How does he sleep at night? Well nvm, I guess he's probably too busy fighting crime at night. I saw the mask in a reflection and I know what he does when he's not tempting people into buying gear.
Yeah, if you REALLY want a watch you can totally forget about, go with the solar quartz with radio control setting. Until you "knife guys" got me looking at these sleek and sexy watches, I was perfectly happy with my Citizen!!
I received this one a few weeks ago and it's my new go-to. The size is one of my favorite features, oddly enough. Definitely go with the premium bracelet option over the standard shown here.
Great looking grab and go watch. I like that there are more and more US watch companies. Can’t wait for a “USA Made” on the dial. Vaer does have a US assembled movement. I like how this one hits all the markers too!
I’ve had a Vaer D4 Meridian for about a year now. Overall, I strongly dislike it. I just feel the quality of the watch is very poor. Yes, it was made in America, but that doesn’t mean anything when the second hand doesn’t even line up perfectly with the indices. I also am very unsatisfied with the lume. I could leave this watch under an led light for a few minutes and it would still hardly be visible in the dark, and that’s no joke. My final grievance is about the bezel itself. The lume marker at the top of the bezel has literally fallen out of the watch leaving an open hole that drives me nuts to look at. If I could do things over again I would have returned this watch right away and bought another Orient or a Seiko. I honestly would not recommend this watch to anybody.
I have this exact watch. I love the watch head, especially the military SMP300 design. Another downside of the metal bracelet is even with the security fold-over, it's easy to pop open the clasp. The silicone and tropic straps are of good quality.
What I love about watches is that they are a low-key way of saying "I have disposable income" I also love the aesthetic. Dials and mechanisms are honestly beautiful to me.
I've had my eye on this for a while... Along with the Seiko SNE573 solar diver which has a date but sucks for value. I think this looks great and ticks most of the boxes for me. Glad to know Bruce Wayne agrees!
The SNE line of solar watches from Seiko are an option that think blow these away. Although more expensive they can be found for under 400.00. They have better lume, drilled lugs, ISO certification, 10 month power reserve, diver extension on bracelet, thinner, and an overall more unique look. So for 40.00 to 140.00 more dollars, I think you get a better watch.
I have the Vaer C3 ameriquartz watch. It is awesome. There are certainly a lot of vintage Rolex explorer vibes, but at an affordable price. Nick is right: the lume needs some work, but it is a great watch. Totally recommended.
Watch this review!! This reviewer is a master of his trade. Really enjoyed this and appreciate all the information you expertly shared in this review . Thank you very nice sir
I bought with with leather band but am gonna buy premium bracelet for it soon my only grip that I was gonna let go was the alignment was off on bezel. I'm gonna email them about it see if it can be fixed. It looks of on yours too.
Nick, I like your review style very much. I agree with you on the desirability of solar movements. I do not have one, but I am now going to purchase one, most likely Vaer. I plan to use it often and to set my automatic watches with it. Thanks! Mike
I've never had this model however I did buy two other Vaer's...and returned them for QC problems...and the last time it took six weeks to get a refund. Too many better choices. I won't use them again.
I have found their customer service to be perfect. Had an issue with the lined leather strap and had a replacement within a week. Sory to hear your experience was not as smooth.
Almost got this, decided on the Seiko SNE573. It's the same size, has drilled lugs, same movement, and sapphire. It is more expensive, the bracelet is inferior (so I ordered the rubber configuration and just use miltat generic 20mm for the bracelet), the sapphire doesn't have AR, but it's still worth it to me for the date. This Vaer has a date mechanism in the movement (it's a Seiko movement), but it's hidden and the founders have expressed their commitment to keeping their solar divers date-free (boo). Great review Nick!
Been waiting for an "ultimate" solar diver... This is close but they need to make one that's about double the price with date function and maybe tritium markers / hands? Keep it 39mm!
G'day Nick, right up my alley this one; so clean and legible and accurate and power reserve and ..............As you say, could be absolutely outstanding with a few tweaks, mostly around the bracelet area. Yes a bit deep, the lum needs a pump up and I would like to see two way bezel action. Still very good unit at the price IMO, great review as usual and thanks for showing it. Cheers Duke.
@@eyeofthetiger4184 some watches have a bidirectional bezel, 12 hour time zones for instance. but if a diver could accidentally spin the bezel clockwise while he is diving, he could trick himself into thinking he spent less time at depth than he really did, which could cause him to rise too quickly and get the bends.cheers
OK, ya need some help here Nick. It's a nice watch--that you can get for...in the $100 range...unless you just need to pay for something with the letters V A E R on it. A quartz is a quartz, which you point out by showing how cheap they are to replace. Synthetic sapphires are very nice, especially DOMED sapphire, which this is--gives is a blingier look--but they really aren't that expensive. They took a quartz watch, put a sapphire crystal on it, and jacked the price up to $300, and they will make money on gullible people who think facebook ads aren't selling stuff with jacked-up prices. Solar is great--and many watch companies use solar these days because--they don't need battery changes. Solar is arguably the best QUARTZ movement, but it's not the best movement. There's a reason that Rolexes sell for $10k and that Vaer $100 watch will sell for $300 to people who don't know anything about watches or where to shop for value. For those "watching" this....ehhh....ehhh see what I did there? I would encourage you to check out Citizen eco-drives, ummm Timex Edifice solar watches, Casio's solar divers or a variety of others , along with....Pagani Design, SteelDive, Bostok (vostok), Orient, and a whole bunch of other high-value watch makers that work in the automatic movement fields with high-quality albeit budget automatics, excellent materials, good fit and finish for half the price as these overpriced Vaers that are just as unimaginative and boring as their more budget-friendly counterparts. Vaer is trying to make up the difference with mass marketing. Saying that mechanical automatics under $300 are all hot flaming garbage is just ignorant and wrong--such as the Orient Mako I'm wearing that ran me all of $80 about 8 years ago with its proprietary movement, a nice smooth second hand sweep, keeps good time, has date and day, AND like any good ACTUAL dive watch, has a helium release valve, which that Vaer does not (probably don't want to actually dive with it--but it does look the part!). Believe it or not, even Japanese automatics don't need batteries either. Like with anything, caveat emptor, do your homework, read some reviews of the watch you're interested in, and shop around for good prices. $300 for this is not one. If they had dropped a $200 price tag on this...I could have bought that for the American-made, quality you might get, but $300 is just gouging for a watch as plain jane as this one.
Solar movement + sapphire + 200M WR is difficult combination to find at the $300 range. I've been looking for ~2 years and this Vaer is the first watch to have these features at this price point. The Citizen Signature or Titanium watches have these features but at ~$500. Seiko has a few solar divers with sapphire but again they are in a higher price bracket. The other brands you mention don't have solar divers. I don't believe Nick ever said low-cost mechanicals are "hot garbage", rather quartz is better for Joe Average. His preference isn't due to battery changes, rather the lack of decent accuracy guarantee for the lower-cost automatics. Most of the low cost automatics have tolerances that are +- 30 seconds/day, which is pretty bad. Any particular instantiation might be much better than those tolerances, but that's just up to luck. If you could get an automatic with chronometer rating for (as example) $200, that would satisfy Nick. A helium escape valve is only useful for saturation diving, which is very rare. I'm not against a HE valve as my beloved Omega has one.
Helium release valve? Have you ever used or needed one? Me neither. Unless you're welding on oil rigs or rigging salvage, it's a pointless affectation.
Nick - "don't get into watches."
Also Nick - check out this cool watch.
How does he sleep at night? Well nvm, I guess he's probably too busy fighting crime at night. I saw the mask in a reflection and I know what he does when he's not tempting people into buying gear.
Yeah, if you REALLY want a watch you can totally forget about, go with the solar quartz with radio control setting. Until you "knife guys" got me looking at these sleek and sexy watches, I was perfectly happy with my Citizen!!
I received this one a few weeks ago and it's my new go-to. The size is one of my favorite features, oddly enough. Definitely go with the premium bracelet option over the standard shown here.
Great looking grab and go watch. I like that there are more and more US watch companies. Can’t wait for a “USA Made” on the dial. Vaer does have a US assembled movement. I like how this one hits all the markers too!
They're working towards fully USA made.
If they made a quartz diver with a faster seconds hand (>3Hz) like a mechanical watch, I'd be all in.
YES!!!!!
I’ve had a Vaer D4 Meridian for about a year now. Overall, I strongly dislike it. I just feel the quality of the watch is very poor. Yes, it was made in America, but that doesn’t mean anything when the second hand doesn’t even line up perfectly with the indices. I also am very unsatisfied with the lume. I could leave this watch under an led light for a few minutes and it would still hardly be visible in the dark, and that’s no joke. My final grievance is about the bezel itself. The lume marker at the top of the bezel has literally fallen out of the watch leaving an open hole that drives me nuts to look at. If I could do things over again I would have returned this watch right away and bought another Orient or a Seiko. I honestly would not recommend this watch to anybody.
Vaer, Timex, Q&Q, Orient, Seiko,Citizen etc I love solar watches. This Vaer is very cool.
I have this exact watch. I love the watch head, especially the military SMP300 design. Another downside of the metal bracelet is even with the security fold-over, it's easy to pop open the clasp. The silicone and tropic straps are of good quality.
What I love about watches is that they are a low-key way of saying "I have disposable income"
I also love the aesthetic. Dials and mechanisms are honestly beautiful to me.
It's certainly low key since 99.999% of people don't care about your watch. I only bought this D4 because I like looking at it.
@@knowyourhistory Only another watch enthusiast cares about your wrist bauble.
I bought my husband the D5 tropic. It has been his fav for the past 5 months.
They have a third version the "Meridian" now and it looks really good. The premium bracelet with scew links is way too expensive though.
Shabazzism # 172: *"Most people buy a lot of their one watches".*
I've had my eye on this for a while... Along with the Seiko SNE573 solar diver which has a date but sucks for value. I think this looks great and ticks most of the boxes for me. Glad to know Bruce Wayne agrees!
The SNE line of solar watches from Seiko are an option that think blow these away. Although more expensive they can be found for under 400.00. They have better lume, drilled lugs, ISO certification, 10 month power reserve, diver extension on bracelet, thinner, and an overall more unique look. So for 40.00 to 140.00 more dollars, I think you get a better watch.
Almost everything it's a submariner like clone ? Or was other before the submariner?
I mean , no doubt the quality is top... But design.
Quartz Watches are so much better!
Mechanical watches are cool, but they're museum pieces nowadays.
These things are now selling for $250, making them even more competitive.
I have the Vaer C3 ameriquartz watch. It is awesome. There are certainly a lot of vintage Rolex explorer vibes, but at an affordable price. Nick is right: the lume needs some work, but it is a great watch. Totally recommended.
Reminds me of the Omega cal. 165.024 MOD Ministry of Defense.
Thanks for the video!
this makes me wish there was a solar duro
i love his accent and delivery of his words
Certina ds first titanium. All titanium with bracelet. Sapphire crystal. Ceramic bezel. With Date. Not solar. It was $295 when I got it.
I like Citizen Eco Drive watches ( I have 2 ) ,but I am " Vaer-y " interested in this watch.
Have purchased three watches after watching Nick's reviews,love each one,always brilliant unbiased reviews.
Hey. Nick. I am looking for this watch. Used. But noone ships to Europe. Would you be interestwd to sell it to me?
Alas, no, it's already gone.
What’s up Nick!
Watches knives flashlights 😉
The second hand does not coincide (visibly misaligned) with the indices on the dial. Bad selection. Not recommended piece!
Do not get into watches 😉
Watch this review!! This reviewer is a master of his trade. Really enjoyed this and appreciate all the information you expertly shared in this review . Thank you very nice sir
Too much coffee? 😂
Nick, where are your vacuum cleaner reviews? 😅
They all suck.
They should go up market, have some entry level luxury thermal compensated models with a high level of finishing and cool swappable straps.
I would get a Promaster diver, but they are big 44mm, but only this one is 38mm.
I bought with with leather band but am gonna buy premium bracelet for it soon my only grip that I was gonna let go was the alignment was off on bezel. I'm gonna email them about it see if it can be fixed. It looks of on yours too.
Good review... Agree with your comments ... Solar is the way to go with a Diver.
I have two Vaer watches, a diver and a field model, and I think they're terrific.
Is this the standard steel strap or the premium? There doesn't seem to be any info on the website as to what the difference is.
Oh my god, Nick! It looks like a… nice watch & an excellent value.
I dont realy get it, a solar watch for a place where it's dark for half a year at a time.
Here you go Nick, one lower case æ for you to copy paste in the title o)
why is your seconds hand not a lollipop like on the website?
when order it you have premium bracket option.
Nick, I like your review style very much. I agree with you on the desirability of solar movements. I do not have one, but I am now going to purchase one, most likely Vaer. I plan to use it often and to set my automatic watches with it. Thanks! Mike
batman costume? I guess it was shot on Halloween :D
What about the Casio Waveceptor for under $100?
Yeah I prefer quartz movement, solar is good to.
“Friggen rubbah” love it 🤣
specs say yes.... reality says no
I've never had this model however I did buy two other Vaer's...and returned them for QC problems...and the last time it took six weeks to get a refund. Too many better choices. I won't use them again.
Same here
I’ve had two. Both perfect.
I have found their customer service to be perfect. Had an issue with the lined leather strap and had a replacement within a week. Sory to hear your experience was not as smooth.
Nice watch! Love it!
Almost got this, decided on the Seiko SNE573. It's the same size, has drilled lugs, same movement, and sapphire. It is more expensive, the bracelet is inferior (so I ordered the rubber configuration and just use miltat generic 20mm for the bracelet), the sapphire doesn't have AR, but it's still worth it to me for the date. This Vaer has a date mechanism in the movement (it's a Seiko movement), but it's hidden and the founders have expressed their commitment to keeping their solar divers date-free (boo). Great review Nick!
I was in the same boat. I wanted a solar, quartz diver with a date. I got the SNE573 off eBay for around $350 and love it.
a date window would have messed up the look, in my opinion. I'm glad they left the date off...
Been waiting for an "ultimate" solar diver... This is close but they need to make one that's about double the price with date function and maybe tritium markers / hands? Keep it 39mm!
What exactly does "assembled in the US" do other than add $150 to the price right off the bat?
To people to whom that doesn't matter, not a damned thing. But tell me where you're getting comparable features (e.g. sapphire, solar) for $150 less?
G'day Nick, right up my alley this one; so clean and legible and accurate and power reserve and ..............As you say, could be absolutely outstanding with a few tweaks, mostly around the bracelet area. Yes a bit deep, the lum needs a pump up and I would like to see two way bezel action.
Still very good unit at the price IMO, great review as usual and thanks for showing it. Cheers Duke.
you won't see two way bezel action on a diver.
@@wpkg G'day Paul, I know its not usual, but thought I'd seen one or two over the years. If not fair enough, thanks for pointing it out. Cheers Duke
@@eyeofthetiger4184 some watches have a bidirectional bezel, 12 hour time zones for instance. but if a diver could accidentally spin the bezel clockwise while he is diving, he could trick himself into thinking he spent less time at depth than he really did, which could cause him to rise too quickly and get the bends.cheers
@@wpkg Yep fair point mate, makes perfect sense. I do wonder though how many folks actually use divers for ......well diving, lol.
@@wpkg Vostok divers turn both ways
OK, ya need some help here Nick. It's a nice watch--that you can get for...in the $100 range...unless you just need to pay for something with the letters V A E R on it. A quartz is a quartz, which you point out by showing how cheap they are to replace. Synthetic sapphires are very nice, especially DOMED sapphire, which this is--gives is a blingier look--but they really aren't that expensive. They took a quartz watch, put a sapphire crystal on it, and jacked the price up to $300, and they will make money on gullible people who think facebook ads aren't selling stuff with jacked-up prices. Solar is great--and many watch companies use solar these days because--they don't need battery changes. Solar is arguably the best QUARTZ movement, but it's not the best movement. There's a reason that Rolexes sell for $10k and that Vaer $100 watch will sell for $300 to people who don't know anything about watches or where to shop for value. For those "watching" this....ehhh....ehhh see what I did there? I would encourage you to check out Citizen eco-drives, ummm Timex Edifice solar watches, Casio's solar divers or a variety of others , along with....Pagani Design, SteelDive, Bostok (vostok), Orient, and a whole bunch of other high-value watch makers that work in the automatic movement fields with high-quality albeit budget automatics, excellent materials, good fit and finish for half the price as these overpriced Vaers that are just as unimaginative and boring as their more budget-friendly counterparts. Vaer is trying to make up the difference with mass marketing. Saying that mechanical automatics under $300 are all hot flaming garbage is just ignorant and wrong--such as the Orient Mako I'm wearing that ran me all of $80 about 8 years ago with its proprietary movement, a nice smooth second hand sweep, keeps good time, has date and day, AND like any good ACTUAL dive watch, has a helium release valve, which that Vaer does not (probably don't want to actually dive with it--but it does look the part!). Believe it or not, even Japanese automatics don't need batteries either. Like with anything, caveat emptor, do your homework, read some reviews of the watch you're interested in, and shop around for good prices. $300 for this is not one. If they had dropped a $200 price tag on this...I could have bought that for the American-made, quality you might get, but $300 is just gouging for a watch as plain jane as this one.
Solar movement + sapphire + 200M WR is difficult combination to find at the $300 range. I've been looking for ~2 years and this Vaer is the first watch to have these features at this price point. The Citizen Signature or Titanium watches have these features but at ~$500. Seiko has a few solar divers with sapphire but again they are in a higher price bracket. The other brands you mention don't have solar divers. I don't believe Nick ever said low-cost mechanicals are "hot garbage", rather quartz is better for Joe Average. His preference isn't due to battery changes, rather the lack of decent accuracy guarantee for the lower-cost automatics. Most of the low cost automatics have tolerances that are +- 30 seconds/day, which is pretty bad. Any particular instantiation might be much better than those tolerances, but that's just up to luck. If you could get an automatic with chronometer rating for (as example) $200, that would satisfy Nick. A helium escape valve is only useful for saturation diving, which is very rare. I'm not against a HE valve as my beloved Omega has one.
Helium release valve? Have you ever used or needed one? Me neither. Unless you're welding on oil rigs or rigging salvage, it's a pointless affectation.