First Look at the Damasko DC82 Central-Minutes Chronograph With a Date

Damasko is back with an updated version of their much loved DC80 chrono, that of the central-minute-counting variety, similar in spec to highly collectible watches powered by the Lemania 5100. This is a small iteration with the addition of a date window, and it retains all of the functionality and proudly utilitarian look of prior Damasko releases. When the DC80 was launched, Zach wondered aloud what the future had in store for this line, and we recently got to check out the next step. Let’s take a closer look at the new DC82.

Damasko DC82 Central-Minutes Chronograph

• Case Material: Ice hardened steel
• Dial: black
• Dimensions: 42 x 50 x 13.9mm
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 10 bar
• Crown: Screw down; patented lubrication cell system
• Movement: C51-2 central-minutes chronograph with date
• Strap/bracelet: various options including bracelet and leather
• Price: starting at $2,630
• Expected release: Available now

The star of the show with this watch is the somewhat unusual movement. Unlike a typical chronograph that uses a series of registers to count elapsed time, the DC82 uses a central-minute counter to tick off the minutes as they go by. This makes for an extremely legible chronograph and could prove incredibly useful to anyone who finds themselves timing things that are less than an hour in duration. If your timing needs are longer than an hour, well, this watch is not for you, but just consider how much easier it is to read the elapsed minutes on the wide open Damasko dial than it is on the more traditional layout of something like, for example, the Omega Speedmaster. Also worth acknowledging is the rotating 60 minute countdown timer, which adds even more functionality to this watch’s timing ability.

The date window of the DC82 is well integrated at 4:30 and adds some additional unobtrusive functionality. I’m personally not a fan of date windows on chronographs because of the additional clutter on an already packed dial, but I think one can make a good case for a date on this layout considering it has eliminated the crowded sub-register “problem.” The DC82 just doesn’t look like a chronograph, so it doesn’t suffer from many of the aesthetic and design challenges of watches with the same complication in a more traditional layout. Undoubtedly, a significant amount of appeal for this watch lies in the stealthiness of the complication. At a glance, a casual observer would only be tipped off to the chronograph lurking under the hood by the telltale pushers on either side of the crown.

In addition to the standard black dial with white indices arrangement, the DC82 is available in a high contrast green colorway that adds a pop of color to the chronograph hands, 60/0 pip on the bezel, and stitching on the strap. Each model is also available in a DAMEST black version, which gives the case a more tactical look. Regardless of the color chosen, you have a dial that presents as extremely legible, with large white indices every five minutes, and smaller but still incredibly crisp indices at each minute marker.

The DC82 is a logical and welcome update to what was an extremely well received entry into the Damasko line just a short time ago. As has been covered at length on Worn & Wound, Damasko is a brand that does things the right way when it comes to the manufacture of cases, movements, and dial components, and the finished products tend to be of a very high quality. If you haven’t watched our short film from when we visited Damasko’s factory, then you can do so below.

The Damasko DC82 is available now via Damasko or via special order through the Windup Watch Shop, which is operated by Worn & Wound.