Swiss/German watch maker whose main modus operandi is to use Swiss movements with good quality "homage" watch designs meant to satisfy the needs of watch lovers looking for particular styles but not wanting to pay the higher prices of most Swiss watch brands. Other model names include the Business Pilot Chronograph, Classic Automatic, World Traveller Chronograph, Gentleman Automatic, and the like. Not all of their names are merely descriptive in that manner, but several of them are. On top of that, Davosa’s watch names lack character. This interesting timepiece is just called the "Titanium Chronograph."
That’s not a bad thing per se, but it helps put the brand into perspective and assists the right people in getting one. For example, Davosa has their own branded Rolex Submariner homage. Sure, the water resistance is only 50 meters, but that is common when you have "original-looking" chronograph cases. Is it just like the Rolex Submariner? No. It is a Rolex Submariner exact copy? No. It is more or less similar to the Rolex Submariner with a Swiss movement, ceramic bezel, and similar style for a fraction of the price? Yes. Here, Davosa tries their arm at creating a Davosa version of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore. I would still rather have the Rolex, but the Davosa Ternos Ceramic Automatic (the name of the Submariner homage) is priced at 798 euros (just over $900 at the exchange rate at the time of writing this).
Anyhow, that’s just a bit about the brand itself. Davosa is excellent for "watch beginners" trying to find their preferred style and those who are simply on a budget by necessity. So after all I have said about a lack of originality I’d like to review what is among their more original designs, despite the amusingly straightforward "Titanium Chronograph" name of this series.
I’ve seen other stuff at this price point, and you could do far, far worse than Davosa. Honestly, the quality of their stuff is actually quite impressive. So what you get with a brand like Davosa is value and quality, but what you give up is originality and a degree of personality. What I like the most about their watches is how they use the materials and manufacturing techniques available to them in some of the best possible ways. In the most basic of senses, Davosa satisfies their promise of offering a decent watch at a really fair price, so you really can’t complain much on that level.
Titanium case, legible multi-layer dial, no "stock supplier parts" (well, maybe the hands, but just a little), and a price tag of under $2,000 (at current exchange rates). You can immediately tell, at least in the case of the modern Davosa watches I’ve seen, that the company is really trying to do their best when it comes to fit, finish, and details – again, especially at these price points.
One of the things you expect to find with "Swiss chronographs" under $2,000 is a lot of places where corners are cut. So where is Davosa cutting corners? Surprisingly not in that several places. Davosa uses an AR-coated sapphire crystal over the dial, and the crown is screw-down.
Putting it into perspective a bit, if you had a watch like this for an even moderately well-known Swiss watch maker, the price would jump by at least $1,000 – $2,000 more. No, it isn’t exactly a copy, and there are other design elements that you might find familiar, but this is the brand’s "large-sized sports chronograph."Even the design of the case with the chronograph pushers that sit flush with the crown is interesting.