Posted: 4/1/2026 8:29:29 AM EDT
| Shopping for a watch. Wanted non-Chinese preferably American made preferably under $1000 dive or Aviation or tactical style. Came across Vaer watches but doing a quick search on this forum found nothing about them. Opinions? |
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Originally Posted By CashOnlyLargeBills: There is no such thing as a "American" watch. Any reputable American based watch company will use Swiss or Japanese movements. Marathon, Avi-8 (British), and a few others out there are GTG Right I understand that. These are US assembled with mostly Japanese parts it looks like and some American parts where possible. I know that I’m not going to get a 100% American watch and I also know that there’s no way to know if something is lacking even one single Chinese piece. |
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One thing I have noticed in the last few years is a lot of pop-up boutique watches popping up on the market. Most usually are belly up after a short while. I would be cautious buying from a company that has not been around awhile. Vaer has been around for 10 year and targeting $200-$400 price range. That means they are using a lot of off the shelf parts (cheap) as a lot of the retail pricing cost is eaten up by labor. The OH is probably +/- $125 (not including parts) in labor and facility expenses to commercially make a watch in America. |
| Look at Jack Mason as well. https://jackmasonbrand.com/ . I have one and it's a great value especially used off ebay like I got mine. |
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Originally Posted By TheRadBaron: Their marketing on FB is so bad that I wouldn’t consider buying one. It’s so bad in fact that if I saw a guy wearing a Vaer watch it would leave a negative impression. It really seems like they’re marketing to homosexual men. That's something I need to know! Thanks. It was among several Grok recommended. |
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Originally Posted By MateFrio: Look at Jack Mason as well. https://jackmasonbrand.com/ . I have one and it's a great value especially used off ebay like I got mine. OK I like those. Thanks. |
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I love my Jack Mason. It’s more accurate than my Submariner and my Super Ocean. Originally Posted By skylane: OK I like those. Thanks. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By CashOnlyLargeBills: There is no such thing as a "American" watch. Any reputable American based watch company will use Swiss or Japanese movements. Marathon, Avi-8 (British), and a few others out there are GTG Not a fan of Vaer but there are American movements. I thought they used some from FTS. https://www.ftsusa.us/americhron/ |
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Originally Posted By NotIssued: Late to the party but caught and released several. Seems like they target the same demographic as Sangin. Nothing inherently wrong, just didn't like them in person as much as IRL. Kind of like Sangin, tbh. I read an article on Sangin on Watches of Espionage and said to myself if I find a good deal on one grab it. Lucked into this one. And it is amazing. 
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"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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Originally Posted By HiramRanger: I read an article on Sangin on Watches of Espionage and said to myself if I find a good deal on one grab it. Lucked into this one. And it is amazing. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/218/IMG_5560-3806013.png The Atlas is a nice piece! I have an Overlord and a Kinetic II TI, both black DLC. I'd like a Neptune next, but they're one of the fastest to sell out. |
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A preowned Chris Ward. I dont buy many new watches. Other than Rolex and higher, most of the rest lose too much value on day one. A good recent year preowned will save you money and the depreciation will be much less. Hamilton Squale Zelos Islander for a little cheaper. |
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Originally Posted By fastluck13: I wouldn’t. Definitely Seiko before Vaer. Maybe Glycine if you want cheap swiss. this. I liked them, but they are cheap movements in cheap(ish) cases. Not really anything wrong with that but not interesting to me. I'd pick up a seiko or citizen I prefer more. |
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Originally Posted By fastluck13: I wouldn’t. Definitely Seiko before Vaer. Maybe Glycine if you want cheap swiss. This is the truth...I've gone through a few microbrands over the years and there's always something just lacking or if something goes wrong. If you want something with a Japanese movement just find a Seiko or Citizen that you like...for around $400 you can find a Glycine-basic Swiss with a Selitta SW 200. I picked up a GL0535 in May and this thing is running with COSC like accuracy from a "Basic" Swiss model. |
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I have often looked at these. I don’t know anything about them other than what’s on their site. They have been around for at least a few years now and the watches look great. Beyond that, no clue. Ginault |