Author Archives: Timmy Tan

Understanding the Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series

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Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series model 1203 with the blue dial. Inscribed in red on the dial: 64° 08-17 N 21° 55-43 W. The circular designs in red surrounding the date aperture are part of the ICE-SAR logo. The dial depicts the map of the Northern Hemisphere as seen top-down and angled from the Arctic perspective. Iceland is the land mass below the central hour, minute and seconds hands. Photo: Luminox.

In 2018, Luminox partnered with the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, otherwise known as ICE-SAR, and launched the ICE-SAR Arctic 1000 Series collection comprising five models. The main highlight being the limited edition anniversary piece – the ICE-SAR Arctic 1000 model 1203.SAR as seen in the video below:


Source: TimeWerke Videos on YouTube.

The Luminox x ICE-SAR partnership continued into 2019 with the ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series. While the distinctive case shape is retained, one major difference is that the watchcases of the ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series are now in stainless steel.

What’s more, there is what is described as a “map of the world” stamped on the dial. Actually, it is more like the map of the Northern hemisphere as seen from the Arctic point of view. From this perspective, one will be able to see the North Pole, Greenland, Canada, Russia and Northern Europe including Iceland.

Iceland is the land mass just below the central hour, minute and seconds hands that are shaped to represent carabiners, an essential tool used by rescuers. Below Iceland, one will spot “64° 08-17 N 21° 55-43 W” inscribed in red on the dial.

What is the significance of: “64° 08-17 N 21° 55-43 W”?

Actually, the more appropriate form, from what we understand, should be: 64°08’17”N, 21°55’43”W. These are geographical coordinates for a specific location in DMS (degrees, minutes and seconds) format at the latitude of 64 degrees (64°), 8 minutes (08’) and 17 seconds (17”) north and the latitude of 21 degrees (21°), 55 minutes (55’) and 43 seconds (43”) west.

In decimal degrees (DD) format, it will be 64.132866 degrees north and -21.918024 degrees west of the Prime Meridian.

What is located here based on the geographical coordinates? Well, if you key in these coordinates into Google Maps, it will lead you to Skógarhlíð 14, 105 Reykjavik in Iceland. This is the headquarters of Slysavarnarfélagið Landsbjörg – the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue – ICE-SAR.

Having understood this, one can well appreciate the four curved decorations in red surrounding the date aperture as these form part of the ICE-SAR logo which has a cross inside. Speaking of which, the ICE-SAR logo is engraved on the case back of the Arctic 1200 Series models.

The ICE-SAR logo is engraved on the case backs of the Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series. Photo: © TANG Portfolio/TimeWerke.

In addition to the steel case, the ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series collection now has a screwed-down crown and a bi-directional rotatable bezel, features that were not part of the Arctic 1000 Series.

With a rotatable bezel, one will be able to use this Arctic 1200 Series as a sun compass. Models in the ICE-SAR 1200 Series are water-resistant to 200 metres or 660 feet.

For those who opt for the strap rather than the steel bracelet, do note that reflective material have been embedded into the textile strap, similar to the reflective material on ICE-SAR uniforms, so we are told.


Source: TimeWerke Videos on Youtube.

Similar to the ICE-SAR Arctic 1000 Series, the 1200 Series have been built to meet the extreme conditions faced by ICE-SAR volunteers who have to deal with volcanic eruptions, avalanches, shipwrecks and major storms.

After all, like its famed watches made for US Navy SEALs, Luminox timepieces are made for the extremes.

Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series model 1203. Priced at SGD1,240 before tax with the textile strap. Photo: Luminox.

Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series
Introduced in 2019
Technical Features:
• Ronda 715 lithium Swiss quartz movement
• Bi-directional turning bezel
• Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective-coating
• Stainless steel screwed-down crown
• Hydraulic stamped dial featuring the map of the world and ICE-SAR Headquarters
• 46mm diameter case in stainless steel
• Water-resistant to 20 atm
• Metal band or reflective textile strap
• Special booklet explaining the Luminox x ICE-SAR partnership
Shown above is the 1203 model that is priced at SGD1,240 with the textile strap.

Chopard Alpine Eagle

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Source: TimeWerke Videos on YouTube

Chopard’s promotional video for its Alpine Eagle (seen above) was launched in late 2019, shows the design inspirations for the wristwatch. This includes the crown featuring the compass rose. In addition, the “rock-like textured dial” that is inspired by the iris of the eagle, the hands by the feathers and the “cold glinting” steel used symbolises the glaciers.

Speaking of which the case is made of Lucent A223 steel the brand explains has properties comparable to surgical steel which makes it “highly dermo-compatible”. The 223 Vickers strength of the alloy makes it 50% more resistant to abrasions than conventional steel and its homogeneous crystal structure with fewer impurities allows it to reflect light uniquely, resulting in brilliance and brightness comparable to that of gold.

Most importantly, the idea for the Alpine Eagle is drawn from the Chopard St Moritz wristwatch that was introduced in 1980 and the gentleman behind its creation was none other than Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard.

Almost forty years later, history repeated itself as his son, Karl-Fritz Scheufele, was the driving force behind the Chopard Alpine Eagle which takes key design elements from the St Moritz.

Chopard’s 2019 Alpine Eagle collection is offered in two sizes: in a 41mm case equipped with the Chopard Calibre 01.01-C automatic movement and in a 36mm case with the Calibre 09.01-C automatic movement.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is a founding member of the Eagle Wings Foundation, an environmental project that seeks to raise the awareness of the importance, beauty and fragility of Alpine biotopes.