Back to the 60s: Delma Continental Automatic (Hands-On Review)

When the global demand for ever faster cars really started to take off in the 1960s, Delma was one of the first Swiss watch brands to respond to this global development with a dedicated collection of racing chronographs.

The family business, which has been in existence since 1924, launched a series of bi-compax chronographs (see first picture on the left) to capture the zeitgeist of the era and provide racing fans with the right watch for their wrists. With the new Continental collection, Delma now takes up the theme of racing once again and presents a completely redesigned line of chronographs.

Delma Continental Automatic

The 42mm case of the watch sits securely – and above all comfortably – on the wrist thanks to the 7-link bracelet with brushed surfaces and polished flanks. Although the watch is also available with a quartz movement, the watch in our review is powered by the precise Sellita SW510 automatic chronograph movement, beating away at 4Hz or 28,000 vibrations per hour.

The contrasting sub-dial at 3 o’clock is the 30-minute counter and indicates the elapsed minutes, while the sub-dial at 9 o’clock is a small second that reflects the running seconds of the watch. Other notable features include the chronograph’s red central seconds hand and the tachymeter scale around the dial, which just ooze nostalgic vibes that will take you back straight to the 1960s.

The new Delma Continental Automatic at a glance:

• Reference: 41701.702.6.031
• Case diameter: 42 mm
• Winding: Automatic
• Caliber: Sellita SW510
• Power reserve: 48h
• Case height: 15.2 mm
• Bracelet: Stainless steel
• Lug width: 22 mm
• Glass: Sapphire on top, mineral below
• WR: 100m/330ft
• Features: Chronograph, Date, Tachymeter
• RRP: 2,800€

Delma in the shop

If you are interested in the new Delma Continental Automatic, head over to our shop.