Pagani Design PD1816 Hands-On Review – Affordable and Striking Chronograph

Pagani Design PD1816 arrives as a racing-styled chronograph built around familiar design cues and a specification set that leans into value. Across its dial, case, and crystal, the watch draws on mid-century motorsport aesthetics while keeping to a straightforward quartz-hybrid movement. What follows is a closer look at its construction, proportions, and the way these elements come together on the wrist. You may want to explore other mecha-quartz chronographs we reviewed.

Pagani Design PD1816 – Racing Chronograph

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Design & Case

The PD1816 presents noticeable wrist presence, driven primarily by its 42.1 mm diameter and 14 mm thickness. Much of that height is owed to the boxed, slightly domed synthetic sapphire crystal, which stands proud above the radially brushed fixed bezel and contributes to the watch’s vintage-styled profile. Lug-to-lug distance measures 53 mm, extended further by male end links that push the effective span outward. Lug width is 20 mm, tapering to 16 mm at the clasp, giving the bracelet a more refined drop without reducing overall visual weight.

The stainless-steel case features linear brushing along the flanks and a polished 45-degree bevel transitioning into polished lug hoods. The bevel narrows at the center and widens toward the lugs, creating a layered look. On the right side, a signed 5.7 mm screw-down crown sits between two pushers. The finishing throughout aligns with what’s typically expected in this bracket—functional, clean, and consistent.

Movement & Crown

Inside is the Seiko VK67 mecha-quartz movement. Its hybrid design delivers a smooth chronograph sweep and a mechanical-style reset, combined with quartz accuracy. The movement is quoted as having 0.2-second precision, with an expected battery life of two to three years depending on use. Operation through the pushers is described as tactile and direct. The screw-down crown supports the stated 100 m water resistance, integrating reliably into everyday handling.

Bezel

The watch uses a fixed, radially brushed stainless-steel bezel topped with a matte black tachymeter ring. The printed scale is slim and restrained, giving the dial the bulk of the visual emphasis. Under stronger light, the ring reads as charcoal rather than deep black, which softens the contrast without diminishing legibility of the white markings.

Bracelet

The PD1816 is fitted with a Jubilee-style stainless-steel bracelet beginning at 20 mm and tapering to 16 mm. Its outer links are brushed while the three central links are polished, echoing the mixed finishing of the case. The clasp is signed, with brushed facets and a polished center, and features a milled inner wing rather than stamped components. Fluidity is high, contributing to comfort, though at the cost of slightly looser tolerances. On a 6.5-inch wrist, the watch wears without overhang despite the extended lug-to-lug measurement.

Crystal & Dial

Front and center is the boxed synthetic sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, showing a bluish or purplish hue at certain angles. The curvature appears consistent at extreme angles, suggesting a double-domed profile with minimal distortion.

The dial leans heavily into motorsport theming: a matte black base framed by a red-and-white checkered periphery. A matching miniature motif decorates the recessed sub-dials, which introduce a sunburst texture for contrast. Applied baton indices mark each hour, interrupted at 3 o’clock by a date window with a black date wheel blending into the dial. The handset is white for the hours and minutes, while the chronograph seconds hand is red with a lumed arrow tip. Lume performance is described as bright and long-lasting for this category, adding practical visibility.

Summary

The PD1816 brings together a hybrid chronograph movement, a bold dial treatment, and a case design that leans large on the wrist. Its synthetic sapphire crystal, mecha-quartz layout, and Jubilee-style bracelet create an overall package grounded in accessible sports styling. While the watch borrows heavily from traditional racing chronographs, it maintains a clear and direct execution defined by its proportions, finishing, and dial texture. It offers a recognisable aesthetic with components that align with its intended market position.

Specification Table

Pagani Design PD1816 – Racing Chronograph

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