Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Darth Vader 51-30 Auto

The 51-30 Automatic limited is easily the most interesting watch in the Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Collection. Firstly, it is powered by an automatic movement (a custom ETA 2824-2). This immediately steps-up the class of this piece in comparison to the rest of the range. The case is 51mm and solid stainless steel. To reflect its superior strength, the water resistance has been increased to 300 meters. The triple gasket screw down crown is a nice touch, but I wonder why Nixon didn’t see fit to upgrade the mineral crystal to anti-reflective sapphire.

The Nixon Star Wars Dark Side 51-30 Automatic

This watch looks immediately different because of the 9 o’clock crown placement, which seems to be done for purely stylistic reasons. The dial of the Nixon Star Wars Dark Side 51-30 Automatic is based on Darth Vader’s helmet. The breathing grille that covers his mouth can be seen at 6 o’clock, while the famous red blade of his light saber pops-up on the seconds hand. The steel bracelet is heavily articulated and features a double locking clasp with a micro adjuster, enabling a snug fit. The custom rotor weight on the movement is neat, and visible through the glass case back. It’s the most striking external difference between the Nixon Star Wars Dark Side 51-30 Automatic and the quartz option of the same watch, the 51-30.

A smaller Darth Vader piece called the Nixon Star Wars Dark Side 38-30 has also been released. Aside from the reduced size, it has a slightly different bezel profile, and a dial that looks decidedly flatter than its bigger brothers’. Additionally, the water resistance has gone down to 200 meters, but this is not a serious diving watch, so it is still more than sufficient.

Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Sentry SS

Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Time Teller

There are three more watches loosely based on the Empire. The Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Sentry SS is a 42mm stainless steel watch with a screw-down crown with enamel fill, 100 meters water resistance, and a steel link bracelet. The Sentry SS dial is decorated with a black-on-black rendering of the Imperial logo. Completing the Nixon Star Wars Dark Side range are The Time Teller Leather and The Small Time Teller Leather. The Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Time Teller watches are 37 and 26mm wide respectively, both featuring quartz movements and 100 meters of water resistance. These plain watches with nothing but a light saber second hand and a faint Imperial logo on the dial to link them to the franchise are water resistant to 100 meters and the only watches in the range to feature leather straps.

Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Boba Fett Ranger

Finally, the Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Boba Fett Ranger enlarges the range that débuted earlier this year. It is a 44mm-wide stainless steel case in a nice olive-green colour. The bezel is maroon and yellow to match Boba Fett’s outfit. The strap is a 22mm custom webbing band with a genuine leather backing. It, like the Stormtrooper and Imperial Pilot watches before it, features a date window at 6 o’clock. For me, it’s probably the pick of the quartz models, but only because I love Boba Fett. The most modern is probably the Stormtrooper Ranger, and the most versatile, the Imperial Pilot Ranger. Simply put, if you like Star Wars, this collection will probably offer something you fancy.

Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Small Time Teller

With so many new watches on offer at a variety of different price points, the Nixon Star Wars Dark Side Collection offers plenty of choice for fans of the legendary franchise. To make things simple, here’s a price list of all watches that are available and those soon to be available on Nixon’s website and in their retail outlets across the globe. nixon.com