Vario Versa Watch Review – Microbrand Watch World

About Vario Versa

In an effort to combat the flaw of most GMT’s in the industry, Vario is proud to present their latest release, the Versa. The reversible Dual Time Watch can handle those half hour time-zones with relative ease. While it is a functional piece on its own, the design still provides a touch of elegance in it’s finishes and style.

Incorporating the elegant style of modernised timepieces, the Versa hold some unique traits that make it stand out in it’s own niche of sporty, utilitarian elegant watches for the working and sporty class individuals. The price tag sits at an affordable range of only $428.00, making it an excellent and budget friendly choice for a slice of luxury.

Specifications

The case for the Versa is only 26.0 mm in width and 39.0 mm in length, with a case thickness of 12.0 mm, marking it as an excellent, lightweight ladies or unisex sports and dress wear watch.

This means it is well suited to the ladies but also those who appreciate the minimalist approach to timekeeping, avoiding those heavier set watches while maintaining the functionality needed for the business executive.

Case Crown

The case of the Vario Versa is comprised of industry standard 316L stainless steel, marvelled for it’s high polish finish and strength. Unique to the Versa is that both crowns are situated above the 12 o’clock position for either display for ease of access control, avoiding skin friction and allowing easy time setting for dual time zones.

The case dimensions are length (lug-to-lug) of 40mm, diameter of 26mm but the case thickness is 12mm. I know it is sound very thick – and it is when you look on it from the side. But due to its shape, the watch face takes the focus and the case thickness is almost unnoticeable. Furthermore, the Vario Versa watch total weight is around the 56-57 grams, so the case thickness is not an issue.

Strap/Bracelet

For the strap, originally, Vario came from straps designs, so besides the watch, the strap is beautiful and comfortable. The Versa watch model comes with a Vegetarian Tan Italian Leather strap with a deployment clasp, allowing a taper of 20.0 mm to 16.0 mm. With a wide range of colors in leather straps, everyone is well accommodated in personal tastes.

Movement

Utilizing a Swiss-Made quartz movement, the Versa uses two Swiss Ronda Slimtech 1062 calibres, each with 1 jewel. These movements boast a compelling ease of repair and an astounding 6 year battery life, before needing a replacement battery.

The Ronda range of movements is said to be one of the best competitors in the quartz movement manufacturing industry in the world with a high precision tracking mechanism. When it come to quartz, many microbrands and major mainstream brands that come out of the states make use of the famous Ronda movement.

Dial & Bezel

Like many other watches in the industry, the Versa makes of the ever robust sapphire crystal for it’s dial, marking features like being anti-reflective, exceptionally scratch resistant and a fantastic medium for crystal clear viewing.

The dials rectangular framing uses an embedded inlay with 10 minute increments for with diamond markers for each hourly mark. At the top end of the inner dial you’ll notice the pronounced Vario brand at the 12 o’clock marker. As for the hands, there are two hands, a minute and hour hand in blue.

You’ll also notice that the face of the dial comes in a variety of colour schemes and settings, with hand applied Arabic numbering available as well

The bezel forms as a part of the rectangular shape of the Versa, although it is not a rotatable bezel, it is controlled by a secondary crown at the 12 o’clock for its Dual time feature.

What we love about Vario Versa

The minimalistic design of the Versa makes for an attracting piece to add to our collection, while the price tag might signify lower quality control for some, we believe that is completely wrong. The design and thought process of a watch matters to us, while it still upholds the value you as a watch enthusiast have in quality and design.

Breaking away from the norm of rounded dials and bezels for Dual time functionality, Vario has made a timepiece that stands out as a unique piece that identifies itself in the marketplace.

It is also the fact that the Versa uses not one but two Ronda Calibres, an excellent, precise high-quality quartz movements that stands as a valid competitor in the market of calibre’s. This means that as a wearer, you get the most accurate timekeeping possible within the budgeting constraints of most middle class families.

The Versa makes for an excellent Father’s/Mother’s Day gift or even Valentines gift and even a Graduation gift without breaking the bank.

What we don’t love about Vario Versa

While the Vario Versa has some nice features, they are heavily subject to a niche market, focusing more of the dress or executive style who are looking for a lightweight watch with some functionality. This means that it completely misses out of the broader market, likely marking it as a wear until worn scenario then expecting to see it as an heirloom.

While the bezel design is unique, in that in is basically in-laid in the casing of the watch, the crown placement could lead to some confusion and/or possibly some irritation when programming the second time zone.

The leather strap that is used for the Versa is water resistant, up to a point, which is to say it shouldn’t be exposed to water for long periods at a time. Not to mention, the fact that it’s not even Leather and can’t be classified as “leather” let alone “Italian” in the same respect to actual Italian Leather.

Is Vario Versa worth buying?

Yes and No. Yes because it will suit your budget as a present for a work colleague or family member. The design of the watch does use good quality materials, a precise and well-known calibre that is used the world over. And because perhaps you as a consumer were looking for something on the minimalistic side of the spectrum, this would be a great watch, considering the functionality.

As for the “No”? Perhaps it’s more of a “Maybe Not” if you’re an avid watch collector that appreciates the design elements streamlined in the industry for GMT watches. If you as a consumer would much prefer feeling the weight of a watch on your wrist, that unexplainable sensation of a heftier piece that you can show off to your colleagues and family as a milestone to your financial stepping stones.

As a whole the watch design is fairly straightforward and simplistic, the housing is on the smaller end and works well for those who appreciate a smaller wrist accessory, or perhaps get irritated by something heavier. The Versa may not be something you’d keep as an investment piece or family heirloom but that value for money is worthwhile for its extended use.

At the end of the day it is all up to you, whether or not you like the smaller watches or even the brand, but perhaps this article might insight you to try them out for size.

Thank you for reading this article, we hope you’ll join us on our next watch review journey!