Driver watches were designed for racers in the early 20th century who needed to check the time without turning their wrists. The tilted dial solved this problem: wear the watch on the inside of your wrist, grip the steering wheel, and the time is right there. Before tachymeters and digital displays, this was the solution for people who needed both hands on the wheel and still needed to know how long until the next pit stop.
The design first appeared in the 1920s and has barely changed since. The offset dial remains the defining feature, though modern versions add contemporary movements and materials while preserving the core idea.
Vario 1918 Pilot
The Vario 1918 Pilot is technically a pilot watch, but shares the clear dial and robust build that drivers need. The vintage aesthetic works well on the wrist whether you're behind a wheel or just appreciate the style.
Baltany Homage 1921 Driver Watch
The Baltany Homage 1921 pays tribute to early driver watches with a tilted dial and automatic movement. It's an affordable entry point for anyone curious about the style.
De Rijke Amalfi Series I
The Amalfi Series I from De Rijke adds a rotating case, which lets you adjust the angle depending on how you're wearing it. A clever update to the original concept.
Howard Stainless Steel Art Deco Driver's Watch
This Howard watch is a genuine Art Deco piece from the era when these designs were new. The original dial and stainless steel case show how well these watches were built for their time.
Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921
The Historiques American 1921 is Vacheron Constantin's take on the driver watch. The diagonal dial layout sits in a case finished to the standard you'd expect from one of watchmaking's oldest houses.
Longines Avigation Type A-7 Series
The Longines Avigation Type A-7 series started as a military aviation watch but the tilted dial works just as well for drivers. The 2020 edition has a black dial and the same angled layout that made the original useful in a cockpit.
- Longines Avigation Type A-7 American Air Power
- Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 Review
- Longines Avigation Type A-7 Bronze Edition
- Value Proposition: Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935
- Hands-On 2020 Edition
RGM Model 222-RR
RGM's Model 222-RR started as a railroad watch, but the readable dial and solid construction make it a natural fit alongside driver watches. American-made and built to last.
