Proxima PX1734 Review — Depth and Restraint With Chronograph Precision

Is it simply human nature to want the most refinement for the least amount of money? Whatever the answer, the Proxima PX1734 makes a compelling case. This chronograph arrives positioned firmly in the sub-$100 bracket before tax, yet immediately signals that it belongs in more considered company. Proxima is already spoken of in the same breath as premium AliExpress microbrands, and the PX1734 shows exactly why.

This is not a watch that relies on loud styling or spec-sheet bravado. Instead, it presents itself as a thoughtfully designed chronograph, one where geometry, proportion, and restraint do the heavy lifting. From the first moment on the wrist, it feels compact, deliberate, and intelligently laid out. Nothing appears superfluous, and nothing feels underdeveloped. The PX1734 doesn’t try to overwhelm—it simply invites closer inspection, rewarding attention with layered details and coherent design choices throughout. More Proxima reviews here.

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Design & Case

From above, the PX1734 immediately reads as a wide-set, grounded design. The lugs spread outward confidently, acting as a visual base that stabilizes the watch on the wrist. These lug hoods fall away in a single sharp line, and because the spring bars sit high and tight to the case, the strap pivots straight down, giving the watch an almost integrated appearance.

Look closer and the architecture becomes more complex. The overall cushion outline frames a rectangular fixed bezel with softened corners, set slightly down into the case structure. That recessed bezel, combined with the printed internal tachymeter under the crystal, keeps the watch visually compact despite its substance. On paper, the dimensions sit squarely in the sweet spot: 39.2 mm in diameter, 11.7 mm thick, and 44.6 mm lug-to-lug, paired with a 6.3 mm screw-down crown.

In profile, the layering is clear. A tall, muscular mid-case—horizontally brushed and gently pinched at the lugs—is sandwiched between two polished elements: the polished bezel ring above and the polished lip of the screw-down caseback below. Smooth bevels manage these transitions, allowing light to move cleanly between surfaces without harsh edges. On the right flank, polished chronograph pushers flank the screw-down crown, whose fine, notchy threading feels purposeful and precise. Because the tachymeter sits beneath the flat sapphire crystal, the bezel never balloons the silhouette. Instead, the dial architecture pulls the eye inward, further shrinking the watch visually on the wrist. The result is a retro-inspired case that feels compact, architectural, and quietly confident.

Movement & Crown

Powering the Proxima PX1734 is the Seiko VK64 meca-quartz chronograph movement, a choice that aligns perfectly with the watch’s hybrid retro-modern intent. The movement offers quartz accuracy of up to ±20 seconds per month and a battery life typically reaching around three years, while retaining the tactile satisfaction of a mechanical chronograph module. The central chronograph seconds hand steps in 0.2-second increments, and reset is instant and crisp, snapping cleanly back to zero. Find other chronograph reviews on our website.

Importantly, there is no continuously running seconds hand cluttering the dial. Timekeeping remains clean and focused, with chronograph functions appearing only when needed. The pushers reinforce this sense of mechanical intent, delivering a firm, positive response that feels deliberate rather than spongy.

The 6.3 mm screw-down crown integrates smoothly into this system. Its threading engages quickly, seating securely without resistance or grind. Once screwed down, it contributes to the watch’s 100 m water-resistance rating, ensuring the PX1734 remains practical rather than purely aesthetic. The movement and control layout together strike an effective balance between reliability, usability, and vintage chronograph character.

Bezel

The PX1734 forgoes a traditional external tachymeter bezel in favor of a more integrated solution. The bezel itself is fixed and polished, framing the crystal cleanly without adding visual bulk. Instead, the tachymeter scale is printed beneath the sapphire crystal on a glossy black chapter ring, creating depth while keeping the outer profile slim.

This approach does two things well. First, it preserves the compact feel of the case, preventing the watch from appearing top-heavy. Second, it adds a subtle three-dimensional quality, with the tachymeter sitting one layer below the crystal, followed by the rehaut and then the dial itself. The effect is architectural rather than decorative—functional information presented in a clean, layered hierarchy that enhances legibility without overwhelming the design.

Strap

Rather than a bracelet, the PX1734 is paired with a black perforated leather strap that completes its retro-sport brief. The strap drops straight off the lugs thanks to the high spring-bar placement, allowing the watch to sit comfortably on wrists as small as 5 inches and up. With a 44.6 mm lug-to-lug, this straight-down pivot is key to its excellent wearability.

Ventilation is excellent, with perforations running fully through the strap to the skin. Padding is restrained—enough to feel cushioned without adding bulk. Two stitched keepers provide security, and the hardware continues the mixed-finish theme: a polished buckle with a brushed tip that catches light subtly without drawing attention. The buckle is unsigned, and while the beige underside of the strap carries no “genuine leather” marking, in hand it feels convincingly like real leather—soft, pliable, and comfortable.

Crucially, the strap is fitted with quick-release spring bars, making swaps effortless. While a rally or rubber strap would work, the supplied perforated leather suits the watch’s character perfectly. Turning the watch over reveals a screw-down caseback with a polished outer lip, brushed and lightly bead-blasted center, and crisp perimeter engraving detailing stainless-steel construction, sapphire crystal, 100 m water resistance, and chronograph designation. The layered finishes echo the front-of-case architecture, reinforcing a sense of cohesion.

Crystal & Dial

Visually, the PX1734’s charm centers on its crystal and dial execution. A flat slab of synthetic sapphire crystal, treated with anti-reflective coating, sits perfectly flush with the fixed bezel. There is no dome and no distortion—just clean sightlines and a total thickness that remains a disciplined 11.7 mm.

Beneath the crystal, the dial reveals careful layering. The glossy black tachymeter ring sits beneath the sapphire, followed by a stepped rehaut, before the dial itself comes into view. This staged construction adds depth and subtly reduces the watch’s perceived size. The dial is enamel red at the center, fading gradually to near black at the edges. A fine white minute track is printed just inside the rehaut for crisp legibility against the darker perimeter.

Markers are elongated lume-filled batons with dark chrome surrounds. The 3, 6, and 9 markers are omitted to preserve space for complications: a 24-hour sub-dial at 3, a 60-minute chronograph register at 9, and a well-framed date window at 6 that maintains vertical symmetry. Branding is restrained, with Proxima under 12 and Chronograph above six. Hands follow the same logic—chrome frames with BGW9 lume, while the central chronograph seconds hand is polished metal, catching light as it sweeps. Lume performance is vivid, blue, and long-lasting, consistent with Proxima’s reputation.

Summary

The Proxima PX1734 is a study in doing the right things—and only the right things. It blends simplicity with complication, vintage aesthetics with modern execution, and thoughtful geometry with practical dimensions. There are no unnecessary sub-dials, no excess thickness, and no design elements that feel forced. The modest lug-to-lug length, flat sapphire crystal, and layered dial architecture work together to create a chronograph that wears compact, reads clearly, and feels complete.

At around $100 before tax, the value proposition is difficult to ignore. Many brands miss these fundamentals entirely, while Proxima has clearly understood them. The PX1734 doesn’t just look good—it makes sense. For anyone seeking a retro-leaning chronograph that balances form, function, and price with rare clarity, this is a watch that deserves serious consideration.

There are plenty of interesting watches in the $50-$200 price range, yet this Proxima is a distinct highlight of affordable quality.

Pproxima PX1734 Specifications

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