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A review of my Lum-tec M16
________________________________________
Lum-tec Watch
This is a family run, USA based company, whose parent company is Wiegand Custom Watch, LLC., based in USA. The watches were pitched at the entry level of the market and were available in Singapore through Watch-Werkz, the exclusive distributor here. One of their key technologies is the MDV Technology ® "Maximum Darkness Visibility". According to Lum-tec, this is a special 6 layer application of Superluminova applied over a chemical coated white base, causing an incredibly bright luminescent light charge. Each 44mm M series twin barrel automatic is hand assembled in USA with parts from all over the world. They have fitted a fully restored historic military twin barrel automatic movement with a power reserve of over 38-41 hours.
Technical Data
• Case Size: 44mm case excluding crown; 13mm thick, weighs 125grams for watch + leather; weights 250grams for watch + steel bracelet!
• Lug size: 24mm lug width.
• Case: Brushed 316L stainless steel case with diamond-sealed crown, and quick-set date button at "2"
• Movement: Rare twin barrel 21 jewel vintage automatic winding Soviet military movement (Slava) – non hacking. Full restoration and serviced in USA. 38-41 hours power reserve.
• Water Resistant: 100 meters / 330 feet water resistance.
• Dial Colour: Black dial with LUM-TEC GX MDV® luminous on hands and numerals.
• Case Back: Engraved solid caseback
• Straps: 3 straps included; 316L stainless steel bracelet with brushed finish, molded rubber strap with matched stitching and leather strap with matched stitching.
• Crystal: Flat, heavy sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coatings, that cuts glare by up to 40%.
• Box: Top quality box set with 1 year limited warranty, instruction manual, authenticity signed certificate and 2 strap compartments for the rubber and leather straps.
• Others: Limited 100 units produced.
Case and Comfort
The SS case is a nice 44mm and squarish-round in shape. The overall matt finish is very nice. The lugs curves nicely and hugs my wrist. The design of the lugs is just right, not too long that they sits on my wrist but makes the watch very comfortable on the wrist. However, total weight of the full SS watch and bracelet is about 250gm and it needs some getting used to. The back of the case is SS with engravings.
Crystal and Crown
The crown sets the time (non-hacking). The push button at 2 sets the date. You push the button to advance the date. The whole arrangement is easy and simple. The thickness of the case gives one a solid feel and also leaves room for engraving on the side (if need be). The think sapphire glass has double AR coating resulting in a virtually glare free crystal and appears lightly blue-tinted when viewed from certain angles.
Movement
(above images of movements were taken from Watchwerkz website)
The movement is a Russian Slava, a twin barrel, handwind base with a date module and an auto winding module added. The movement can be wound by hand for maximum power reserve, and functions as an auto. I was informed that after a complete unwind, to start the watch, it using a vintage movement, I need to wind it 50 times or so and then placed dial up. I find the movement feels very smooth to wind.
Accuracy
The watch has been accurate for the last 24 hours since I bought it. But I have not let it fully unwind and rewind it so I cannot vouch for the average timing readings.
Dial and Hands
The hands and indices are clearly visible. There is no difficulty in telling time. The seconds hand is legible and thin enough so that I would not mistake it for the minute hand. The numerals (12, 3, 6, 9) are big and striking. The lume on the numerals, indices and hands is thick and evenly applied, and appears so under the loupe. After daylight exposure, they showed a nice glow. The date wheel is a black font on white background which makes it very striking and sharp. Numbers likes “28”, “29” and “30” fit nicely in the date window.
Strap
The M16 comes with leather and rubber straps, and a nice SS matt bracelet. I am a bracelet person, so the thick bracelet grows on me. I notice the leather strap came with quick release spring bars, which is a great idea as it saves time in changing straps.
Packaging and Manual
The outer box is a white thick hard cardboard box and an inner black box (pvc, I think). Box comes with 1 year limited warranty, instruction manual, authenticity signed certificate and 2 strap compartments for the rubber and leather straps.
Overall Impression
The watch is built ruggedly. It is simple and functional. From a distance (1.5m away), the dial, numerals and hands are clearly visible. The close-up photos in this review aim to give the detail of the design. However, the overall appearance on the wrist, with the lume on the black background, the watch gives a very sleek and clean-cut look. It is impressive yet understated. The dial’s colour changes with the light when viewed from different angles, giving it a unique elegance. It is a pleasure to read time from this watch daily. For a good design with a vintage movement, plus three straps, this is a good bargain for me.
The M16 current retail price is $1,200.
Choe Kee Hong/(CKH2359/Wind128)
Copyright January 2009
________________________________________
Lum-tec Watch
This is a family run, USA based company, whose parent company is Wiegand Custom Watch, LLC., based in USA. The watches were pitched at the entry level of the market and were available in Singapore through Watch-Werkz, the exclusive distributor here. One of their key technologies is the MDV Technology ® "Maximum Darkness Visibility". According to Lum-tec, this is a special 6 layer application of Superluminova applied over a chemical coated white base, causing an incredibly bright luminescent light charge. Each 44mm M series twin barrel automatic is hand assembled in USA with parts from all over the world. They have fitted a fully restored historic military twin barrel automatic movement with a power reserve of over 38-41 hours.
Technical Data
• Case Size: 44mm case excluding crown; 13mm thick, weighs 125grams for watch + leather; weights 250grams for watch + steel bracelet!
• Lug size: 24mm lug width.
• Case: Brushed 316L stainless steel case with diamond-sealed crown, and quick-set date button at "2"
• Movement: Rare twin barrel 21 jewel vintage automatic winding Soviet military movement (Slava) – non hacking. Full restoration and serviced in USA. 38-41 hours power reserve.
• Water Resistant: 100 meters / 330 feet water resistance.
• Dial Colour: Black dial with LUM-TEC GX MDV® luminous on hands and numerals.
• Case Back: Engraved solid caseback
• Straps: 3 straps included; 316L stainless steel bracelet with brushed finish, molded rubber strap with matched stitching and leather strap with matched stitching.
• Crystal: Flat, heavy sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coatings, that cuts glare by up to 40%.
• Box: Top quality box set with 1 year limited warranty, instruction manual, authenticity signed certificate and 2 strap compartments for the rubber and leather straps.
• Others: Limited 100 units produced.
Case and Comfort
The SS case is a nice 44mm and squarish-round in shape. The overall matt finish is very nice. The lugs curves nicely and hugs my wrist. The design of the lugs is just right, not too long that they sits on my wrist but makes the watch very comfortable on the wrist. However, total weight of the full SS watch and bracelet is about 250gm and it needs some getting used to. The back of the case is SS with engravings.
Crystal and Crown
The crown sets the time (non-hacking). The push button at 2 sets the date. You push the button to advance the date. The whole arrangement is easy and simple. The thickness of the case gives one a solid feel and also leaves room for engraving on the side (if need be). The think sapphire glass has double AR coating resulting in a virtually glare free crystal and appears lightly blue-tinted when viewed from certain angles.
Movement
(above images of movements were taken from Watchwerkz website)
The movement is a Russian Slava, a twin barrel, handwind base with a date module and an auto winding module added. The movement can be wound by hand for maximum power reserve, and functions as an auto. I was informed that after a complete unwind, to start the watch, it using a vintage movement, I need to wind it 50 times or so and then placed dial up. I find the movement feels very smooth to wind.
Accuracy
The watch has been accurate for the last 24 hours since I bought it. But I have not let it fully unwind and rewind it so I cannot vouch for the average timing readings.
Dial and Hands
The hands and indices are clearly visible. There is no difficulty in telling time. The seconds hand is legible and thin enough so that I would not mistake it for the minute hand. The numerals (12, 3, 6, 9) are big and striking. The lume on the numerals, indices and hands is thick and evenly applied, and appears so under the loupe. After daylight exposure, they showed a nice glow. The date wheel is a black font on white background which makes it very striking and sharp. Numbers likes “28”, “29” and “30” fit nicely in the date window.
Strap
The M16 comes with leather and rubber straps, and a nice SS matt bracelet. I am a bracelet person, so the thick bracelet grows on me. I notice the leather strap came with quick release spring bars, which is a great idea as it saves time in changing straps.
Packaging and Manual
The outer box is a white thick hard cardboard box and an inner black box (pvc, I think). Box comes with 1 year limited warranty, instruction manual, authenticity signed certificate and 2 strap compartments for the rubber and leather straps.
Overall Impression
The watch is built ruggedly. It is simple and functional. From a distance (1.5m away), the dial, numerals and hands are clearly visible. The close-up photos in this review aim to give the detail of the design. However, the overall appearance on the wrist, with the lume on the black background, the watch gives a very sleek and clean-cut look. It is impressive yet understated. The dial’s colour changes with the light when viewed from different angles, giving it a unique elegance. It is a pleasure to read time from this watch daily. For a good design with a vintage movement, plus three straps, this is a good bargain for me.
The M16 current retail price is $1,200.
Choe Kee Hong/(CKH2359/Wind128)
Copyright January 2009
I like the design of the clear legible dial. How long does the lume last?
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