Delbana, a brand with a rich history rooted in Goliardo Della Balda's vision of creating accessible, high-quality Swiss timepieces since 1931, continues its legacy with the latest enhancements to its Rotonda collection. Having navigated the challenges of the quartz crisis and subsequent revitalization, Delbana, now merged with Delma Watch Ltd., remains committed to its core philosophy. The Rotonda series, initially launched in 2021 with a distinctive 1950s flair, receives a fresh update as the brand approaches its 95th anniversary. This expansion introduces four vibrant new dial colors along with subtle design revisions that evolve its classic retro appeal.
These new additions to the Rotonda family blend vintage inspiration with contemporary refinements. The collection's name, derived from the Latin 'rotunda' signifying circular architecture, points to the watch's prominent circular design elements. While earlier Rotonda models emphasized a two-tone dial with a patterned center and contrasting chapter ring, the new releases embrace a monochromatic aesthetic. This shift, combined with updated hour markers and a simplified minute/seconds track, subtly modernizes the watch's appearance. Crafted with a polished stainless steel case and powered by a reliable automatic movement, these timepieces offer a choice of metal bracelets or premium Italian leather straps, maintaining Delbana's commitment to both style and value.
Refined Aesthetics and Modernized Dial Features
The latest iteration of the Delbana Rotonda collection introduces a refreshed visual identity, moving away from the previous two-tone dial configuration to a more unified, monochromatic appearance. This design evolution sees the central 'rotunda' area now finished with a vertical brushing, providing a sophisticated contrast to the matte chapter ring. The former design's distinctive green dots and arrow-shaped markers have been replaced by larger, more contemporary luminescent Arabic numerals and sleek baton-shaped indices, enhancing readability and updating the watch's overall aesthetic to appeal to modern tastes while retaining a nod to its heritage.
A notable update in these new Rotonda models includes a simplified peripheral minutes/seconds track, which now features clear short markers and Arabic numerals at every five-minute interval, complementing the more pronounced hour markers. The date window at 3 o'clock consistently features a white background across all color variations. Retaining classic elements, the hands maintain their vintage syringe-shaped profile, now enhanced with luminescent material for improved visibility in low light. The iconic red arrow tip on the seconds hand, a signature of the Rotonda line, remains, as does the brand logo which faithfully reproduces the original Delbana font, bridging the past with the present.
Robust Construction and Reliable Performance
The Delbana Rotonda watches are housed in a durable stainless steel case measuring 40mm in diameter and 11.5mm in height, providing a balanced and comfortable fit suitable for various wrist sizes. The case is entirely polished, contributing to an elegant and refined look. Protecting the dial is a scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal, ensuring clarity and resilience. The watch's 50-meter water resistance rating makes it practical for daily wear, guarding against splashes and brief immersion, and enhancing its versatility as an everyday dress watch.
Underneath the surface, a transparent caseback offers a glimpse into the reliable Sellita SW 200-1 automatic movement, an industry workhorse known for its consistent performance. This movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and offers a power reserve of 38 to 41 hours, providing dependable timekeeping with central hours, minutes, seconds, and date functions. Customers can choose between an interchangeable polished stainless steel bracelet, fitted with a butterfly clasp, or a selection of handmade Italian leather straps in various colors, allowing for personalization and catering to different style preferences while upholding Delbana's commitment to quality and value.