Some weeks ago I found out the Vario White Tuxedo on Facebook and I directly wanted to try it.
The style of this piece is all what I like. Small size, bi-color dial, guilloché finishing… Well, what you want more?
Well, unfortunately it was already sold out but, I had the chance to receive at my office the Empire Emerald Green.
It’s already a chance because the watch is really really nicely made.
In green, with its small strap fits better my girlfriend’s wrist than mine, but I have to admit that I really love it… and for many reasons.
Vario is the brainchild of Ivan Chua, a graphic designer from Singapore. We know him from the super cool straps that he produce under his Vario brand, and now with these really nice watches. Well, they were on Kickstarter and of course i twas a success.
Well this watch is inspired by sleek geometry, elegant typography and bold designs of the 1930s. This Vario Empire Art Deco Watch Collection looks vintage and combined Art Deco style.
I personnaly love Art Deco style and this watch is a personalisation of it (more on the Tuxedo version).
First thing that I like is the 38mm stainless steel case. It’s not usual to find small watches and this one fits perfectly any wrists. I said, my girlfriend loves it but I can easily wear it too.
The Empire is not the thinnest watch in the dressy category, but at 11mm and with lugs that curve to the wrist, I found it sat quite nicely on my wrist.
Let’s talk about the case first. I said it already but it’s 38mm which is really cool. The finishing is mostly polished however, Vario made the right decision and added vertical brushing to the sides of the case and inbetween the lugs. While usually it’s easy to make a full polished case they take the risk to add another kind of finishing and I found it really nice. The proportions of the watch, in my opinion, are very nice and fits perfectly with dress watch category.
On the side you’ll find an onion shaped crown which is just fantastic. It has a decent size, making it very easy to grip and use, unlike some other dress watches where the crown is just too small.
Now let’s talk about the caseback. I think that it’s always nice to see the movement on the back. It’s not essential, but when you have something pretty to show, why hide it? So just flip it over and you’ll like to see the finishing of the movement. inside you’ll find a Miyota 6T33 handwound movement which is good too thanks to its 40 hours of power reserve. Well, it’s always nice to see the movement if you want my opinion.
Sure the most interesting things are on the front of the piece. The dial is a real pleasure for the eyes. I love the elegant arabic numerals that are applied on the circular brushed finished external dial, and the simplicity of the Vario name placed at 12.
Of course the main attraction is the center of dial which is guilloché and that I find really beautifull. The skeleton hands add also a bit of 30’s style to the piece. Yes, the hour hand looks like the Empire State Building. The overall is just nice and I’m sure you’ll never get tired of it.
Well, the watch is really nice and for the price you will have have a dress watch that can follow you everywhere. This green version, that i like a lot, will not fit every mans wrist, but… hey guys, think of your wives. They will, just like mine, enjoy this piece.
You can follow Vario on the social networks :
Instagram / Facebook
We already talked about Vario just HERE.
Jonathan Kopp