The Dan Henry 1962 is coming soon, will it be as good as the DH 1970?
Nick KenyonEditor’s note: Yesterday, Dan Henry teased us with the news of a new watch to be released on July 8. The only real clues on what the watch is going to be is the name, the Dan Henry 1962, and that it will be a racing chronograph (confirmed in the comments of the post). The brand has a trend of releasing themed watches tied to quintessential designs of the year in their name (as well as the number of units per edition being the same number as the year), meaning we can look at vintage watches from the likes of Breitling, Heuer and Enicar for cues on what it might look like. With the anticipation of this new release building, we thought we’d look back at a review we did of the Dan Henry 1970 Diver Compressor (now sold out), one of the best hands-down value watches out there.
If you’re here, then I can safely assume that you own a few watches, or at least that you’re into them. I’m also willing to bet that you have, at least once, fantasised about designing your own. A pipe dream for most, but not for Dan Henry. Over the course of 30 years, Dan Henry has amassed a collection of more than 1500 watches, and what began as a simple desire to share his passion with others quickly turned into the beginning of his eponymous watch company. By finding design inspiration through the often decades-old styling of his most iconic pieces, Dan Henry creates affordable, made-to-be-worn watches that capture the vintage charm he so loves.
Originally released last year, the retro-inspired Dan Henry 1970 Diver Compressor featured a solidly built 44mm case with 200 metres of water resistance. Priced at only $US250, it proved to be one of the most popular watches from the collection (if its presence all over the forums and social media is anything to go by). Still, the #watchfam wanted more, or, rather, less in this case, and forever a man of the people, Dan further refined the 1970. This year he released a smaller but no less nostalgic 40mm version. Without sacrificing any of the build quality that made the first a success, the new 1970 uses the same proportions, just shrunk down a little, giving it the same sturdy tool-watch look, but now it feels that little bit more balanced on the wrist.
The compressor-style dive watch inspiration is clearly recognisable. The inner bezel is controlled by the crown at two o’clock, with the crown at four setting the time and date. This crown screws down to the case – adding a little extra peace of mind. If I had to fault the 1970, it would be that both crowns don’t screw down, but that’s really scraping the bottom of the barrel. Regardless, the inner bezel glides around the dial with a smoothness not normally seen at such an accessible price, and has been given an extra little slice of tan lume on the triangular zero marker.
The matt-black dial is accented with a choice of grey or orange minute tracks. For me, it’s all about the extra-groovy orange, and when combined with the sapphire-coated double-domed mineral glass, which channels the vintage plexiglass crystals of the ’70s – it makes for some far-out distortions, man. Considering the price, it’s not entirely unexpected to find the workhorse Seiko NH35 movement beating away inside, as it offers value and reliability, and right now, it’s the only auto in the Dan Henry range.
Shipping on a tropic rubber strap and with a handy three-watch canvas roll, the now-streamlined Dan Henry 1970 has plenty of vintage appeal and a boatload of bang for your buck.
Dan Henry 1970 Diver Compressor pricing
Dan Henry 1970 Diver Compressor, $US250