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Luminox are a U.S-based watch company headquartered in San Rafael, California. Founded by Barry Cohen in 1989, Luminox watches specialises in high-performance, durable, and resilient sports watches capable of surviving challenging terrains and notable for providing long-term luminescence. Besides their signature line of Swiss-made sports watches, the brand have a long history of crafting military watches with custom designs and insignias. In 1992, the company launched their iconic Navy SEAL watch - a collaboration between the Luminox founder and the Assistant Officer-in-Charge of RDT&E, West Coast, Nick North. The tremendous success of the Navy SEAL watches encouraged several other establishments and law enforcement groups from around the world to approach Luminox watches. Some of the notable names are the U.S. Coast Guard, Singapore Air Force, the New York City Police Department, and the Special Military Forces of Israel. Some of the trendiest Luminox watch models have been inspired by the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth fighter jet, the Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird and F-22 Raptor, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
With the launch of a slew of innovative watch series, the brand saw landmark achievements in the following years, expanding to more than 50 countries and making their presence truly global. In 2006, Luminox watches increased their reach to the Asian and European markets when Swiss brand Mondaine acquired fifty per cent of their stake. Ten years later, the Mondaine Group purchased the remaining half of Luminox to become their sole owner.
Technology, Innovation, And Design
The “always visible” Luminox watches are a product of the revolutionary Luminox Light Technology (LLT), an advanced, self-powered illumination system that provides constant glow and at-a-glance visibility even in complete darkness. The Swiss technology employs tritium-based micro gas light tubes, a notable improvement over the conventional “push to light” system and luminescent paint that rely on an external source to produce the luminous effect. The ultra-lightweight Luminox watches are crafted using CARBONOXTM. This innovative carbon compound material adds a whole new level of durability and ruggedness to the rigid and hard-finished watch cases.
Reinforcing the high-performance and benefits lent by CARBONOXTM, Luminox utilises the CARBONOX+™, a highly robust carbon long bar compound with twice as much tensile strength and three times lower water absorption capacity. The carbon-based innovations add strength and durability to every Luminox timepiece, giving them a stylish look that appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and elite clients. Last but not least, the Super-LumiNova technology with their strontium aluminate–based non-radioactive and non-toxic afterglow pigments illuminate markings on watch dials with ten times higher brightness than zinc sulfide-based materials.
Exploring the Resilience And Innovation of Luminox Collections
Luminox offers three distinct lines of watches - the Air, Sea, and Land Series. Each model embodies the highest level of performance and reliability while being the number one choice of elites globally. Every Luminox watch is the epitome of toughness and flexibility.
The Atacama Field collection is inspired by the ruggedness of the Atacama Desert, featuring robust designs suited for adventurers. It combines reliability with essential features, making it ideal for exploring the great outdoors. The Automatic Sport Timer collection merges style with performance, offering versatility for both athletic and professional settings, thanks to its automatic movement and sporty design. In 2020, Luminox entered into a historic partnership with Bear Grylls, the globally recognised face of outdoor adventure and survival. Since then, Luminox have been rolling out the Luminox х Bear Grylls collection featuring watches with a flawless design to perform in the most extreme conditions. Similarly, the Commando collection blends bold aesthetics with military-grade functionality, offering precision and durability for those navigating challenging terrains.
The CONSTELLATION® collection, inspired by Lockheed Martin’s aerospace innovations, reflects the beauty of the night sky with its use of Luminox Light Technology, making it both practical and visually striking. The ICE-SAR Arctic collection, in partnership with the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, is built for the extreme demands of rescue operations, featuring shock resistance and high luminosity. Other standout collections include the Leatherback Sea Turtle, which honours nature’s mightiest creatures with a robust design, and the Master Carbon SEAL Automatic, which combines toughness, luminosity, and legibility in an automatic timepiece. The Navy SEAL and Navy SEAL Foundation collections embody the spirit of resilience and excellence, designed to meet the strict standards of the elite forces.
The P-38 LIGHTNING® collection pays tribute to aviation history, while the Pacific Diver collection is built for underwater exploration, offering classic design and extreme durability. Finally, the VOLITION AMERICA collection partners with Folds of Honor, supporting the families of fallen military heroes through a portion of the proceeds. The latest in the Luminox innovation series is the Tide Eco-Series Watch Collection. Made from 100% recycled ocean plastic, it endeavours to strengthen the brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Each of these collections exemplifies Luminox's commitment to crafting watches that blend performance with heritage, ensuring reliability for those who need it most.