Armani Exchange Men’s 44mm Watch (AX1738)

The moon phase aperture is what sets this one apart. A blue disc carrying a gold moon turns slowly under a window at six o’clock, sitting on a dial that has been given a mottled, lunar-grey finish rather than a flat coat of paint. The whole watch is black — case and bracelet both — so the grey face and the two yellow hands are the only things that draw the eye. \n\n Case and Wrist Presence \n 44mm, round, black from bezel to bracelet. The bezel carries a printed minute scale in white, which sharpens the outline of what would otherwise be a very dark object. An all-black watch on a black bracelet reads slightly smaller than a steel one of the same size, so this is a 44mm case that will not overwhelm a medium wrist. \n\n Dial and Legibility \n The grey field is textured and uneven on purpose, like a photograph of a moon surface. Applied stick markers in black with white edges run around it. Two sub-dials sit at nine and three, one carrying the days of the week and the other a scale marked in hours; each has a bright yellow hand, which is the fastest way to find them. Below centre, the moon phase window shows a gold moon against dark blue. Reading the time is straightforward; reading the sub-dials takes a second look, which is the price of a dial this busy. \n\n Movement and Functions \n Quartz multifunction, with a day indication, a second sub-dial scale and the moon phase display. The moon disc cycles roughly monthly and can be reset if the watch has stopped for a while. There is no winding — a battery drives all of it. \n\n Strap, Clasp and Fit \n A three-link black steel bracelet with brushed centre links and polished outer edges, tapering slightly towards the clasp. Bracelets are sized by removing links, so have it fitted properly rather than living with it loose; a bracelet that slides down the hand wears its edges out faster. The black coating is a surface layer and will show bright marks if it takes a sharp knock against a doorframe. \n\n Who This Watch Suits \n Someone who wants a complication to look at. The moon phase does nothing practical for most people, and that is fine — it is a detail that rewards a glance, on a watch that is otherwise deliberately monochrome. \n\n Care and Maintenance \n Rinse nothing; wipe instead. A soft brush gets dust out of the bracelet links. Avoid abrasive cloths on the black coating. When the battery dies, get the case pressure-tested on reassembly rather than simply clipped shut. \n\n Buying With Confidence \n Covered by a 24-month international manufacturer warranty on the movement, excluding battery and normal wear. Ships new and unworn in its original box with the manufacturer’s paperwork, with nationwide tracked delivery. Consumer Protection Act returns apply to an unworn watch in its original packaging. \n\n Technical Specifications \n \n Brand Armani Exchange \n Reference AX1738 \n Case diameter 44mm \n Case shape Round \n Case colour Black \n Dial colour Mottled grey \n Markers Applied sticks \n Movement Quartz \n Functions Moon phase, day, multifunction \n Bracelet Black-coated stainless steel \n