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Review of the LUMINOX EVO “Ultimate Seal” Chronograph 8352 / 8351
(My buddy wanted my first 8251 Ultimate Seal so bad I decided to sell it to him. I liked the watch so much that my intentions on selling it was to through down some more coin and buy the chronograph model.) Its a sickness.
For those who did not read the review I did of my first ”Ultimate Seal” model 8251, I will recap some of the new features of the Luminox EVO “Ultimate Seal“ collection.......
The "Evo Ultimate" series has come a long way from the original plastic Luminox I remember years back. I cant believe it is the same company and it isn’t (kind of). The “EVO” stands for evolution and marks the new products from Luminox since the merger with the Mondaine Watch Ltd Swiss company. This is a huge step for Luminox taking their watches more upscale. (Pricier $$ but better)
No gratuitous military logos across the face. A honest to goodness professional rugged tritium timepiece. The watch is very solidly built out of stainless steel with excellent machining details over the entire watch.
The case itself is made out of stainless steel that is coated with a satin PVD plating. It is very tough. So tough that when I was adjusting the bracelet, my tool slipped with great force across the link and did not leave a mark.
What ever Luminox is using for their PVD plating, its almost scratch proof!
All of the edges are debured for a snag free feel (very nice). The stainless steel bezel has a striking two tone metallic silver finish contrasting in satin and flat matt. The bezel clicks very firmly and solidly in a unidirectional direction. It is machined to have excellent grip for turning underwater or with gloves on. The bezel will not be unintentionally turned. The back of the watch has screw down polished stainless steel lid. It is smooth and very comfortable. The watch face has a anti-reflective scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. This is the best you could ask for at any price point. It is crystal clear. So clear you have to tap on the face of the watch to see if there is anything protecting the display.
The CHRONOGRAPH model...
The Luminox EVO “Ultimate Seal” Chronograph model 8352 and 8351.
The 8352 and 8351 are the same watch other than the 8352 comes with a steel two tone bracelet and the 8351 comes with a rubber strap with double prong buckle.
The bracelet is very solidly built out of solid stainless steel links with a two tone PVD plating and a satin stainless steel “dog bone” design. It is very heavy duty weighing in at 100 gr. Just for the bracelet alone. It has a safety clasp with divers extension. The under side is very smooth and does not pull hair on the arm.
(See at bottom for: “Tips and tricks on adjusting this type of bracelet.”)
The watch is heavy but wears very balanced on the wrist.
The Chronograph uses the excellent RONDA 5050. B. Big Date movement.
The USERS GUIDE and operation instructions and chronograph hand calibration info can be found here....
http://www.ronda.ch/en/products/data...hp3?cal=5050.B
The chronograph uses 3 dial set up that counts the 1/10 second, second, minute, and hour (up to 12 hours). The small dial by the 3 o’clock position is the second hand for the general time. The large second hand is for use in chronograph mode.
When starting the chrono, the large second hand and 1/10th hand jumps to life. The 1/10th hand spins one revolution every second. After 30 seconds the 1/10th hand stops moving but is counting internally. When you stop the chronograph, the 1/10th second hand jumps to the correct position. (Very cool). The Chronograph has “Accumulative timing” and “Intermediate or interval timing”
All of the hands and markers in small and large dial, line up perfectly.
Very high quality feature.
The date is displayed at the 6'oclock position using a large split digit window. This is exclusive to only the Chronograph.
The only labeling on the dial is the Luminox crest at the top and “PROFESSIONAL DIVER” between the 3 and 4 o’clock.
The chronographs size makes it easy to read and the crisp dial is first rate.
The entire watch oozes quality and rock solid build construction. 54 month battery life with End Of battery Life feature. It’s easy to read the dial In any light condition, it is easy to see the time at any angle of the watch face. Tritium markers glow brilliantly in green with the 12 o'clock in yellow. The bezel 12 o'clock glows in green. The watch is idiot proof to read in low or no light situations.
Accuracy has been stellar so far at 0 + or - seconds!! In my experience, typical of the new EVO series.
The style of the watch is upscale enough to be used for any occasion. It has great wrist presence. It feels like a tank on the wrist and should be a excellent choice for serious diver, hunters, climbers/explorers. The Luminox"professional" series are just that,... “The Ultimate Seal”
I also bought the rubber strap that is found on the 8351. The quality is excellent and will lighten up the watch for other activities.
Specs:
LUMINOX: Navy Seals -- Evo Ultimate Diver Chrono
__________________________________________________ __________
Manufature: Mondaine Watch Ltd. LUMINOX Swiss
Ref.-Nr.: A691.48352PL
Details:
o Swiss Quarz movement
o Chronograph with stop function
o Ronda caliber 5050.B BIG DATE
o Thick stainless steel housing (316L) mat, black PVD coated
o Saphire glass, single antireflective coating
o Plan scratch glass and shock festival
o Ground (316L) steel, PVD black
o Massive grip crown screwed (316L) with laser engraving
o Crown and two pushers with double seals
o Unidirectional (316L) steel ratcheting bezel, LLT tritium illumination at 12h
o Hours / minutes / seconds hand
o Two date display
o Water resistant to 20 ATM DIN 8310 (200 m / 20 bar)
o Pointer and indices with tritiumlights
o Digits sheet black
o Watch diameter: 44 mm without crown, housing strength: 12,2 mm
o Volume impetus: 23 mm
o Weight of the watch: 193 gr.
Bracelet:
o Black stainless steel bracelet (316L) PVD coated, belt stop 23 mm, with engraving on the stainless steel close
Specificity:
o Two date display, Chronograph
o orange / above the number 12
o orange / above the number 12
o green / above the the numbers 1-11
o green on the min.- / hourpointer
o green on the bezel
Tips and Tricks for adjusting the “Dog bone” bracelet:
The only thing I do not like about this bracelet is the way the links are removed for adjustment. The bracelet uses a “friction pin” set up. The back of the bracelet has arrows on each link that can be removed. The arrows point the direction the pins are to be pushed out.
Some are in very snug and some are not as snug as they should be.
I have a 15 year old Tag Heuer that uses this design and I found a sure fire trick to making the pins so they wont ever fall out accidentally. For all links that have removable pins, I use clear coat touch-up paint that is used for cars. I push all the pins out half way, brush a little clear coat paint on them and push them back. I then wipe the excess paint off the end of the links.
This acts like a thread locker and the pins wont ever vibrate out. They still can be removed for later adjustment if need be, just re apply clear coat paint when finished. Clear nail polish also works but is not a temperature stable as clear coat touch up paint that you can get at any automotive store. Duplicolor is what I used.
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