Vero watches are no stranger to the Windup Watch Shop. They are a brand we carried in the past, and even made a few exclusive models with. Well, in the last year, they’ve gone through a bit of a reformation, changing from US-made to US-assembled, and focusing in on what really matters to them, which are watches built for and designed around an active lifestyle (founder Chris Boudreaux bikes, surfs, and has competed in triathlons). Now, they’re back, and we’re excited to see them return to the shop with their newest line of watches, the Open Water divers.
Designed to be a go-to everyday watch that’s ready for any adventure you might come across, the Open Water watches mix an appealingly modern design language with great features and a very wearable design. Featuring matte blasted, faceted steel 40mm cases that are only 47mm long and 11mm thick, they are built for comfort, especially when active. Despite the relatively svelte proportions, they boast 200m of water resistance, which is well beyond what is needed for most sports, aquatic or otherwise. A flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating keeps the dial clear all day, while a Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement keeps reliable time within.
In terms of looks, in a sea of vintage-inspired divers, the Open Waters stand out with their clean, minimal designs, which feel both of the day and timeless. The matte dials feature large, blocky applied numerals with generous lume fill, and little else, save the brand’s logo and “automatic” printed on the surface. Similarly blocky hour and minute hands tell the time clearly, while a long seconds hand glides around the dial. No fuss, no distractions.
The bezels take a more aggressive approach, and give the Open Water divers their unique personality. Made out of solid metal, these extra-wide bezels are gently sloped for an appealing look. Milled into their surfaces, and filled with paint, are large numerals and hash marks, which can serve as a minutes/seconds index for the dial, or be turned to track elapsed time. Either way, they add a nice counterpoint to the dial, and make reading the time at-a-glance a breeze.
The Open Water Divers are currently available in three colors, each named for a favorite locale in the Pacific Northwest. The Crown Point features an exceptional dark teal dial with a DLC plated bezel, for a sleek, moody look. The North Coast is gray on gray, inspired by foggy mornings. Last is the newest of the bunch, the Ridge Trail. With a black DLC bezel and a bright green dial, this model brings hikes through shaded forests to mind.
Available on nylon straps for $810 or solid steel bracelets for $875, the Vero Open Water divers are serious, solid sports watches, with great looks and reasonable prices to match. Shop now.
