Vaer is an American brand founded in 2016 that specialises in accessible yet refined watches for all occasions. Sure, we’ve heard this theme countless times, but details add up to make Vaer’s offerings a bit different and special. The G5 Pacific Steel 39mm USA GMT is a prime example that offers true (or traveller’s) GMT functionality in a retro package that draws inspiration from 1950s military styling and even some vintage Rolex models. The company’s portfolio is expansive with field, dive, chronograph and GMT watches, so you’re sure to find a piece that matches your lifestyle.
The 316L stainless steel case of the Vaer G5 Pacific Steel is very wearable at 39mm in diameter and 13.06mm in height (lug-to-lug 45.83mm), which is suitable for most wrists and follows the trend that bigger isn’t necessarily better. It comes standard with a 20mm black FKM waffle strap with quick-release levers, but leather, NATO and two steel options are also available. Vaer notes that straps are compatible throughout all of its collections, so you can mix and match if you own multiple pieces.
On the black rubber strap, the watch feels great with an excellent fit and finish, although it gets a bit high on the wrist with the NATO option. With a screw-down crown, water resistance is rated at 200 metres, so you can confidently dive with this one, although the bidirectional 120-click rotating steel bezel has a black 24-hour scale (it’s the GMT variant of Vaer’s Pacific Diver). There’s definitely some Rolex Explorer II (ref. 1655) bezel inspiration, although the knurling is different. A box AR sapphire crystal protects the dial, while the exhibition case back displays the partially decorated Miyota automatic.
The matte black dial has a slight texture and again pulls inspiration from vintage Rolex models like the early 1970s Explorer II and 1950s GMT Master. That said, the curved trapezoid applied indices are unique to Vaer and filled with Old Radium Super-LumiNova for a vintage look. A framed, dial-matching date window sits at 6 o’clock (not 3 o’clock like Rolex), while the hour, minute and lollipop seconds hands have matching Old Radium lume inserts. The bright orange GMT hand also has a lume aperture and differs in shape from both Rolex models above. The dial is not a direct copy of any model and is very much a Vaer design (from Los Angeles). A detailed minute/seconds track spans the perimeter with red numerals (05 to 60) printed behind the indices.
Powering the Vaer GMT is a Miyota 9075 true GMT automatic, so the hour hand is set independently of the other hands, and the date follows accordingly – an office GMT sets the GMT hand independently. A true GMT is better for travellers as it’s quick and easy to set the local time, while the GMT hand remains on your home time. The 9075 has 24 jewels, beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) and comes with a 42-hour power reserve. Functions include central hours, minutes, hacking seconds, GMT and date. The movement is assembled and regulated in America with an accuracy rating of -5/+15 seconds per day. Seen from the exhibition case back, it’s nicely decorated with Côtes de Genève. It’s uncommon for an accessible watch to be a true GMT, so this is great to see.
The Vaer G5 Pacific Steel 39mm USA GMT retails for USD 935 with the black FKM waffle or NATO strap, or USD 1,025 with the Oyster-style steel bracelet. A Jubilee-style bracelet brings it to USD 1,085, while the leather straps are USD 1,055. Not bad for a well-regulated, true GMT piece with a 200-metre water resistance rating.
For more information, please visit Vaer’s website.
Sponsored post: This article is sponsored by Vaer Watches. However, it reflects the writer’s opinion and has been written according to MONOCHROME’s editorial policy.
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