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Emporio Armani Three-Hand Black Steel Mens Watch
Ref. AX2701
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The Cayde sits within Armani Exchange's more stripped-back range, built around the idea that a dress-adjacent watch should disappear into an outfit rather than compete with it. Everything here is resolved into black — case, dial, bracelet, indices, hands — with a sunray finish on the dial providing the only textural variation. At 8mm thick, it slides under a fitted cuff without distorting the line of a shirt sleeve, which is the practical argument for the whole design. The black baton hands and matching indices read clearly in good light but offer nothing in low conditions, so this is a watch for the day. The deployant clasp and 11-link bracelet adjust by pin removal to fit most wrists without needing a jeweller.
- Reference
- AX2701
- Brand
- Emporio Armani
- Case size
- 42mm
- Case thickness
- 8mm
- Lug width
- 20mm
- Case material
- Black PVD
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Movement
- Quartz
- Water resistance
- 50m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Black
- Clasp
- Deployant clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Learn more about Emporio Armani
Giorgio Armani launched Emporio Armani in 1981 as a younger, more accessible line beneath the main label. Watches followed under licence, and since 2000 they have been produced by Fossil Group, which holds the manufacturing and distribution rights.
The watches are fashion accessories rather than horological objects, and the house does not claim otherwise. Movements are bought-in quartz and Japanese automatic calibres, cased in designs that follow the clothing line's aesthetic: muted palettes, clean dials, and a preference for restraint over ornament.
That restraint is the appeal. Where much of the licensed-fashion category reaches for size and shine, Emporio Armani generally does not, and the better references in the line are quietly proportioned watches at prices well under the Swiss entry point.
- 1975
- Giorgio Armani founds his fashion house in Milan.
- 1981
- Emporio Armani launches as a diffusion line.
- 2000
- Fossil Group takes over watch production under licence.
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
Strengths
- 8mm is unusually slim for a 42mm case
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
Worth knowing
- 50m suits rain and handwashing, not swimming
Compare alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | AX2701 | MK3492 | 1710726 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £169 | £169 | £169 |
| Case size | 42mm | 42mm | 42mm |
| Water resistance | 50m | 50m | 50m |
| Movement | Quartz | Quartz | Quartz |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap |
| This watch | Closely matched | Closely matched |
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Showering yes, swimming no. 50m covers splashes and brief immersion, but a swimming stroke generates well above the pressure that figure describes.
Will the glass scratch?
It can, over time. Mineral glass handles daily wear but will pick up fine scratches that sapphire would not.
Does it need a battery?
Yes. It is quartz, so expect a battery change every two to three years at a jeweller.
What size strap does it take?
20mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
Goldsmiths is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference new, at £169. There is nothing to compare it against today.
Who are Goldsmiths?
Goldsmiths has been selling watches in Britain since 1778 and is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They are an authorised dealer, so a watch comes with the manufacturer’s own warranty.
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