One Diver to rule them all...
I bought no watches in 2022 and most of 2023 and instead just contemplated my collection and decided what I really wanted for the long haul. So, I was ready and waiting for the holiday sales this year to scoop up my picks.
In all honesty, mechanical movements just don't suit my lifestyle. I would have my watches in and out of timepiece ICU constantly if they were mechs. I've also got a very small wrist and the extra thickness that an automatic movement adds can be a deal breaker in terms of fit.
I love my quartz watches, but dead batteries are a pain. So, I wanted to shift my collection toward as many solar movements as possible to get the best of both worlds; slim profile, accuracy, reliability, low maintenance, and perpetual time-keeping. I also wanted to focus on classic, versatile designs that I could easily transform with different straps.
This 38mm solar diver from Vaer ticks all the boxes. I love its modern classic styling, compact size, generous battery reserve, and quality build. It's just perfect for me. 😊
Vaer as a company is a godsend for the small-wristed among us. Co-founder Reagan Cook has a 6.5" wrist and it's reflected in their lineup, with every watch model being offered with an option for sub 40mm sizing. The sculpting of the cases and the compact lug-to-lug further enhances the wearability of their watches at any diameter. They just melt into the wrist and wear so comfortably!
Jack of all trades, master of fun. Casio fan, 80s kid, polymath, all-around nerd. Beware: I use watches for their intended purpose. 😱
i think vaers are super cool. i've looked at this very watch, for some of the same reasons.
but really, my question is where did you get that strap?
Got my lady the VAER solar and 10/10! Now if one of us would just wear it… 🥹 lol
i think vaers are super cool. i've looked at this very watch, for some of the same reasons.
but really, my question is where did you get that strap?
I assume you mean the strap with the Japanese seigaiha wave pattern. It was a pickup from CNS Watchbands and just too perfect not to put on a diver! They have it in a paratrooper, which is what I have, and a Marine Nationale style. Under $10 and the strap and hardware are both quality.
You can find it here.
I bought two Vaer watches this year and they're excellent. I was super pleased with the fit and finish, especially for the price. If you're thinking about it, I say go for it! I think they still have a 20% off sale going right now.
Got my lady the VAER solar and 10/10! Now if one of us would just wear it… 🥹 lol
That's awesome! I'm loving their solar offerings! When asked, they told me they have more solar releases planed for 2024. 😎
Which model did you get for your better half?
I assume you mean the strap with the Japanese seigaiha wave pattern. It was a pickup from CNS Watchbands and just too perfect not to put on a diver! They have it in a paratrooper, which is what I have, and a Marine Nationale style. Under $10 and the strap and hardware are both quality.
You can find it here.
I bought two Vaer watches this year and they're excellent. I was super pleased with the fit and finish, especially for the price. If you're thinking about it, I say go for it! I think they still have a 20% off sale going right now.
Thats is fantastic looking strap, will order
That's awesome! I'm loving their solar offerings! When asked, they told me they have more solar releases planed for 2024. 😎
Which model did you get for your better half?
Well give me a second and let me pop her out! (Will be in wrist all day cuz of you, brotha lol)
Thats is fantastic looking strap, will order
Lil tight but man am I gonna pop this on a NATO
At least with my C3 they know how to arch lugs downward a bit, which makes such a difference for comfort. I was going to say this almost looked a bit empty with the lack of superfluous text, but I was thinking it was typical behemoth size.
Well give me a second and let me pop her out! (Will be in wrist all day cuz of you, brotha lol)
That would be "sista" actually, but we're all family here, so it's all good! 😂 ♀️
Lil tight but man am I gonna pop this on a NATO
Yes! Wear the Vaer!
One of us... One of us... 🍻
That would be "sista" actually, but we're all family here, so it's all good! 😂 ♀️
Sis, my apologies! Hope I didn’t come off like a jerk! I’m sorry! I’m new here and not looking at pro pictures much lol
That would be "sista" actually, but we're all family here, so it's all good! 😂 ♀️
You’re collection is beautiful btw! Not snobbin’ or anything lol just checkin profiles now 🧐😜
At least with my C3 they know how to arch lugs downward a bit, which makes such a difference for comfort. I was going to say this almost looked a bit empty with the lack of superfluous text, but I was thinking it was typical behemoth size.
I have a C3 as well and on both they do put a nice downturn on the lugs. It agree, it makes quite a difference for comfort. Below 7" in wrist diameter it also reduces the risk of overhang and strap gap. Oddly, Timex is one of the only other companies that consistently gets this right.
As for the dial, I appreciate that it's so clean. If I want the whole product brochure on the dial, I'll pull out a Casio! 😂
Great looks on the watch and strap combos. Already looking into CNS.
I assume you mean the strap with the Japanese seigaiha wave pattern. It was a pickup from CNS Watchbands and just too perfect not to put on a diver! They have it in a paratrooper, which is what I have, and a Marine Nationale style. Under $10 and the strap and hardware are both quality.
You can find it here.
I bought two Vaer watches this year and they're excellent. I was super pleased with the fit and finish, especially for the price. If you're thinking about it, I say go for it! I think they still have a 20% off sale going right now.
cool, thanks
You sold me! Congratulations on your awesome beautiful watch! I’ll definitely be saving to get this watch next. 🌈
You sold me! Congratulations on your awesome beautiful watch! I’ll definitely be saving to get this watch next. 🌈
Go Navy!
You can wear the parartrooper with the excess tucked under the watch, like this:
Or you can slide the buckle toward the end and wear it without a pass, like this:
I'm sure you could also trim the strap down and seal the end if you wanted. My wrist is 6" and I have about 1" of strap leftover beyond the buckle if I wear it with no pass like above, so ymmv depending on wrist size.
If I wear it the standard way, it's just fine, but I have a more flat/bony wrist and I've seen on people with more round/fleshy wrists that the excess can sometimes boogie around and creep out from under the watch.
I tried their MNs and personally didn't like the lack of adjustment. No matter which way I wore it, it was either too loose or too tight. Hope that helps your decision!
Thanks a lot! Yeah, wearing it like in the second picture does look interesting ... but then by not passing at all it kind of isn't a nato anymore? Wish they did the regular MN you find o aliexpress with the single pass closed loop 😅
lOoking at their fotos of the MN it does look like it would wear probably very loose if you put the watch on the single fabric side ...I don't know, I'll wait for them to cancel my order and then decide, but I still have to get one like yours either MN or PT ✌️
What amazes me is that you didn’t buy pretty much any watches in 2 years 😂😂 I wish I had that discipline, great looking watch by the way 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽
Not gonna lie, it was hard! I mostly distracted myself by picking up some new straps and trying to wear the watches I already had.
What really helped was using a trick similar to one I use when editing my closet. You take all of your watches out and put them back in the box upside down. Wear what you feel moved to wear - don't overthink it. When you finish wearing a watch, put it away right side up. At the end of a month, or 3, or 6, you can see what didn't get worn. If you want to take it to the next level, take the upside down watches out and put them away out of sight. See if you go looking for them or if you forget about them.
That helped me sort out watches that I really vibed with and loved from ones I bought just because I thought they were cool at the time.
That looks awesome! 🔥
Thanks a lot! Yeah, wearing it like in the second picture does look interesting ... but then by not passing at all it kind of isn't a nato anymore? Wish they did the regular MN you find o aliexpress with the single pass closed loop 😅
lOoking at their fotos of the MN it does look like it would wear probably very loose if you put the watch on the single fabric side ...I don't know, I'll wait for them to cancel my order and then decide, but I still have to get one like yours either MN or PT ✌️
Exactly, you loose the redundancy. I don't really tend to wear it that way, but it can be good on a heavy watch. Sometimes heavy watch heads can feel a little wobbly on a paratrooper due to the elastic and it sliding a little on the excess strap material. Wearing it with no pass can feel more stable on the wrist in that case.
I hope you find the right fit! Make sure to post pics for us when you get it! We could start a whole seigaiha diver trend. 🌊 😎
Exactly, you loose the redundancy. I don't really tend to wear it that way, but it can be good on a heavy watch. Sometimes heavy watch heads can feel a little wobbly on a paratrooper due to the elastic and it sliding a little on the excess strap material. Wearing it with no pass can feel more stable on the wrist in that case.
I hope you find the right fit! Make sure to post pics for us when you get it! We could start a whole seigaiha diver trend. 🌊 😎
Thanks! sure will!😎
I consider Vaer my first micro brand when I got a low-end 36mm S3 quartz. But sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance got me through vacation surfing lessons. (Yes, I scuffed sapphire. But it didn’t shatter!) And…when I finally got around to sending them a fan letter a couple years later, they sent me a t-shirt I did not even ask for. Great company. Great watches.
That's an awesome story! And the dial on that S3 looks fresh - just a super clean design.
Vaer is my first micro purchase as well. I like what they're doing the micro brand space by offering a range of price points, and multiple colors, sizes, and movement options for each model. I also dig that they're trying to do as much assembly as sourcing in the US as they can instead of just being an American brand in name only. 👍🏽
Not gonna lie, it was hard! I mostly distracted myself by picking up some new straps and trying to wear the watches I already had.
What really helped was using a trick similar to one I use when editing my closet. You take all of your watches out and put them back in the box upside down. Wear what you feel moved to wear - don't overthink it. When you finish wearing a watch, put it away right side up. At the end of a month, or 3, or 6, you can see what didn't get worn. If you want to take it to the next level, take the upside down watches out and put them away out of sight. See if you go looking for them or if you forget about them.
That helped me sort out watches that I really vibed with and loved from ones I bought just because I thought they were cool at the time.
Interesting, I just might try that 🤔🤔 thanks!
I’m a big fan of Vaer! They make lovely watches, and American assembly. I went with their Tactical Field with an Ameriquartz movement to support US watchmaking🇺🇸
Such a great watch! I’m a fan of Vaer as well…
Love the clean design of that diver!
Is the Premium V2 Steel Bracelet worth the money (+ $70)?
Love the clean design of that diver!
Is the Premium V2 Steel Bracelet worth the money (+ $70)?
I went with the nylon strap options so I haven't tried their bracelets. There are some deep dive videos on their YouTube channel on different models and iirc, they have a detailed look at their bracelets in one of those videos.