By Jovan Krstevski
Hey, 2015 is nearly over but before we close the drapes let’s have a good look at this year end’s best horology ideas. The press release of Vierra Watches is a nice read, but the real world releases would be delightful to experience. The one thing that caught my eye is the fact that its creators simply solved a common issue that has been bugging all of us watch lovers. Normally if you want a dress watch, you must be willing to lose a few functionalities like rigidity or rugged design. Nonetheless, if you want the tough ones, you must be willing to live with the inconveniences of rugged looks and rather bulky sizes. Fortunately, Eric Genazia and Jeremy Wells the co-founders of Vierra Watches have had enough of this horology dilemma. So Vierra Watches are made out of sincere passion and practicality, which is a very good thing indeed.
The college buddies started this project just a year and a half ago, but it was mainly Genazia who identified the impracticality of having to choose between stylistic watches and rigid watches made for the tough daily grind. Being a watch enthusiast and a collector himself, he basically knows his stuff and somewhat applied these practical realizations on the creation of the Vierra Watches. Personally, I’m thrilled with the team’s creations particularly because I also dislike having to lose rigidity over acceptable wearable timepiece standards.
Basically saying, the Vierra Watches simply bridge the gap between durability and fashion. However, I know that some of you may disagree which is completely understandable since toughness does require extra space here and there to ensure stability. Stylish watches are normally smaller and thinner which practically beg for the references to be lowered to an acceptable level that falls short for the requirements of tougher watches. So aren’t you excited about the Vierra Watches because honestly I am!
The materials used are no nonsense either plus the size isn’t really too small, the case being 42 mm and made of surgical grade stainless steel. Judging from the models shown on their website, the overall design is simplistic yet rugged enough for the outdoors. The distinctive crown looks larger which is one of the properties of a typical water resistant watch. Moreover, the lugs are not so spartan looking but I fondly like its rugged feel when mated with darker colors. And the display is also not disappointing since we get it with sapphire crystal which can only be scratched by extremely harsh treatments or tougher materials such as a diamond.
The dial surprisingly sports a clear clean design with neat index hour markers. I also like the red seconds hand on top of the simple hands. There is also a small date window at 6 o’clock cutting short the index hour marker. Branding is also subtle at least if you don’t dislike red font choice, however, I would have loved black and smaller Vierra branding.
The movement used is surprisingly one of the best power sources out there, a custom Miyota Japanese quartz movement. As to how many modifications the team made on the movement, I don’t know but the prospect of having a Miyota movement is very interesting. Since this watch is made to be rigid as well as being fashionable, it can survive up to 10 ATM which is impressive. The creators do say that the watch is made for swimmers and surfers too.
For the bracelets, the choices are between stainless steel, leather, and rubber straps. The price is of course what is so comfortable. During the campaign, you can pledge your support for $59 when the normal price is only $125.
Visit the Indiegogo Campaign
JOVAN KRSTEVSKI – FOUNDER, PROPRIETOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Watch collector, aficionado and an Event profile in the Swedish nightlife. He launched Watchgeek back in 2011, which is now known as WristReview and is one of the most widely read watch blogs on the Web. He quotes ’WristReview is a site to help people find, explore, discover and enjoy wristwatches.’ His passion jump started in his early teens when he was given his first mid-range wristwatch which was an Omega Seamaster. Since then he has always been in love with wristwatches! Besides WristReview, he also writes for a number of publications. Read his articles here
