Armani Exchange Men’s 42mm Watch (AX2745)

The interest on this one is all in the middle. Three subdials overlap in the centre of a black dial like coins pushed together on a table, and two of them are cut away so you can look through to worked metal underneath. Around that, the dial is left plain, which is the only reason the arrangement reads as clearly as it does. \n\n Case and Wrist Presence \n A 42mm polished stainless steel case with a thin bezel and gently curved lugs. It sits flat and covers a good part of a medium wrist without spilling over the edges. Polished steel picks up light from every angle, so the case outline stays visible even in a dim room. \n\n The Dial in Detail \n The subdial to the left carries the days of the week printed around its ring, SUNDAY through SATURDAY, with a small hand pointing to the current one. The upper right subdial runs a numbered ring from 1 to 31 for the date, and its centre is opened up to show gearing and an engraved A|X. The lower subdial carries a 24-hour ring and is similarly cut away. Applied silver batons mark the hours around the edge, with a longer baton at twelve, and the A|X logo sits at the top of the dial. The hands are silver and faceted, so they throw light differently to the flat black background and stay easy to find. \n\n Strap, Clasp and Fit \n Black leather with a smooth, fine grain and stitching set close to the edge. Leather takes the shape of your wrist over the first few weeks and softens where it bends, which is the point — a strap that has moulded to you is more comfortable than a new one. Keep it dry; leather that has been soaked and dried hard never really recovers, and a replacement strap is an easy and inexpensive fix when the time comes. \n\n Who This Watch Suits \n Somebody who likes a busy centre but not a busy watch. It has enough going on to reward a second look, while the plain outer dial and black strap keep it acceptable under a shirt cuff. It reads as considered rather than sporty. \n\n Care and Maintenance \n Wipe the case with a soft dry cloth. Do not swim, shower or wash dishes with it on — no water rating is printed on this dial, so treat it as a dry-wear watch. Air the strap after a hot day rather than storing it straight into a closed box, and keep the watch away from strong magnets and hard knocks. \n\n Buying With Confidence \n A 24-month international manufacturer warranty covers the movement, excluding battery and normal wear. The watch ships new and unworn in its original box with the manufacturer’s paperwork, goes out with tracked nationwide delivery, and carries the Consumer Protection Act right of return on an unworn watch in its original packaging. Look at the lower subdial in daylight and you will see the cut-away plate catch the light before the printing does.