I DO NOT RECOMMEND LUMINOX

[Deuce]

Does anyone else have a Luminox watch? Regrettably I do, and it's an unqualified POS, as is the company's attitude apparently. I bought one in February 2010. By April 2011 parts were failing and it wasn't keeping accurate time, so I sent it in for warranty service. Once I got it back it worked okay for, oh let's see, three and a half months. Now I'm not only experiencing the same issues as before, but I've got water inside the watch and the second hand has literally come loose and is sliding around. I sent an email to Luminox detailing my issues. Their response?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQFEY9RIRJA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
So, even though it's not their problem I contacted the store where I bought it and they were kind enough to forward my email to their Luminox rep. His response was to ask me if I had been wearing it in the shower. Really? Rather than boring you further I'll just say the rest of the conversation wasn't helpful to anyone. So, I guess my point is, if you buy a Luminox watch don't expect it to perform as advertised, and if and when you find that it doesn't, don't expect any customer service. That is all.

[okieboater]

Believe it or not my best outdoor watch has been the timex ironman.

the first one I got was from the Timex remanufactured outlet there in Little Rock. Larry Crane got it for me. great prices

This watch lasted perfectly for many years until I lost it.

Replaced it with another Ironman model and expect it to last as well as the first.

[hfunkhouser]

X2 on the ironman. I had one of the original indiglow models that lasted years until the old strap snapped in a jet ski tumble. Great price, too.

[AR-Nimrod]

The Timex Expeditions are good too. Wore out 2-3 bands before it finally quit. Right now I have a Casio Wave Cepter. Supposed to be good dwon to 100m.

[Cowper]

His response was to ask me if I had been wearing it in the shower.
…So, I guess my point is, if you buy a Luminox watch don't expect it to perform as advertised, and if and when you find that it doesn't, don't expect any customer service.

It may have been a valid question, but not a fair one (I’ll explain)

I say “valid question” because I’ve heard before that even watches designed for diving can’t take hot water/spray. Take it for what it is worth, but this version comes from Yahoo answers:
You should not wear any watch in the shower, a sauna, or a hot tub, because the heat will cause the metal to expand at a different rate than the gasket seals, leaving the watch vulnerable to steam or condensation.

But not a “fair question”, because I find nothing on the Luminox site that says “Caution, do not wear in shower!” Nope, their site just says how tough their watches are, designed to withstand pressure to 500 meters (over 1500 feet!), etc. And lots of people wear cheaper watches in the shower, and usually get away with it. So if it this a big no-no, or something the watch is not designed to take, then they owe it to you to put a fair warning in the material that comes with the watch, or to really take care of you when you have a problem. That should be part of what you paid for.

[cpresoz]

Very helpful information, Cowper. I'll be more aware of the effect of hot water. My timex always hold up until they rip off in some rapid and I never see it again.

[Deuce]

His response was to ask me if I had been wearing it in the shower.
…So, I guess my point is, if you buy a Luminox watch don't expect it to perform as advertised, and if and when you find that it doesn't, don't expect any customer service.

It may have been a valid question, but not a fair one (I’ll explain)

I say “valid question” because I’ve heard before that even watches designed for diving can’t take hot water/spray. Take it for what it is worth, but this version comes from Yahoo answers:
You should not wear any watch in the shower, a sauna, or a hot tub, because the heat will cause the metal to expand at a different rate than the gasket seals, leaving the watch vulnerable to steam or condensation.

But not a “fair question”, because I find nothing on the Luminox site that says “Caution, do not wear in shower!” Nope, their site just says how tough their watches are, designed to withstand pressure to 500 meters (over 1500 feet!), etc. And lots of people wear cheaper watches in the shower, and usually get away with it. So if it this a big no-no, or something the watch is not designed to take, then they owe it to you to put a fair warning in the material that comes with the watch, or to really take care of you when you have a problem. That should be part of what you paid for.

I think what I found the most irritating was his refusal to address the other issues: the crown protector failing for the second time in five months and the second hand coming loose and sliding around. The watch is junk and Luminox couldn't care less. They didn't even bother to respond to my concerns until a vendor asked them to, and even then it wasn't much of a response. Clearly they don't care.

[okieboater]

Stay with it Deuce!

A manufacturer or retailer can have a customer service issue, things happen.

The way the issue is handled shows the quality of service.

These days are full of poor customer service. Sign of the times.

My bet is the only way customer service will be improved is for customers to spread the word on good and bad customer service.

Reward the good and expose the bad!!

[Crane]

Timex Outlet on Pike Ave in North Little Rock... Good stuff at very low prices... If Dave had told me his had died, I'd have bought him another:)Crane

[Cowper]

I think what I found the most irritating was his refusal to address the other issues... The watch is junk and Luminox couldn't care less....

I hear you loud and clear! My intent was to share some info about the hot water issue for watches in general, I hope it didn't sound too much like I was siding with Luminox.

I was reading the Luminox site, and thinking, "wow, these things are COOL, I almost want one!" (except that I remembered WHY I was reading their site)

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[fryingsquirrel]

The Timex Expeditions are good too. Wore out 2-3 bands before it finally quit. Right now I have a Casio Wave Cepter. Supposed to be good dwon to 100m.

I had a $50-ish Casio Wave Cepter for near 3 years, and it took tons of abuse and misuse related to being worn by a mechanic every day. Had to polish the crystal on it once since it got so scratched up. The thing to finally kill it was me being careless around a car battery and accidentally shorting the positive post to ground with the watch band. Darn thing instantly spot welded itself shut while it was still on my wrist. Ouch is an understatement. Needless to say, the watch was toast!
Never worn a Luminox, I've always worn Timex or Casio.
Jon Ellwood

[Jim Krueger]

I have liked the Timex Expedition watches for the last 18 years or so. Mine have been reliable, accurate, and no problems with water intrusion while swimming or boating, ever. I don't however care for the Faux-Pas bands that come on these or any other watches though, so (unless it's a dress watch only) I replace them all from the start with 'The Band', a cheap nylon-velcro band that withstands washing to remove sweat and grime, and stays on like '100MPH tape'

Best Regards
Jim

[deakin]

I hate hearing this. I really love my Luminox since I can see what time it is in the middle of the night without a flashlight. I haven't had any issues with mine yet but it hasn't been on a river trip yet either...

[randominsects]

Good to know about the shower/hot water. I wear mine the the shower every once and a while just to clean the band. I've had my luminox for almost a year now. I haven't had any problems. I'm going to be real careful with mine now that I've had a heads up on their costumer service.
Before this watch I would just buy a $7.88 digital watch from walmart. They lasted about 4 years until I would hit my wrist on something and break the housing or the velcro would rip off and I would lose it in the water. I would wear the cheapo watches in the shower, kayaking and swimming all summer with no problems for years.

[Deuce]

You know, it's funny, I'd more or less forgotten about the Luminox debacle and moved on. I sent it in yet again for repairs, and somebody from Luminox at least finally called me to commiserate. He didn't really do anything to help, but at least he gave me the old Bill Clinton "I feel your pain" treatment. I think the repair shop told them how ticked (get it? ticked? ) I was, but get this; I saw someone else had added to the thread and instinctively looked down at my watch. The time was about seven hours off. It had been doing okay since the last repair, so I guess you jinxed it random. Thanks a lot.