The Luminox ‘Wave Crest’ Automatic is the first watch under the brand to grace the collection. I have been eyeing their automatic powered watches for sometime now but the gripe I have is that all have proprietary strap/lug combo which makes after-market strap options practically nil.
Only recently have Luminox designed automatic watches with standard lug sizes. When I visited my favorite AD in Mid Valley, he showed me the limited edition line of the Luminox Master Carbon SEAL Automatics. I was toying with getting the Red Bull model but eventually I was sensible enough to know that model is too loud for my taste. Instead, I chose the 'Wave Crest'.
The 'Wave Crest' has a lower number in circulation - only 135 examples compared to the other limited edition models. It is also the only model which comes with an extra strap. Moreover, the dial has a different design with different markings. More about this later.
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The History of Luminox Watch Company
The Luminox Master Carbon SEAL Automatic Series
The Luminox ‘Wave Crest’ Automatic was released in August 2024 to celebrate the brand's 35th anniversary. It was the idea by Luminox Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei to craft a special Limited Edition Automatic timepiece to commemorate this significant milestone. The Luminox 'Wave Crest' Automatic is limited to 135 pieces worldwide.
Table 1: Limited Edition Luminox Master Carbon SEAL Automatics
 Master Carbon SEAL Automatic Series - 3865. GOLD Limited Edition Units in circulation: 999 Launched: 2024 |  Luminox 'Wave Crest' Automatic Limited Edition - 3875.ESC.N Units in circulation: 135 Launched: 2024 |
 Red Bull Ampol Automatic Master Carbon Seal - 3863.ARB Limited Edition Units in circulation: 350 Launched: 2025 |  |
The standard model SEALs have four different colours to choose from; green, blue, black or grey.
Table 2: Standard Production Luminox Master Carbon SEAL Automatics
 Master Carbon SEAL Automatic Series - 3877 |  Master Carbon SEAL Automatic Series - 3863 |
 Master Carbon SEAL Automatic Series - 3875 |  Master Carbon SEAL Automatic Series - 3862 |
The Watch
The Luminox ‘Wave Crest’ Automatic Limited Edition is made out of a carbon compound patented by Luminox called CARBONOX™+. The material is light, durable, hypoallergenic, weatherproof, and shock and scratch resistant. The CARBONOX™+ is smooth to the touch as one runs one’s finger over the material, though the irregular pattern of its surface looks like it has a rough texture. Makes the case look even more rugged.
When comparing Luminox's CARBONOX™+ with 316L stainless steel, the
choice largely depends on whether you prioritize lightness and scratch
resistance (CARBONOX™+) or a more traditional, high-luster metallic
finish with excellent overall corrosion resistance (316L stainless
steel). Below is a comparative table between the two materials.
| CARBONOX™+ | 316L Stainless Steel | |
| Weight | Significantly lighter; six times lighter than steel. | Substantial and heavy, giving the watch a solid, classic feel on the wrist. |
| Aesthetics | Modern, distinctive gray color with a visible carbon fiber pattern. | Traditional metallic sheen that can be brushed or polished to a high luster. |
| Scratch Resistance | Very high. Scratches that do occur are typically difficult to see due to the consistent color of the composite material. | Prone to minor scratches and swirl marks over time, especially on polished surfaces. |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent. It is a non-metallic, weatherproof material with strong chemical resistance. | Excellent. It is considered "marine-grade" due to its resistance to chloride-rich environments and is used in marine and medical applications. |
| Thermal Properties | Non-conductive, meaning it won't get hot or cold on the wrist and has very low heat expansion. | Conducts heat and cold, with a high resistance to high temperatures, though not a defining comfort feature. |
| Durability | Ultra-strong and rigid. Enhanced with 40% long carbon fibers for double the tensile strength of standard CARBONOX™. | Strong and tough, but can show dents from hard impacts. It is more flexible and can be cold-worked for increased strength. |
| Allergenic Properties | Anti-allergenic and non-metallic, making it suitable for those with skin sensitivities. | Contains nickel, which is a known allergen for some individuals. |
| Manufacturing | A composite material that is molded into the final shape, resulting in a unique, uniform color that won't chip off. | A metal alloy that is machined and milled from raw material. Scratches or blemishes will show the underlying material. |
Creating the CARBONOX™+ case to house the automatic movement was not easy. Research and development had to be done to determine the correct thickness of the case and adapt it to the weight of the movement. The end product measures 45 mm wide, 14 mm in height with a lug-to-lug length of 52 mm. The carbon case is sandwiched by 316L stainless steel unidirectional rotating bezel and a display case-back. Due to the materials used, the watch only weighs 110 grams.
This watch is designed tough considering it was made to fulfill the requirements of the US Navy SEALs who commissioned Luminox to produce a watch as part of its essential gear loadout for its soldiers.
The Luminox ‘Wave Crest’ Automatic Limited Edition features a wave-patterned black dial design with the mantra ‘Every Second Counts’ at the upper right quadrat. The wave-patterned design on the dial is a nod to Luminox's beginnings near the Pacific Ocean, giving rise to the name ‘Wave Crest’. The powerful mantra 'Every Second Counts' on the dial reminds us that every second can make the difference between success and failure.
The watch has a vertical chapter ring painted in black to minimise glaring. There is a step-up ring platform along the edge of the dial where the minute markers are painted in red while the hour markers consist of tritium tubes, part of Luminox LLT luminous technology. Apart from the red "Every Second Counts" quotation along the first 15 minute track, the brand logo is located at the upper quadrat while the word "AUTOMATIC" is located at 9:00 and the words "200 METERS" is along 6:00. Unlike the standard SEAL models, the additional words "660 FEET" is missing in this example. Meanwhile, the words "SWISS MADE" as well as some manufacture coding is located in small font at the edge of the dial at 6:00.
The watch comes with a day and date complication located at 3:00. To ensure stealth, the date and day wheels have black background. The day wheel has two languages, English and Spanish. Meanwhile, the handset on the 'Wave Crest' has syringe-like design and all three hands are painted black except for the tip of the seconds-hand which is in red. All three hands are also equipped with the Luminox LLT tritium tubes for nighttime visibility.
The dial is protected by a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. It sits flush with the unidirectional bezel which helps minimise side impact damage. The unidirectional bezel is made out of stainless steel in black PVD coating. It has painted markers as well as embossed Arabic numerals. There is a raised pip at 12:00 where another tritium tube is imbedded. The bezel takes 120 incremental moves for a complete rotation. Each move has a nice audible click which is assuring. Meanwhile, below is a phot of the watch in the dark will all the tritium tubes firing up. Orange for both the 12:00 for the dial and bezel as well as the seconds-hand while the rest is green.
The Luminox 'Wave Crest' Automatic Limited Edition features a unique
black and red rubberized leather strap, a product of a special
collaboration with Delugs, a renowned Singapore-based strap and
accessories company. The rubberized
leather blend construction gives it the premium feel and aesthetic of a
leather strap while providing the superior durability, water
resistance, and weatherproofing of rubber.
The strap is black on the outside, featuring small perforations or "punch-outs" that reveal a red inner lining. This design choice visually links the strap to the red arc on the watch's dial, creating a cohesive and sporty aesthetic. Delugs' straps are handcrafted by a team of skilled artisans. The process involves multiple steps, including assembling layers, saddle stitching, and edge painting, ensuring high quality and durability. The handcrafted saddle stitching technique is known for its durability, as each stitch is individually knotted. The rubberized nature of the leather also means the strap is less prone to cracking and wear than traditional leather straps.
An additional standard black "cut-to-fit" rubber strap is also included with the purchase, providing owners with a versatile alternative for different activities. Both straps are equipped with a quick-release spring-bars to make strap replacement easy.
The case-back is a black PVD 316L steel plate with a display sapphire crystal window. Through it one can clearly see the Sellita SW200-1 movement powering the watch. The Sellita SW220-1 is a robust, dependable automatic movement, often considered a modern equivalent to the classic ETA 2824 with added day functionality. It excels in everyday reliability, has a well-built feel, and is praised for ease of service, making it a popular choice for watchmakers and brands. However, it's not without flaws, including a potential "helicopter" noise issue from the rotor and a relatively short power reserve.
The whole package is water rated to 200 meters. Luminox adheres to ISO standards, particularly the ISO 6425 standard for dive watches. Under this standard, Luminox designed the watch like any professional
diving watches and comply with the strict and rigorous standards of ISO 6425.
This certification involves much tougher testing procedures than
standard water resistance tests, including resistance to magnetic
fields, shock, and thermal changes, as well as specific readability and
dive time indicator requirements. The watch is also follows the MIL-SPEC (Military Specification) standard in compliance with the technical requirements and
performance specifications set by the U.S. Department of Defense
(MIL-PRF-46374G), which reflects military standards for quality,
robustness, and water resistance. Hence, this watch is suitable for professional diving. Nonetheless, if you do want to use it to dive, I suggest you use the "cut-to-fit" rubber strap option instead of the rubberized leather strap.
The Wearing Experience
The wave-patterned dial give the watch a strong and confident presence on the wrist. This makes it a great choice for those who prefer a watch that makes a statement. Moreover, the black and red color scheme, including the red "Every Second Counts" mantra on the dial and the matching red accents on the strap, gives the watch a sporty and eye-catching look that garners compliments.
One should also not want to forget the call-to-fame of Luminox, the Tritium gas tubes on the hands and indices provide constant, low-light illumination for up to 25 years. This ensures excellent readability in all conditions, which is a practical benefit for users.
Finally, as a limited edition piece celebrating Luminox's 35th anniversary, the 'Wave Crest' is not just a watch but a collector's item with a rich story. This adds a sense of exclusivity to the wearing experience.
Overall, I only have praises for the watch for being "bold, functional, and comfortable". The comfort and wearability are significant factors for me, especially given the watch's robust design.
Specifications
Case Material: Forged carbon compound, proprietary to Luminox called CARBONOX™+
Width: 45.0 mm
Length: 52.0 mm
Height: 14.0 mm
Lug Width: 24.0 mm
Dial Colour: Black
Crystal: Sapphire with an anti-reflective coating
Illumination: Hands & indices use Luminox LLT, which features tritium gas tubes (for up to 25 years)
Caseback: Screw-down stainless steel plate with display window made out of sapphire crystal
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Weight: Approximately 110 grams
Band: (A) special black & red rubberized leather strap; (B) standard black "cut-to-fit" rubber strap
Calibre: Sellita SW 220-1
Type: Automatic with manual winding function
Jewels: 26
Power Reserve: Approximately 38 hours
Accuracy: -12 /+12 seconds per day Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Features: Stainless steel unidirectional rotating bezel, three hands, day and date
Purchase Date: 17 October 2025
MSRP: RM7,285
Purchase Price: RM5,400
Serial Number: No. 85 out of 135 examples
Warranty: Two (2) years
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