LÜM-TEC LZ1, a review

INTRODUCTION

After owning almost every dive watch under the sun, it was time for something different. I was not quite sure what I was in the mood for and I remember seeing pictures of various LUM-TEC watches on the forums, so I decided to visit their site. When I clicked on the Lumzilla link I was stunned! I had never seen anything like it, but 50mm, could I even pull it off?

I then searched the internet for more pictures. Hopefully I could find a wrist short or two. I was not that lucky. I did however find some interesting case construction pictures an it peeked my curiosity that much more. So I decided to email LUM-TEC directly. To my surprise Chris Weigand, the company president himself, replied to my queries. He was confident that it was a very wearable 50mm, due to its shape and curved lugs. After a couple more emails, I decided to take the plunge and I am glad I did!

The following is a detailed review of the LZ1, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do the watch.

TUNA CAN OR HOCKEY PUCK?

In all seriousness, it is LARGE, but not overly so. Oh it is every bit its 50mm, but because it is shaped like a spindle, the size is deceiving. As you can see by my multiple wrist-shots on the left, I can indeed pull it off, despite having a 7” wrist. The watch case is made up of three parts; a top bezel, an identical case back and a center case. According to Mr. Weigand, a special tool is required to separate the bezel and case back from the center case, a sort of clamp that was specially designed for this watch.

It is a beautiful mix of polished / brushed SS and angles / edges. It is a wonder to look at from every angle. While the crown does not screw down, it sits deeply within the case and is adequately protected. It is water-resistant to 100m and has a scratch-proof sapphire crystal on top and bottom. Now, I have had MANY watches with AR coatings, but very few have been this impressive. At certain angles, it looks like you can just reach in and touch the hands.

The dial is incredibly crisp and clean. The printing is superb and how they got the color of the text and date window box to match the lume color perfectly is beyond me, but the effect is absolutely striking. As a matter of fact, the dial is probably the most impressive feature on this watch. Needless to say, that with a name like LUM-TEC, the lume is fabulous! Their proprietary MDV GX luminescent paint barely needs charging and lasts all night.

MOVEMENT

The LZ1 houses an automatic 21 jewel Seiko movement. Now it is relatively pedestrian, but it is a proven work horse, that requires very little maintenance and mine is extremely accurate. This particular movement was another reason why I was a tad hesitant on acquiring the watch.  

Once again Mr. Weigand reassured me and explained that each and every watch is regulated to the very best of their abilities. True to his word, this is the most accurate Seiko movement I have ever worn. That is saying quite a bit, as I have owned 8 and 6 series Seiko movement watches in the past. It keeps +2 seconds / day pretty consistently when worn 24 / 7.

Would I have preferred an ETA movement? Probably, but it surely would have boosted the price up, possibly beyond my curiosity for the watch. Besides, as I just described, it is keeping fantastic time, so… no worries!

RUBBER VS. METAL

Now many of you know that I am a bracelet guy, but this watch just would not work for me on bracelet. It is just perfect the way it is on its custom rubber strap. It fits the lugs perfectly. So perfectly in fact, that I cannot even see how one would go about taking it off in the first place. Honestly, it does not matter to me, as the way the lugs are shaped, no other strap would look “right”. That is unless you have one custom made to fit between the lugs and that may prove to be more expensive than the watch itself… lol…

The strap is not too stiff and not too supple, yet firm enough to keep its shape. It is not the type to collect lint, like the Sinn U-Series does, but I could live with link, if it came with that amazing clasp! This one sports a regular tang buckle (signed), which does the job nicely. All in all, it is very comfortable and keeps the watch placed exactly where I want it.

CONCLUSION

Some 12-13 years ago I owned a Sector 650 quartz chronograph and I had it listed for trade. Someone offered me a Revue-Thommen Airspeed. I accepted the deal and sent him my mailing information. Unfortunately someone else he had offered the watch to accepted before I replied.

About a week later a package arrived at my office. It was the RT! I frantically looked through my deleted emails and found the guys email address. I contacted him and he said “HOLY CRAP, I sent it to the wrong person!” Oh well, he told me I could keep it, so long as I sent him my Sector, which I still had.

The reason why I am telling this story is because not since that watch have I ever been blown away by a dial and an AR coated crystal. Now over a decade ago, I was relatively young in my WISdom and that watch may not blow me away today as it did back then, but I get the exact same feeling when I stare at my Lumzilla.

I recommend this watch highly to anyone who has owned many expensive watches and have family and friends that no longer notice them. This one will get noticed! If you plan on owning one, prepare to talk about it, because you will! This is the first LUM-TEC in my collection and I am quite certain it will not be the last; I cannot wait to for their new 1000m diver!!!

Thank you for reading,

Marc