The DWC Vayu Pilot Watch

The Dehli Watch Company

There’s a short backstory about how this watch ended up on my desk. I’ve been aware of the Delhi Watch Company for quite some time but have never had an experience with their watches since the brand is located in Delhi, India. However, that would change thanks to Dan Mann (@thedansome) and his 12 Days of Dansome Holiday Giveaways. Dan had multiple brands (from watches to golf) donate prizes for the 12 Days of Dansome, and the Dehli Watch Company donated their pilot watch, the Vayu, which I am very grateful to have won.

DWC Vayu Pilot Watch Review — DWC Vayu Pilot Watch @horologyobsessed

Dirty Dozen Inspiration

Inspired by the WWII “Dirty Dozen” watches and the Indian Air Force, the aesthetic of the DWC Vayu is a classic pilot watch. I love a clean pilot watch, especially a black dial with a leather strap. Something about it makes for a great daily driver/flyer or a dress watch, perfect for any occasion. I’ve always enjoyed minimal and highly legible watches, and the Vayu readily offers both–a common trait in most pilot watches (unless styled like a Navitimer). The goal was to create a contemporary pilot’s watch regarding specs and sizing while keeping the dial’s vintage aesthetic; the Vayu perfectly reflects that goal.

Key Features of the DWC Vayu

The size of the Vayu creates a fantastic wearing experience with its 40mm stainless steel case, 47.6mm lug-to-lug and thickness of 11.8mm. Basing the watch on specs alone, it wears as you’d think: a well-balanced watch that hugs the wrist thanks to its curved lugs and sits comfortably under a sweater or jacket sleeve. The Vayu is comfortable, but it also looks great with its black dial with white indices and the pop of colour from the Indian Airforce Roundel at 6:00.

In the past, DWC has implemented refurbished movements from HMT and Citizen watches. Still, they’ve switched to the reliable Seiko NH35A automatic for this round–a great choice regarding consistency and reliability. I always think new movements are a better option regarding Quality Control.

SPECS

Case	316L Stainless Steel 40mm Diameter 47.6mm Lug to Lug 11.8mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Case Back 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Sapphire Crystal Printed Markers Pencil Handset Super-LumiNova
Movement	Seiko NH35A 24 Jewels 21 600bph 41-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Vintage-styled Leather /w Steel Buckle

DWC Vayu Pilot Watch

Of Interest

Delhi Watch Company began as a passion project and the experimentation of designing/creating wristwatches. DWC entered the watch market with their first line of quartz watches with minimalistic designs to understand the market and what it’s looking for. While the brand is relatively new, they’re planning to hit 2024 strong with new releases and colour variations to current models and intend to have more watches in stock more consistently.

Quibbles

My critique of the watch is short but fair. I’m a fan of the Vayu, but I think one small detail should be changed. The first is the implementation of the Seiko NH35A, which has a date complication, but no date window is available on the Vayu. That means there is a ghost position in the crown, and yes, you can feel the date change if you rotate the crown in the ghost position. I recommend switching to the NH38 to remove the date complication.

Final Thoughts

The Delhi Watch Company Vayu is a modern watch with a classic aesthetic that feels great on the wrist and can be worn for any occasion. These are great for those just getting into mechanical watches or seasoned enthusiasts who simply want a badass pilot watch. While the Vayu is currently out of stock, DWC has confirmed on their website that 2024 will be filled with excellent new releases.

Pricing & Availability

The DWC Vayu will retail for approximately $100 USD, once the restock is complete. For more information, please visit the brand website.

About the Author

Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.

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