Thunderbirds chronograph men's watch 45 mm black dial

This Thunderbirds chronograph suits the man who likes a watch with presence but would rather it said nothing loud. The 45 mm round case, black dial and black stainless steel bracelet keep the look dark and composed, while the quartz movement (TMI VD53) does the work without fuss.

Reading the dial

The black dial gives the hands strong contrast. Hands and hour markers are luminous, so after a little light they stay legible in the dark. Seconds run in a small separate sub-dial, the date sits in a window, and a 24-hour indication helps you tell day from night. The chronograph is operated with the two pushers and its minute counter runs to 60. The tachymeter scale turns timing into average speed: start the chronograph at the beginning of a kilometre, stop it at the end, and read the speed opposite the seconds hand.

Quartz movement

Inside is a quartz movement, reliable and undemanding. When the battery runs down, you simply replace it.

Case and water resistance

The stainless steel case measures 45 mm across and 12 mm thick, with a mineral glass and a crown guard that protects the crown from knocks. Steel copes well with perspiration and everyday damp. Water resistance is 5 ATM, which covers rain and splashes, but this is not a watch for swimming. The size is noticeable, so if you have a slim wrist, check it against our watch size guide before choosing.

Bracelet and clasp

The black bracelet is made of steel links and can be shortened by removing some of them. Keep any you take out, as they may be useful later. The deployant clasp has a safety lock that prevents it from opening by accident. The distance between the lugs is 24 mm, the measurement to know if you ever want to change the bracelet.

The metal bracelet and dark finish sit as easily with an office outfit as with jeans, so this watch can be worn every day, at work and at the weekend. It comes in a presentation box, which makes it a straightforward gift.