Erika’s Originals makes their signature MN strap with a strip of lume down the middle. The Zenith and SJX Poker Chip collaboration came with a Cordura strap that’s entirely lumed as well. Bell & Ross’ BR 03-92 comes with a fully lumed dial and rubber strap. We’ve seen lume on straps from luxury brands and independent strap makers alike. Lume also hasn’t been limited to markers, hands and dials. I feel like this year, more brands are hopping on the lume train, as we’ve seen more fully lumed dials than we have in previous years the Doxa Carbon White Pearl, the Tag Heuer Night Diver and the Citizen Aqualand JP2007-17W to name a few. Image by don’t think I’m the only one that’s fascinated by lume. The hour markers, including the 3, 6 and 9 numerals filled with Chromalight Lume on the Rolex Explorer 12470. Not because of the better movement (more power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and a blue Parachrom hairspring), and updated case specs, but because of the lumed numerals. I love my Explorer 14270, and if I had to, it’d be the last watch I’d let go of, but my one gripe with it is that the 3, 6 and 9 numerals are not lumed! Whenever I find myself in the W&W office and I see Blake Buettner wearing his Explorer 124270 across the way, I can’t help but think that watch is the perfect version of my Explorer. Lack of lume can also be a source of disappointment. Lumed Bezel Markers On The Synchron Military FTW I can’t tell you how much it drives me crazy when there’s solely a lumed pip on a bezel, leaving the rest of the markers unseen in the dark. Think brighter lumed indices or fully lumed bezel markers. In certain scenarios, the application or the amount of lume can make a good watch great. In my opinion, it can also make or break a watch as well. Lume adds a certain dependability to the watch. Lume Putting The World In View With The Christopher Ward World Glow. And, as a result, those watches have taken up most of the wrist time. But being a father to a six month old, and having to be awake at a moment’s notice in the middle of the night, as well as being aware of the time, I’ve learned to appreciate good lume more and more. Sure, lume on a watch has come in handy during those times I’ve camped in the great outdoors, and even more so when I made the trek up Mount Whitney in the wee-hours of the morning. And as my taste and preference in watches have evolved based on what I need them to do, bright lume (in sufficient amounts)has been a feature that’s a must-have. Its actual use-case, telling time in the dark, is as practical as it gets. There’s Nothing Better Than Some Good Ol’ Fashioned Seiko Lume. Of course that’s not necessary to tell the time, but for those that understand where I’m coming from, tell me that doesn’t put a little smile on your face! Lume On The SPB31X. But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked indoors after being out in the sun, glanced down at my wrist, and got a dopamine hit from some day-lume action. When it’s dormant, lume is practically invisible. Why so? Well one reason is that lume, when executed properly, is an unexpected surprise throughout the day. The Bell & Ross Lume Dial BR 03-92 Which Could Also Be Had On A Fully Lumed Rubber Strap. I can’t quite pinpoint the reason why, and I guess I’ll work it out as this article writes itself, but great lume on a watch makes me happy. As for watches, I distinctly remember my entry into the game through G-Shocks and being obsessed with the indigo blue backlight feature. As a kid, my ceiling was filled with those glow in the dark stars, and during my sneakerhead days, I remember owning a pair of the Nike Dunk High Glow In The Darks. Image Courtesy Of wasn’t just the Gameboy where I could trace my obsession with objects that glow in the dark. Lume Action On The New Citizen ‘Barnacle’ Challenge Diver. So what does that have to do with watches, and more specifically, lume? Well, the vision of my younger self, face illuminated in the darkness by the green glow of my Gameboy screen, is strikingly similar to the glow from my watch’s lume now. Nothing was going to stop me from playing my Gameboy, not even nightfall. Road trips through the night infinitely got better. Needless to say, the Light Boy overhead light and screen magnifier was a game changer for me. That was until a genius Gameboy attachment was invented called the Light Boy. But the problem was, in complete darkness, I might as well have been playing my Gameboy blindfolded. I can still hear the signature ‘coin drop’ Gameboy startup chime, followed by the scratchy, upbeat electronic Mega Man V theme song in my head. I don’t recall the exact day I got my first Gameboy, but I sure do remember it was on my person constantly.
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