The steel case possibly looks better with its brushed surface and could be considered more durable. The black coated rotating bezel is also in steel. The steel and black look is certain masculine as well as utilitarian, but you can’t deny that a design like this has some sex appeal. This is a beater watch that you can also dress up nicely enough– especially on the steel bracelet. Luminox also makes a “blackout” version of the 3150 in all black (ref. A.3152.BO), and a version with red versus white hands and markers.
Luminox does a great job of making sure that you feel like you get a lot of watch for your money. That starts with design but comes down to detailing. The pieces are crisp and they spend a lot of time focused on textures and materials. Today there are a lot of watches with this “Navy SEAL diver” look, but not all of them get the little details right. Our favorites when it comes to this look aside from Luminox include Traser and Marathon. As you can see with some close up images, the dial has an interesting sandpaper-like texture that allows the numerals to pop, while being still very crisp. Note the 24 hour military time scale on the dial as well as the 12 hour scale.
Luminox is among the brands that heavily utilizes tritium gas tubes made by Swiss MB Microtec H3. The 3152 is a T-25 watch, which refers the overall number of the tubes. Tritium tubes are placed in the hands, hour markers, and in the lume pip at 12 o’clock on the rotating bezel. They offer exceptional darkness visibility without the need for light to charge them. It goes without saying that we are big fans of tool watches with tritium gas tubes in them.
The Steel Colormark 3150 cases are water resistant to 200 meters and have mineral crystals. Those aren’t as scratch resistant as sapphire crystals, but they are more shatter resistant. Also, with the price of this watch, mineral glass is quite alright for the crystal. Inside the watch is a Swiss Ronda quartz movement with the time and date. Luminox does offer some mechanical watches, but for a purist tool watch feel, I actually prefer quartz given the personality of these pieces.
Durable and dependable, Luminox Steel Colormark 3150 watches are a good value and a great all-around watch for whatever you are doing. The 3152 is probably our top choice as we like the steel bracelet which is attractive as well as comfortable. Get one for sport or fun, or just to mow the lawn. You’ll be doing so Navy SEAL style. Retail price is $550. luminox.com
