MICRO MONDAYS: Put your zest foot forward with the new Vaer A3 Atlas Orange
Ricardo SimeIt’s the middle of the year and already a ton of watches have been released. So much so that we decided to look back for any gems we may have missed in the shuffle. One such watch that deserves attention, for multiple reasons, was this year’s first release from Vaer. They’re an independent microbrand out of Venice, California who already have a great catalogue of collections. As we enter the second half of 2022, they’ve now added a nice all-rounder. Say hello to the A3 Atlas Orange.
The A3 Atlas is based on the 36mm case we saw on their popular 3-6-9 dialled A3 Tradition. So, proportions are the same, with a compact 43mm lug-to-lug and an 11.6mm thickness. Yet once you get past the numbers, the differences are immediately apparent. Gone is the rough-and-tumble mostly brushed case we saw on the Tradition. Instead, we have a steel polished bezel, giving way to brushed lugs with polished chamfer. Which means this Atlas can be dressed up or dressed down.
And should you go the route of dressing it down, note you’ll feel secure with the afforded 100 metres of water resistance and a screw-down crown.
Moving in from the case, we’re met with a bold blood orange dial behind a domed sapphire crystal. It’s hard to miss and looks great with the contrasting white colour used, from the white seconds hand to the white lume, markers and text on the dial. Also, the polishing on the bezel continues on the dial with polished borders on the indices and polished multifaceted pencil hands. But my favourite part has the colour-matched date wheel. Too many brands still miss this opportunity to tie a perfect bow on their design by not colour matching.
Overall, though the dial (and watch) will inevitably be compared to the Coral Red Rolex OP, I like the execution here. The decision to simplify the colour palette to just orange and white makes this dial more pleasing to my eyes.
Powering the A3 Atlas Orange and on display through a sapphire caseback is the Miyota 9015 movement. It’s a microbrand workhorse that runs at the industry standard 28,800 bph, while providing a power reserve of 42 hours on a full wind. As for finishing, Vaer has kept that to a minimum, with striping on the main plates and logo on the rotor. It’s a simple and clean look for a simple and clean watch.
To complete the look, Vaer presents the A3 Atlas Orange with a multitude of 20mm straps. You can pick either a three-link or jubilee-style bracelet. The three-link is quick release and mostly brushed for that more sporty look. The jubilee-style has polished centre links for those more dressy occasions. In terms of material, a Single Pass sand-coloured strap and a black Horween leather strap are options as well. All this to say that the watch is quite versatile and works well with any of these options.
The A3 Atlas Orange now completes a set of very capable, daily wear watches for Vaer. With its 36mm sizing and fun colour, it’s hard to argue that this watch isn’t a great summer option for those in search of a non-diver. What’s more, when you look into Vaer, you soon realise just how much value they bring to the table. That’s why it’s easy for me to say that the A3 Atlas Orange should be on the list of anyone looking for a good, relatively affordable, everyday watch.
The A3 Atlas Orange Collection pricing and availability:
The A3 Atlas Orange is available on the brand’s website. Price: $549 to $659 USD (depending on strap chosen)