Thunderbirds men's chronograph watch black dial 44 mm

The first thing you notice is how much black there is: a black dial inside a black stainless steel case, on a black link bracelet. This Thunderbirds is a men's chronograph with a round 44 mm case and a quartz movement, the TMI VD53, and it reads as a solid, no-nonsense piece.

What the dial shows

The black background keeps the hands easy to pick out at a glance. The hands carry a luminescent coating, so after a charge from light they can still be read in the dark. Seconds run on a small sub-dial of their own, and a window shows the date. A 24-hour display tells you whether it is day or night. The two pushers operate the chronograph, and its minute counter runs up to 60.

Movement and upkeep

The TMI VD53 quartz movement keeps accurate time without any winding or regular servicing. When the battery runs flat, a watchmaker can replace it and check the seals at the same visit.

Case and water resistance

The case is stainless steel, 44 mm across and 11 mm thick, which suits medium to large wrists. If you are unsure about fit, the watch size guide will help you decide. The mineral glass resists scratches better than plastic, and a crown guard shields the crown from knocks. Water resistance is 5 ATM, which covers rain, splashes and handwashing. It is best taken off for swimming.

Bracelet and clasp

The black stainless steel bracelet is made of links and can be shortened by removing some, with instructions in the size guide. Keep any links you take out in case you need them later. The deployant clasp has a safety lock that prevents it from opening by accident. The strap width between the lugs is 22 mm, worth noting if you ever want a replacement.

As an everyday watch it works at the office and at the weekend alike, and the chronograph look will appeal to motorsport fans.