How to Choose Your First Lum-Tec Watch

Your first Lum-Tec should match how you will actually wear it: a field watch for daily tool use, a slimmer automatic for office-to-weekend wear, a compact solar diver for time around water, or a GMT if you keep a second time zone. This guide points you to the right series, then to models that were in stock at CGA Watches when it was written. If a page later shows sold out, choose another model in the same series or browse the Lum-Tec collection.

Every Lum-Tec we sell is assembled, tested and tuned in Mentor, Ohio. The CGA Company is an authorized Lum-Tec dealer, and watches ship free in the US.

Everyday wear: the Eclipse

Choose the Eclipse if you want a thinner watch on a steel bracelet. Lum-Tec designed the series to sit close to the wrist: the case is 42 mm wide (excluding the crown) and 9.1 mm thick, with a 47 mm lug-to-lug. A flat-link bracelet tapers from 26 mm at the case to 18 mm at the clasp. Water resistance is 100 meters. The models we currently have in stock run on a Miyota 9039 automatic.

Current Eclipse models in stock:

• Eclipse E1
• Eclipse E3 (ocean blue)
• Eclipse E5 (pearl orange)
• Eclipse E6 (green sunburst)

The bracelet is integrated, so it is not made for quick strap changes. Lum-Tec lists lifetime free movement timing regulation for the series, provided by Lum-Tec under its own terms. The Eclipse models covered here are numbered series of 300.

Field and daily tool use: the Combat B

Choose the Combat B if you want a classic field watch on nylon straps, with the widest choice of movements. Lum-Tec traces the line back to the Combat B1 in 2007. The standard models use a 43 mm case, 13.6 mm thick including the domed sapphire, with a 51.5 mm lug-to-lug and 200-meter water resistance. Most arrive with two nylon military-style straps; the B64 includes one leather and one nylon strap. The exception is the Combat B74 GMT, which uses a smaller 39 mm case, 13.8 mm thick, with a 46 mm lug-to-lug and 20 mm lugs.

Current Combat B models in stock, by movement:

• Quartz, three-hand: the B71, the B72 (inverse-lume dial), and the B73, each with a Swiss Ronda 515 quartz movement.
• Quartz with day-date: the B67 and the B68, with a Miyota 2105.
• Automatic: the B69 and the B70, with a Miyota 9015 that hacks and hand-winds.
• Chronograph: the B64, with a Miyota OS21J chronograph movement.
• GMT, smaller case: the B74, with a Miyota 9075 true GMT.

The standard 43 mm models suit average to larger wrists. If you prefer a shorter lug-to-lug, look at the B74. The Combat B models covered here are numbered series of 500. For movement details, see our Combat B quartz vs. automatic vs. chronograph guide.

Dive and time around water: the Solar Marine

Choose the Solar Marine if you want a compact dive watch that charges from light instead of a disposable battery. All four current models share the same platform: a 39 mm forged 316L stainless steel case, 10.7 mm thick including the sapphire, a short 43.5 mm lug-to-lug, 20 mm drilled lugs, 300-meter water resistance, a rotating bezel with a steel insert and luminous pip, and a Japanese VS42A solar quartz movement. Lum-Tec lists about six months of power reserve on a full charge. Each one arrives on a nylon military-style strap.

The differences are mainly finish:

• Solar Marine 5: brushed and polished steel with an anti-fingerprint coating.
• Solar Marine 6: bead-blasted black titanium carbide PVD.
• Solar Marine 7: another stainless option, with brushed steel strap hardware.
• Solar Marine 8: a micro-polished case with a titanium nitride PVD hard coating.

The Solar Marine models covered here are numbered series of 300. Our Solar Marine 5, 6, 7 and 8 comparison goes deeper on the finishes.

Travel and a second time zone

If you want a second time zone, Lum-Tec's current GMT options all use the Miyota 9075 automatic, a true GMT with an independently adjustable local hour hand. You can jump the local hour when you change time zones without disturbing the minute hand or the 24-hour GMT hand. All three families below are in stock:

• Combat B74 GMT: the compact choice, 39 mm by 46 mm lug-to-lug, 200-meter water resistance, two nylon straps. Numbered series of 500.
• Combat Field X6 GMT: a 44 mm Grade 2 titanium case, 14.5 mm thick including the domed sapphire, 50 mm lug-to-lug, 100-meter water resistance, and wire lugs. Numbered series of 500.
• The bronze M94 GMT, in two versions: the M94 Bronze No-Date GMT and the M94D Bronze GMT Date (date at 4:30). Both use a 44 mm CuSn8 bronze case, 13.8 mm thick, 51 mm lug-to-lug, and 200-meter water resistance. Lum-Tec notes that the bronze develops a natural patina with wear. Each version is a numbered series of 100.

For a closer comparison, see our Lum-Tec GMT buyer's guide.

Other directions, if these fit you better

• A titanium field watch: the Combat Field X4 is Lum-Tec's titanium field watch, with a 44 mm forged GR2 titanium case in a gunmetal titanium carbide hard coat, a 50 mm lug-to-lug, 100-meter water resistance, and a Miyota 9075 automatic with an independently settable hour hand. It is a numbered series of 500.
• A larger titanium watch with dive-level water resistance: the Super Combat B5 takes the Combat B idea into a 45 mm forged titanium case with 300-meter water resistance and a decorated Swiss Sellita movement.
• A racing-inspired chronograph: the RPM 3 is Lum-Tec's racing-inspired chronograph, with a 3-layer matte dial and MDV lume.

A simple way to decide

1. Start with your wrist. On a smaller wrist, the Solar Marine (43.5 mm lug-to-lug) or the Combat B74 (46 mm) are the shortest options above. The Eclipse is 47 mm lug-to-lug and only 9.1 mm thick.
2. Pick a power source. If you want a mechanical watch, look at the Eclipse, a Combat B automatic, or a GMT. If you want lower-maintenance timekeeping, look at Combat B quartz or the solar-powered Solar Marine.
3. Think about water. The Solar Marine and the Super Combat B5 are rated to 300 meters. The Combat B and the M94 GMT are rated to 200 meters. The Eclipse and the X6 are rated to 100 meters.
4. Strap or bracelet? The Combat B, Solar Marine, and the GMT models above come on straps. The Eclipse comes on its integrated bracelet.

Still deciding? Browse the full Lum-Tec collection, with free US shipping on watches. Factory service and warranties are provided by Lum-Tec under its own terms.

FAQ

Which Lum-Tec is best for a first watch?

There is no single best model. If you want a thinner everyday watch, start with the Eclipse. If you want a field watch with more movement choices, start with the Combat B. If you want a compact diver that charges from light, start with the Solar Marine. If you travel and want a second time zone, start with the Combat B74 GMT.

Which series has the highest water resistance?

Among the three main series, the Solar Marine is rated to 300 meters, the Combat B to 200 meters, and the Eclipse to 100 meters. The Super Combat B5 is also rated to 300 meters.

Which is the thinnest?

The Eclipse, at 9.1 mm. The Solar Marine is 10.7 mm including sapphire, and the standard Combat B is 13.6 mm including its domed sapphire (the B74 is 13.8 mm).

Where are Lum-Tec watches assembled?

The watches in this guide are assembled, tested and tuned in Mentor, Ohio.

Do they all use MDV lume?

Yes. The models in this guide use Lum-Tec's MDV luminous technology. The Super-LumiNova grade can vary by model. See our MDV lume guide for details.

Are these limited editions?

Yes. The Combat B, X4, and X6 models covered here are numbered series of 500. The Eclipse and Solar Marine models covered here are numbered series of 300. The M94 Bronze No-Date and M94D Bronze Date are numbered series of 100 each.

Can I get a different strap later?

Combat B, Solar Marine, and the GMT models above use standard strap attachments (20 mm, 22 mm, or 24 mm, depending on the model), and we also sell Lum-Tec straps and buckles. The Eclipse bracelet is integrated and is not made for quick strap swaps. Straps ship for $8, or free with a watch or on orders of $250 and up.

Related reading: Combat B vs. Eclipse vs. Solar Marine · Solar Marine 5, 6, 7 and 8 compared · GMT buyer's guide · Combat B quartz vs. automatic vs. chronograph