Watch Review: Lum-Tec Combat Field X2

tac·ti·cal

ˈtaktək(ə)l/

adjective

1. relating to or constituting actions carefully planned to gain a specific military end.”as a tactical officer in the field he had no equal”
   • (of bombing or weapons) done or for use in immediate support of military or naval operations.
   • (of a person or their actions) showing adroit planning; aiming at an end beyond the immediate action.”in a tactical retreat, she moved into a hotel with her daughters”

Just slapping tactical, military, field, ect doesn’t make it so. It’s not that easy, not by a long shot. In my opinion a watch or any other item that has those adjectives attached to it, the piece needs the “guts” in it to be able to earn that title. Today you will find out if the new Lum-Tec Field X has earned that title. I found it very hard to miss the Field X2’s titanium catbide PVD coating d/t it’s distinctive matte charcoal color. Scientific explanation “Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD, is a term used to describe a family of relatively low temperature (750° F) vacuum coating processes that involve the generation of positively charged ions through various methods. Reactive gases are introduced into the chamber to create various compounds. The positively charges ions are attracted to a negative bias given to the tool substrates. This attraction results in a dense thin-film layer with an extremely strong physical bond to the tool substrate.” My interpretation, science helps not only make this case look badass, but also functionally badass by adding a protective layer. My inner nerd explanation is in this instance, the Eddie Brock is 316L stainless steel and the Symbiote is the Titanium Carbide PVD hard coating. The Field X2 case looks completely badass. 

Another detail that I could not overlook is the double curved sapphire crystal with military grade anti-reflective coating. I am telling you that this watch has one of the most badass profiles that I have seen. The military themed wire style lugs just perfect the look. The lugs are 22mm spaced and have a nice amount of curvature to them. The oversized crown located at the 3 o’clock position not only look good, but it also functions smoothly. Better yet, it has some reliable, rugged technology behind it with the screw lock action with it’s double diamond sealing system. So far, the Field X2’s case is earning that tactical title, let’s continue to see more. The 44mm is a great size for this piece in my opinion in terms of wearability in all environments. I found it to translate amazing between work, out in the field, outdoors, in the water, the X2 handled it all like a champion. The X2 has a stainless steel threaded solid caseback which makes me so happy to see. Why? Because if you are designing a watch that is supposed to be a tactical watch, don’t have a pussed out exhibition case back please. Thank you Lum-Tec for going with the functionally correct choice and not going the weakass looking crystal case back.

The swiss sellita sw200 movement inside the X2 is well protected by a series of insurance policies that Lum-Tec has placed inside of this case. Those insurance policies are in the form of high tech Viton® gaskets, an anti-Shock movement mounting system, antimagnetic protection, and able to resist 330 feet of water depth. Lum-Tec extends that insurance policy as well with their amazing customer service by offering you not only lifetime free movement timing regulation, but also lifetime free pressure testing and seal lubrication/cleaning. 

The dial on the X2 starts with a solid ‘root’ system with it’s bead blasted black PVD dial base. This base creates the perfect backdrop in my opinion, especially with the matte black finish. A Lum-Tec dial would not ever be complete without the amazing MDV Technology® on the dial and the hands with grade X1 LOR Super-Luminova® that glows like a flashlight, even when you are in a environment that isn’t completely dark. Ever hear of daylume? I am pretty sure if you looked this up in the dictionary, a picture of the X2 would be pictured there. Wanna annoy your light sensitive significant other in bed? Just give the X2’s lume a nice charge up before bedtime. Wanna wow the kiddos after tucking them in? Same thing applies, charge it up from a light source. I was wowed for sure! I think Lum-Tec nailed it in terms of the simplicity of this dial and with not adding anything unnecessary. The large hour markers are absolutely ideal in both daylight and nighttime hours. I had not a single issue reading what time it was both in light, dark and underwater. I wasn’t sure at first how I felt about the shape of the hands on the X2. I was out in the rain enjoying the peacefulness when I looked at this dial, at the hands specifically, they reminded of the hands on a compass rose. Love it.

The dial is very crisp and extremely clean with only the necessary details. The numerals and rectangular hour markers are neatly printed with sharp edges and no accidental spill over. Very minimal text on the X2 dial also helps keep it looking clean and uncluttered. When you need a quick glance time check when time is truly critical, you don’t want a cluttered mess of a dial. The X2 dial allows for extremely easy legibility at a quick glance. Lum-Tec really stepped it up with this watch. I have had the privilege to review quite a few watches from Lum-Tec. They have all been quality pieces in terms of design and delivery, but the X2 shows that Lum-Tec doesn’t want to stay static, the X2 shows that they are striving to improve upon a solid foundation that they have spent years building upon. There are no recommendations that I can make that would improve this watch. Reaching deep into my personal nit picking I would have made the wired lugs solid and not with spring bars. Yes this would limit you to only military/nato style straps, but there are endless options out there. Having the solid piece wired lugs would just be a cool throwback to the field watches that inspired the X2.

There are two field watches out there that are very different but both definitely have a well earned place in any collection, one being the Aquator Corp and the other being the X2. Throughout my review and testing, the X2 definitely earned the honor to use the terms tactical, rugged, badass, combat ready to describe it’s capabilities to handle such activities.

Thank you all for sharing in my love and passion for watches.

Thank you to Chris, Bes and the Lum-Tec team.

Specs:

Assembled by hand in Ohio

44mm case width excluding crown

22mm lug width, but accepts a 24mm military style strap

Surgical grade 316L stainless steel

Threaded solid caseback

Bead blasted finish

Titanium Carbide PVD hard coating (charcoal color)

Double curved sapphire crystal with military grade anti-reflective coating

Swiss Sellita SW200 automatic movement

Anti-Shock movement mounting system

100 meters/330 ft. water resistance

Bead blasted black PVD dial base

MDV Technology® dial and hands with grade X1 LOR Super-Luminova®

Screw lock crown with double diamond sealing system

High tech Viton® gaskets

Black nylon military strap with 316L bead blasted hardware

Brown leather military strap with 316L bead blasted hardware

Lifetime free movement timing regulation

Lifetime free pressure testing and seal lubrication/cleaning

2 year international limited warranty (fully transferable)

Limited and numbered series of 100 worldwide

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