TRUE GMT, American Assembled & under $800?? ... Vaer G5 Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- So here it is the Vaer G5 - my first time with the Miyota 9075 and my first true GMT autoamtic watch in fact. The vintage styling and not quite so obvious homage looks really pulled me in with this one and so it was the perfect excuse to pick one up and finally get my hands on a 9075 and try out a Vaer. Only question is, is it any good?
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It's fairly standard to not have a quickset date on a true GMT ... The only exception that I can think of is the Sky Dweller. (If anyone knows of others, I'm all ears ...)
Oh, another point to mention in terms of the true- vs caller-GMT trade-offs is that true GMTs usually (I've mostly handled Rolexes and not the Miyota yet ... although I just impulse ordered the green G5.) are able to adjust the date *backwards*, which can be helpful depending on which direction you're travelling.
Congrats on the pickup - yep the date does roll backwards and it is a good benefit that I didn't mention 👍 I don't know any other quickset true GMTs, but I'd love to see one with with the pusher sunken into the case like I have had on a few automatic chronographs over the years, this would just remove the pain in the arse for those of us with large collections who chop and change daily 😆...obviously this is movement architecture and Vaer are at the mercy of Citizen here. Hope you enjoy the watch, mine has survived multiple watch collection sales, so I am still enjoying it. Thanks for the comments 😎🍻
@@nextonthewrist Haha, matter of perspective, I suppose! I'm amused how every damned time I decide to wear one of my GMTs it's found a way to be 15 days off and there's a lot of scrolling through hours with the GMT hand. But, it does sometimes result in: I'm already late, f it, time to grab a diff watch. (But, hey, at least I have enough self respect to NOT throw it on with the wrong time / date!?)
So, just received the Vaer; mostly pretty nice. She's a little on the thick side, but that seems to disappear on-wrist; lume is great; measures dial-up at +1sec/day; jubilee is nicer than expected and was easy to size. Bezel rotation is a bit ratchety/crunchy. Quirk that I'd not anticipated (this is prob because of the 9075?) is that the hour hand turns 'the wrong way': Turning the crown clockwise moves the hour *anticlockwise* and vice versa; not a big deficiency, but slightly counter-intuitive. Only other 'complaint' is that the date is a bit on the small side; little tricky to read in bad light.
@@halfsourlizard9319 Nice to hear, the quirk is definitely a 9075 thing - my Bulova Oceanographer GMT does exactly the same. I personally love the ratchety bezel, but it's so super subjective right in terms of sound and feel? It definitely isn't dampened and isn't shy about loud clicks. Thanks again for the comments and don't be afraid to let me know how it goes in the future with this or any future pickups, always appreciated! 🙂👍
I own this watch in the black/navy. I absolutely love it. The watch keeps time -5/+15 as advertised. Everything is fantastic and it has been my daily watch. I also wish the tropic strap had less of a tail but as was said, minor nitpick. I have had the same experience with reflections outside but that has never stopped the watch from being legible. It's my first real watch purchase and would highly recommend it for anyone looking a true GMT in this price range!
Your approach, demeanor, and subject knowledge are all excellent. I watch a lot of this type of TH-cam content, and though I’m new to your channel, you’re already way up there on my “trust this guy concerning watch stuff” list.
Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words - I'm trying to improve the quality constantly it's been a steep learning curve starting a channel ...but I am just another watch collector at heart and there is nothing better than chatting with like minded collectors and sharing experiences. 🙂🍻
Thanks for the great review! As others have said, it was awesome to see the comparisons to other watches when you were pointing out the differences. Most folks only talk about the differences. This exact watch is my second Vaer; first is the DS4 Meridian Solar in navy, but I’m shocked at how much I miss the date! So happy with the feel, weight, and look of this watch. And you should try it with their Horween natural leather band, it really compliments the green face. Thanks again for the thoughtful review!
Thank you very much for the appreciation and comments - it really is a great watch I'm pleased you're enjoying it, so far all fellow owners I've interacted with have been very happy so always a good sign. I'll check out that horween sounds like I could definitely be tempted 😎🍻
My bezel feels like something’s grabbing it. Very disappointed with this watch.
Try getting in touch with Vaer, I found their email support very helpful. The bezel action on mine is amazing, really impressive - so it's worth to reach out.
I commend your description and comparisons. Especially by showing examples in your collection that had better finishing. I can see why you said it. Otherwise it is just a subjective statement. I also think the review of Vaer’s customer service was excellent. I think your attention in the review will help people understand the customer experience. That is not easy to know about internet sellers.
Thank you for the great feedback, much appreciated...it is always so very difficult to know what to expect buying from Internet only brands so I am happy it was useful 🙂.... all the best 👍
I have the Pepsi. Very well made, keeping time at +7 a day. Well worth the money. VAER punches above their weight. For reference I own a Cartier Santos, Rolex Explorer, Omega Speedmaster and a GS Spring Drive. VAER is not on par with those, but they are better than any Seiko or Hamilton at the price point.
Excellent Review! I agree with you on the lack of quick date set. I'd rather have an Office GMT with quick date set than a Traveller GMT with no quick date set.
Great review, I picked up the Boldr Odyessy Freediver with the Myota 9075, it is bigger than most at 44mm but with the layout of dial/bezel I can track three time zones so its a winner to me, even over my Rolex Explorer II
I'd like to try a freediver one day, I've heard good things 🙂👍
Nice review. I ordered the G5 at launch in pepsi color way and then before shipping asked to change to the black and blue. There were several shipping mix-up and ultimately i finally received the wrong watch, which was the more expensive G7. SW330 caller movement. I contacted Vaer and they apologized and offered to send the correct watch or i could just keep the more expensive one. Since I already had another 9075 movement GMT I kept the G7 which has the same case shape only 13.7 thick. That SW330 movement has been fantastic.
As for managing the traveller GMT, i just keep that watch in a winder. I have one 4 watch winder.
A nice surprise in the end 😅👍 it's nice you have one of each movement in your collection though 😎cheers for the comments 👍
I have the G5 myself and while I mostly agree with your review I totally disagree that the lack of a “quick set date” is a negative. I actually consider requiring to use the jumping hour to adjust the date is actually a HUGE plus. I have come to hate quick set dates because 1.) their exists a “danger zone” where you can literally damage the watch - I have always found this to be sloppy attribute of most watches with a date window, that for some reason most people either accept or unaware of 2.) when you have a jumping hour that can change the date, it is much quicker to check if you are in AM/PM. Putting 1 and 2 together I now prefer date watches that are True GMTs as its just a better more cohesive design.
I agree with your drawbacks on the quick set date - both have good and bad. It's strange how after all these years budget movements haven't yet created a clutch system that disables quick set gearing when change has begun. Especially considering that the most likely person to make this mistake is someone new to the hobby. The AM/PM I'm neither here nor there, a large crown on an caller GMT I can spin pretty quick too. I still think it's a pain in the arse after 2 weeks of not using it to set the date but appreciate your perspective and cheers for the comments, great points and nice to read a different perspective 😎🍻
I had a Vaer solar quartz diver that had a small hair or fiber that ended up on the face under the crystal after a couple of weeks of regular wear.
Customer service was good and they replaced the entire watch. It WAS disappointing, however.
A quick loupe inspection with good lighting check before shipping each watch should stop this ever happening and yet I see it so often with so many brands 🤔
Thanks for covering this. I have owned two Vaers, one I still have and the other I sold off (it was the tropic diver with the really unique lumed dial; just got rid of it because it was hard to tell the time). But both were really well built, and I get the sense they are a company that try to do quality work and really care about their customers. I knew the minute negatives started you’d talk about the bracelet. You are totally right - okay, not great. Doesn’t feel as solid and quality in the hand, which I’m good with at $400, but less so as we get to $800. I noticed recently they have a premium bracelet in their accessories section, which I am curious about.
But all this to say, this has a beautiful dial, I love the twisted lugs and case shape, and I would have no objections picking up another Vaer in the future. How does it wear with the thickness? I assume it wears closer to 13 and not 15/16? The “spaceship dome” crystal was a really cool sort of case feature on my diver.
Great reviews dude, keep it up!
Definitely wears close to the 13 than the peak of the dome - it's quite lovely really as you only feel the dome when you really take a look from the side, it's like a nice treat when you catch it 😅 honestly wears lovely - despite the fact this is apparently the premium bracelet included with these 🤔.... But I agree, my feeling having reached out to them is that they really care and will do the right thing by the customer so hopefully that came across.
Anyway thank you kindly for the comments and nice words 😎🍻
Nice , a well put together piece with obvious inspirations , definitely one of their best pieces imho but for $800 an otf clasp would've been nice given the average bracelet , shame about the QC considering the US assembled trumpet blow , i like it nonetheless but not worth the best pat of 1k by the time it hits the uk , solid review though chap.
Always a killer with the import duties and taxes isn't it? Across the pond where I am now it's typically 5% plus a handling fee from the USA makes it a bit more palatable 😅... Hopefully they address the bracelet on future and thanks for the comments 😎🍻
Great review! I totally agree with you on the issue of the date adjustment. If I had a true GMT as my only watch or as part of a three watch collection then it wouldn't be a concern but I have a larger collection so I bought the Seiko with the caller style GMT. Vaer is a great microbrand and your customer service experience says alot about Vaer. Keep up the great work on your reviews. You are one of my favorite reviewers and I watch them all.
Thanks for the comments - and for coming back for more. It's really nice to hear 🍻 ...I think there's a strange obsession in this hobby with true GMTS despite the fact a caller is actually better suited to the majority of collectors. I'm not quite sure where it comes from 😅 great choice on your Seiko though 🙂👍
You might have to consider de-throning your current lume champion.
I think it has become a joint crown 😂 almost lost it though. I'm curious when it will get properly and truly defeated. 👀
Very nice watch! 👍
Nice watch. Im torn between the pepsi version of this and the steinhart pepsi. The matter of true or office gmt doesn't mean much to me however would you say the quality and finishing is on steinhart level or higher?
I honestly have had enough time with a Steinhart to give you a fair answer - I am always put off by the magnification on the Steinhart cyclops as it's so poor - nowhere near 2.5x...that said some of the original models without a cyclops look lovely 🙂 I'm sure both would be great watches but sorry I can't help more with a direct comparison.
@nextonthewrist understood my brother. The cyclops and the mercedes hands put me off. However I've heard great things about the quality that makes me want it. But looks wise this is far nicer.
Nice review. I have several Vaer watches and have been pleased with them all. The Pepsi G5 was my latest watch purchase. I was a little surprised by the thickness, but it's not a problem for this tool watch. Their bracelets have always seemed to be less impressive than their watches.
Good to hear 🙌... I will keep an eye on releases in the future and definitely won't rule out buying more. It's worth the thickness to admire the dome right? 😁
Cheers for the comments 🍻
I have the black/blue one and I too was surprised with how thick it is. Overall, it's a very nice watch in a great size.