shock-absorbing watch.
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A true upgrade
This watch truly lives up to the expectations if you have used 3001 and want an upgrade. It not only looks better than the Original 3001 but also delivers a power pack performance. You won’t like it if you don’t prefer a heavy timepiece on your wrist. If you have worn a 3001 before then this watch is going to feel almost double in weight.
Powerful shock absorption
If shock absorption is right on top of the list of your considerations when looking for a dive watch then 3601 is the watch for you. The reason why it is almost double in weight as compared to the 3001 is that it comes with a screw-down crown made of stainless steel along with non-reflective coating with sapphire crystal. This construction not only improves its shock absorption capabilities but also makes it more water-resistant.
A piece that you will feel on your wrist
Due to its bulkiness, you will feel that you are wearing something on your wrist. This will especially be the case if you are used to wearing lightweight timepieces like 3001.
Pros
- This is a good quality timepiece with shock-absorbing features and it can take a few direct hits.
- The smooth rubber band is very comfortable to wear and won’t feel itchy.
- The Arabic numerals and gas tube illumination system ensures that the time is comfortably readable even in pitch black conditions.
Cons
- This watch is pretty bulky to wear.
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Buying Guide
Whether you are a Navy SEAL, a diver or a regular person, you will definitely need a watch that is reliable beyond telling your precise time. If you are a hardcore diver then you will need a top-quality watch, which will be expensive. If you dive occasionally then an affordable timepiece will also work for you.
Here are some features that you must consider before buying a dive watch!
1. ISO Standard 6425
If a watch that you are considering buying comes with this quality standard then it can effectively handle pressures underwater. The components of your watch need to remain secure when you dive in and this standard will provide you with a guarantee that you are looking for a top-quality product.
Any kind of good quality dive watch will come with a rating of 300 feet at least but in most cases, the rating can go deeper than that. And without a shadow of a doubt, the waterproof rating is the most important of all the features of a dive watch.
2. Precision
Your dive watch needs to tell you precisely how long have you been underwater. It will enable you to time everything perfectly, especially in the case of your oxygen. Based on how deep you are planning to go, pinpoint the accuracy of your watch and match it with your standards.
3. Style
Well, when one talks about a dive watch then function outshines form. But with that being said, if you can find a cool looking dive watch why not go for it! It’s all a matter of how much do you want to spend and what types of watch you want to go with.
Go for a design that allows you to wear the watch all the time. You can also go for a watch that matches up well with everything you wear. Focus on the sleek nature and see is it is applicable to your unique style. It will prevent you from switching your watches frequently.
FAQs
Q: What should be the waterproof rating of a dive watch?
A: Most dive watches come with a waterproof rating of 300 feet or more. As per the ISO standards, a dive watch needs to be waterproof at 100 meters at least. If you are a recreational diver then you won’t dive more than 130 feet. Beyond that, the technical realm of diving begins and it requires special training and equipment. The watches at this depth will come with a higher waterproof rating.
Q: What’s a helium valve and do all dive watches have it?
A: This is a device to equalize pressure outside and inside the watch when you wear your watch for diving within a chamber. In a chamber, you are breathing a mix of helium gas. This gas has small molecules and can enter the watch mechanism and build up inside it during decompression the pressure within the chamber can drop far quicker than the pressure outside.
It can pop off your watch crystal. To prevent this, there is a valve that helps the helium molecules to escape the watch during decompression. Most dive watches don’t come with these valves because they are for saturation diving.
Q: Why the rotating bezels only move counterclockwise?
A: The reason behind it is to ensure that the bezel doesn’t get knocked off accidentally. Moving in one direction means that the diver understands the time elapsed without any confusion. It is more of a case of simplifying the matter.
A: The best size of watchband for your Luminox Navy SEAL watch is 22mm. This Luminox Navy SEAL watch band will not only stay in place on your wrist but will also enhance the durability of your watch.
Conclusion
When buying dive watches you need to focus more on functionality than anything else. Luminox has simplified this matter for you and bring the 3001 Luminox watch Navy SEAL that is built to last for a long time. It has all the features of a top-quality dive watch plus it also comes at an affordable price.
When looking for a dive watch make sure that you only consider the options that are high performing and reliable. But make your decision wisely according to your budget and your diving enthusiasm. Whether you are a recreational diver or an expert, the 3001 Navy SEAL watch Luminox is a good choice for you.
