Emporio Armani Men’s 45mm Chronograph Watch (AR1700)

A chronograph with Roman numerals is an unusual pairing. Roman numerals belong on dress watches and chronographs belong on sports watches, and putting them together produces something that does not sit neatly in either camp. Here it works because the numerals are printed thin and white on black, so they read as a texture around the edge rather than as decoration. \n\n Case and Wrist Presence \n The case is 45mm and built as a single piece of polished steel, with the strap running through openings cut into the sides rather than sitting between conventional lugs. That makes it wide: the metal extends well past the dial on both sides. This is a watch for a larger wrist, comfortably 19cm and up, and it will overhang anything smaller. \n\n Dial and Legibility \n White Roman numerals ring a matte black dial, with a printed minute track outside them. Three sunken registers sit inside, covering a minute counter, a 24-hour indicator and running seconds, and the date is tucked between four and five. The hands are polished steel with white fill. Contrast is good, though the sheer amount of information on the dial means it takes a moment longer to read than a plain three-hander. \n\n Movement and Functions \n Quartz, with the chronograph on two pushers set into the case flank. Upper starts and stops, lower resets. The pushers are shaped to sit almost flush with the case, which keeps the outline clean but means they need a firm press rather than a light one. \n\n Strap, Clasp and Fit \n Smooth black leather threaded through the case openings. Because the strap emerges from within the case rather than between lugs, it lies flat against the wrist from the very edge of the watch, which is what makes a 45mm case wearable at all. Replacement is less straightforward than on a standard lug watch, so treat the original strap kindly. \n\n Who This Watch Suits \n Someone who wants a large watch that still reads as formal. The Roman numerals and the polish push it towards dress wear; the size keeps it from ever being discreet. \n\n Care and Maintenance \n No water rating is printed on this dial, so keep it dry and off before washing. Polished steel on a case this large collects hairline scratches quickly, particularly along the wide flat surround; a jeweller’s cloth lifts most of them. Never work the chronograph pushers if the watch is damp. \n\n About the Brand \n This integrated case is one of the longest-running designs in the Emporio Armani range, produced as both a three-hander and a chronograph. The eagle sits printed at twelve above the brand name. \n\n Technical Specifications \n \n Brand Emporio Armani \n Model AR1700 \n Case size 45mm \n Case material Polished stainless steel \n Case shape Cushion, integrated strap openings \n Dial Black with white Roman numerals \n Movement Quartz \n Functions Chronograph, date \n Strap Black leather \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 ships new and unworn in its original box with the manufacturer’s paperwork, delivered nationwide with tracking, and the Consumer Protection Act right of return applies to an unworn watch in its original packaging. The crown sits in a shaped recess in the case side, so it is protected from knocks without needing crown guards.