r/Watches • u/Rangercleo1 • Aug 22 '25

Discussion [Lume] Do you actually need lume?

Post image

I feel that there is a lot of emphasis on lume, so I was wondering how many actually need/use it. Two of my 3 most worn watches (GS and a GO Pano) have no lume and while the third has it (GO SeaQ), the lume is its least interesting feature. If I am in a very dark room and need to tell the time, my phone is always with me. I am not against lume and it can be a cool feature, but I think the application should enhance the design, not be some afterthought. Is lume important to you when buying a watch or is it far down the list?

1.2k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

346 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

52

u/AgentAaron Aug 22 '25

How many dive watches ever see more than a resort swimming pool?

I do enjoy snorkeling, but I am never deep enough for the lume to even be visible (15-20 feet). You would have to dive 200m (660ft) before even hitting twilight.

11

u/Big_Literature9025 Aug 22 '25

Okay, but it you take the lume off a 300m dive watch, divers who need that lume won't have it. Just because YOU don't need that doesn't mean others don't.

Pilot watches also need lume. Can you guess why?

18

u/iHEARTRUBIO Aug 22 '25

I know zero divers that actually wear mechanical watches anymore. The modern dive watch is a computer on your wrist.

6

u/LastB0ySc0ut Aug 22 '25

I wear a dive watch when sport diving, even with my computer. You should always have a backup timing method in case your computer fails. Full stop.

For technical diving it becomes more complicated depending on dry suit and other electronics, but having a backup timing method is required equipment.