Plastik Fantastik

A couple of months ago I lucked into a limited edition anniversary issue Luminox Navy Seal dive watch. By "lucked into" I mean the following: Fellow collector, Rob Minuteman ordered a Luminox Model #8817 and was accidentally shipped two of them. Being that we're aspiring petty criminals we split the cost and split the watches. We're bad people. Someday I suspect I'll be standing in front of St. Peter and I'll ask him why I'm going to that other place and he'll remind me of a watch I got for half price back in '09. Yeah, you don't want to mess with us, man.

The Luminox 8817 Limited Edition Anniversary Navy Seal Watch came in a nice, zippered, hardshell case which can now be used to carry Tootsie Rolls in.

I got the watch just in time for opening day of deer hunting season. It was nice to have a watch that could be easily read in pitch darkness as we were up two hours before the sun and walking into the woods shortly thereafter. The tritium illumination works like a charm and is surprisingly bright. Gas filled glass tubes are set at the hour makers and each hand of the watch. There is also an illuminated dot at the zero position on the rotating bezel. According to the manufacturer the illumination will last for 25 years. Also, according to the manufacturer, the amount of radiation produced by the tritium is well within legal limits and is harmless. Nonetheless, I try to keep the thing away from the front of my pants. Just in case.

The micro gas light tubes are clearly visible in this picture. Click on the image to enlarge.

By my own measurements the carbon reinforced polymer watch case is about 48mm wide and 51mm lug to lug. The lug width is 22mm. The band is resin (rubber) and the crystal is mineral. The movement is Swiss quartz but I don't know whether it's a Rhonda movement or not. It does have a "hacking" ability which is necessary for military use. Whatever it is, it has lost a total of 2 seconds in the last two months. Now that's good.

A little big for me. The 8817 might look better on the outside of my wetsuit.

The water resistance is claimed to be 200 meters but I'm a little wary of that claim because the crown pushes in and pulls out. Shouldn't a water resistant watch have a screw-in/out crown? I can vouch for the water resistance as far as my shower goes but that's about it. I have to believe though, that the watch is as water resistant as they say since it meets or exceeds Mil. Spec. #W-4637 4F. The instruction manual, however, warns that aftershave or other cleansers may harm the gaskets and compromise the water resistance of the watch. Therefore take extra care when engaging an enemy that may be using weapons grade Hai Karate.

A grayed steel crown that pushes in/out rather than screw in/out.

The mortal enemy of your Luminox 8817.

Also, it's just my opinion, but, shouldn't a military watch have a domed acrylic crystal? I mean, it is made for use by active military forces such as the Navy Seals, underwater demolition teams and Army Rangers not the girl scouts. Glass crystals, sapphire crystals and mineral glass crystals shatter don't they? Flat glass is also much more reflective, isn't it?

Ah, that's right, John Q. Public prefers flat mineral glass.

Complain, complain, complain. The bottom line is it's a great affordable watch even at full price. It's easy to read in light or in dark, it's lightweight, water resistant, is made to withstand the elements and to meet the demands of people whose lives may very well depend on it. It's not allowed to be poorly made. It can't be.

USN SEAL emblem on the case's back plate. Proof of the standards met by Luminox.

The 10

Behold "The 10". The ten watches that I don't have but wish I did. Some are expensive and some are not. Some are steel and some are plastic. Some you will agree with and some you won't. This is simply a wish list of watches that for various reasons I've decided I can't live without, but I will try.

Casio G-Shock Riseman, Model #G9200 in Rescue Orange. Among this watch's features are an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, world time for 33 cities, stop watch, countdown timer, alarms, 200m water resistance and a solar powered battery. The time is radio set so it's accuracy is always adjusted.

I can see taking this watch on hunting trips and when hiking the Appalachian Trail. When you're in mother nature's house it's nice to know that you can check on her mood regarding the temperature and barometer. And knowing your altitude would help confirm that you are where your map says you are.

"Excuse me sir, have you the correct altitude?"

And it's orange.


CWC G10 Non-Dated Service Watch. Available only from Silvermans Ltd. in the UK, this watch is Swiss made with a quartz movement. It has a battery hatch in the back of the case for easy replacement of the battery. Illumination is tritium though not in tubes. The crystal is domed acrylic.

To me this is what a military watch should look like. It's not pretty nor should it be. The dial is no nonsense, is very legible and the case is matte finished to eliminate reflection of light. There is another company which sells very similar pieces through the internet. It's my opinion that they are not on a par with these CWC watches.


Traser Type 3, P5900, Model #P5900-506-33-11. Again, a watch that is military in design and meets military specifications. The case is made of fiberglass reinforced polyamide with tritium filled tubes on the hands and tritium hour markers. Water resistance is 30m. The strap is leather and nylon. The face is uncluttered and easy to read.

To me this is another example of the perfect military, or military inspired, watch. It has a more modern look where the above mentioned CWC is more "old school". One of the big selling points of this watch is the tritium which has a ten year claimed life span. My only gripe with this watch is the water resistance of 30m. I'm not sure I'd even take a chance showering with it on.


Luminox Navy Seal Dive Watch, Model #3901. This watch features a Swiss quartz movement, unidirectional bezel, velcro strap and tritium hands and hour markers. A tritium dot is provided at the zero of the bezel. Water resistance is rated at 200m. The case is carbon reinforced polymer and the crystal is mineral glass.

If the U.S. Navy approves of this watch then I do too. I had the opportunity to try this watch on at a dealer and was immediately smitten by it. I liked the look and feel of it even on my 6.5" wrist. The Navy is not the only branch of the armed services that uses this watch either. I know of at least one Army Ranger who was issued one and has a very high opinion of it.



Seiko "5" Diver, Model #SKZ211. Sometimes called the Atlas or Gadget Watch. A stainless steel watch with the 7S36, 23 jewel movement. Hardlex crystal, rotating unidirectional bezel and compass ring and 200m water resistance.

This watch seems like the next natural step in the evolution of the Seiko 007 diver's watch. The 7S36 movement is an upgrade over the tried and true 7S26 movement. This diver sports a rotating compass ring and a blacked out date window with a silver frame. I could never understand why manufacturers would put a white date window on a black faced watch. Truth be told, I want those yellow hands.


Marathon GSAR Dive Watch. Issued to qualified government divers this is a Swiss made watch with an ETA 2824-A2 movement with 25 jewels. Tritium tubes illuminate the hands and hour markers. Case diameter is 46mm. The crystal is sapphire. Water resistance is 300m.

Now this is a serious dive watch. It has a no-nonsense look with a large "grippy" bezel. I imagine that the deeply cut bezel is more ideally suited to manipulation with diver's gloves than the usual consumer bezels. After all, search and rescue doesn't just happen in warm tropical waters. With a 300m WR I'd have the utmost confidence in it. I'd also get the stainless steel bracelet to compliment the rubber strap. My only gripe, if you could call it that, is, why the date window is located between the 4 and 5 hour markers.


Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Mid Size, Model #2504.30.00. Chronometer. Omega Caliber 2500 Co-Axial Escapement automatic movement. 48 hour power reserve. Stainless steel case with exhibition window in the back and anti-reflective treatment inside the sapphire crystal. Date window at 3 o'clock. 150m water resistance.

Sporty good looks and classic styling. There are a couple of things I do question about this watch, though. The first is why they felt the need to provide an exhibition case back. I don't know why anybody does that at all. The second is the water resistance rating of 150m. It just seems like an odd number when the watch is a member of the Seamaster line. Shouldn't a Seamaster be a "Master of the Sea?" I'm nitpicking. This is, after all, on my top 10 wish list. I would consider myself very fortunate to have one of these.


Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, Model #2209.50.00. Chronometer. Omega Caliber 2500 Co-Axial Escapement automatic movement. 48 hour power reserve. Stainless steel, 42mm diameter case. Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inside. 600m water resistance. Helium escape valve.

By now you can see my bias toward diver's watches. This is no exception. A 600m WR means that nothing I do to it will ever cause water to enter the case unless I open it up and pour water in it. The helium escape valve located at 10 o'clock is meant for divers who operate in a helium environment at great depths. It must be manually opened to allow the escape of helium molecules and closed after. I will probably never need this feature but it's one of the things that makes this watch special. The copper colored bezel is a design touch that has grown on me over time that I find irresistible.


Panerai Luminor Marina, Model #PAM00050. Automatic chronometer Panerai OP III Caliber movement. 40mm stainles steel or titanium case with a 3.5mm thick sapphire crystal. 300m water resistance.

I don't care if this watch is too big for me. I can't let my scrawny wrists dictate whether or not I should choose a watch to wear. If big is in fashion then it should be perfect. I like the look of this watch so much that I'd probably need therapy after I manage to scratch it the first time. I don't say IF I scratch it, I say WHEN. We all know getting a scratch or dent or nick is only a matter of time. Maybe I'd just keep it in a safe and visit it once in awhile.




Rolex Submariner, Model #16610. Cal. 3135 automatic chronometer movement. 40mm, 904L stainless steel case. Stainless steel bracelet with deployment buckle. Sapphire crystal. 300m water resistance.

The most recognizable watch in the world. The most copied watch in the world. The ultimate Diver's watch. The Rolex flagship. Can be worn equally well with a wet suit or a tuxedo. James Bond's watch. An icon.

If this were the only watch I could ever wear again I'd be satisfied.

Or would I?





There you have it, my Top 10 Wish List. What does your wish list look like?

By the way, manufacturer's and dealer's, most of the images were copied from your websites so I'd be very grateful if you guys didn't sue me. Thanks.