Nixon Sentry Chrono A386-000 Men’s 42mm Stainless Steel Quartz Chronograph Watch – Black Dial, Steel Bracelet

Nixon Sentry Chrono A386-000: The Silver and Black Chronograph

The Nixon Sentry Chrono A386-000 is the base colourway of one of Nixon’s best-known chronographs. It combines a 42 mm stainless steel case, a black dial and a silver three-link bracelet with a quartz chronograph movement, a date and a 100 metre water rating. Nothing about it is dressed up: the layout is the classic Sentry Chrono one, with applied markers, a printed seconds track and a clear chronograph display. It is a tool-style watch for people who actually use the stopwatch, and the black-on-silver scheme makes it easy to read.

Case and Presence on the Wrist

The case is round, made of stainless steel, and measures 42 mm in diameter with a thickness of about 11 mm. Those numbers place the watch in the middle of the modern size range, big enough to read quickly and small enough to fit under a cuff. The bezel is steel too, and a mineral crystal covers the dial. The crown sits on the right side with enamel filling in its face, and the chronograph pushers sit above and below it. Nixon markets the Sentry Chrono to both men and women, and at this diameter it sits comfortably on medium and slim men’s wrists as well as larger ones.

• 42 mm round case – a mid-size chronograph that suits many wrists
• Stainless steel bezel and case – hard-wearing, with a plain silver look
• Mineral crystal – a hardened glass cover over the dial
• Solid caseback – a closed back for a sealed construction

Dial Layout and Chronograph Reading

The dial is black, with faceted applied indices that catch the light and a printed seconds track around the outside. The hands are custom moulded, and Nixon’s Sentry Chrono dial is described as a six-hand layout with a 24-hour subdial, so in addition to the main hour, minute and seconds hands you read the stopwatch from separate hands. The date appears in a window at the four o’clock position on the Sentry Chrono family. Luminous material on the hands and markers helps with reading in a dark room. With a black face and silver hardware, the contrast is strong, and the eye finds the time first and the chronograph second.

• Chronograph – start, stop and reset timing from the two pushers
• 24-hour subdial – a second reading that distinguishes day from night
• Date window – the day of the month on the dial

Movement

The A386-000 uses a quartz movement, meaning a battery drives it and it keeps time without winding. Quartz is the practical choice for a chronograph that is used for ordinary timing jobs, such as cooking, a parking meter, a training interval or a short meeting, because the stopwatch is accurate and the pushers respond immediately. Nixon does not publish a calibre name for this specific reference on the pages we checked, so none is claimed here. The timekeeping accuracy is the kind you expect from any quartz watch: steady, with a battery change needed every couple of years or so, depending on how often the stopwatch is used.

Bracelet and Clasp

The bracelet is a three-link stainless steel design in a silver tone, matching the case so the watch looks unified. The common Sentry Chrono bracelet is 23 mm wide, which is broad enough to balance the case. The clasp is a double-locking deployment type with a micro-adjust system, so you can fine-tune the length without removing links. The bracelet’s width and the weight of solid steel give a reassuring feel, and the micro-adjust lets you loosen the watch slightly in summer or tighten it for a run.

Water Resistance

The Sentry Chrono is rated to 10 ATM, which equals 100 metres. That covers swimming, snorkelling, rinsing at the tap and showering. As with any chronograph, do not press the pushers while the watch is under water, because this can compromise the seals. After a swim in the sea, a rinse with fresh water will protect the bracelet and the clasp from salt.

Who This Watch Suits

• Buyers who want a quartz chronograph with a plain steel look and a black dial
• Anyone who needs a durable watch for sport, travel and everyday errands
• Gift buyers choosing a recognisable, straightforward steel bracelet watch
• People who want a mid-size watch that can also be shared between partners

A black dial on a steel bracelet is the easiest combination to wear with a suit, a casual shirt or workout clothes. It is not showy, and the details reward a closer look.

Care and Handling

Wipe the bracelet with a soft cloth after wearing, and rinse it under lukewarm water after exposure to salt, chlorine or sweat. A soft brush will remove dirt between the links. Test the chronograph pushers now and then so that they stay free, and reset the stopwatch to zero after use so the hands start from the right place. When the battery runs out, have it replaced by a qualified watchmaker who will also test the sealing so the 10 ATM rating still applies.

About Nixon and the Sentry Chrono

Nixon was founded in 1998 in southern California and built its name on watches for surf, skate and snow. The Sentry Chrono is one of the brand’s long-running chronographs, offered in a wide range of colourways, from this black and silver reference to gold and blue combinations. Its recognisable details include the enamel-filled crown, faceted indices and solid steel bracelet.

Technical Specifications