Lumibricks Steampunk Watchtower F9070 Review: 2,744 Pieces, Lights and Moving Features

Lumibricks’ Steampunk Watchtower F9070 makes its strongest impression through the way its mechanisms and lighting are built into the display. The 2,744-plus-piece model has five minifigures, 19 points of illumination and a long list of moving features, from a hand-cranked lift to a revolving observation deck. My build had a couple of small snags, but neither kept the finished tower from making a striking centerpiece.

A name change and a substantial set

FunWhole has rebranded as Lumibricks, a name intended to highlight its illuminated building sets. During the period covered by the review, the FunWhole website remained active, and the reviewer expected the transition to take place sometime in May 2025. The set was available through Amazon and the FunWhole website, with a listed price of US$179.99 and CAD$259.99. European buyers were directed to search for FunWhole Steampunk on their country’s Amazon site.

The box includes five steampunk-themed minifigures and three extra heads for customization. There are plenty of printed elements, including signs and details on the front doors, with no stickers required. Gold-effect parts, pipes and gears reinforce the industrial-fantasy look, while the stained-glass windows add a more decorative counterpoint.

Build experience and lighting

The Watchtower is designed for a standard 32-by-32-stud baseplate. The reviewer chose a raised MILS-style base for added stability when moving the completed model. Inside the box were two substantial instruction manuals covering 14 steps, bags numbered to match the build sequence, and the LED kit. One bag for step 10 had split open in transit, but the loose pieces were gathered up and no parts were missing.

The lighting components come in a distinctive orange box. The kit includes a battery box for three AA batteries, a smaller CR2032 battery box (batteries not included), USB and USB-C plugs, and tweezers. The main tower uses the AA pack, while the observation deck is designed to light from a CR2032 pack tucked inside its structure. The reviewer found that arrangement inconvenient: switching those lights on and off meant lifting the dome. A separate battery pack and connector were used instead to make the deck lighting easier to reach. At ground level, the expansion hub can take either the USB-A or USB-C plug.

The numbered bags make the construction sequence straightforward, but it’s sensible to test the lights as the build progresses. The tower’s lighting and wiring are part of the finished presentation, so checking connections before closing in sections can save some backtracking.

Rooms, lifts and a working elevator

The lower level establishes the tower’s mechanical character with a large central stack, pipework and a pair of front doors. A separate service door leads to the mechanical room. Inside the entrance, a small exhibit room has printed books and wall signage; a stained-glass side door opens to reveal more of the interior. A movable rear wall provides access to the mechanical room, one of the build’s most engaging display areas.

One lift runs between the ground and second floors using a crank. Turning it moves the platform up or down, giving the model a practical play feature rather than a purely decorative mechanism. The elevator is a separate system: gears drive a chain that carries the lift up the tower toward the helipad. The reviewer found the supplied chain too short when following the instructions and added three spare links from the parts bag. With those links in place, the elevator worked. It wasn’t clear whether the issue came from the instructions or the build, so this is a point to check during assembly rather than assume every copy will need the same adjustment.

Steps 10 and 11 add the helipad and complete the elevator tower. The final upper section, built in steps 12 and 13, brings together the observation deck and a large telescope. A crank beneath the platform rotates the entire deck, while the telescope can be moved for posing. The stained glass looks especially effective when illuminated from within.

Details that reward a closer look

The last numbered step adds a small steampunk-style helicopter. The reviewer enlarged the craft with extra building work, but the supplied model is already a playful addition to the rooftop scene. Other small touches include a monument bearing the name Elvis Stuart and a mechanical bird displayed within the tower.

Removable walls give access to the elevator and interior, making it easier to show off the mechanisms and position the minifigures. There is one display limitation to keep in mind: smooth floor tiles leave few or no studs for attaching figures. That’s a recurring drawback the reviewer has encountered in FunWhole buildings, and it matters most if you want minifigures to stay in fixed poses while moving or displaying the model.

Verdict

The Steampunk Watchtower’s appeal is the combination of height, lighting and hands-on features. The crank-driven lift, chain elevator, rotating deck, movable telescope and opening walls give it plenty to explore after the build is complete. The reviewer’s main reservations were the smooth floors, the chain adjustment and the awkwardly placed upper battery pack. Those issues didn’t affect the tower’s structure or display, and the alternative battery setup made the deck lighting easier to manage.

The reviewer rated the set 4.8 out of 5, describing it as one of the tallest models in their collection and praising how well it displays. For builders weighing up the F9070, the key attraction is clear: this isn’t just a tall, detailed tower, but a model whose mechanisms invite regular interaction. Check the chain length as you assemble the elevator, test the lights before closing sections, and plan how you’ll access the observation-deck battery.