REVIEW: Dan Henry LE 1970 Automatic Diver Compressor

Status
Not open for further replies.

Adicus

Tyme Machine
Joined
Jan 18, 2017
Messages
1,421
I am moving a copy of my review of this watch from the Look what I got forum, so it might be found more easily by those interested in this watch.


This watch wears very nicely with the rubber tropical strap. It feels really light, especially after taking off a big Deep Blue with a SS Bracelet, LOL! This is not a high end strap, and a nice Kevlar strap would take this watch to the next level. However, it works well enough that there is no overwhelming pressure to immediately replace it.

IMHO, no watch is a true diver, solid case back or not, unless it has screw down crowns, which this doesn't. Multiple gaskets? I don't remember reading about any. The watch's page speaks to "boasting the ingenious super compressor principle" Which, honestly at this writing, I am not familiar with. I will have to google and see what gives. MHO may be changed . . .

I jumped on this watch after stalking it since May, and was able to get in while the 10% discount due to a back order was still on.

I like it because it's a new watch that screams VINTAGE!! Providing the wearer the best of both worlds.

The crystal is sapphire coated mineral, but you can definitely see a purple tint, whether from the Sapphire or AR coating.

The flattened-bubble shape of the crystal adds a wonderful touch. At some angles, it creates a delicate distortion of the dial, but never interferes with reading the time.

The hands float above the depth of the matte black dial. They are not lost against the hour markers, which are the same tint, because of the black lines running down the middle of each of them. I normally don't care for squared edged hands, but these work on this dial.

The second hand is easily distinguishable with the deepest tint of orange on the watch. To me it appears almost a reddish orange, setting it apart from the outer minute dial band that it glides along. Most likely an optical illusion to old eyes, but whatever it is, it works.

As I noted in my original post, the pressure required to turn the inner bezel crown is much greater than that of my mechanical VSA, which moves far too easily with any brush of the wrist. This inner dial is not moving without the distinct intent of the wearer. It is a little thing, but definitely a mark in the pro column for me.

Power by a workhorse automatic Seiko caliber NH35 movement, it is both wind-able and hack-able, and comes with a 41 hour power reserve.

I am pretty certain that I am going to enjoy wearing this beautiful homage to 70's compressor divers on a regular basis. :)

$225 shipped with no taxes, after 10% discount - no buyer's remorse. If it was full price and I saw it in person I would jump on it again. (
The watch comes with a one year warranty.)

Looks like I found their inspiration . . .

https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/1...nt=16688269700

Great article on Super Compressors . . .

https://gearpatrol.com/2011/12/27/ti...or-dive-watch/

.

View attachment 9419
View attachment 9420
View attachment 9421
View attachment 9422
View attachment 9423
View attachment 9424

LIMITED EDITION 1970 Pieces

SIZE: 44mm

DEPTH: 200 meters - 660 feet

CASE

44mm stainless steel 316L
14.8mm thickness
24mm lug width
50.5mm lug to lug
2 o’clock crown operates the inner rotating bezel while the 4 o’clock crown adjusts the date and time
Screw-back case with Scaphtopus 3D medal
Sapphire coated double domed mineral glass with Anti-Reflective treatment

MOVEMENT

Automatic Seiko Caliber NH35 with 24 jewels
41-hours power reserve

DIAL

Matte black with date and 60-min inner rotating bezel
Swiss lumens
Grey minutes chapter ring

DESIGN DETAILS


  • Inner rotating bezel

  • Dual cross-hatched crowns
  • Screw-back case with Scaphtopus 3D medal


FULL SET

WATCH ROLL


  • 1 Canvas and genuine leather roll with three watch slots

STRAPS


  • 1 Tropic silicone band

View attachment 9425



 
Very honest and straightforward review. It seems to be a fine piece for the money. Thanks for posting!
 
Enjoyed reading your review. Very informative and liked the pics too !!!
 
Nice review! Ohhhh if only it had a movement fancier than the NH35 which appears in way too many watches of this price range

Sent from my Alcatel_6055U using Tapatalk
 
OCTOPUS ON CASE BACK is on a famous dive tool KEMNER CASE ( DB top homage ) ...can't remember-


nice homage... chinese watch named like an american legend...looks pretty nice...


the movement and second crown are not 4 me...but...it is very nice...for the money...seems good value-
 
Great No-nonsense review. You got me seriously looking at this fine watch. Thanks for taking the time to put your review together.
 
I just came across a lume shot of this one on an IG post. Looked pretty cool. Good value for the $. There is also a gray that looks more vintagey to me. It's on the list....

Thanks for the review Adicus! Very helpful.
 
I just came across a lume shot of this one on an IG post. Looked pretty cool. Good value for the $. There is also a gray that looks more vintagey to me. It's on the list....

Thanks for the review Adicus! Very helpful.


cross pollination here-- TC features DAN HENRY as 1 of 3 leading contenders micro boutique cost to value performance ratio-


-the summer of tool love-
 
Nice review. I've had my eyes on this watch for a while and just saw that they're releasing it in 40mm (still shows as a pre-order on the site but it started shipping yesterday). That pushed me over the edge and I ordered the 40mm grey.
 
An outstanding, strait to the point, review, on a very sharp time piece.:good::applaud:
 
I have the DH 1963 in the collection which has proven the brand's quality for me. Now I really want this one.

Thanks for the outstanding review!
:hand:
 
Dan Henry's personal collection is phenomenal and his presentation of parts of it on the web are impressive.

Rumor for the past year has been that he will offer some newer models in some smaller case diameters as well as on bracelet. I keep waiting.
 
A very, very attractive watch, and I concur with your view that it really does exude a marvelous vintage diver look. I don't understand all the angst about the NH35 movement, which is an amazingly impressive piece of watch engineering that results in an accuracy level equal to or better than more expensive movements from both Japan and Europe. And it's an 'aging canard' to argue that it's not so special (or good, or whatever...) because it's in soooo many watches; maybe it's in soooo many watches because it's a damned superior movement! Seriously, now, it would HAVE to be to dethrone the Miyota 8124 as the Japanese movement of choice! (And I say this as a complete fan of the 8124!)

At any rate, I'm finding this new-to-me brand to be quite desirable, and there's no doubt in my military mind that it's going to end up in my Watch Stable sooner, rather than later. Soooo CONGRATULATIONS on a fine pick-up and a well-thought-out review that shows the value of this excellent timepiece. And may you enjoy it for many, many wrist-ticks into the future!! It's uber :cool: !!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom