Small Inexpensive Really Bright Luminous Watch (without pushing a button)

recDNA · Feb 12, 2013

Hi fellow flashaholics!
I need some help.... I'm looking for a small bezelled men's watch with really bright luminous dial. I don't like the large bezelled military styled Luminox (and I had one in the past that fell apart - trit tubes fell off watch hands!)
I love reactor never dark watches but they are way to big and heavy for me. I even called them about making a smaller, lighter model but ain't gonna happen.
I would even sink to an electroluminescent face IF it does not require a button press to activate.
Ideally, a watch with a 36 mm bezel with numbers (not just tick marks) and hands HEAVILY painted in super luminova with a black face and black leather strap would be perfect... But it's gotta cost under 200 bucks.
Can anyone help me out? THANKS

archimedes · Feb 12, 2013

That's a tough combination of requirements ... closest I can think of right now would be Lum-Tec C Series, maybe ? Still over budget, though, and perhaps out-of-production

Seiko Baby Monster is probably too big :shrug: ... as would be the Orient Aviator (with luminous dial).

EDIT - Marathon General Purpose Quartz with MaraGlo might also be worth a look ....

StarHalo · Feb 12, 2013

Seiko Monster series; it uses ticks and not numbers, it's slightly larger than you want, and you'd have to look hard to find one at ~$200, but nearly half of the entire face is lume..

archimedes · Feb 12, 2013

... and if you want to see some really nice budget-busting options, check out some of the Ball Midsize watches :devil:

awenta · Feb 12, 2013

How about a little light to see your watch? It'll be about 10$

recDNA · Feb 13, 2013

StarHalo said:
Seiko Monster series; it uses ticks and not numbers, it's slightly larger than you want, and you'd have to look hard to find one at ~$200, but nearly half of the entire face is lume..

That's a mechanical movement right? Over the years I've had several expensive automatic watches and none kept good time. I prefer quartz. My friends who collect watches are horrified and wouldn't be caught dead with a quartz watch.

Thanks for the suggestion though. As for the suggestion about the flashlight I never go out without at least 3 flashlights but I don't always have a free hand to light up the watch or even push a button on the watch for electroluminescence.

archimedes · Feb 13, 2013

Yes, the Seiko Monster series are mechanical watches.

Although they use an excellent automatic movement (particularly for their extremely reasonable price) and keep very good time, a quartz movement will likely remain more accurate ... at least until its battery is drained, anyway

As an aside, if you have been disappointed with the performance of a watch with a mechanical movement, especially an expensive one, you may want to look into having it "regulated". Most good jewelers / watchmakers should be able to do this for you relatively easily.

Launch Mini · Feb 13, 2013

Think it's going to be a tough find.
With the superluminova, it does need light to recharge. Yes it will hold a charge all night, but if you are wearing long sleeves, a jacket or something covering it to an evening event, when you look at your watch, you probably won't be able to tell the time. I have found even the brightest ones lose that punch quickly, and your eyes ( mine anyway), cannot see the glow very well. ( ie in a theatre).
Go for a push button. Not sure what scenario you would be in where you needed to check the time and your other hand was not available for a quick push or tap.
If I recall, Swatch made a tap dial that illuminated.

recDNA · Feb 13, 2013

Is there an electrically illuminated watch that is constantly "lit" without a button press? With solar charging it should be feasible.

Launch Mini · Feb 13, 2013

I would say NO, as it would kill the battery in ver short time.
Here is the Swatch link ( not sure if I am allowed this) http://www.squiggly.com/us/en/swatch/light-me-up-loomi-gb908.htm

Launch Mini · Feb 13, 2013

The Omega Spacemaster Z-33 has red time displayed, but you won't find it for $200 and it is a 43mm watch

archimedes · Feb 13, 2013

recDNA said:
Is there an electrically illuminated watch that is constantly "lit" without a button press? With solar charging it should be feasible.

Well ... you could always tape down that button

Launch Mini · Feb 13, 2013

Got it,
an Ipod Nano with a sports strap. Set the auto off to NEVER, turn down the brightness, set it to the clock mode. A bit large, but an alternative.

archimedes · Feb 13, 2013

... Google "retro LED watches" :thumbsup:

These look interesting too ... Kisai Rogue Touch LCD/LED.

Not sure if these can be set for "always on" though :thinking:

recDNA · Feb 13, 2013

OK, sounds like tritium/superluminova (for numbers) combo would be best. I'm not sure any watch for any prices combines both though.

Launch Mini · Feb 13, 2013

I hate knock offs and what they stand for, but, if it doesn't bother you,
Bell & Ross makes a cool watch, ( a bit big though), that has the entire dial covered in superluminova.
A knock off probably could be found without too much effort at an affordable price.

dss_777 · Feb 16, 2013

Check out the "Traser Classic Series Basic Black" - it has almost everything you want, but is a little more than you want to spend at retail. 40mm face, black dial, and those amazing trit hands and face markings that really stand out in the dark.

Traser is the original tritium equipped Swiss-made watch made by MBMicrotec, and that all the Luminox stuff was originally based on.

Their website has them: http://www (dot) traserh3watches (dot) com/seiten/Classic_Basic_Black__mod-detail-id-18-sprache-en.html

To get similar styles but in smaller face (37mm), you have to go to their "TraserLadyLine" website.

I have no connection there, just have one of their "Classic" non-military looking Traser watch.

recDNA · Feb 16, 2013

If Traser added superluminova on the numbers I'd break the budget.

I have a pre-owned Reactor Trident with both tritium tubes and superluminova numbers coming in the mail... But the topic still interests me so if folk have more suggestions I'd love to hear em.

FatherOfNine · Jul 10, 2013

recDNA said:
Hi fellow flashaholics!
I need some help.... I'm looking for a small bezelled men's watch with really bright luminous dial. I don't like the large bezelled military styled Luminox (and I had one in the past that fell apart - trit tubes fell off watch hands!)
I love reactor never dark watches but they are way to big and heavy for me. I even called them about making a smaller, lighter model but ain't gonna happen.
I would even sink to an electroluminescent face IF it does not require a button press to activate.
Ideally, a watch with a 36 mm bezel with numbers (not just tick marks) and hands HEAVILY painted in super luminova with a black face and black leather strap would be perfect... But it's gotta cost under 200 bucks.
Can anyone help me out? THANKS

I used to have a watch either a Timex or Casio that had a really cool feature that turned on the light when I flipped my wrist to look at it. I wish I could recall what it was called but that would seem to fit your needs. Oh and by the way, I completely understand what you are asking for. I like a small and well lit watch that I do not need tow hands to illuminate or the cost of a Ruth's Chris family outing to pay for.

Bullzeyebill · Jul 27, 2013

One of my G-Shocks has that turn wrist feature. I turned it off. Really annoying

Bill

Small Inexpensive Really Bright Luminous Watch (without pushing a button)

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