Integrated bracelet watches are nothing new; over the last few years, it seems there has been a massive resurgence in this style of watch. The Lum-tec Eclipse E1 takes the integrated sports watch to the next level with a ridiculously thin case (9,1mm), while still having 100m of water resistance and a screw down crown. The bracelet is as thin as the mid case (under 3mm) and has a pivot system to allow this watch to drape the wrist, and not bulge out like so many do. It’s available in many striking colors, beyond the grey dial shown here, such as orange, green, aqua, and even purple. Current pricing is $795.
Specifications
42mm Stainless Steel Case
47mm Lug to Lug
26m lugs, bracelet tapers to 18mm
9.1mm Thick
146 Grams
Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Sapphire Crystal Front and
Backย
Miyota 9039 Automatic
Movement
100m Water Resistant
Screw Down Crown
Stainless Steel Integral
Bracelet
Price $1075ย https://lum-tec.com/products/eclipse-e1
Chris Wiegand, owner of Lum-tec, said he set out to make a thin sports watch with an overall slim silhouette, and an integrated bracelet design just worked best for his vision. Going with this design allowed him to have a very thin mid case (less than 3mm), which is the same width as the bracelet links, all while still retaining 100mm of water resistance and having a screw down crown. This addresses an issue I have had with a lot of integrated bracelet watches that I have reviewed over the past few years, which is that they are more of a fashion piece with only 5ATM and a push/pull crown. Making the watch even more substantial are Viton gaskets and the double diamond sealing for the crown. This makes this a very slim sports watch that can be worn daily.
But that wasn’t the only thing Chris wanted for the Lum-tec Eclipse models; he wanted to make something fresh, a new take on an integral, and create a breathtaking design. For such a thin watch, a lot is going on with the case. The brushed angled mid case with the polished chamfer on top, a brushed top case, but then a highly polished bezel area. The angles and different finishes make the case stand out, again, quite an achievement for such a thin watch.
And that screw down crown? It’s inset into a cutout of the angled case, and weirdly but also delightfully, it’s a large knurled crown. At first, I wasn’t sure that it went with this style of watch, but the more I used it, the more I looked at it, I realized this watch isn’t a dress watch, it’s an everyday, do-it-all sports style of watch, and it’s also doing its own thing. Why have a dinky little plain crown when you can have one that is rugged-looking but also aids in functionality?
The dial of the Lum-tec Eclipse E1 (and all of the Eclipse series) is quite interesting as well. First, let’s talk about colors; the Eclipse E1 is a grey dial with old radium colored numbers and indices, but if you want something much more vibrant, check the Lum-tec website as they have orange, aqua, purple, a bright emerald green, and if you want the understated look, there is a black dial as well. The main dial is matte textured, and it’s a relatively clean dial with just the logo and automatic text. And you’ll notice there is no date, and that is because of the use of the Miyota 9039 movement. They went with no date to not interrupt the dial at all and keep it as clean as possible.
The top part that overhangs the dial, which I refer to as the stadium, is lacquer finished, and this creates a nice contrast to the matte dial, and you’ll notice there are giant lume slabs inset there as well. The hands are simple and chrome plated, but they do the job and don’t overtake the dial either.
Because the bracelet of the Lum-tec Eclipse H1 is integrated, it does have a large lug opening, if you will, at 26mm, but it quickly tapers down, ending at 18mm at the clasp. There are a few interesting things about the lugs and bracelet. Firstly, the lugs do extend out a bit, and there are two pin holes with pins for the attachment of the bracelet, but I haven’t attempted to take the bracelet off, as I saw no point in it. It’s not like I could put a strap on it anyway. The bracelet is very thin, just under 3mm, but it feels substantial, and pins are used to keep the links together, as it would have been really difficult to get screw heads this small.
The links are all faceted, and the outer edge has a high-polished chamfer, but the rest of the links are all brushed; it’s just the way they were designed and cut that makes this bracelet glimmer in the light. This is not the finish you see on some watches, which can look dull; rather, this bracelet and case, for as thin as it is, really stand out when worn on the wrist.
On my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist, I find the Lum-tec Eclipse E1 to be very comfortable, but also very attractive. The bracelet pivots every 2mm, and this allows this watch to not sit on your wrist like a bangle; rather, between the bracelet and the shape of the case back, it sits down on your wrist, and the bracelet just flows around. It’s a large bracelet as well, with enough links to easily fit an 8-inch (20.32cm) wrist, if not more.
The only issue I have with the bracelet is the butterfly clasp, but it was chosen to keep the bracelet as slim as possible and not have a big chunky clasp throwing off that slim silhouette. The links are small enough, so even without some type of micro-adjust clasp, most everyone should be able to get a good fit. I also love that they chose to do a 42mm case. I know many would prefer a smaller case these days, as that is the trend, but the larger case, with how thin it is, really makes for an interesting watch on the wrist.
Lastly, we have the lume, and let’s face it, like Seiko, we expect Lum-tec to have spectacular lume, I mean it’s in the name! Fortunately, the Lum-tec Eclipse E1 is loaded up apparently with 30 layers of lume on the indices and numbers, and man, it shows. The old radium vintage color turns a nice green, think C3 green, in the dark. Those lume blocks in the stadium part of the dial add to the visual of this watch in the dark as well.
I don’t normally gravitate towards integrated bracelet watches when I am looking for a new watch. It’s like a white pair of tennis sneakers, as I call them. I see many people wearing them, and they look good, but they’re just not for me. The Lum-tec Eclipse E1 has changed my perspective on integrated bracelet watches, though. Between the angled and unique case, the thickness, the way they did the crown, the bracelet, and the dual finishes on the dial, it just all works. And at just $5 shy of $800, the level of finish on this watch is what stands out. This is not a run-of-the-mill slapped-together special, and it shows, and while it may be a departure for Lum-tec, I think they should take this road more often.
I've been an avid watch lover since the age of 7. Watches are not only my hobby but a passion. My favorite style used to be dive watches, but field or non bezel watches have been growing on me. When I'm not reviewing watches I am either cooking or with family and friends.
