In the world of Horology – or watchmaking – a wide range of products exist to suit virtually every possible taste. From plain, simple dress watches to sporty chronographs and uber-fancy complications with a variety of functions – you name it, and it’s there at every price point!
Now, since the 1920s, when the wristwatch started to gain popularity over the pocket watch, there has existed a category of watches that are still very highly regarded – yup, I’m talking about the tool watch.
While many would argue that, in a world of smartphones, which have a wide variety of functions, watches have perhaps become archaic and redundant. However, unlike smartphones, watches don’t need to be charged every day, and keeping in mind that watches are very accurate now, one can still argue that the reliability of a good watch is impossible to beat.
Big, yes, but light & comfortable also
Luminox, of course, is a brand known for its tool watches and is trusted by many professionals worldwide. And, given that tool watches are commonly associated with adventurous, outdoor activities, the brand has collaborated with reality TV star Bear Grylls for its latest collection. What you see here is the result of this partnership – the Luminox Bear Grylls Survival Master Series. Quite a mouthful, that name! And the watch fits the description, with its 45mm case and its striking contrasting colours.
To be honest, at 45mm, the Survival Master series is going to outsize most wrists. But the interesting thing is that, unlike what its bulky size suggests, it’s actually a very light and well-constructed timepiece. With its Carbonox+ construction – a carbon-based Luminox proprietary material – it weighs just 89 grams, making it very comfortable on your wrist.
Now, in terms of design, I also really like the sharp contrast between the matt black / grey finish of the watch case and the bright orange strap, which gives the watch an eye-popping look. The rubber strap, too, is well built and very comfortable on the wrist, especially in the sweltering summer heat. However, while the matt finish of the strap is excellent, it is a dirt magnet – especially in our dusty conditions, which means that you do need to clean it every couple of days or risk the strap becoming dirty pretty quickly.
The case-back of the watch is embellished with Bear Grylls badging, his signature, motto, and details about the construction of the timepiece. Overall, it’s very well finished, with a combination of matt, shiny, and coloured surfaces.
However, I’m not as much of a fan of the dial design. With its three oversized sub-dials and various other markings, it’s a bit too busy for my liking. On the other hand, I really like the functionality and quality of the unidirectional bezel, which has a reassuring feel to it. And, as it’s a watch that can be used for all kinds of adventures, it also features Luminox’s Light Technology, which enables the lume elements of the dial – hour markers, hour and minutes hands, etc. – to glow for 25 years without needing any light source. It works brilliantly and provides great visibility in low light conditions.
Powering the watch is a Ronda 5030.D quartz chronograph movement with date function, which keeps time very accurately. The company claims that the average battery life for the watch is over 4 years, which is a long time indeed.
Functional, striking & doesn’t need charging
To sum it up, despite its large size, this Luminox is a great watch for everyday use. With its sharp contrasting colours and eye-popping orange strap, it also attracts attention. It’s also very well-built and quite reliable, with its quartz movement. However, at a price point of ₹71,022, it’s a serious tool watch, and the large 45mm case might not be for everyone.
Sure, it’s a pricey watch with quartz internals, but for that price you get a watch that provides excellent functionality and very good quality. And if you’re someone who regularly indulges in outdoor activities and adventurous activities, like hiking, camping, and trekking, this Luminox would be an excellent and reliable companion for your wrist – one that you don’t need to charge every day!
| Pros | Cons |
X-factor: If you’re the kind of person who loves the outdoors, the Luminox would be an excellent addition to your toolkit.
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