Dango, the machined-wallet company, makes watches the same way: 45 mm 316L stainless cases, quick-release straps, lume, and a movement chosen for the job, Japanese Miyota quartz at $149, Swiss Ronda at $225 to $425, and automatics at $425 to $475. There are seven and this review goes through all of them, with the movement, crystal and water rating on each.
Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Spec-Ops, $149 | 45 mm 316L case, Cerakote ceramic-coated head, compass-style dial, Miyota 2315 quartz, domed mineral crystal, nylon strap, 50 m, lume; burnt bronze, Keltec blue, OD green, urban grey, desert sand |
| R-Spec, $149 | 45 mm, genuine carbon fiber odometer-style dial, Miyota 2315, domed mineral, quick-release silicone band, 50 m, lume; red or cement grey band |
| Dapper, $149 | 45 mm, Miyota 2315, domed mineral, quick-release Italian leather, 50 m, lume, 36-month battery, 110 g; black face / whiskey brown or white face / black |
| TK-01 Trek, $225 | 45 mm, Swiss Ronda 515, sapphire, Italian leather, 50 m, lume, 45-month battery, 102 g |
| CR-01 Chrono, $425 | 45 mm, Swiss Ronda 3540.D chronograph with tachymeter, sapphire, Italian leather, 100 m, lume, 54-month battery, 204 g |
| GMT-01, $475 | Automatic GMT, dual time zones, sapphire, lume, metal bracelet |
| DV-02, $425 | Automatic dive watch, 300 m, sapphire, lume, metal bracelet |
The $149 tier
Three watches on the same Miyota 2315 two-hand quartz and 45 mm case with domed mineral crystal and 50 meters, in three personalities: the Spec-Ops with a Cerakote head and compass dial for the tactical look, the R-Spec with a carbon fiber dial for the motorsport look, the Dapper on Italian leather for the dress look. Two hands, no date, easy to read. The value is the case and the finish.
The Swiss tier
The TK-01 Trek moves to a Swiss Ronda 515 and a sapphire crystal at $225, which is the upgrade that matters for scratches. The CR-01 Chrono is a Ronda 3540.D chronograph with a tachymeter, sapphire, 100 meters and a 54-month battery at $425; it is heavy at 204 grams and it is the most watch in the line.
The automatics
The DV-02 dive watch at 300 meters and the GMT-01 with a second time zone, both with sapphire, lume and bracelets. Self-winding, no battery, the ones for people who want a mechanical.
Sizing
Every Dango is 45 mm with 22 mm lugs. On a small wrist that is big; on a medium wrist it wears like a field watch. Straps are quick-release, so swapping is tool-free.
Which one
Under $150: Spec-Ops. Sapphire on a budget: TK-01. A chronograph: CR-01. A mechanical: DV-02.
Frequently asked questions
Are Dango watches good?
For the money, yes: 316L cases, real lume, Miyota or Swiss movements, sapphire above $225.
What movement is in the Dango Spec-Ops?
Japanese Miyota 2315 quartz.
Which Dango watches have sapphire?
TK-01, CR-01, GMT-01 and DV-02.
Are Dango watches waterproof?
50 m on the $149 and TK-01, 100 m on the CR-01, 300 m on the DV-02.
How big are they?
45 mm, 22 mm lugs.
The bottom line
The Spec-Ops for $149, the TK-01 for sapphire, the DV-02 for an automatic.
Related reading
Best quartz watches
Best automatic watches under $500
The 9 best everyday watches under $150
