The Festina F16573/1 is a large, 46 mm stainless steel quartz watch from Festina’s “Retro” line, with a white dial, date window, a 24-hour sub-dial, luminous hands, 50 meters of water resistance and a black leather strap. It was sold in Europe at roughly 110 euros, and retailer listings now show it as sold out, so you will likely find it only through leftover stock or the secondhand market. This is a specs-based review: it draws on published specifications and the retail listing, not on a long-term wrist test.
Quick answer: The F16573/1 is a 46 mm steel quartz watch (50 m water resistance, mineral crystal, 23 mm leather strap) that appears to be discontinued. If you want a current Festina chronograph, look at the Timeless Chronograph line (44 mm, 100 m water resistance, around $150 to $250 depending on strap and retailer).
Is the F16573/1 really a chronograph?
This is the first thing worth clearing up. Searches for “Festina quartz chronograph F16573/1” turn up the Retro model listing above, and the manufacturer data we found describes a date display and a 24-hour dial rather than a full stopwatch layout. Festina sells many watches with chronograph-style sub-dials, and the reference numbers in the F165xx range are close to other chronograph references, so it is easy to mix them up. If you are shopping for this exact reference, check the dial and the pushers in the photos. If there are no pushers on the case side, it is a time-and-date watch with a decorative or 24-hour sub-dial, not a working stopwatch.
Specifications
| Spec | Festina F16573/1 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Retro |
| Case | Round stainless steel, 46 mm wide, about 12 mm thick |
| Weight | About 80 g |
| Movement | Quartz, rated about plus or minus 15 seconds per month |
| Crystal | Mineral |
| Water resistance | 50 m (suitable for splashes and hand washing, not swimming) |
| Dial | White, date window, 24-hour sub-dial, luminous hands |
| Strap | Black leather, 23 mm lug width |
| Original price | About 110 euros at a European retailer |
| Warranty | Five years (as listed by the retailer) |
Design and wearability
Size
The headline number is 46 mm. That is a big case by 2026 standards, when most buyers favor 38 to 42 mm. With a 12 mm height and 80 g weight, it will sit prominently on the wrist. It suits large wrists (roughly 7.5 inches and up) and anyone who likes a bold, retro-sporty presence. On smaller wrists, it may overhang. A 23 mm strap is an unusual width too, which makes replacement straps slightly harder to find than the common 22 mm.
Dial and legibility
A white dial with luminous hands is a practical pairing: high contrast in daylight, with some night readability. The date window and 24-hour sub-dial add useful information without cluttering the dial too much, based on the product images and descriptions. The mineral crystal is common at this price, but it scratches more easily than sapphire, so expect small marks over time.
Movement
Quartz keeps it simple and accurate. A rating of about 15 seconds a month is typical for an entry-level quartz and far more precise than an affordable mechanical watch. The trade-off is the usual one: you replace the battery every couple of years, and quartz lacks the romance of a mechanical movement. The retailer page did not name the movement manufacturer, so we will not guess at it.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Attractive value at around 110 euros; stainless steel case; clear dial with lume; accurate quartz; long manufacturer warranty from the retailer.
- Cons: Very large for many wrists; 50 m water resistance is modest; mineral crystal; hard to find now; unusual 23 mm strap width; confusing reference naming with real chronographs.
Is it discontinued?
Festina has not published an end-of-life notice that we could find, but the retailer listing says the sale has ended, and we did not find it in the sources we checked as a current model. Treat it as discontinued or at least out of regular production. Festina refreshes its collections frequently, so references like F16573/1 tend to rotate out within a few years.
If you do find a unit, check the following before buying: a warranty card or receipt, a clean case back, a working date change, and a crown that screws or seats firmly. Be wary of unusually low prices from unknown sellers, and read our guide on how to spot a fake watch.
Current Festina alternatives
Festina’s closest current-style option for someone who wants a true quartz chronograph is the Timeless Chronograph family. One reference we verified is the F20695/1, a 44 mm stainless steel chronograph with a silver dial, date at 3 o’clock, stopwatch and tachymeter functions, 100 m water resistance and a black leather strap, listed at about 149 euros (note that this exact listing also showed as sold out). Related references in the same family include F20692 and F20695 variants in different dial and strap colors. Availability changes constantly, so confirm stock before you set your heart on a specific code.
| Option | Best for | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|
| Festina Timeless Chronograph (for example F20695 family) | A working quartz chronograph at a modest price | $150 to $250 |
| Other Festina chronograph lines | Sportier looks, colored dials | $130 to $300 |
| Citizen or Casio quartz chronographs | Better water resistance for similar money | $100 to $250 |
For related buying advice, see the best dress watches under $500 and titanium versus stainless steel if you are comparing case materials.
Who should buy it, and who should skip it
Buy it if you have a larger wrist, like a clean white dial, and want a dependable everyday quartz with a date for well under the cost of a mid-range Japanese automatic. The 24-hour display is a nice touch for people who track time across zones or work shifts. It also pairs easily with a change of strap if you prefer a more casual canvas or rubber look, provided you buy the right 23 mm width or use a strap with adjustable spring bars.
Skip it if you want a genuine stopwatch function, if you swim regularly, or if you have a wrist under about 6.5 inches, where a 46 mm case will wear very large. In those cases, a smaller chronograph with 100 m water resistance will serve you better.
Care tips for a quartz steel watch
- Battery: Replace it promptly when the second hand starts jumping or the watch slows, since a leaking cell can damage the movement.
- Water: Rinse in fresh water only after incidental splashes, and avoid hot showers, saunas and pressing the crown underwater.
- Leather strap: Keep it dry and rotate straps if you wear the watch daily; leather wears faster than steel.
- Seals: Have the gaskets checked whenever the battery is changed if you rely on the 50 m rating.
Verdict
The F16573/1 is a decent-value, bold quartz watch for people with large wrists who want a date and a 24-hour display. It is not a standout in finishing or specs, but it delivers what the price promised. The practical problem is that it is no longer easy to buy new. If you want a chronograph, a current Timeless Chronograph is the better route. If you simply want a large, simple steel quartz, this one is a fine find at a low price on the secondhand market.
FAQ
How big is the Festina F16573/1?
The case is 46 mm in diameter and about 12 mm thick, with a 23 mm strap.
Is the F16573/1 water resistant?
It is rated to 50 m, which covers splashes and rain but is not recommended for swimming or diving.
Is the F16573/1 discontinued?
It appears to be. Retailer pages list it as sold out, and we did not find it offered as a current model.
What is a good current alternative?
The Festina Timeless Chronograph family, with 44 mm cases and 100 m water resistance, is the nearest current-style match.