Vario 1918 Trench, 1908 Patent Strap and Strap Abomination
Well, i finally did it
After a few weeks of sniping on Vario's website i finally pulled the trigger and bought the 1918 Trench Watch.
Was it worth it? Definitely!
The movement is a simple Miyota 8000 series, but who cares
Apart from that the build quality is excellent! Extremely solid and well finished case, with an amazing enamel dial, which is perfectly shiny and well lumed. Also with domed sapphire, which is a welcome addition.
Damn, also the strap is great. I will have to make myself bad publicity, but yeah, i will actually use it between the other straps, as it's actually subtle and well finished.
Here's the point, i mentioned "other straps", and as we are talking about a wire lug watch we have a catch.
Not being able to use standard straps i obviously had to try and make something weird to use with the watch, so i made a couple new straps for it.
Here's the more normal strap, one which is inspired from a 1908 patent i've seen on this article:
http://af0210strap.com/the-history-of-the-nato-watch-strap-nato-straps-in-the-great-war-wwi-era/
Which is very in depth and full of great pictures!
Here's the one i'm talking about:
The second one is kind of an abomination i've came up while waiting for it to arrive, i'll let the pictures talk for themselves:
I think it's a pretty interesting result, sadly it's on the bulkier side, i'll keep it for the colder months as it sticks out a bit more than i would like on my skinny wrist!
Overall a great watch which suits my likings very well as i love history and vintage stuff, and also triggers some creativity with its unique lugs!
Leathercrafter working in Venice, musician, bachelor aerospace engineer! Check mc_leather_ on IG to see some of my work!
Love this trench watch. My choice would be the cream dial & orange lume.
Love this trench watch. My choice would be the cream dial & orange lume.
That was also one of my options!
What width on the strap? Asking for a friend who has a sudden urge to pick up a 1918...
What width on the strap? Asking for a friend who has a sudden urge to pick up a 1918...
The 37mm I have uses 18mm straps, while the 40mm one uses 20mm straps!
Love the idea of a modern trench watch. a total throwback to the watches if ww1 (basically converted pocket watches). needless to say this one might just now be in my radar. cheers friend.
What width on the strap? Asking for a friend who has a sudden urge to pick up a 1918...
I asked you not to mention me…
Love mine; agree it has a great finish and dial. I’ve already have tried several strap varieties, although the OG leather strap is fine on its own:
It fits my wrist better without the Bund backing:
And, finally ready for a secret agent day:
Enjoy yours!!
The 37mm I have uses 18mm straps, while the 40mm one uses 20mm straps!
Nice, thanks!
Glad you are enjoying it. I bought a Vario a couple of years' back, reassured by the CS that would refund me with return if I didn't like it.
Sadly, the watch wasn't for me. Imagine my shock when the least expensive option for return shipping from the US was over $120. Holy crap!
Very nice! Great work as always with the special touch of history.
I have been meaning to add a Vario 1918 Trench to my collection, and I am glad to hear you are enjoying yours. The straps you fashioned work well, and I have to admit the fixed lugs are the primary reason I have not yet added one of these to my collection. I have a Bertucci that is a great watch but has the same situation with fixed lugs limiting strap options.
One thing that has NOT made me hesitant is the presence of a Miyota 8000 series movement. I have a number of watches in my collection with 8000 series movements, including one that I think is similar to the Vario 1918 Trench, the Brillier Airborne. It is a pilot's watch rather than a trench watch, but it has a similar retro aesthetic and a high quality build that includes sapphire crystal, coupled with a Miyota 8215 movement. It is also a bit more expensive than the 1918 Trench, but it is assembled in the US at the Fine Timepiece Solutions factory.
Glad you are enjoying it. I bought a Vario a couple of years' back, reassured by the CS that would refund me with return if I didn't like it.
Sadly, the watch wasn't for me. Imagine my shock when the least expensive option for return shipping from the US was over $120. Holy crap!
On mine I had to pay a truckload of import taxes! It is what it is I guess D:
I like your bund - looks really good.
We had a really good discussion about the Vario Trench in a previous post:
https://www.watchcrunch.com/Jericho/posts/someone-with-experience-with-the-vario-1918-trench-watch-10768
I gave some nice shots of different options for strapping up the 1918 Trench together with recommending the Trench Watch Crystal Protector.
I also posted some nice shots of vintage trench watches.
Check it out.
I like your bund - looks really good.
We had a really good discussion about the Vario Trench in a previous post:
https://www.watchcrunch.com/Jericho/posts/someone-with-experience-with-the-vario-1918-trench-watch-10768
I gave some nice shots of different options for strapping up the 1918 Trench together with recommending the Trench Watch Crystal Protector.
I also posted some nice shots of vintage trench watches.
Check it out.
Oh yes, i remember your stunning collection! I'm hoping the shrapnel protector will be back available some day so that I'll be able to pick one up.
I'll have to try and make a strap like the one you have, more bund-like with the long rectangle pad
Glad you are enjoying it. I bought a Vario a couple of years' back, reassured by the CS that would refund me with return if I didn't like it.
Sadly, the watch wasn't for me. Imagine my shock when the least expensive option for return shipping from the US was over $120. Holy crap!
out of curiosity which Vario was it you didn't like?
out of curiosity which Vario was it you didn't like?
Vario Eclipse Salmon Handwind. Salmon was too pale, case felt cheap and the tweed strap, although way cool, felt like it was as thick or thicker than the watch case. Didn't wear well at all. 😢
Where can I get the bund strap in the first pic?
Where can I get the bund strap in the first pic?
I make them! Drop me a message if you would like something similar :D
I make them! Drop me a message if you would like something similar :D
Ok