One of the most quietly consistent forces in the indie watch space over the last nine years has been Vario—a brand that never quite plays by the rules, but somehow always lands exactly where watch nerds want it to. One minute they’re putting out Art Deco dress watches, the next it’s a single-handed watch measuring approximate time, encouraging its wearer to relax, and now… a solar-powered quartz WW2-inspired field watch? Sure. Why not.

That unpredictability isn’t random—it’s Ivan Chua’s superpower. He’s the founder, the designer, and an all-around enthusiastic guy. And while Vario is absolutely driven by his personal design taste (which leans vintage, playful, and at times sometimes delightfully weird), it’s also a brand that listens. Ivan actually pays attention to what enthusiasts are asking for—especially those of us craving something a little off the beaten path, without having to drop serious coin for the privilege.

The new 1945 A-11S Solar Quartz is a great example. It’s a modern, solar-powered riff on the classic field watch—a design with real military roots, but here it’s rendered with just enough Vario twist to make it feel fresh. It’s also incredibly affordable, which feels almost subversive in a landscape where “accessible” has started to mean “just under $1,000.”

This watch isn’t trying to reinvent the field watch. It’s just doing what Vario does best: taking a classic idea, giving it a thoughtful remix, and somehow making it all work for well under the price of a weekend getaway. Let’s get into it.

Design That Speaks Fluent Watch Nerd

The Vario A-11S doesn’t shout for attention—but spend more than five seconds with it, and the details start to pile up in all the right ways. First off: the dial. The Heron White variant I’ve been wearing has this subtle, almost papery texture that catches the light beautifully and gives the whole watch a vintage warmth, like a black-and-white war photo that still somehow feels alive. It’s not trying to be faux-aged or faux-anything—it’s just well-executed, thoughtful design.

One of my favorite design choices is the placement of the Vario logo just below 12 o’clock. It’s subtle—almost easy to miss at first—and that’s entirely the point. This effect appears to be a nod to vintage field watches, many of which didn’t feature any branding on the dial at all. It keeps the dial clean, purposeful, and era-appropriate, while still giving the brand its moment. In a world where some independents (and especially some major brands) treat their logo and dial text like they’re in a turf war with the rest of the dial, this kind of restraint feels refreshing.

And then there’s that seconds disc—easily one of the cleverest features of the watch. Rather than a full sweeping hand ticking away around the outer edge (and possibly missing every minute marker by a mile), you get this minimalist disk and dot rotating over the pinion. It’s a subtle pulse. A heartbeat. Proof of life. For quartz lovers, it’s charming. For quartz skeptics who can’t handle the sight of a misaligned tick—this is your safe space. Ivan built this to bridge that gap, and it works brilliantly.

Taken as a whole, the design hits that oh so succulent sweet spot Vario does so well: familiar enough to feel rooted in something vintage, but different enough to feel like you’ve discovered a little secret.

Small Price, Serious Specs

Let’s talk about value for a second, because Vario is defying the laws of what sub-$200 watches are supposed to offer (if you can even find quality watches for such a bargain anymore). For just under two bills, the 1945 A-11S Solar Quartz gives you 50 meters of water resistance (more than enough for daily life, unexpected downpours, a swim in the pool, and probably that moment you forget to take it off before rinsing your dog), a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating up top, and a reliable solar-powered Miyota 2170 movement under the hood.

That last bit is likely the reason an enthusiast would flock to this watch. The Miyota 2170 charges up via light and runs for up to four months on a full charge, meaning it’s essentially maintenance-free. You’re getting the everyday convenience of quartz, but without the existential dread of realizing your battery died right before a flight. It’s low-maintenance, high-practicality—field watch energy through and through, taken a step further with solar quartz.

When you stack those specs up against the price, it’s hard not to do a double-take. This thing isn’t just affordable—it’s generously specced and smartly executed, the kind of watch you could recommend to a first-time collector or a seasoned enthusiast alike, without flinching.

Final Thoughts

The Vario 1945 A-11S Solar Quartz isn’t trying to be flashy or groundbreaking—it’s just really well thought-out. It taps into a piece of watch history with care, folds in smart modern upgrades like solar power and sapphire, and lands at a price that feels almost suspiciously reasonable. That’s the Vario way.

Ivan didn’t reinvent the field watch here, but he didn’t have to. What he’s done is give enthusiasts something they’ve been asking for: a reliable, wearable, good-looking field watch with vintage charm, modern guts, and no compromises where it counts. And he did it without turning it into a “limited edition,” slapping on a $500 markup, or pretending it's something it’s not.

You never really know what Vario’s going to do next—and that’s half the fun. But if this release is any indication, we can expect more smart, soulful watches made for people who actually wear them.

Specifications:

Dimensions - 40mm diameter, 10mm thickness, 48mm lug-to-lug

Lug Width - 20mm

Materials - 316L Stainless Steel

Crystal - Sapphire Crystal with inner anti-reflective coating

Water Resistance - 50 meters

Movement - Miyota 2170 Solar Quartz

Price - $198 USD

Transparency

I was sent this watch from Vario, and I do not have to return it. There was no expectation for me to write a review on the watch, and Vario had no input on the contents of this review.

Filling Gaps and Lighting Paths the Vario Way: 1945 A-11S Solar Quartz Review

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Filling Gaps and Lighting Paths the Vario Way: 1945 A-11S Solar Quartz Review

Time Well Spent: Watches are My Mental Health Anchor

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