Luminox

Luminox Men's 8352 EVO Ultimate SEAL Chronograph Watch

• Precise Swiss-Quartz movement
• Antireflective-sapphire crystal
• Case diameter: 45 mm without crown

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

This Luminox Men's EVO Ultimate SEAL Chronograph Watch features a unique illumination system that glows 100 times brighter than other luminous watches, making it the perfect choice for low-light or non-light situations. This versatile timepiece is constructed with a stainless-steel, 44.4-millimeter case. The durable stainless-steel band is accompanied by a fold-over clasp with safety mechanism. Stand-out Arabic numerals adorn the dramatic black dial face. For further time-keeping practicality a handy date calendar rests at the six o'clock position, and three sub-dials embellish the face. Powered by analog-quartz movement and water resistant up to a depth of 660 feet, this watch is preferred by US Navy SEALs and US Air Force Pilots.

The Luminox Story

AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY

Like many other American success stories, LUMI•NOX came from a forward-thinking individual realizing a need in the market and meeting it. Barry Cohen had been in the fashion watch business for quite some time when he came across a Swiss self-powered illumination system and knew that it would make watches more visible and easier to read in low or no light situations. As a result, Cohen and a partner developed watches using this unique illumination system (called Luminox Light Technology) and LUMI•NOX was born back in 1989 (Lumi is Latin for light while Nox is Latin for night), driven by a commitment to offer cutting-edge luminescence and readability in its line of high-performance sports watches.

The Navy SEALs and More
The Luminox Navy SEAL watch is the timepiece that made Luminox famous. The officer in charge of procurement for the Navy SEALs, Nick North, was asked to seek a more dependable watch for night missions and found the solution at a trade show where he discovered Luminox. He worked with Barry Cohen to develop a watch specifically for them and the Navy SEAL watch was born.

"Luminox had exactly the watch we were looking for – we only added a few small things," Nick North, Senior Public Safety Engineer and Operations Specialist, remembered. "We arranged to test some and they worked great. We made a few changes, then the East Coast team started issuing them and the West Coast teams came on board."

After Luminox provided the watches to the SEALs, more elite units contacted them directly, while at the same time Luminox began marketing the watch across the country and the world. Luminox was then approached by US Air Force pilots flying the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth fighter jet. They were wearing the Navy SEAL timepieces, but chafed at the word "Navy" on the dial. Luminox then developed a watch for these pilots and approached Lockheed Martin, the makers of the F-117 Nighthawk for a picture of the plane to use in the catalogs that marketed the watches.

This initial contact turned into an exclusive arrangement to produce Lockheed Martin timepieces, including watches dedicated to the F-117 Nighthawk, F-16 Fighting Falcon, SR-111 Blackbird and the new F-22 Raptor.

The Rest of the Story
Throughout the following 20 years, Luminox has never strayed from its mission which has been confirmed and validated by the many elite military and law enforcement units that have adopted Luminox as standard equipment.

Luminox has expanded its collection to include a variety of styles, created for the active consumer, the sportsman, law enforcement and military groups, divers and more. Currently, Luminox is distributed in 40 countries around the world and supplies elite units all over the world. In addition, the man on the street has shown particular interest in Luminox, anxious to use the watches put to the test every single day – on the world’s most difficult jobs, figuring rightly that if they have been requested by, designed for and used by the Navy SEALs, they have to be able to stand up to every day use.

The Technology
The Luminox Light Technology makes Luminox watches Always Visible – in fact, the technology Luminox uses provides 24/7 luminosity, no matter the conditions, for more than 25 years.

Most other watches use luminescent paint that has to be charged by a light source and fades very quickly, or a "push to light" system, where you push a button for battery-driven illumination.

Luminox, however, uses proprietary technology, in the past reserved for the military, that makes Luminox watches stand out, literally. Each Luminox watch features tiny gas lights (borosilicate glass capsules), which are always lit, on the hands, hour markers and when necessary, bezels. As a result of this unique technology, Luminox watches are always readable at a glance, no matter the conditions.

The U.S. military has long recognized the advantages of micro gas light sources and their use is mandated in procurement specification MIL-W-46374F. Being able to read the watches in any conditions, even in total darkness, is an important requirement of many military and law enforcement agencies.

The U.S. Navy SEALs use the watches, as do U.S. Air Force pilots, FBI and ATF agents, Secret Service officers, Border Patrol units, Coast Guard officers, SWAT teams, as well as general law enforcement officers, helicopter search and rescue pilots, professional divers and other groups.

The Luminox Light Technology system is hand applied in each and every watch. Though more complicated, expensive and time consuming than normal luminescence, it is one of the things that makes Luminox watches special. This unique technology and the additional quality control steps Luminox mandates require extraordinary attention to detail and care in manufacturing.

The Benefits

The ultimate Swiss illumination system glows without the need to push a button or expose to light

Glows continuously for more than 25 years

Swiss Made with jeweled Swiss movements

Water resistant and shock resistant

Production
All Luminox watches are Swiss Made, produced by Luminox’s corporate partner, Mondaine Watch Company, one of the leaders in Swiss manufacturing. Located in Zurich with manufacturing facilities in Biberist, Switzerland, Mondaine recently won a Swiss Logistics Award for its "just in time" production. Mondaine applies its more than 50 years of experience when producing the complicated Luminox watches.

The Future
Luminox will continue to combine cutting edge technology, forward-thinking design and extreme performance. Luminox delivers, when and where it counts.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000WYCW14
• Item model number: 8352
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,115 in Watches (See Top 100 in Watches)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luminox Top-of-the-line Ultimate Seal Chronograph and delivers it., July 5, 2009

By 

Mystro (Pa.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Luminox Men's 8352 EVO Ultimate SEAL Chronograph Watch (Watch)

Review of the LUMINOX EVO "Ultimate Seal" Chronograph 8352 / 8351

For those who did not read the review I did of my first "Ultimate Seal" model 8251, I will recap some of the new features of the Luminox EVO "Ultimate Seal" collection.......
The "Evo Ultimate" series has come a long way from the original plastic Luminox I remember years back. I cant believe it is the same company and it isn't (kind of). The "EVO" stands for evolution and marks the new products from Luminox since the merger with the Mondaine Watch Ltd Swiss company. This is a huge step for Luminox taking their watches more upscale. (Pricier $$ but better)
No gratuitous military logos across the face. A honest to goodness professional rugged tritium timepiece. The watch is very solidly built out of stainless steel with excellent machining details over the entire watch.
The case itself is made out of stainless steel that is coated with a satin PVD plating. It is very tough. So tough that when I was adjusting the bracelet, my tool slipped with great force across the link and did not leave a mark. What ever Luminox is using for their PVD plating, its almost scratch proof! That being said, PVD will eventually get scratched if you use the watch so be prepared to live with the scratch or use a black sharpie marker to touch it up. All of the edges are debured for a snag free feel (very nice). The stainless steel bezel has a striking two tone metallic silver finish contrasting in satin and flat mat. The bezel clicks very firmly and solidly in a unidirectional direction. It is machined to have excellent grip for turning underwater or with gloves on. The bezel will not be unintentionally turned. The back of the watch has screw down polished stainless steel lid. It is smooth and very comfortable. The watch face has a anti-reflective scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. This is the best you could ask for at any price point. It is crystal clear. So clear you have to tap on the face of the watch to see if there is anything protecting the display.

The CHRONOGRAPH model...
The Luminox EVO "Ultimate Seal" Chronograph model 8352 and 8351.

The 8352 and 8351 are the same watch other than the 8352 comes with a steel two tone bracelet and the 8351 comes with a rubber strap with double prong buckle.

The bracelet is very solidly built out of solid stainless steel links with a two tone PVD plating and a satin stainless steel "dog bone" design. It is very heavy duty weighing in at 100 gr. Just for the bracelet alone. It has a safety clasp with divers extension. The under side is very smooth and does not pull hair on the arm. (See at bottom for: "Tips and tricks on adjusting this type of bracelet.")
The watch is heavy but wears very balanced on the wrist.

The Chronograph uses the excellent RONDA 5050. B. Big Date movement.
The USERS GUIDE and operation instructions and chronograph hand calibration info can be found here....

[...]

The chronograph uses 3 dial set up that counts the 1/10 second, second, minute, and hour (up to 12 hours). The small dial by the 3 o'clock position is the second hand for the general time. The large second hand is for use in chronograph mode.

When starting the chrono, the large second hand and 1/10th hand jumps to life. The 1/10th hand spins one revolution every second. After 30 seconds the 1/10th hand stops moving but is counting internally. When you stop the chronograph, the 1/10th second hand jumps to the correct position. (Very cool). The Chronograph has "Accumulative timing" and "Intermediate or interval timing"
All of the hands and markers in small and large dial, line up perfectly.
Very high quality feature.

The date is displayed at the 6'oclock position using a large split digit window. This is exclusive to only the Chronograph.

The only labeling on the dial is the Luminox crest at the top and "PROFESSIONAL DIVER" between the 3 and 4 o'clock.

The chronographs size makes it easy to read and the crisp dial it first rate.

The entire watch oozes quality and rock solid build construction. 54 month battery life with End Of battery Life feature. It's easy to read the dial In any light condition, it is easy to see the time at any angle of the watch face. Tritium markers glow brilliantly in green with the 12 o'clock in yellow. The bezel 12 o'clock glows in green. The watch is idiot proof to read in low or no light situations.
Accuracy has been stellar so far at 0 + or - seconds!! In my experience, typical of the new EVO series.

The style of the watch is upscale enough to be used for any occasion. It has great wrist presence. It feels like a tank on the wrist and should be a excellent choice for serious diver, hunters, climbers/explorers. The Luminox"professional" series are just that,... "The Ultimate Seal"

I called Luminox and Amazon.com IS a authorized dealer.

NOT ALL STORES THAT SELL LUMINOX ON AMAZON.COM ARE AUTHORIZED DEALERS so check first.
AMAZON.COM (IS) A LUMINOX AUTHORIZED DEALER. These watches will be backed by the Luminox factory 2yr warranty.

A NEW Luminox Ultimate Seal will come with a protective clear plastic sticker over the face, and case back. It will be wrapped around a pillow in the Luminox square presentation box. The bracelet will be wrapped in clear plastic tape to avoid scratches.

I also bought the rubber strap that is found on the 8351. The quality is excellent and will lighten up the watch for other activities.

Note to owners. The hands can be easily calibrated. It uses a Ronda 5050.B movement. Pull crown to the 3rd spot, then hold both top and lower buttons in for 2 seconds. At this point, the lower button pics the dial to be calibrated and the top button advances the hand 1 click at a time. When you have corrected the positions of the hands, push the crown in and you are ready to go. Most Chronographs need to be corrected because of battery change. Luminox SHOULD have this in their operating instructions but they dont.

Tips and Tricks for adjusting the "Dog bone" bracelet:

The only thing I do not like about this bracelet is the way the links are removed for adjustment. The bracelet uses a "friction pin" set up. The back of the bracelet has arrows on each link that can be removed. The arrows point the direction the pins are to be pushed out.
Some are in very snug and some are not as snug as they should be.
I have a 15 year old Tag Heuer that uses this design and I found a sure fire trick to making the pins so they wont ever fall out accidentally. For all links that have removable pins, I use clear coat touch-up paint that is used for cars. I push all the pins out half way, brush a little clear coat paint on them and push them back. I then wipe the excess paint off the end of the links.
This acts like a thread locker and the pins wont ever vibrate out. They still can be removed for later adjustment if need be, just re apply clear coat paint when finished. Clear nail polish also works but is not a temperature stable as clear coat touch up paint that you can get at any automotive store. Duplicolor is what I used.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice watch, April 5, 2008

By 

Jarhead "Mike" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Luminox Men's 8352 EVO Ultimate SEAL Chronograph Watch (Watch)

It's a nice watch and it works as advertised. The tritium hands and numbers glow very brightly, which is a good thing. I'm wearing it in Iraq, and have banged and scraped it all over the place, but it still looks pretty new. This is my second Luminox watch (bought a somewhat dressier one 2 years ago) and I've become brand loyal. My only gripe is that it's a bit heavy, but after a day I didn't even notice.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Watch, January 19, 2009

By 

M. Rogers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Luminox Men's 8352 EVO Ultimate SEAL Chronograph Watch (Watch)

I ordered this watch after looking for a chronograph for several months. It more than exceeds my expections. Its rugged, keeps great time and looks great. However, it is not for those that like a thin piece of gold jewelery. It is heavy, but not uncomfortable. It has a large face but only because it makes its functions easy to see. It's a great watch, even if you're not on a SEAL team.