Released in July 2024, Luminox celebrates their legacy of 35 years with the release of three novelties viz their SEA, AIR and Land campaigns.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
News: Luminox celebrates 35 years with the Anniversary Heritage Collection
The 35th Anniversary Heritage Collection are priced at retail as follows:
- Luminox Original 3001 Heritage SGD 890
- Luminox F-117 Nighthawk x Skunk Works 6440 Heritage SGD 805
- Luminox RECON Point Man 8820 Heritage SGD 840
Prices quoted above are before GST.
Commentary
With 35 years of watchmaking legacy in a rather small field supplying essential gear to elite military units, law enforcement units, emergency personnel and adventurers, Luminox has certainly carved a name for themselves. The watches are tool pieces, and designed for the needs of each of the intended professional segments. The watches are well known for toughness and as top contenders in the world of tool watches. We took the MIL-SPEC 3351 to destruction, and it was certainly not an easy job to completely destroy the watch. Also notable on Luminox watches is the lume, which is powered by gas discharge tubes, and distinctive in their bright glow and ability to show this in different colours.
In this Anniversary release, they chose three of their iconic watches from their history. The Original 3001, released in 1994, the Luminox F-117 Nighthawk 6401 launched in 2007, and the RECON Point Man 8821 released in 2011.
From each of this legacy pieces, they released a novelty based on the same thought process which defined the tool nature of the watches at the release.
The new Luminox Original 3001 Heritage is a watch originally designed for the maritime units. The aesthetics of the watch has changed somewhat, with the Carbonox inlaid steel bezel providing a more secure grip. As a nod to the 30 years of the model, the “30” on the bezel is coloured red.
The second novelty turn to the skies, with the F-117 Nighthawk x Skunk Works 6440. The orinal F-117 Nighthawk 6401 was inspired by the F-117 Nighthawk stealth attack aircraft. Again the design is updated with a Carbonox case in place of the steel one in the 2007 release. The basic design architecture remains the same, but the aesthetics now look sleeker and less bulbous than the originals. The watch comes with a Kevlar strap, and carries the Skunk Works logo which is barely visible in good light, but comes on its own in the dark.
And the celebration continues to the Land, with the RECON Point Man 8820. We covered this watch is more detail in our review last week. And like the others, this is seen as an re-issue with subtle changes to update the watch, the most obvious being the change of colour accents from orange to yellow.
Release information
Celebrating a legacy in watchmaking for the bold and adventurous, Luminox will release three timepieces in 2024 for its 35th Anniversary. The three timepieces hnour the brand’s supply for high performance first-line timepiece equipment that has been deemed as the essential gear for many elite units, law enforcement units, maritime units, emergency personnel and adventurers around the world.
Luminox embraces the history that has shaped its journey and their watch collections that continue to resonate with elite units, law enforcement units and maritime units globally. Each timepiece is an evolution of previous hero watch models that represent the 3 territories that elite units, law enforcement units, maritime units, emergency personnel and adventurers around the world typically operate in: SEA, AIR and LAND.
SEA: Luminox Original 3001 Heritage
The journey begins at sea, where the Luminox Original 3001 Heritage watch revisits history with a revamped tribute to the very first Luminox watch made for elite units, law enforcement units, maritime units, emergency personnel and adventurers around the world.
The Luminox Original 3001 watch was first launched in 1994 with the brand’s first foray with the now iconic Carbonox material on its watch case for durability and light weight for ease of wear. This material is still used on the Luminox Original 3001 Heritage timepiece but the bezel has been modified to use a stainless steel bezel with Carbonox inlay for a better uni-directional rotation. The font on the bezel has also been modified 30 years later to create more distinction in time telling from the dial. The bezel on the Luminox Original 3001 Heritage watch also spots a more distinctive 60-minute marker with the Luminox Light Technology. Coloured in red, the “30” on the bezel signifies three decades since Luminox’s Original 3001 watch was first released in 1994. Luminox has also retained the “syringe” minute and hour hands to create the vintage vibe but the second hand is now adorned with a bold red arrow tip, that dances across the sapphire glass face for increased readability. The improved quality movement of the Swiss quartz ETA movement, and a stainless-steel bezel, embodies the brand’s relentless pursuit of high- performance, robust watches.
Air: F-117 Nighthawk x Skunk Works 6440
Taking to the skies, Luminox launches an honorary pilot model – the Luminox F-117 Nighthawk x Skunk Works 6440 Heritage. Inspired by the pilots who flew the stealth jets, and approached Luminox almost 25 years ago, this AIR timepiece marries the iconic design with ‘Skunk Works®’ innovation.
The first Luminox F-117 Nighthawk was launched in 2007 with the design inspired by the F-117 Nighthawk jets. The Luminox F-117 Nighthawk x Skunk Works 6440 Heritage now comes in a Carbonox case that is more iconic for the brand versus a stainless-steel case in the first iteration. The case has also been updated to reflect more closely that of the sleek shape of the F-117 Nighthawk jets while retaining the original toothed bezel design. The updated fonts and reversed numbers on the bezel and dial means improved readability and the watch can be read in two different time zones. This ensures that the watch becomes a companion not just for pilots but for everyday adventurers seeking the extraordinary. The Luminox F-117 Nighthawk x Skunk Works 6440 Heritage also comes with the improved Kevlar strap known for its durability and use in bullet proof vests. The hour and minute hands have been made sleeker but retain the design inspiration from the F-117 Nighthawk jets. The Skunk Works® logo on the dial at 6 o’clock is barely visible during the day, but at night it remarkably lights up in Super-LumiNova® to pay homage to the unit’s vital role in advanced technology solutions and innovation in aviation.
LAND: RECON Point Man 8820
The celebration takes the forefront on land with the Luminox RECON Point Man 8820 Heritage. Recon or reconnaissance units are key to the success of any mission with proper survey or research of terrains and environments. Honouring those who lead the recon units, this sophisticated LAND watch serves as a simple and efficient navigation tool for elite units and adventurous explorers that want to navigate different terrains.
With the Luminox RECON Point Man 8820 Heritage watch, Luminox has updated the expression on the cardinal points on the inner bezel and the walking tachymeter used to measure walking speed is now available on the same scale in kilometre (KM) and miles (MI) on the dial. The original iteration was first launched in 2011 and showcases the walking tachymeter in either kilometre (KM) or miles (MI). Luminox retains the design philosophy of the RECON Point Man timepiece with emphasis from the 9 to 12 hour makers for easier visibility for timing manoeuvres. The choice of yellow accents found on the Luminox RECON Point Man 8820 Heritage is a tribute to the colours typically found on armoured and air mobile units globally. Luminox has also updated the font type used on the dial to reflect the tough terrains faced by recon units around the world. The RECON Point Man 8820 Heritage timepiece encourages explorers to lead with precision and confidence.
As Luminox celebrates their rich history, each watch becomes a chapter in a legacy built on precision, innovation, and the enduring partnership with the world’s elite units, law enforcement units, maritime units and emergency personnel. Where the bold and courageous spirit meets Luminox, it is where time meets extraordinary craftsmanship. As part of the celebration, every Luminox 35th Anniversary timepiece will come with a challenge coin with a special insignia to remind us of this milestone and a membership of the Luminox community. Finally, all timepieces are equipped with the renowned Luminox Light Technology, allowing time to always be visible no matter the conditions or the darkness of nights. This was a key reason that made Luminox trusted and requested by many elite units, law enforcement units, maritime units, emergency personnel and adventurers around the world.
