If you’re in the market for a field watch that combines a military style with top-of-the-line materials, you should definitely consider the VAER C3. This unique timepiece has caught the attention of many watch enthusiasts, and today we’re going to take a closer look at what makes it so intriguing. Keep reading to find out if the C3 is the perfect fit for your needs.
As someone who loves military-themed watches, I was immediately drawn to the VAER C3. However, I’ve noticed that some field watches fall short when it comes to both style and functionality. While some brands focus solely on the military aesthetic, they don’t always deliver in terms of performance. That’s why I was excited to dive deeper into the C3 and see if it lives up to the hype. Having heard great things about VAER’s C5 model in the past, I have high hopes for this brand in the field watch space.
The Case
The VAER C3 watch has a classic field watch design with a 36mm case size, making it smaller than the VAER C5. Its sleek black color gives it a military aesthetic, and it has a screw down crown, domed sapphire crystal, and can resist water up to 10 atm. The movement is assembled in the USA. So far, the VAER C3 is one of my favorite watches I’ve ever reviewed. The 316l stainless steel case and 36mm diameter make it perfect for everyday use. I opted for the stainless link bracelet which makes it a durable watch that can handle wear and tear. It’s also very comfortable to wear because the smaller case doesn’t press against the back of my hand.
The market lacks watches that are under 40mm in size. While it’s common to find dress watches in the 36 to 38mm range, it’s rare to find a tool watch that’s not “super manly” and above 40mm. This is why the 36mm case of this watch is refreshing and why I wear it often. The crown can be screwed down and locked, ensuring that the watch has a water resistance of 10atm. However, it’s important to ensure that it’s screwed all the way before showering with it to prevent fogging.
The dial
I opted for the Tradition Black color variant, featuring a matte black backdrop accompanied by khaki numerals, indices, and graphics. The watch has three hands: hour, minute, and second, with the latter in a striking white color. The indices resemble compass arrows, giving the C3 a unique military or adventurer vibe that I find appealing. Additionally, the watch features hour indices and hands that are coated with seven layers of Swiss SuperLumiNova lume, ensuring that the dial is easily legible even in low light conditions. The watch’s dial is plain, functional, and not overly showy, which is precisely what I prefer in an everyday timepiece.
The crystal
The C3 watch boasts of a rare domed sapphire crystal, which is not commonly found in watches that cost around $200. Even well-known brands such as Citizen, Seiko, and Orient, which offer great value for money, usually use mineral crystals instead of domed ones.
If you’re a true watch admirer, you’ll understand the subtle design detail that it adds. The sapphire crystal has shown to be incredibly durable and resistant to scratches. Despite dinging up the case quite a bit in the past few months, the glass remains in perfect condition.
The movement
The C3 timepiece is equipped with the Ameriquartz 6130 HT movement, a new movement manufactured in Arizona. This movement is a departure from the usual Swiss, Japanese, or Chinese movements and marks the return of American-made watch movements after nearly 70 years. Although there is limited information on its durability, the Ameriquartz movement is highly accurate, with a deviation of only +10/-20 seconds per month and a battery life of 40 months. Personally, I have not experienced any timing issues with the C3 and find it exciting to wear a watch with a USA-made movement, especially since Ameriquartz is still a relatively uncommon feature in watches today. While more brands are beginning to adopt Ameriquartz, it remains a rare find in the industry.
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