Vero Watch Company has been quiet recently, but their hands have not been idle. For the uninitiated, Vero made their mark on the microbrand watch world by producing their own watch components in-house in the USA. Cases, crowns, dials, etc were all made on site in the brand’s Portland, Oregon headquarters. I was able to try some of their watches at Worn & Wound’s Wind-Up watch fair in 2019 and was impressed by all of them. The craftsmanship was evident and owner, Chris was affable.
What has Vero been up to in their absence? I wouldn’t call it a rebranding, but rather a redirection. Vero has been crafting not only a new watch, but a culture built around adventure. The Vero Open Water will be the brand’s reintroduction to the watch world and projects like their apparel, Vero Athletic Society, will give those looking for adventure a way to outfit themselves with all things Vero. Let’s take a quick look at the Open Water.
The 41mm dive watch is simple and inviting at first glance. The Open Water will come in two color ways, Crown Point Blue and North Coast Fog. Each color is inspired by the Pacific Northwest of the United States and pays homage to the Portland area.
Vero’s watches have always been built tough and the Open Water is no exception. It will feature 200 meters of water resistance, a screw down crown, and a ratcheted dive-time bezel.
The Open Water gave me vibes of Halios and Sinn and that is a winning combination. The simple dial layout with baton hands and markers ensures versatility and the wide bezel ensures it separates itself from the pack. The watch will be offered on Vero’s stainless steel bracelet or a Haveston NATO-style strap.
Vero’s take on a dive watch is exactly what I expect from the veteran brand. It fits in well with the design language of the previous watches while creating something of its own to coincide with the re-launch of the brand.
We will have a full review of the Open Water in the coming weeks, but there is one thing you can be sure of with the Open Water. Vero builds a tough watch and stands behind it. They are bringing the “no questions asked” warranty back and shows the faith Vero has in their build quality. The Open Water will be offered on a bracelet at $875 and a NATO-style strap at $810. Stayed tuned for our review.
Check out the Vero website for more on the Open Water.
Vero Open Water Specs | |||
Case Width | 41mm | Thickness | 11mm |
Lug-to-Lug | 47mm | Lug Width | 20mm |
Crystal | Sapphire | Strap | Bracelet/NATO |
Water Resistance | 200m | Lume | Super-LumiNova BGW9 |
Movement | Sellita SW200 | Price | $810/$875 |