In a world saturated with fleeting trends, finding a watch that truly resonates with your personal style and enduring narrative can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Thankfully, since 2016, Vario has been on a mission to simplify that quest, emerging as a beacon for those who appreciate the timeless allure of vintage-inspired timepieces imbued with contemporary reliability. Based in the horological hub of Singapore, Vario isn’t just a watch brand; it’s a philosophy, believing that what you wear on your wrist should be more than a mere time-telling device – it should be an extension of your story.
At The Coolector, we’re always on the lookout for brands that marry honest craftsmanship with thoughtful design, and Vario ticks every single one of those boxes. They meticulously craft each timepiece to blend classic charm with everyday wearability, ensuring that whether you’re a seasoned horology aficionado or just embarking on your watch collecting journey, there’s a Vario piece calling your name. Check out our pick of 5 of the best men’s watches from Vario below:
Vario 1918 Trench White Dial with Orange Lume Watch / £289
The trench watch holds a storied place in horological history, forever linked to the pragmatic demands of WWI and the birth of wristwatches for men. Vario, with their impeccable eye for vintage inspiration, has delivered a truly compelling tribute in the form of their 1918 Trench Watch, available for a rather agreeable £289. This isn’t just a nostalgic nod; it’s a thoroughly re-imagined classic, boasting a raft of upgraded specifications that bring it firmly into the 21st century while retaining every ounce of its early 20th-century charm.
Available in versatile 37mm or 40mm case diameters, the Vario 1918 Trench Watch boasts a robust modern enamel dial, ensuring enduring legibility and a sophisticated aesthetic. Peeking through a 2mm double-domed sapphire crystal with inner AR coating (because glare is for amateurs), the C3 Super-LumiNova glows brightly, providing exceptional visibility without any pesky radioactivity. The marine-grade 316L stainless steel case features thicker wired lugs for added security and an impressive 100m water resistance – far beyond what any WWI soldier could have dreamed of. Powering this beauty is an adjusted Miyota 82s5 automatic gilt movement with hand-winding and hacking seconds, visible through a display caseback, delivering reliable precision. Finished with a choice of a rugged Crazy Horse leather bund pad or single-pass strap, this is a timepiece that perfectly honours its heritage while being built for today’s adventures.
Vario 1918 Pilot Blue Dial with White Lume Watch | £289
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more compelling piece of horological history on your wrist than the Vario 1918 Pilot Watch. Paying homage to the very genesis of men’s wristwatches during WWI, this re-imagined classic from Vario (£289) takes the robust spirit of those early trench timepieces and injects it with a healthy dose of 21st-century capability. It’s the sort of understated cool that immediately catches the eye without resorting to unnecessary flash.
Available in a contemporary yet classic 37mm or 40mm case, the 1918 Pilot boasts a resilient enamel dial, offering superb legibility that’s protected by a 2mm double-domed sapphire crystal with an internal anti-reflective coating – ensuring clarity even in the most glaring conditions. The C3 Super-LumiNova provides excellent glow in low light, without any of that vintage radium worry. Crafted from marine-grade 316L stainless steel with robust wired lugs for extra security, it offers a solid 50m water resistance, more than enough for everyday wear and the odd skirmish with a rogue downpour. Powering this beauty is a Miyota 8N33 hand-wound nickel movement with a non-hacking second hand, boasting over 40 hours of power reserve, visible through the sapphire exhibition caseback. Completing the aesthetic is a rugged oiled leather bund pad strap, cementing its tool-watch credentials. This is a watch built to honour the past while being perfectly suited for the adventures of today.
Vario Empire Art Nouveau Outer Gold Handwound Dress Watch | £661
If you’ve got a penchant for the exquisite lines and timeless elegance of the Art Deco era, then the Vario Empire Art Nouveau Watch is about to become your latest obsession. Priced at a rather considered £661, this isn’t merely a timepiece; it’s a meticulously crafted portal to one of history’s most aesthetically rich periods, boasting a custom-made construction that sets it apart from the hoi polloi of mass-produced wristwear.
This magnificent piece is a limited edition of just 45 pieces, instantly elevating its desirability amongst serious watch aficionados. Each 38mm diameter watch is a testament to Vario’s dedication to detail, with every single part custom-made for the Empire collection. The true pièce de résistance, however, is the dial – a uniquely hand-engraved masterpiece where subtle “imperfections” beautifully tell the story of the artisan’s touch, imbuing each watch with its own distinct character. Powering this visual feast is a high-beat Miyota 6T33 handwound movement, boasting a 28,800 bph rate and over 40 hours of power reserve, visible through a sapphire exhibition caseback with inner AR coating. With 5 ATM water resistance and conforming to your wrist straight out of the box via a soft and supple vintage-style Italian leather strap, the Vario Empire Art Nouveau Watch is a tangible piece of art for your wrist.
Vario 1945 A-11S Solar Quartz Eagle Grey Field Watch | £148
In the annals of horological history, the American-designed A-11 watch stands as an icon of wartime precision, its hacking centre seconds hand a crucial tool for battlefield synchronisation. However, Vario, with their profound appreciation for both history and poignant storytelling, has brilliantly remixed this classic with their 1945 A-11S Solar Quartz Watch, available for a rather appealing £148. This isn’t merely a timepiece; it’s a profound statement of peace and a symbol of de-escalation.
The most striking departure from its predecessor is the removal of that very centre seconds hand, replaced instead by a simple disc and contrasting dot. This allows the wearer to witness the subtle progression of time, while simultaneously representing a deliberate shift away from the instruments of war. It’s a powerful nod to the hope for a peaceful future, echoing the thousands of origami cranes envisioned by Sadako Sasaki. Beyond this thoughtful symbolism, Vario has packed in considerable upgrades: an anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a robust marine-grade 316L stainless steel case, and 50m water resistance. The non-fading BGW9 lume ensures legibility, while the eco-friendly Miyota 2170 solar quartz movement means no more battery changes (with a four-month power reserve on a full charge). A cleverly positioned 4 o’clock crown enhances comfort, and the robust Cordura re/cor™ strap completes this compelling package. This is a watch that tells more than just time; it tells a story.
Vario Empire Seasons True GMT Autumn Salmon Automatic Dress Watch | £520
If you’ve got a penchant for the golden age of travel and the unparalleled elegance of Art Deco design, then the Vario Empire Seasons True GMT Watch is about to become your wrist’s new best friend. Priced at a rather attractive £520, this isn’t just a timepiece; it’s a meticulously crafted portal to one of history’s most sophisticated periods, tailor-made for the modern globetrotter.
This magnificent piece is a limited edition of just 90 pieces, instantly elevating its allure amongst serious watch aficionados. Every single part of this 38mm diameter watch is custom-made for the Empire collection, a testament to Vario’s dedication to uncompromising quality. At its heart lies the formidable Miyota 9075 True GMT high-beat automatic movement, allowing you to effortlessly track multiple time zones – a godsend for anyone regularly traversing continents. The sapphire crystal with inner AR coating ensures crystal-clear legibility, while the entire case and accompanying metal bracelet are coated for enhanced scratch resistance, ensuring it stays looking sharp on all your adventures. With 5 ATM water resistance and conforming to your wrist straight out of the box via a soft and supple vintage-style Italian leather strap (or the metal bracelet), the Vario Empire Seasons True GMT Watch is a tangible piece of travel artistry for your wrist.
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