Emporio Armani Men’s 43mm Chronograph Watch (AR11561)

Blue dial in an all-black case and bracelet. That combination gets used a lot and it usually fails because the blue is too bright; here it is a deep, slightly grey navy with a sunray brush, and it sits down inside the black rather than jumping out of it. \n\n Case and Wrist Presence \n The case is 43mm and cushion-shaped, meaning squared off with heavily rounded corners rather than a plain circle. That outline fills more of the wrist than a round case of the same measurement, so allow for it. The flanks are flat and brushed, the bezel is thin, and the pushers are integrated into the case side rather than standing out on their own tubes. \n\n Dial and Legibility \n Applied batons at the hours with white fill, and a printed minute track around the edge. Two sub-dials sit either side of the centre: a minute counter on the left running to 40 and 20, and a 24-hour indicator on the right. The date is a white window at six o’clock, which is the cleanest place to put one because it does not interrupt the run of markers. Slim white-tipped hands over blue give good daylight contrast. \n\n Movement and Functions \n Quartz, and the chronograph works off the two pushers on the right side of the case. Start and stop with the top pusher, zero the hands with the bottom one. Nothing needs winding; the only routine attention is a battery every couple of years, and the movement will keep time to within a few seconds a month in between. \n\n Strap, Clasp and Fit \n A three-link black-coated steel bracelet with a taper towards the clasp. Black bracelets read slimmer than steel ones of identical width because the eye follows the outline rather than the highlights. Sizing is by removing links, and on a coated bracelet that is a job for a jeweller with the right pin tool. \n\n Who This Watch Suits \n A wardrobe that leans dark. This is not a watch that will pass as dressy under a suit sleeve, but it works well with denim, black and grey, and the blue keeps it from being another completely black watch. \n\n Care and Maintenance \n No water rating is shown on the dial, so keep it dry. Black coatings scratch to a lighter colour underneath, so the marks that appear are pale and visible, unlike on bare steel. Avoid dragging the case along walls and desk edges and keep it out of the gym. Clean with a dry, soft cloth. \n\n About the Brand \n Emporio Armani’s cushion-cased chronographs are the more contemporary end of the range, with integrated bracelets and flatter dials than the older round models. The eagle is printed at twelve. \n\n Technical Specifications \n \n Brand Emporio Armani \n Model AR11561 \n Case size 43mm \n Case finish Black \n Case shape Cushion \n Dial Blue sunray with applied batons \n Movement Quartz \n Functions Chronograph, date \n Bracelet Black-coated stainless steel \n Gender Men’s \n \n\n Buying With Confidence \n Covered by a 24-month international manufacturer warranty on the movement, excluding battery and normal wear. It arrives new and unworn in its original box with the manufacturer’s paperwork, shipped nationwide with tracking, and the Consumer Protection Act right of return covers an unworn watch in its original packaging. The crown is guarded on both sides by the case shoulders, so it will not be knocked out of position in a pocket.