Dan Henry 1975

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I’ve never been big on divers.

They’re generally too big (although I do have an SKX013) or heavy (that’s the SKX013 taken care of) for my skinny wrists.

That said, I can see the attraction of some of them but it was only when I saw a guy wearing a vintage Zodiac Sea Wolf (35mm) on a Spiedel band that something clicked, particularly after he insisted I try his on. I particularly liked the steel bezel.

I knew that a Sea Wolf wasn’t a watch I needed, or would wear regularly but just an occasional go-to beater.

On eBay the nice ones were far more than I wanted to spend. In addition, enjoying as I do, 60s/70s models, far too many are pretty worn, extensive work is needed and I assumed that, generally, parts will be hard to source.

Anyway, late night browsing took me to Dan Henry. I already have a no date Gran Turismo, it’s nearly new, it runs in the drawer and is instantly ready whenever I need it.

My options for this one were automatic or quartz, 39 or 37mm. I went for 37mm quartz. I’m giving it a try on an expandable and will see how I feel about it. I bought it on eBay for £165 plus postage and the warranty is good until November.

I imagine it’ll probably spend quite some time in the drawer but you never know …..

 
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I have mine on today, as well. As my only modern watch (and my only quartz), it's my go-to wherever there's a chance i might get rained on or extra sweaty. It's really come in handy during a somewhat unusually rainy month here. Sorting out the bracelet took some "creativity" and a lot of filing of endlinks, but that effort now makes it all the more enjoyable to wear.
 
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I have only ever seen them in photos here on the Forum, but the Dan Henrys would appear to look much better than their price tags might suggest.
 
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I suggest that putting a comfortable synthetic Nato on this watch will keep it out of the drawer and on your wrist when a beater is needed. Hate to say this but the flex band just drags on the watch.
 
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I have a Dan Henry 1963 beater, it's essentially a Breitling REF. 765 AVI homage, it's really great for the price point and a good size for me, but I just don't wear it very much, so it's not really much of the beater as it's in really super condition.
 
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I was looking for a beater watch that is:

- Small, i.e. 36-38mm with a compact lug-to-lug
- WR 100m or more
- Utilitarian or sporty look
- Affordable
- No date!
- With a bracelet

And it was really slim pickings with these specs. First I was considering a field watch or a flieger, but then felt that I needed something more fun. So I just ended up ordering a 37mm DH 1975 with a black dial:
Dan_Henry_1975_Skin_Diver_Quartz_39mm_Black_No_Date_Tropic_Strap.png

I will post pics when it arrives next week 😀 This will be my first watch with a Meca-quartz movement. I think sweeping seconds looks so much better than the typical spastic quartz hand.
 
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I suggest that putting a comfortable synthetic Nato on this watch will keep it out of the drawer and on your wrist when a beater is needed. Hate to say this but the flex band just drags on the watch.

I'll try that
 
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First wrist shot! 37mm version looks great on my 17cm wrist.

 
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Okay, I have now owned the 37mm DH 1975 for three weeks. With the bracelet price was $360 so not cheap and imo not good value when compared to Seiko or Citizen for example. So with DH it's all about the look – in many ways, Dan Henry is an upscale fashion watch brand. That being said, I really like my 1975 👍 Fun vintage esthetic & quartz movement & WR 150m = perfect summer watch.



Two vintage skin divers and one replica. Very believable dimensions and design.
 
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It’s a fun beater - without the fragility of a vintage Seawolf or Waltham diver
 
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Makes me want to add it into the mix. The 1962 chrono reverse panda is hard to get now so it's tough to want to throw it on my wrist to mow the lawn (chuckle) as I see them selling for over $500 now and they were sitting at $800 during the peak last cycle.
 
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Received and fitted my DH bracelet but a little embarrassed by the number of links I had to remove 🤔

 
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Haven't seen one in the metal but have read plenty about these Dan Henrys -- I've passed on a few watches to our kids in recent years and they've really enjoyed them, a Seiko SK and Flightmaster, a vintage Timex or two. Will definitely look into adding one of these at the price and apparent quality.
 
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Mine’s a 39mm diameter and I think @Nupero has a 37mm one
 
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I had not noticed it before, but yeah, it seems to applied only to the inside surface of the crystal on mine. Perhaps that's the standard way it's done? Can't say I've had another watch with this coating.