Delma Gives the Commander Pilot’s Watch a Sharper 40mm Case

Delma is best known for robust dive watches, but the Commander gives the Swiss brand a different kind of tool-watch identity.

The latest version moves the pilot’s watch into a more wearable 40mm format, keeping the clear instrument-style dial while making the case easier to live with day to day.

It’s a practical update for anyone who likes aviation watches but doesn’t want the oversized feel that often comes with the category.

At a glance

A smaller Commander built for everyday wear

The biggest change is the case size.

Previous Commander models sat in larger 45mm territory, while this new edition comes in at 40mm across, 11.5mm thick and 48mm lug to lug.

Those numbers put it in a more versatile part of the pilot-watch spectrum, especially for buyers who want legibility without a watch that dominates the wrist.

The case is made from 316L stainless steel, with satin-brushed surfaces and polished bevelled edges giving it a cleaner, more contemporary finish.

A fluted crown carries the Delma logo, while the sapphire crystal gets anti-reflective treatment for better readability.

The watch also has a sapphire display back and 100 metres of water resistance, so it isn’t limited to fair-weather desk duty.

A cockpit-style dial with four personalities

The Commander’s dial stays close to the core logic of a pilot’s watch, with large Arabic numerals and broad central hands treated with Super-LumiNova C3.

The central seconds hand is luminous as well, a useful detail on a watch that leans into functional clarity.

A redesigned minute track runs around the outer edge, using dots and numerals to mark five-minute intervals.

Closer to the centre, a 24-hour scale adds to the instrument feel without cluttering the main hour display.

The date sits at 3 o’clock, keeping the layout familiar and practical.

Delma offers the new Commander in black, navy blue, olive green and salmon, giving the watch a broader range than the usual pilot-watch palette.

The black and navy versions feel the most traditional, the olive green adds a subtle military tone, and the salmon dial gives the model a warmer, less expected character.

A proven Sellita automatic inside

Inside the Commander is the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement.

It’s a familiar Swiss calibre in this segment, running at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering around 41 hours of power reserve.

The movement handles hours, minutes, central seconds and date, matching the straightforward utility of the watch itself.

Each version is paired with a handmade Italian leather strap with matching stitching and a stainless steel pin buckle.

The 20mm lug width should also make strap changes simple for owners who like to rotate between leather, textile or other casual options.

Details & Specifications

The new Commander feels like a sensible move from Delma, not a reinvention for its own sake.

By bringing the case down to 40mm and keeping the price approachable, it gives the brand’s aviation line a stronger everyday proposition for collectors who value legibility, mechanical simplicity and a more restrained wrist presence.