I’m Watching You

How do you change batteries? Is there a caseback? Can you flick the watch to let it rotate? Do I need another rectangular watch? How thick is it? Are there multiple dial colours? What's the lug width? Does it look as good as their other watches? Is it small seconds or no seconds?

I'm sooo subscribed to the newsletter, really looking forward to this one.

I never have had a Vario, but I have never not wanted to.

Erm, in order of your questions:

1. Don’t know.
2.  Don’t know.
3.  Don’t know.
4. Don’t know.
5. Don’t know.
6. Don’t know.
7. Don’t know.
8. Don’t know.
9. Maybe, but I really don’t know.

Hope that helps 😉

I guess we’ll just have to wait on the newsletter!

Hehe thank you for the answers, that are questions that go through my head over the last days, I just had to let them out of there - this is really a release where I follow the newsletter, posts, ...

They’ve really not let much information come out on this one apart case shape and ‘flippiness’…!

Ruh Row, didn’t know about this one. You got my attention. I do like my 1918. 

Like the Cartier Tank, this is a piece that I'd prefer to have in a quartz movement.  Setting one watch is a pain in the arse, but setting two watches for one wear would be over the top.

Yes! I want one! this Will go well with my collection 😉 actually tracking it for a while when they kinda hinted a new release a few weeks ago…

I am interested to see the design too. I hope it has to separate dial colours as well

I really hope it doesn’t have a seconds hand!

Is it me, the specs are up? Or am I reading it wrong?

Specifications                                                                     
Case length: 40mm
Case width: 26mm
Case thickness: 12mm
Dial: 2 Tone Sector / Enamel
Crystal: flat sapphire with inner AR applied
Lug width: 20mm
Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Movement: 2 x Ronda Slimtech 1062 1 Jewel repairable Swiss quartz movement with 6 year battery life.
Water resistance: 5 atm
Strap: Veg Tan Italian leather with deployant clasp
Warranty: 1 year global warranty

Colours
Available in Red, Green, Blue with Silver Sector Dial on all 3 versions (Limited Edition of 100 each)

Pricing
US$428 retail. 8% OFF till 31 Dec 22

I like what Vario is doing in the Microbrand space.  I purchased an Empire watch from them a while back and was struck by the unique qualities of the case (not a case shape I'd seen before), and the contrasting patterns on the salmon dial (circular brushed and guilloche).

Their field watch, the 1918, is like nothing else on the market.  It really feels like an updated version of field watches that were used during WWI, and their jumping hour Popeye watches used movements that were new to the space at the time. 

I mean this in the nicest possible way, but damn you right to hell.  I'm over here trying to save money for a large (for me) watch purchase early next year, and people like you keep tossing new watch ideas at me.  If it weren't for this kind of nonsense, I'd already have a BB58.  And don't bother talking to me about willpower, I won't be blamed for my watch situation.  I'm the victim here.

The article you posted suggests that the watch will not have a seconds hand.  

I would expect any enthusiast brand that puts out a watch like this would exclude the seconds hand to avoid the quartz tick.

The Pelagos 39 is the dark horse here.  I wasn't considering the Pelagos due to size, but now I'm not sure.

Agreed.  The deal is that if you want to wear a watch from that era, you'll be wearing something that is so flimsy that will fail in no time.  Timepieces of the era were in no way shock resistant or water resistant, so at their advanced age, I would be concerned about sweat, let alone water.

I feel the same way.  I like reissues or tributes to very old vintage watches.  Too much trouble to get the originals. 

I suspect it also saves a millimeter or so of height.

Also, the fact that there are exposed screw heads on one bezel and not on the other is a good hint as to how this gets schucked to replace batteries.

Well, it just so happens that I’ve got one on my desk for review...

Oh , hello…!

Looking forward to seeing your thoughts/insights on it! Any idea when you’ll be posting it up?

Next week. Probably the 22nd or 23rd. Haven't had the chance to wear it yet but it's a clever watch and unlike anything else its price range.

Thanks, appreciated! Look forward to it!

Yeah that's right, but the Basculante was an attempt to cash in on the success of the Reverso I believe

Haha, I bet! It’s such a great design

Vario is always doing such cool stuff - they are the Lorier of Singapore.

This one I will have to pass on though as it is way too small for my wrist.

I had to pass on Lorier's Zephyr as well due to the small size...even though they are releasing this amazing red dial version...

I may get to try on the Zephyr in a few weeks. Looking forward to seeing the colours in person! 

Vario seem to be even more niche with their designs. I hope they continue with their design ethos once the current fad for vintage designs subsides a little.  Both they and Lorier seem content in designing smaller cases/well proportioned watches in general

It's a really cool watch! Vario is an easy company to promote as they are amazing! Ivan and Judy are truly wonderful people!