Lum-Tec Alternative

[frenzalrhomb]

Hiya team, I'm looking for a work watch (I'm an aircraft engineer and so it may be subject to a few knocks) and I absolutely love the Lum-Tec combat B1 but the lack of a date makes it a no go. Especially on night shifts a date is necassary as your not at your best and it changes half way through your shift, very confusing.

So in a round about way I'm asking does anyone else make rugged mechanical watches of a similar quality and price to Lum-Tech.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[lan61t]

Do you prefer quartz or auto?

Steinhart would be good, and lately i've been very interested with seiko watches, especially the orange monster or the samurai.
From what i heard, they glow like a torch.

 

[frenzalrhomb]

Steinhart are great but either a little too pricey for the chrono or lacking date function again. That's the sort of non mainstream thing I'm looking for though. Any other suggestions anyone I've tried Stowa Bremont and werners flying watches but still nothing great.

 

[R2D4]

What about Bernhart? http://www.bernhardtwatch.com/globemaster.html

Honestly, you wont find a match for Lumtecs' lume. You might have to have one lumed by Kent Parks or Vacuum. There is always Luminox too.

 

[frenzalrhomb]

This is my current favourite

Out in August and features an 80 hour power reserve, but I want it now!

 

[parryl]

i was asking myself the same question

i found this looking at this

http://www.redarmywatches.com/collectio ... 26&brand=2

http://www.gnomonwatches.com/DievasZetaPhantomPro.html

http://www.watchwerkz.com.sg/index.php

 

[frenzalrhomb]

The front page of http://www.watchuseek.com also has loads of less mainstream brands.

Thanks the links R2 and parryl there all bookmarked.

Still not seen anything I prefer to the Lum-Tec's yet and starting to think that I won't they are original and not an un-branded 'homage' maybe just have to wait.

 

[levelmanroger]

Casio G-Shock, Seiko or Reactor are going to be the toughest / most reliable. Many of the Seikos have great lum, and many of the Reactors have Superluminova as well. They even have one line with BOTH Superluminova AND Tritium tubes. Reactor is pricier, but guaranteed for LIFE. You break it, they fix it.
Other than that, I'd just buy a FakeyMariner. It's tough as nails, very dependable, a quite accurate time keeper, and far less expensive than any of these other alternatives.

 

[phil28]

How about taking a look at marathon sar family including their tsar. They have choices with tritium tubes or superluminova and are made to be tough. I've been eyeing those lately.

 

[levelmanroger]

Taser looks pretty good for the money:
http://www.longislandwatch.com/Traser/Traser_Watches_1.htm

 

[trailboss99]

Does it have to be mechanical? If not there is Chase-Durer, one of the few made in USA brands: http://www.chase-durer.com/
For mechanical I can recomend Werners. Quite a few of the guys at RWG1.1 have bought there and are more than happy. http://www.wernersflyingwatches.com/default.asp
Then there is Kalashnikov a fave of mine with one hell of a designer. They have some real nice stuff and there are US based dealers. http://www.kalashnikovwatches.com/site_e.html

Hope that helped, Col.