Driver watches: tilted dials and the people who love them
Driver watches have tilted dials so you can read the time without taking your hands off the wheel. They started as racing tools in the early 1900s and became a distinct style. Here's how they work and which ones are worth knowing about.
Driver watches have their dials rotated about 45 degrees. The idea is that you can read the time while your hands are on a steering wheel, without twisting your wrist. Early automobile racers needed to check their time without losing control of their cars, and this design solved that problem.
The style emerged in the early 20th century and stuck around. These days nobody really needs a tilted dial for driving (your car has a clock), but the aesthetic has its fans. Here are some models worth knowing about.
Vario 1918 Pilot
The Vario 1918 Pilot is technically a pilot watch, but the clear dial and sturdy build work for driving too. It has that early aviation look without costing a fortune.
Baltany Homage 1921 Driver Watch
The Baltany Homage 1921 copies the classic driver watch layout at a budget price. Tilted dial, automatic movement, vintage styling. It's not subtle about what it's referencing.
De Rijke Amalfi Series I
The Amalfi Series I from De Rijke has a rotating case instead of a fixed tilted dial. You can adjust the angle yourself. It's a clever solution that adds some novelty to the format.
Howard Stainless Steel Art Deco Driver's Watch
This Howard watch is a period piece from the Art Deco era with an original dial. Stainless steel case. If you collect vintage watches, this is the kind of thing you hunt for.
Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921
The Historiques American 1921 is the expensive option. Vacheron Constantin took the driver watch concept and applied their usual level of finish. The diagonal dial layout is the same idea as the cheaper homages, just executed at a much higher price point.
Longines Avigation Type A-7 Series
The Longines Avigation Type A-7 started as a military aviation watch, but the tilted dial works just as well for driving. The 2020 edition has a black dial and comes in at a more reasonable price than the Vacheron.
- Longines Avigation Type A-7 American Air Power
- Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 Review
- Longines Avigation Type A-7 Bronze Edition
- Value Proposition: Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935
- Hands-On 2020 Edition
RGM Model 222-RR
RGM's Model 222-RR is actually a railroad watch, not a driver watch, but the design principles overlap: clear legibility, sturdy construction. RGM makes watches in Pennsylvania, which is unusual for the industry.
