Matthew Mercury’s Dan W has moved from a quartz chronograph into full mechanical territory, and the change is more than a movement swap.
For a young American microbrand, the Dan W Automatic is the kind of release that speaks directly to collectors who care about feel, architecture and the ritual of a chronograph pusher.
At a glance
- Matthew Mercury has added an automatic mechanical chronograph to the Dan W line.
- The watch keeps a 42mm stainless steel case but grows to 13.85mm thick to house a Sellita SW500a movement.
- It is priced at £1,132, approximately $1,500, and is currently sold out with restock alerts offered by the brand.
A broader Dan W with proper tool-watch presence
The Dan W Automatic keeps the 42mm diameter of the quartz version, but its profile changes considerably.
At 13.85mm thick, the stainless steel case is notably more substantial than the 9.8mm quartz model, giving the watch a stronger wrist presence and a more purposeful chronograph stance.
That extra depth suits the brief.
This is a timing watch with motorsport-adjacent energy, and the larger case makes it feel closer to something built for a pit wall than a slim dress-adjacent chronograph.
The watch is rated to 100 metres of water resistance and is paired with a royal blue FKM rubber strap secured by a pin buckle.
It’s a practical choice that keeps the watch in sport-watch territory without overcomplicating the design.
The white dial has been reworked around the new movement
The white dial carries over the core Dan W identity, including the blue ring that separates the central dial from the outer hour and minute track.
The architecture has been adjusted to suit the automatic calibre beneath it.
The chronograph layout now places the 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, running seconds at 9 o’clock and the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock.
The subdials are larger than before, with tighter spacing that gives the face a denser, more mechanical look.
Day and date indications are also part of the package, making the watch more useful as a daily chronograph rather than a weekend-only timing piece.
The Sellita SW500a changes the personality
The most important upgrade is the Sellita SW500a inside the case.
It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, and delivers a 62-hour power reserve.
Beyond the numbers, the movement changes how the Dan W behaves on the wrist.
The chronograph seconds hand sweeps rather than ticks, and the start pusher delivers the kind of immediate mechanical feedback that many collectors look for in an analogue chronograph.
That’s where the Dan W Automatic earns its place in the range.
It isn’t simply a more expensive version of an existing design, but a watch with a different rhythm and a more enthusiast-focused appeal.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Matthew Mercury |
|---|---|
| Model | Dan W Automatic |
| Case size | 42mm diameter, 13.85mm thickness |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Dial | White |
| Movement | Sellita calibre SW500a |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph, 4 Hz |
| Power reserve | 62 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, day, date |
| Water resistance | 100 metres, 10 bar |
| Strap | Royal blue FKM rubber strap with pin buckle |
| Price | £1,132, approximately $1,500 |
| Availability | Currently sold out, with email registration for restock updates |
For Matthew Mercury, the Dan W Automatic feels like a clear move toward the collector market.
It keeps the visual confidence of the line while adding the tactile satisfaction and mechanical substance that can turn a good chronograph design into a watch people actively seek out.
