The Dan Henry 1970 44mm is back with new colours and the same, affordable price
Fergus Nash- The Dan Henry 1970 44mm has been re-issued four years after it sold out.
- The range of new colours includes a black and cream dial with a blacked-out case.
- It’s available as a limited edition of 1,970 pieces.
Dan Henry has soared since the brand’s inception back in 2016, and they can hardly even be labelled as a microbrand anymore. With 10 collections spanning seven decades of influence, they really are the obvious choice when you’re looking for vintage-inspired bang for buck. The first of their watches to feature a mechanical movement was the Dan Henry 1970 44mm Automatic Diver, which was quite a big deal considering that quartz movements were the secret to the brand’s affordability. Four years on from that model selling out, the Dan Henry 1970 44mm has been reissued in a limited edition of 1,970 pieces.
With the original Dan Henry 1970 watches sometimes selling for vast markups on the second-hand market, it’s definitely welcome news that more have become available, if even for a short time. The 44mm steel case is surprisingly wearable for a behemoth of a diameter, snugly fitting onto larger wrists or just catering to those who prefer dominating watches. The 14.8mm thickness is quite appropriate to the other dimensions, and the 50.5mm lug-to-lug length is what makes the watch so comfortable for its size. Both of the crowns, one for rotating the inner-bezel and one for adjusting the time, screw into the case. This locks in the case’s 200m water resistance, as well as prevents you from accidentally adjusting the timing bezel on a dive.
Despite the 1970 moniker, the Dan Henry 1970 44mm actually takes most of its design from the rare Exactas Super Compressor from 1967. The black dial with its bold and colourful rings really did help set some of the most popular trends in the 1970s, and the Super Compressor case which increased its water resistance the deeper it went was a technological marvel, if somewhat complex. The black and orange colour scheme is the classic option, however Dan Henry have also released several other options, notably in black and off-white with a black case. Each version comes with its own colour-matching FKM rubber tropic strap, however the 24mm lug width should offer plenty of aftermarket compatibility if you want to experiment.
Powering the new Dan Henry 1970 44mm is the humble Seiko NH35, ensuring that the price stays attainable while promising reliable performance. It’s got the modern conveniences we expect from a mechanical watch such as hacking seconds and hand-winding, as well as quick-set date should you decide to get one with the date window. It beats at 3Hz with a power reserve of 41 hours, and is covered up by a solid caseback with Dan Henry’s deep and iconic “Scaphtopus” medal.
The Dan Henry 1970 44mm re-issue pricing and availability:
The new Dan Henry 1970 44mm Automatic Diver is limited to 1,970 pieces, available from Dan Henry. Price: US$310
| Brand | Dan Henry |
| Model | 1970 44mm |
| Case Dimensions | 44mm (D) x 14.8mm (T) x 50.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black or blue |
| Lug Width | 24mm |
| Strap | FKM rubber tropic |
| Movement | Seiko NH35 |
| Power Reserve | 41 hours |
| Availability | Limited to 1,970 pieces |
| Price | US$310 |