There is no shortage of the variety of watches that you can buy in the market like skeleton watches, ceramic watches, rectangle watches, and so on. However, most analog watches suffer from a fatal flaw that you can’t read them in dark or low lighting conditions.
You can buy watches that come with an LED backlight to assist you in reading time but that decreases battery life substantially. That’s why most users like you prefer luminous watches that come with luminous coating on watch hands or markings. So if you are looking for the best luminous watches then have listed 9 of them.
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- Best Lume Watch Comparison Table
- Best Luminous Watches
- Which Luminous Watch Will Be Perfect For Me?
- FAQs
Best Lume Watch Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Overall Lume Watch  | Victorinox Men’s Field Force |
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Cheap Luminous Watch  | Timex Men’s Expedition Scout Solar |
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Military Luminous Watch  | Luminox 3051 Navy Seal Colormark |
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Best Luminous Watch For Ladies  | Swatch GW164 |
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Best Luminous Watches
1. Seiko SNE329 Sport
Seiko watches are popular among both men and women as they are known for their reliable watches at reasonable prices. And, Seiko Sport here is no different. Unlike most watches that comes with leather, bracelet, or silicon bands this watch comes with a 22mm nylon band. Nylon is breathable material perfect for users who have sensitive skin.
Talking about the build, the watch features a 43mm stainless steel case which sports a waterproof design. You can go swimming, or skiing wearing the watch but scuba diving is not recommended as it is water-resistant up to 100m only.
Besides that, the watch also comes with a quartz movement which ensures the accurate time-keeping abilities of the watch. It is also a day and date watch as it features a dedicated window for the same at 3 o’clock position.
It gets better as this is also an affordable solar-powered watch therefore you can charge the watch using solar energy. Hence, you won’t need to spend money on battery replacement and a fully charged battery would last you up to 10 months.
Besides solar charging, it is also one of the best lume watches as it has a luminous coating on watch hands and triangle markings on the dial. Therefore, you can easily read the time in a dark or low lighting environment. Overall, if you are looking for an affordable well-built watch from a well-known brand this watch is a steal.
2. Casio MTP-VD01D0D-1EV
The next watch on our list is from Casio which is well known for their rugged and affordable G-Shock watches. And, this right here is also an affordable bracelet watch from them.
This watch comes with a 45mm stainless steel case along with an 18mm bracelet strap which gives the watch its masculine looks. You can even wear the watch while swimming as it is water-resistant up to 50m. And, the dial of the watch is protected by mineral glass which is good enough for daily usage.
Moreover, the watch features luminous watch hands so you can read the time even while laying in bed at night. Besides that, this watch comes with the Japanese quartz movement for accurate timekeeping. So if you are looking for a bracelet luminous watch then this is one of the best watches available on Amazon.
3. Timex Men’s Expedition Scout Solar
It’s no secret that most Japanese companies make very good quality watches and that’s why only a few companies are able to compete with them. And Timex is one of them as it is well known for its good-looking and reliable timepieces and this is Scout Solar from them.
As the name suggests, it is a solar-powered watch so you won’t need to go to a jewelry store for battery replacement. Simply place the watch under the sun when you run out of battery. Once fully charged you won’t need to do that again for 3-4 months.
Talking about the looks, this watch features a 40mm brass case with a gunmetal finish that is accompanied by a 20mm brown strap. And, that isn’t the only thing going for the watch as it comes with a luminous watch dial. Meaning both watch hands and hour markings glow in the dark as they come with luminous coating.
However, it is to be noted that watch hands glow for 2-3 hours continuously while hour markings glow only for a short period of time. So if you are looking for a reasonably priced lume watch then this Timex watch will tick all your checkboxes in the durability, features, and performance department.
4. Victorinox Men’s Field Force
If you are looking for the best luminous watch that uses the most reliable lume material then Victorinox Field Force will be perfect for the job. Hour marking along with watch hands comes with Super-LumiNova which ensures clear readability of the watch in low lightning.
Moreover, Super-LumiNova doesn’t lose its glow for a very long time whereas tritium-based lume has a limited life. Only exposure to moisture can damage the Super-LumiNova coating. However, you don’t need to worry about that happening easily as the watch is water-resistant up to 100m.
Along with that, the watch features a high-quality hypoallergenic 42mm stainless steel case that doesn’t have any harmful material like nickel. And, the dial of the watch is protected by a sapphire crystal which is a highly scratch-resistant and durable glass material. Also, the anti-reflective coating on the crystal ensures that you can even read the watch under the glare of sunlight.
Overall, this watch will be perfect for you if you have a little high budget of around $300 and looking for a premium swiss watch. You will get a well-built watch that is made from high-quality material and its good look will make you stand out from the crowd.
5. Swatch YVS461
Not everyone can afford expensive Swiss brands but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any Swiss-made affordable watches. And, Swatch is one of them, in fact, this brand is an answer to the Japanese brands which captured the entry-level market segment with their quartz watches.
You can get this affordable Swiss watch for a price of around $150 at the time of writing. For the price, you also get a chronograph function on the watch which can be used to time activities just like a stopwatch. There are three sub-dials on the watch to track the time elapsed. You can start and stop the chronograph using the buttons located on the ride side above and below the crown.
However, some watch wearers prefer chronograph watches for their visually pleasing looks so if you are one of them go for the watch. Besides that, this Swatch watch also comes with a tachymeter on bezels that can be used to calculate speed based on the distance covered and time elapsed. It is a very important tool for racers and if you want to know more then you can read our tachymeter vs chronograph difference.
Besides that, this Swatch watch also comes with glow in the dark watch hands that facilitate you in reading the time. Plus, it comes with a quartz movement which ensures that the watch keeps the accurate time throughout its life.
This is a great multi-functional watch from the Swatch brand which is part of the Swiss Swatch Group. Yes, this is the very same company that owns Rado, Tissot, Omega, Blancpain, and many more. Therefore you don’t need to worry about the quality and performance of this watch.
6. Swatch GW164
Ladies, are you looking for a watch that lights up in the dark? If yes then this Swatch watch comes with luminous watch hands allowing you to read time in the dark.
This watch features a 34mm case which is complemented by a 16mm strap. Along with that, it sports a white dial with golden Arabic marking that enhances the look of the watch. Overall, the watch features a clean minimalistic look that would look perfect with all your outfits on every social occasion.
Moreover, you can also wear the watch in the rain as it is water-resistant up to 30m. However, what makes this one of the best luminous watches is the fact that it comes with 2 years warranty. And, you also get a free battery replacement at the Swatch retail location.
7. Fossil FB-01
Some men just like bracelet watches as they go perfectly with all fashion styles no matter whether you prefer polo’s or T-shirts. And, which brand is better than Fossil when it comes to making stylish watches? This FB-01 watch from Fossil takes its inspiration from diving watches.
So just like all the dive watches it is also a luminous watch with coating on hour markers and watch hands. Therefore, you would be able to read the time whether it’s day or night. Additionally, since the watch is water-resistant up to 100m, damage from water is one less thing to worry about.
Talking about specifications, it comes with a 42mm case and a 22m bracelet strap. Along with that, the watch features a date window with a magnifying lens that makes the date easy to read. Furthermore, quartz movement on the watch ensures that the watch always keeps accurate time.
Besides all that, Fossil is also offering complimentary engraving with the watch so you can take the watch to the Fossil store to get it engraved. However, it is only available in selected stores in the US and Canada. With amazing looks, quartz movement, stainless steel strap, and current selling price of around $80, this just might be the ideal luminous watch you are looking for.
8. Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster
If you want a watch that you can wear without worrying about water damage then Citizen Eco-Drive is the watch you want. This watch is water-resistant up to 200m making it suitable for swimming, surfing, and even scuba diving. You can trust Citizen’s claims as the watch is ISO certified for its water-resistance capabilities.
Moreover, the watch also features a rotating bezel that can be used to time your scuba diving sessions. Outside of the water, the bright sun on the beach won’t affect the readability as the dial window features an anti-reflective coating.
Along with that, this is also one of the best luminous watches as it features luminous coating on both watch hands and markings. And, it is a good quality lume that ensures you would be able to read the time in low light.
Besides that, it also comes with Citizen Eco-Drive technology which can charge the watch through solar and artificial lights. Hence, you will never have to go to the jewelry store to get the battery replaced.
If you are still not convinced then maybe a 30-days money-back guarantee along with 5 years limited warranty would finally convince you to go for the watch.
9. Luminox 3051 Navy Seal Colormark
Some people prefer military luminous watches and if you are one of them then Luminox 3051 is one of the best G-Shock alternatives you can buy right now. This watch features both 12 and 24-hour time modes so you can read time in whichever way you prefer the most.
Moreover, Luminox 3051 comes with a Swiss quartz movement so you can trust the timekeeping abilities of the watch. And, luminous watch hand and markers on the watch ensures you can read time during tactical operations at night. The rotating bezel also features a single luminous marking at 12 o’clock position to time your activities in the dark.
However, what makes this the best luminous watch is the fact that it comes with a tritium luminous material on watch hands and marking. So it offers the brightest glow out of all the luminous coating materials and it doesn’t need to be exposed to light to make watch hands glow in the night.
In addition to that, it is also water-resistant up to 200m so you can wear the watch while rowing, surfing, or while performing any surface water sports activities. However, scuba diving is not recommended and it can damage the watch.
Talking about the dimensions, the watch features a 44m case and 22mm polyurethane strap with gorgeous Luminox marking. Also, silicon material ensures that the watch is easy to clean and won’t corrode with exposure to moisture.
With so many features and good build quality, the watch also carries a premium price tag along with it. So if you are looking for a luxury luminous watch from a premium brand then this watch’s performance won’t disappoint.
Which Luminous Watch Will Be Perfect For Me?
Without a doubt, all the watches on the list are best in their own way. Some offer good performance at a reasonable price while others at a premium price. So ask yourself what is the most important feature for you apart from the luminous coating. Is it build quality, price, accurate timekeeping, day and date window, type of strap watch uses, or waterproofing capabilities.
Then based on the answer, you can select the watch from the list. We have ensured that you would be able to find the watch you are looking for whether it’s an affordable, military, or luxury luminous watch.
FAQs
Which Watch Has The Brightest Lume?
Luminox 3051 Navy Seal Colormark has the brightest lume as it uses tritium luminous material which is very bright. Also unlike most watches, it won't need exposure to light to glow in the dark.
What Do You Call A Watch That Glows In The Dark?
Watches that glow in the dark are called lume watches or luminous watches. These watches don't need external power sources to glow in the dark as they absorb light and use it to glow. Tritium and Super-LumiNova coating are mostly used in these watches to enable these features.
Is Glow In The Dark Watches Safe?
Yes, glow-in-the-dark watches no longer use harmful materials like radium in the watches. In fact, watch manufacturers switched to other materials in the early 1970s.
Which Seiko Watch Has The Best Lume?
Seiko SNE329 Sport watch has the best lume at an affordable price. It features a luminous coating on the watch hands and gives 5-6 hours of illumination without exposure to light.
Which Watches Glow In The Dark Best?
Victorinox Men’s Field Force is the best glow-in-the-dark watch as it has a luminous coating on both watch hands and hour markings. Therefore, you won't have to struggle in the dark for reading the time.
