A Picture of Good Stealth: Luminox Unveils the Master Carbon SEAL Automatic

When it comes to military watches, my mind draws a bold red line between two distinct types. First, there’s the batch that originates from vintage watches. You know, the Dirty Dozen field watch, the stoic flieger, and of course the quintessential stainless steel diver. Then there’s the modern and robust digital watch equipped with the innovative case material and a slew of multi-functions that you’d need more than two hands to count. But the happy medium between the two has always been within Luminox, a brand that has fostered and maintained a partnership with the U.S. Navy SEALs for three decades and counting. The latest addition to the Navy SEAL Luminox collection blends together a new case material and their patented Luminox Light Technology, while still keeping the spirit of analog time – it’s called the Master Carbon SEAL Automatic inspired by the Frogmen’s grind, grit, and durability.

The Master Carbon SEAL Automatic utilizes a lightweight and rugged case made out of CARBONOX™+. This forward-looking material boasts ultra-strong and weatherproof properties that in weight, equates to three times lighter than titanium. The unique feature that comes along with the “+” in the CARBONOX™+ name is its stealthy gray tint which also displays the fingerprint-esque carbon fiber pattern that is individual to each watch. Except with the Master Carbon SEAL Automatic, the carbon fiber execution is much more subtle, displaying less of the white swirls we’ve seen in other carbon fiber cases and appearing more like a darkened cement.

The case sports a pair of bumpers on each side that in total case width, amount to 45mm. Not the ideal case width for an everyday watch, but the carbon fiber case should more than make up for how the watch should feel on the wrist. Unlike the case, the bezel is forged out of 316L stainless steel and gets a black coating to match the clandestine case. Both the bezel and coated stainless steel crown get a heavy dose of thick and chunky knurling for seamless rotation.

There are two variations that are currently available – a jet black dial with either an army green or a gun metal gray outer-ring with a color-matched cut-to-size rubber strap. Legibility is the name of the game here. The dial highlights every hour marker as each one extends from the chapter ring and overlaps the dial base. Arabic numerals at every five minute interval are found encircling the inner portion of the dial with the rest of the dial’s wordmarking finding balance and harmony with the Luminox shield logo. No matter the lighting situation, you can bet that the handset and markers can be deciphered with each, thanks to Luminox’s Light Technology. The handset, markers, as well as the zero-marker bezel pip are filled with tritium tubes that the brand pledges will last up to 25 years.

On the underside of the case, the Master Carbon SEAL Automatic frames its Sellita SW 200-1 through the lens of a mineral crystal and steel exhibition caseback. The Master Carbon SEAL Automatic is no slouch in the water resistance department as well. Go figure since water competency is one of the major BUD/S training pillars when one chooses to become a Navy SEAL.

The Master Carbon SEAL Automatic in its army green and gun metal gray iterations are currently available for purchase directly through Luminox and come with a retail price of $1,195. Following the release of both models, Luminox is planning to reveal a limited-edition model that strikes a red line across the dial, further highlighting the texture contrast against the horizontal ridges, and also comes with a corresponding red cut-to-size rubber strap. Luminox