British WWII Field Watch Re-imagined for 2023 - Vario 1945 D12 

Thanks for the feature! We're working on a 40mm A11 Solar based on same case design for next year's launch but likely all brushed for a more utilitarian look.

Love Vario and Ivan the owner is such a genuine and nice guy. His company is borne out of his passion for vintage watches. This 1945 D12 is a brilliant tribute to the originals. Great review Dave.

Thank you. Another RU-vidr mentioned the Vario watch as a last minute add-on to his 20 Field Watch review. But I was intrigued and went to the Vario website. Then I looked up specific Vario reviews and found yours. Your review was comprehensive and I appreciate the details of your review. While I’m overall inclined to getting the Vario 1945 watch, I am disappointed in the short duration of the luminosity. That said, the sapphire crystal and the 100 meter water resistance make it a better buy than the Bulova Hack at about the same price point.

Nice review and very nice looking vintage military style watch. If I was wanting one this would be on my short list. I love all my Vario straps.

The watch comes with a decorated 82s5 movement, Vario does offer a see-through for an additional $30 or so. If you buy the see-through case back Vario will install it and ship the original case back as well.

Thank you for that video. A really nice looking vintage piece.

I really like the canvas with leather accents you used. Very nice. Fun video.

Great watch, great video. Thanks much!

Vario is a great brand. I've several of their straps and have been tempted by several of their watches--this one perhaps most of all. It looks great and has great specs and I'm confident in the quality. I just can't see adding another field watch to my collection right now. I've got like 6, including a CW Sandhurst, Boldr, SWC, a couple of Vaers and I recently picked up a Baltany "dirty dozen" homage, which is quartz, but looks amazing for the price and with the small second hand, the "quartz tick" isn't so obvious. But I appreciate the review and he chance of look at this watch more closely.

I bought three of the Vario leather straps made for the Casio AE 1200 ... The Royale. I'm very happy with the quality, perfect fit of the straps, and the customer service of Vario. One of their WW1 era commemorative watches is at the top of my wish list.

Love pretty much everything about this Vario. They so great things with watches and their straps. Sized below my comfort zone so rules me out but it looks absolutely fantastic.

Love the Zune in the background, considering the context. 😎👍🏼

Awesome T-Shirt, interessting DESIGN!

Great review

I’m really diggin’ this one👍🏼

Thanks Dave. Very good info for a new watch enthusiast like me. I am moving to Tokyo next week for a three month contract. Would be grateful for some direction on where to browse/buy older, affordable and interesting watches. Brad

Yes I tend to agree with the comments about the position of the crown at 4 o’clock. Would prefer the 3.

The caseback shows the British surrender of Singapore, which is a, er, bold choice given that most military style watches are a bit more triumphant (think the boneheaded dial designs on cheap Komandirskies, or the Zero West Dambusters cashgrab). Having said that, it's a beaut, other than the 4 o'clock crown. Great review, Dave. Thanks and have a cracking weekend! Cheers 🍻!

Very much appreciated. Had you shown inside machine would have been better. If you can find a watch that was fixed on the front panel of wireless set number 19 used in second world war please.

Vario has many interesting designs and are priced well

The dial looks great but the crown at 4 o'clock looks terrible. Case size is perfect. An NH Seiko movement would have been better.

Hi Dave, For a British watch lover living in Thailand the surrender of Singapore holds some very unpleasant memories. Thirteen thousand British and Commonwealth soldiers as well as thousands of Asian workers were literally worked to death in Kanchaburi province under duress from the Japanese Army. I like the look of the watch but believe Ivan should have refrained from using the image of a British soldier in respect to all those that gave their lives. Alastair Murray

I love it except that crown placement.

More great content incoming 😊

The D12 did not have its crown at 4:00. I love Vario, but prefer the Praesidus offering.

Great video - as always. I am a huge fan of your content, so keep your good work going on! One thing for you and guys like me with a bit bigger wrist (higher than 7inch): Wear this or similar field watches on a 'bund strap'. Makes the style of watches far more wearable and looks very cool too! I've even tried this on 34 diameter watches like the old field watches from Hamilton or my fathers Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date and these watches are far more present with a bund strap, if you otherwise find them too tiny... Just a suggestion from me. Wish you all the best!! Best wishes from a big fan of your art from Hamburg, Germany!!! :-) Greetings Philip

it's 4 o'clock crown because it's default of the movement not really Vario chose to put it in 4 o'clock.

Btw the microphone capsule is on the sides, not on the top..

Is the rotor noisy every time you move your wrist?

Very nice watch. Embossing the Vario name into the dial was a genious detail.

I don't really know but I would bet the original watch had Radium illumination. My understanding is that most of those WWII watches were destroyed in the 1970s.

Amen

Nice watch, but, like you, I prefer a larger watch, regardless of whether or not smaller sizes are coming back.

Vario is one of those wonderful British brands we should all support, stunning attention to detail and heritage. They really do care about their customers too. Dave thanks for putting the spotlight on them.

They do so good job and ruined everything with the crown. And wtf is that lume on vintage watch

The dial is a cheeky exact copy of the Hamilton Pilot Pioneer. A superior watch in every sense and with a simply spectacular "cushion" style case. A special watch. For that dial alone, it's an interesting option.

Yes, it's nice.

Im i seeing a Zune on your desk???

The Crown 😆

They should've put the crown at 3 o'clock.

I have an 8 1/2 plus size wrist so that watch is a no go for me

Miyota movement? Not making that mistake again.

this redoubles my interest in what you think about the kuoe lineup

Kingsbury watches produce similar ( not the same) DD12 watch with the same movement and larger dimensions, for half the price

My Omega 1943 World War 2 watch runs beautifully . No improvement is needed.

‘Reimagining’……stupid language; as is the 4 o clock winder. Btw, Singapore was a massive humiliating defeat. How very odd indeed….🇬🇧

First? 😎

Well hello my Christmas present to myself 😁👌🏻