The highly anticipated new project has begun, where the elite editors of Chronos Japan get their hands on hot new models, use them to their heart's content, and review them. This time, we're looking at a chronograph from Dan Henry, a new American watch maker. We ordered one that's renowned for its performance that exceeds its price, and when it arrived, we saw...
If you could buy an interesting watch without jumping off the stage at Kiyomizu Temple
I discovered a really interesting watch brand. The brand's name is Dan Henry. It's apparently an up-and-coming brand based in the US. Masamasa Hirota, editor-in-chief of Chronos Japan, wrote about it in a column, so many of you may have seen it. Dan Henry began collecting antique watches in his teens, and through his own unique approach, he amassed a huge collection. However, after many years, he found it difficult to find the watch he wanted, and even if he did find one, it was always too expensive for him. He became frustrated, and decided to actually make his own watch. Word spread, and the watch bearing his name gained popularity, and now his collection numbers five watches.
Dan Henry calls his own watches "Affodable Vintage Watches." If the interpretation that a vintage watch is an old watch is correct, then Dan Henry's watches are not applicable, as they are genuine current models. Moreover, even if a watch is considered vintage and has been manufactured for decades, it is true that if you are not particular about its condition or the brand's name recognition, you can still buy it for an affordable price of several tens of thousands of yen.
However, the watches made by this American collector are so compelling that it makes you want to put aside those differences of interpretation for a moment. Incidentally, Dan Henry watches are not available in Japan and can only be purchased online through their website. This means you have to be prepared for a certain amount of risk, but the prices are only between $190 and $250. If you can buy an interesting watch at a relatively low price without taking a leap of faith, there's no reason not to give it a try.
In this "Casual Impressions" column, we will be looking at a little-known Dan Henry watch. First, since it is only available online, we will explain the process from ordering on the website to actually receiving the watch. In the second half, we will give our impressions of the watch's true capabilities.
Dan Henry's website (danhenrywatch.comLet's start by taking a look at the entire collection. The model names are prefixed with four-digit numbers: "1939," "1947," "1963," "1968," and "1970." These are current products billed as affordable vintage watches, so you'll immediately recognize that these model names refer to specific eras. The oldest, the 1939, is themed around military chronographs produced in the 1930s. It's a bold, two-eye chronograph with multiple scales featuring tachymeters or telemeters printed on the outer and inner periphery of the dial. The red and yellow accents are a nice touch. Also, as is typical of watches that imitate this style, the pushers are oversized. The case size is listed as 41mm. This replica is so impressive that any vintage watch enthusiast will exclaim, "Wow!" The price, however, is just $220. It's cheap! Of course, it's not mechanical, but quartz. But don't underestimate it. It's powered by a Japanese Miyota movement. It's fun.
Other models in the lineup include the three-hand "1947" reminiscent of chronometers of the past (the low position of the small second hand gives it excellent balance), and the "1963" modeled after a pilot chronograph from the 1960s, demonstrating Dan Henry's considerable fascination with timepieces. All models are produced in limited quantities. The numbers in the model names refer to the limited number, but this is just a cute touch. No matter how you look at it, the most popular models are likely to be the 1947 or the 1963.
Being a bit of a contrarian, I decided to try out the least popular model. That was the "1968." Its unusual design, reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s, features a large small seconds hand at 3 o'clock and a small date window at 4 o'clock. The two pushers, one above the other and one below the crown, immediately make it clear that it's a chronograph. In fact, the red central hand is the chronograph's perpetual seconds hand. The dials are available in black and white. The red indices and hands on both models are a major design accent. It's powered by a Miyota quartz chronograph. The case is 41mm. Its appearance is reminiscent of the Longines Conquest, a one-push chronograph from the 1970s. It's a rare find even in the vintage watch world, and likely not popular with anyone other than enthusiasts. The specifications also mention a "minimalist dial." I like this unconventional look. I'll be ordering online soon.
Enter your email address, address, phone number (in English) and other details in the form and select your payment method. Once your order is complete, you will receive an email informing you that your order has been completed, followed a few days later by a notification that your order has been shipped. It feels just as easy as buying a book on Amazon.
The item arrived about a week later. It was very securely packaged. When I unpacked it, a black plastic tube appeared between the packing. Opening the lid, I found a canvas and leather roll tied with string. With some excitement, I untied the string and found the long-awaited, awkward-looking hero, elegantly packaged with the included NATO strap and one-year international warranty. The price for this, including shipping, was $200. When I put it on my wrist, I was surprised by the texture, which was better than I had imagined. It's quite difficult to expect this level of quality and taste (even though I haven't used it yet) from a watch that costs just over 20,000 yen in Japanese yen.
So, in the second half, I will test out this "unknown ability" with my own hands.
