Luminox’s Latest Tactical Dive Watch Hides a Military Easter Egg

Luminox offers a robust catalog of watches, but it is best known for the Navy SEAL collection.

The Swiss watchmaker introduced the tough-as-nails dive watch in 1994 after spending two years developing the design in collaboration with Chief Nick North from the Navy SEAL program.

Luminox

In 2020, Luminox strengthened its bond with the American special forces unit by partnering with the Navy SEAL Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that “provides a comprehensive set of over 30 essential programs for SEALs, SWCCs, veterans and their families.”

Luminox’s latest addition to the Navy SEAL collection, fittingly named The Guardian, promotes the noble foundation that supports American veterans and their families. It elaborates on the current generation of the tactical dive watch with some unique detailing, including the Navy SEAL Foundation logo on the dial.

Based on the Navy SEAL 3500, the dial features a glossy gray numeral hour track on a matte black dial with the Luminox shield logo filling in for 12:00. However, the 5, 6 and 7 have been removed to make room for the sizable foundation logo.

Luminox

I normally don’t appreciate massive brand logos on a watch dial, but the stylized eagle head with talons and an anchor is pretty damn cool, and fits right in on a tactical diver.

It uses the brand’s standard handset fitted with Luminox Light Technology tubes, modeled after the old tritium lume used on vintage field watches. It provides a continuous glow that lasts up to 25 years without recharging.

A beefy, tiered rehaut features a dash minute track and LLT tubes placed at each hour. Inside the numeral hour track is a small military time track.

On the case

Luminox

The 45mm faceted case and overhanging bezel, equipped with a grip that works with wet gloves, are made of Luminox’s proprietary Carbonox. It’s composed of a carbon compound that is lightweight, scratch-resistant, anti-magnetic and chemical-resistant.

Critically, the material has low thermal extension, meaning it doesn’t get too hot or cold in extreme conditions and won’t injure the wearer.

Luminox

While they look similar, the crown and caseback are made of black IP stainless steel. The caseback is secured with four hex screws, which help ensure 200m water resistance, and features a relief of the Navy SEAL Foundation logo.

Shining in the dark

The Guardian really shows off when the lights go out. As is often the case for the Navy SEAL collection, the LLT tubes emit different colors to help orient the dial at a glance.

The seconds hand and the 1 through 11 hour markers are blue, while the hour hand, minute hand and pip are yellow.

Luminox

The surprise that shows up in the dark is that the Navy SEAL Foundation logo glows blue with Super-LumiNova. Luminox describes the hidden feature as “a daily reminder of resilience, purpose and standing behind those who serve.”

Availability and pricing

The Luminox Navy SEAL Foundation 3500 The Guardian is available now from Luminox for $695. It comes on a navy blue rubber strap with a signed Cabronox pin buckle.

The release is limited to 961 pieces because the US Navy commissioned the first SEAL teams, an acronym for Sea, Air and Land, in 1961.

Luminox

Luminox Navy SEAL Foundation 3500 The Guardian

Specs

Case Size	45mm
Movement	Ronda quartz
Water Resistance	200m

• $695 at Luminox

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