Delma Quattro Watch Review
The Delma Quattro is the latest model to emerge from the Lengnau-based firm. Housed in a stainless steel case, it’s water resistant to 500 m and features a helium valve. But according to US-based journalist, Meehna Goldsmith, this divers’ watch also has a highly attractive face.
Delma Watch
The diver is a watch that transcends categories. Originally conceived as a purpose-built tool for underwater exploration, it filled a small niche. You really only had a diver if you were a professional or high-level enthusiast. However, what started as a utilitarian, but essential, piece of timing equipment, quickly took on a new role as a dockside style statement.
The diver has the privilege of straddling two environments. It can ride over a wetsuit and flawlessly perform its oceanic duties. But, afterwards, it can rinse off and feel right at home elegantly peeking out from under a cuff. Purists might scoff at a dive watch as appropriate formal wear, but just check out the wrists attending galas and black tie events. You’re sure to see a dive watch or two. And if you have any doubts if the diver has enough panache to hang in an elegant crowd, I refer you to James Bond.
What could be better than having a watch that works for just about every occasion? If only I could find a handbag that did the same. Since dive watches now account for a good proportion of sales, a lot of brands have got in on the game. And, sometimes that means those “divers” are fashioned to look like divers, but don’t have the specs required for professional dive watch use.
Delma – a history of making divers’ watches
When it comes to dive watches, Delma’s got the bona fides to back up the claim. The small, independently owned company presented its first dive watch in 1969, the Delma Periscope, followed by its first professional diver, the Shell Star in 1975. Since then, Delma has continued to introduce an array of models to tackle the depths, including the Sea Star and Blue Shark series.
The Quattro is the latest addition to the diving stable. Only it’s not exactly new. The Quattro was launched in the 1980s when quartz movements were all the rage and people were writing eulogies for mechanical watches. Fortunately, the death knell never came. The popular Quattro is now resurrected for the 21st century, the quartz movement replaced with an automatic SW200-1 movement, and refined for the modern-day diver.
An impressive specification
When you see the helium valve on the side of the case, you know the Quattro means business. A dip in the pool or snorkelling is no great challenge. Even 200-300 m, the required depth rating specs for a diver, won’t make the Quattro blink. No, the Quattro can wave goodbye to the average dive watch as it capably descends to the depths of 500 m or 1650 feet.
Legibility and ease of use are especially crucial when you’re calculating how many minutes separate you from underneath the ocean and a breath of fresh air. The Quattro won’t leave you hanging. It has a sturdy 44 mm stainless steel case with a hidden screw-down crown and integrated helium escape valve. You won’t have any problems getting a grip on the bezel either thanks to its six symmetrical notches.
Now let’s take a look at the face. And, it’s a very attractive one at that. The hour markers, bold and prominent, pop into focus from the dial. In contrast to the white hour hand, the minutes and lollipop seconds hand come dressed in orange, a colour that delivers high visibility underwater. Providing a glow in the gloom, a generous amount of Super-LumiNova C5 coats the hour and minute hands, seconds hand, indexes and the various markings gracing the bezel.
Delma Quattro – dial colours
The Quattro is offered with a black, blue or orange dial and a unidirectional dive bezel in stainless steel or black DLC. Delma provides both a brushed stainless steel bracelet with deployant clasp and a rubber strap with stainless steel buckle. This mini dive package comes to you in a blue Delma leather box.
Delma Quattro – Rapid Bracelet Exchange System (RBES)
It used to be that changing a strap was a production. You had to fumble around with tools that made you question why you decided to change the bracelet/strap in the first place. Not so with the Quattro. Delma has developed a proprietary Rapid Bracelet Exchange System (RBES) that allows the bracelet and accompanying rubber strap to seamlessly interchange without a toolbox in sight. Interestingly, there is a tool that fits into the recessed crown’s notch allowing you to unscrew it. However, a coin will also do the trick, as well as by hand once the watch head is removed.
A decompression plate
When diving below 130 ft, you need to have decompression stops on the way up or risk the bends, a condition that can be deadly. What happens when you go beyond the threshold is the pressure causes nitrogen to dissolve into your tissues. During the ascent, the nitrogen reverses the process and the gas leaves through your lungs. If that process happens too quickly, it can cause harm to your body.
Since the Quattro is designed for decompression diving, Delma provides a nifty, custom designed decompression plate to assist – a first in the industry. The watch easily snaps into the plate by positioning the lever at 9 o’clock and turning counterclockwise; to release, pull up the lever and turn the case clockwise by an hour. The plate attaches to an oxygen tank or wherever else it’s convenient via a spring snap hook. Based on the bayonet mount mechanism, the Delma RBES ensures a secure and safe fit.
Delma Quattro – closing remarks
If you’re looking for a dive watch that’s a bit off the beaten path, but has true dive watch credibility and history, then the Delma Quattro stands out for its price, not to mention its ingenious decompression plate. It also doesn’t hurt that it has a very attractive face – and I’m always a sucker for that.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Delma Quattro
- Reference: 41701.744.6.031 (black dial), 41701.744.6.038 (black dial), 41701.744.6.041 (blue dial), 41701.744.6.048 (blue dial), 41701.744.6.151 (orange dial), 41701.744.6.158 (orange dial)
- Case: stainless steel; diameter 44 mm; height 13.7 mm; water resistance 50 ATM (500 metres); sapphire crystal to front; solid case back.
- Functions: hours; minutes; central seconds; date
- Movement: SW 200-1; automatic movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 26 jewels; power reserve 38 hours.
- Strap: brushed stainless-steel bracelet with safety deployant clasp with pushers and additional rubber strap with stainless-steel buckle.
- Price: £1850 – (RRP as of 15.9.2022)