Delma Commander Chronograph

Delma Commander Chronograph Watch Review

The Delma Commander Chronograph is an aviation-themed watch from Lengnau. The family-owned Swiss watch company was established in 1924. Over the years, Delma has built an enviable reputation for creating a comprehensive range of high-quality watches that represent exceptional value. Carl Eady, a regular ESCAPEMENT contributor, reviews the green dial Commander Chronograph.

Delma Commander Chronograph – introduction

The era of La Belle Èpoch ran between the 1870s and the outbreak of the first world war in 1914. This peaceful and prosperous time was characterised across Europe by a sense of great optimism and economic growth. Fields such as the arts, architecture, science and technology witnessed sweeping change. Most notably, Paris played host to many of the greatest advancements, culminating in the 1900 Exposition Universelle. Transport and, in particular, aviation were at the forefront of this cultural revolution. One of the most daring and flamboyant pioneers in this field was Brazilian inventor, Alberto Santos-Dumont.

It was during a high society dinner in Maxim’s restaurant on the Rue Royal that the concept of a watch fit for aviation was first discussed. Santos-Dumont was explaining his difficulty in timing flights with his pocket watch, due to his hands being full when conducting experiments or using flight instruments. The problem of timing was not just a threat to his vanity, there was also significant prize money on offer in many of the day’s flying competitions such as the ‘Deutsch de la Meurthe.’ Listening to this predicament was his friend Louis-Joseph Cartier who, with the help of prestigious watchmaker Edmond Jaeger, set about the challenge of producing the first ‘purpose built’ wristwatch, specifically for aviation. The watch was released in 1904. Thereafter, in 1911, it was named the ‘Santos’ in honour of their high-flying acquaintance. The watch was a flat, square wristwatch with large numerals and an exposed bezel featuring eight prominent screws. Its design cues are very much alive to this day, with the Cartier Santos being one of the brand’s top-selling collections. Although it bears little resemblance to a modern pilots’ watch, at the time the Santos proved the validity of the concept and paved the way for some of history’s most iconic watches.  

Resembling cockpit instruments, modern aviator watches have large lumed hands and hour markers, which contrast with darkened dials to give a high degree of legibility. Whilst many brands have proved themselves capable of producing excellent quality aviation watches, they are often out of reach for everyday pockets as they are pitched to a ‘luxury’ audience. However, there are a number of manufacturers who are currently challenging the big players in this category, producing high-quality watches with serious credentials while still remaining in the ‘affordable luxury’ segment. One such brand is Delma. Rapidly approaching its centenary year, the family-run Swiss brand has a strong history in sports watches, serving enthusiasts of diving, sailing, racing and aviation.  

In 2021, the brand released its ‘Commander’ collection, inspired by dashboard instruments found in both new and historic aircraft. Each model is enriched with distinctive, yet subtle accents, setting them apart from their contemporaries. ‘Big Date’, ‘3 Hander’ and ‘Chronograph’ models pair large indices and numerals with generous sword-shaped hands and prove more than fit for purpose. Of the three, I suspect that the comprehensive sports credentials of the ‘Commander Chronograph’ will likely attract the most attention.

Delma Commander Chronograph – case

With legibility being the primary requirement of pilots’ watches, it is not surprising that Delma has opted for a substantial stainless-steel case. Measuring 45 mm in diameter and 14.7 mm thick, it is not intended for shy, retiring types and certainly makes a statement when worn. Despite its stature, there are subtleties that keep the Commander Chronograph within sophisticated boundaries. For instance, fine brushwork covers most of the case with highly polished sections delivering contrast. As is the norm for pilots’ watches, the crown is large and deeply fluted, allowing for adjustment with gloves on. Flanking the crown are the chronograph pushers. As seen on previous Delmas, noticeably the ‘Pioneer’ collection, the top start/stop pusher is adorned with a bright red ring providing added flair.  

On the reverse, an exhibition caseback offers sight of the automatic Valjoux 7750 movement within. Meanwhile, the front of the watch sports a brushed bezel that securely retains a crystal-clear sapphire glass. The notable distance between the dial and the underside of the crystal provides an attractive sense of depth.

Delma Commander Chronograph – dial

In recent years, the watch world appears to have developed an unwavering appetite for green dials. So confident is the brand in the appeal of green it has included not one but two green dial variants in its Commander collection, this model and the Commander Automatic. The rich sunburst effect emanating from the captivating forest green canvas provides a perfect contrast with the dial’s key features. The subdials are positioned in a traditional 6, 9, 12 format and each is snailed.

Large, luminescent Arabic numerals adorn all but the cardinal points, while a triangular red index sits at 12 o’clock. Each of the hands is sword-shaped and luminescent, except for the second hand, which is elongated and features a red tip

The display is completed by the Delma moniker and crown logo sitting atop the unframed day-date window at the three o’clock position. This tried and tested format for Pilots’ watches is very well executed and demonstrates that Delma can compete with many of the so-called ‘big brands’. Indeed, Delma shows that quality and value are not mutually exclusive.

Delma Commander Chronograph – movement

Powering Delma’s Commander Chronograph is the tried and trusted Valjoux / ETA 7750. Now approaching its half-century, the ever-reliable 7750 was released by Ébauches SA (ETA) in 1973. Over the years, it has been used by a number of the industry’s big names, including IWC, Omega and TAG Heuer. Being a cam-actuated chronograph, it perhaps lacks some of the refinement found with column wheel chronographs, however, it proves very robust, ever reliable and is easy to service.  

Beating at 4 Hz, the 25 jewel movement, sporting a customised Delma rotor, will run for a full two days once fully wound.  

Strap

Delma has opted to pair the Commander Chronograph with a brushed stainless-steel bracelet, secured with a butterfly deployant clasp. The bracelet contributes to the overall feeling of quality. One school of thought suggests that classic pilots’ watches, with such vintage features, are better suited to an accompanying leather strap. With a lug width of a ‘standard’ 22mm, those owners who concur with this point of view have plenty of options to choose from, including the leather or canvas straps provided by the brand themselves.

Closing thoughts

With the Commander Chronograph, Delma has proven, once again, it can produce a quality watch at a very competitive price. The attractive forest green dial is on-trend and proves highly legible.

By utilising the tried and tested Valjoux / ETA 7750, there is an assurance that the robustness of the case is matched by the reliability of the movement. Being such a commonly used calibre, owners will have no problem in finding a technician capable of providing a full service. 

With a winning blend of accomplished design, legibility, quality and value, Delma has shown it is capable of competing with much larger brands. Indeed, this particular model is a first-class pilots’ chronograph and worthy of your consideration.

Further reading

https://www.delmawatches.com/en-gb

Technical specifications

• Model: Delma Commander Chronograph
• Reference: 41702.580.6.149 (green dial)
• Case: stainless steel; diameter 45 mm; height 14.7 mm; water resistance 10 ATM (100 metres); sapphire crystal to front; exhibition case back.
• Functions: hours; minutes; small seconds; day; date; chronograph
• Movement: Valjoux / ETA 7750; automatic movement; frequency 28,800 VpH (4Hz); 25 jewels; power reserve 48 hours.
• Strap: brushed stainless steel bracelet with deployant clasp 
• Price: £2290 – (RRP as of 4.2.2022)