Watch Review: Diesel Fastback Men's Watch

What would you do if a watch company offered an understated timepiece that was affordable, readable, perfectly proportioned, and tasteful.  In the case of Diesel watches, you might take their temperature and ask them if they felt okay.  Diesel watches are known for bold, over-the-top, designs that often combine huge watch cases, multi-layered dials, interesting subdials, and lots of interesting textures and materials under the crystal.  They make watches that tend to catch the eye and hold your attention.  However, they have also made a watch that is quite simply perfect for everyday wear, the Diesel Fastback (Model DZ1838).

Diesel Watch Design

The Diesel Fastback emphasized readability above everything else.  It has large hour and minute hands that are bright, white, and readable.  If you just take the quickest of glances at this watch, you know what time it is.  In a world full of watches with subdials that make you squint, the Fastback Diesel does what it is supposed to do.  There isn't even a date window.  The second hand is in a bright yellow that is also easy to read.

When you flip the watch over, you 'll find an etched caseback featuring a man with a Mohawk and the Diesel motto "Only the Brave."

Diesel Watch Construction

The Diesel Fastback offers an all stainless steel case, a mineral crystal, and a genuine leather strap.  The case is 45mm in diameter and 10mm thick.  The leather strap is 22mm wide and comes in a deep shade of blue.    It's an attractive dark color that goes well with blue jean denim.  The strap is 9.5 inches long.  The package is tight enough to provide 5 BAR (or 167 feet) of water resistance.

After a few months of wear and some light dish washing duty with this watch, I'm finding that it is one of the most comfortable watches in my collection.  The leather has been fading comfortably around the edges a bit, but the watch remains a solid performer.

Overall Review of the Diesel Fastback Watch

I really like the Diesel Fastback Watch.  While it may be out of character for a brand built on exuberant styling, this watch is excellent for every day wear.  It's a purposeful and attractive timepiece that makes a great addition to any watch box.

The Best of Diesel Watches on Amazon

I've put together a page with some of best Diesel watches that I've found on Amazon.  It has the models that everyone wants. You can find my Best Diesel Watches on Amazon page here!

Wristwatch Review: Diesel Deadeye Watch

This Christmas, my wife got me a fashion forward Diesel watch from Belk.  This watch is called the Diesel Deadeye Watch (DZ4409) and, according to the Diesel website, it draws inspiration from vintage military instrument panels.

Diesel Deadeye Watch Design

In the beginning, Diesel watches were big and bold and seemed to be about the size of the alarm clock that typically hangs from rapper Flavor Flav's neck.  The brand brought 50 to 60 millimeter watch cases to the market and made this look great.

Rapper Flavor Flav - photo by Javier Mediavilla Ezquibela (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

Now Diesel watches are taking those initial design queues and evolving in some interesting directions.  This watch is a prime example.  It's more than just big.  From the front, the Diesel Deadeye looks like a competently executed what with sub-dials.  But, the bezel makes it special.  It's transparent.  When you look at the bezel from certain angles, it magnifies the minute numbers.  From other angles, the transparent bezel makes the watch dial appear to be suspended in mid-air.  It's very cool!

The Diesel Deadeye watch also features a hinged crown guard which is a nifty feature for those of us who are prone to bang watches into thing.  It also adds to the interest level of this watch. 

Of course, this watch also shares some common design themes that run through the Diesel line.

Only the Brave - Diesel Deadeye Watch etched caseback

Diesel Deadeye Watch Dimensions

This watch is large.  It has a 51 by 56 millimeter diameter case that is 13 millimeters thick.  It is secured to the wrist by a supple black leather strap.  Despite the size, I didn't find this watch awkward or heavy.  It is quite comfortable.  The watch offers 5 atmospheres (150 feet) of water resistance.  However, I wouldn't recommend swimming or diving.  This is a fashion watch design.

Diesel Deadeye Watch Strap

Diesel Deadeye Watch Conclusion

Diesel watches make bold design statements and are designed to be noticed and draw commentary.  By that standard, the Diesel Deadeye (DZ4409) is a very successful design.  However, as bold as this watch is, it is understated enough for wear by watch lovers of all ages.  I like that this design wins with an innovative bezel and dial rather than sheer size and bling.  I find this watch interesting every time I glance at it.  That's why this Diesel is a great addition to any watch collection.  I highly recommend it.

If you are a fan of Diesel watches, check out my review of the multi-time zone Diesel Machinus.

Wristwatch Review: Diesel Machinus Quartz Watch

A Watch Designed to Track Four Timezones

This is the Diesel watch that my wonderful wife gave me for my birthday.  It's the Diesel Machinus model DZ7359. 

Diesel Machinus model DZ7359

Diesel Watch Design

If you work for a multi-national corporation, this watch has a very cool design feature:  four subdials to keep time in four different time zones.  Now, you can coordinate with the UK, the US East Coast, the US West Coast, and Mumbai, India.  You pick the time zones and set the clocks independently.

A bridge in Mumbai, India

The Machinus has an interesting dial design that incorporates instrument panel and "carbon fiber" looks into a cohesive and modern design.  If you are looking for that distinctive big dial diesel look, you'll find it in this watch.  It has a 55 millimeter diameter case that is 14 millimeter thick case.  It's all secured by a robust 26 millimeter wide leather band.

Diesel Machinus watch (case back)

Diesel Watch Leather Strap

The genuine leather band for this watch is one of the strong points.  It is thick and robust.  It is properly sized for the bulk of the watch.  It has a rich, weathered, look to it and the patina of a comfortable pair of favorite shoes.

Diesel Machinus Leather Strap

Setting the Time on the Diesel Machinus

One thing you'll notice is that for subdials 1 and 3, there are crowns that stick out where the leather strap and case meet.  Those are used for setting the dials at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions respectively.

Diesel Machinus model DZ7359

Despite the odd placement of the crowns, they don't get in the way.  The subdials at 9 and 3 o'clock are set electronically by a button underneath each that advances the hours as needed.

Drawbacks to the Diesel Machinus

Any watch with unusual design features is sure to generate opinions.  In my opinion, the only real drawback to this watch is that the subdials are small and not easy to read.  I'd like to see this watch with slightly larger hands and more lume.  Basically, I love the sub-dials, but I don't have the eyes to read them well any more.  I can read them, but I do have to stop and focus on them.

Diesel Machinus Watch

Overall, the Diesel Machinus has been a great addition to my watch collection.  The multiple subdial design allows me to know the time where my far-flung co-workers live.  The style is a great blend of traditional and contemporary features.  It's an interesting and unusual timepiece that is sure to start conversation.  If you are looking for a gift for a watch collector, this is a great one.

The Best of Diesel Watches on Amazon

I've put together a page with some of best Diesel watches that I've found on Amazon.  It has the models that everyone wants. You can find my Best Diesel Watches on Amazon page here!