Yesterday, Dan Henry, a watch brand named after its founder who’s a watchmaker and a collector, and that focuses on ultra-affordable vintage style wristwatches, launched the 1962 Racing Chronograph, a classicly sized chronograph in stainless steel with twisted lugs.
The 1962 Racing Chronograph comes in a 39 mm x 13.5 mm stainless steel case, with 20 mm lugs, and a lug-to-lug length of 45.9 mm. There are three dial variations: blue, black on white (panda), white and black (evil panda). The watch can be ordered with or without a date (the date wheel is marked in red for the 31st).
With a price this low there’s no way the watch can be powered by a mechanical movement, however, a reliable Seiko caliber VK63 meca-quartz was used which is affordable and features a smooth motion central chronograph hand (similar to a mechanical watch). Notably, the reset is instant, like a flyback on a mechanical chronograph.
Applied indices mark the hours, along with a printed minutes/seconds chapter ring, and painted insert aluminum bezel with tachymeter scale. The stainless Dauphine-shaped hour and minute hands are matte black for the Panda dial, the evil Panda (black with silver subdials), and the blue dial has a polished steel finish.
The subdials (which include a 60-minute chronograph counter, small seconds, and 24-hour indicator) are stamped with a circular pattern and printed with graduations, including square-ended hash marks like on Rolex Paul Newman chronographs.
The top of the case and lugs are polished, with brushed sides. The pump pushers and flat crown are also polished. The crown in emblazoned with “DH.” The caseback in screwed-in and has an embossed Maserati Tipo 60 Birdcage automobile in the center. The crystal is made from K1 mineral glass, with a domed shape reminiscent of plexiglass crystals of the past. Water-resistance is 50 meters.
Each 1962 Racing Chronograph comes with two French leather straps (with quick releases), and a 3-watch roll. Production is limited to 1962 timepieces and the retail price is $260.
Learn more at Dan Henry.
