Allow me to introduce you to the 1945 D12 Field Watch from Vario. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate watch to choose for my battle with that inglorious bastard aka Monday. So the D12 became my Monday go to watch. I reviewed my first VARIO watch 6 years ago. I knew that Ivan was onto something special with his first release, the Eclipse. I also reviewed Vario’s interpretation of the WW1 trench watch and now I am doing the same with their interpretation of the ‘Dirty Dozen’ WW2 watch.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Dirty Dozen watches, they were a “collection of Swiss and British watches commissioned and worn by the British military during WW2” I have to say that the railroad-style minute track was what initially drew me to this latest release from VARIO. At the beginning, my first real watch had the railroad style minute track, so of course this watch struck me at my horological heart strings.

As you all know how much I love a matte black dial, but I have to say that Vario’s choice for a textured dial is even better. I can’t believe I would ever say that but this green textured dial has so much more depth than what a smooth, matte dial would be. It also helped the VARIO logo to go into stealth mode allowing for a cleaner look for this dial. The hands and the small seconds adds to that classic DD style that so many of us love.

Here are the specs:

Case diameter: 37mm
Case thickness: 10.5mm
Crystal: Sapphire with inner AR applied
Lug width: 18mm
Lug to lug: 45mm
Lume: C3/BGW9 Lume
Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Caseback: 316L stainless steel with option for empty caseback and laser engraving at additional cost
Crown: Screw-down crown
Movement: Miyota 82s5 automatic gilt movement (Côtes de Genève) with hand-winding and hacking seconds. 21 jewels 21.6kpbh more than 40 hours power reserve
Water resistance: 10 atm

As I continued to delve deeper into this watch and I found myself enjoying it quite a bit. The case shape and design is ideal for this piece. The brushed finish is what I found most attractive. There are some high polished details that I don’t care much for as I never understood why a watch that is marketed for adventuring would have polished surfaces which are more prone to scratches. Scratches aren’t the issue for me though, it’s the visual aesthetics that are the issue for me. In my opinion, It distracts and takes away from the “tool” theme and adds a dress theme which is a conflict of design language.

My only other complaint about the D-12 is the quick release spring bars. You all know the why so there’s no need for me to repeat myself. Those are my only two complaints about this watch, now we can continue onto the good parts, which far outweigh my complaints. The crown placement is in a well protected position, versus the more exposed positions at the 3H and 12H positions. I am pleased from both a functional perspective and a visual perspective that Vario designed the crown oversized. It makes for easy grip and function for unscrewing/screwing the crown, for manually winding and for setting the time. I think about if this watch was around during the 1940’s and how the ease of function truly mattered. This not only would hold true for the crown function but also with the legibility of the dial.

The dial is exactly that, legible. That legibility is due to the large, but perfectly proportioned hands and the numerals. What I like about the hour markers are how they are raised up above the textured dial. The white color set against the darker green color of the dial makes for some ideal contrast for increased legibility during day time wear. For those night owls there’s no need to worry because there is some lume application on this dial that I will talk about and highlight later.

Earlier I was talking about the polished details and I wanted to clarify that I completely understand the why of mixing the polished finish details with the brushed finish details. This not only creates a contrast and adds depth, but it also allows this watch to transition more seamlessly from situations. For example, transitioning from the office to outdoor adventures is extremely easy for this watch to go from being paired with a dress shirt & tie to a t-shirt & jeans. In my opinion that’s the why behind Vario’s decision in mixing the D-12 with polished and brushed finishes.

The polished areas can be found on the fixed bezel that encircles the crystal, on the lugs and on the crown. The more time I spent with this watch, the more this details began to make sense to me. I appreciate it when a watch can open my way a thinking up more so that I am able to enjoy a wider variety of watches. I am glad that I was able to have my case size blinders removed years ago, because I definitely would have missed out on this watch because of its dimensions which are 37mm x 10.5mm with a lug width of 18mm and a lug to lug of 45mm. When we keep our preferences narrow, we are enabling ourselves to miss out on so many opportunities to own great watches.

The D-12 offers a unique wearing experience in my opinion. I am constantly alternating between 60mm to 47mm ,to watches in the 30mm range. Each watch offers it’s own unique wearing style. I am a preacher of that size is irrelevant when it comes to watches for me. The quality, engineering and design is what draws me to a watch, the size is just a little detail that doesn’t influence my decision to try a watch or not. For me, the size is just a small detail that is part of the watch’s personality, it’s there but not something that makes a difference to me liking or disliking a watch.

The green textured dial is always such a delight to see. This dial is so well done in terms of both details and horological symmetrical goodness. It blends both vintage and modern perfectly in my opinion. I have to say that the minute track is my favorite detail on this dial. There is something that always gets me when I see a minute track like this. Maybe it’s because I have always been obsessed with trains or maybe because my first real watch had that same style, but whatever it is, I just know that I completely appreciate this style.

The numerals are so precisely done in a way that is not only aesthetically pleasing to look. The ivory white numerals are quite functional because of their high legibility. When I look at my watch, I want it to be easily legible for that quick glance reading of the time. Yes, there are moments where I actually look at my watch for the time, instead of just ogling over the details. I love the contrast between the green dial, the white and the yellow used on this dial. All three of those colors work together so well in my opinion.

The small seconds is a great detail on this dial as well. A nice throwback to the original dirty dozen watches of the 1940’s. The nice thing about this being a modern watch is that the lume shine bright like a flashlight. I also appreciate this modern take because it can take the abuse Vs wearing a vintage piece that you have to be careful with when wearing it. So you are getting a modern watch armed with C3/BGW9 lume, a 316L stainless steel
case with a screw-down crown and a Miyota 82s5 automatic movement. All the modern ruggedness with that lovely vintage aesthetics. Vario has brought the best of both worlds together into a very nice offering that is their 1945 D12 watch……and the best part is it won’t destroy your wallet because it comes in at $368.00 USD.

I have been working on improving my photography with using the natural light to my advantage. It’s a huge challenge because it changes constantly when the wind blows the tree branches thus the where the filtered light comes lands is always changing. I shoot hand held style so those of you that know the challenge of keeping a steady hand, while manually focusing, with ever changing light…..it’s a huge pain in the ass……..that said, I thoroughly enjoy every second of it. The only thing I hate is when I go to snap a great shot and I get the “space full” message on my camera. 🤬🤬🤬

After I was done with one of my D12 photo shoots, I found a beautiful leather strap. A strap which I’ve had for about 12 years or more. Those of you who follow me on Instagram, might remember my Tetris themed story which showed my recent organizing all of my straps. The D12 looks incredible on the leather. I am not surprised that this watch is a strap monster, but I found it’s perfect match. Don’t get me wrong, the OEM straps from Vario are quality but anyone who takes the time to understand how my brain works knows that I am a custom leather junky.

Watch companies help steer us in a direction when they chose the OEM straps which is a nice thing to do, but I always like to expand and deepen the watch’s personality more. This expansion allows the D12 to become into more of a “me” watch. We all interpret it differently on what a watch’s personality is and then we extend that personality by the strap/bracelet choice we as individuals decide to strap onto the watch. That’s pure individualistic magic!

An incredible value piece that is packed full of charming details and loves to be used as a daily beater. I am always impressed by how well Vario can pull off details yet keep the price of their watches so incredibly low. I have had the privilege to review a few of their watches, including their very first release, and with each release, they improve. In my 10 years of doing my blog and the years prior of being a watch geek, I have seen countless brands come and go, but Vario not only has managed to keep it going and has managed to stay relevant, gaining steam as it moves ahead.

The 1945 D12 is a piece that exemplifies the spirit of the microbrand of old and new. It has nice specs, it has good quality control and everything functions as it should while delivering at an extremely affordable price. The D12 is also available in different dial colors so Vario gives options to it’s customers.

As I spend more time with this watch, I really appreciate the little details that make this such a charming piece. Now I am not a fan of the quick release spring bars but I do like that the lugs are drilled. Drilled lugs always add to the look of a watch. Speaking of the lugs, just look at the brushed finish with that little slice of polished finish. Chamfer goodness! When I first received this watch, I wasn’t so sure of the areas of polished finish but I have grown to appreciate those details. It adds a small amount of depth to the profile on this watch. That depth on the case is nicely cohesive to the depth of this textured dial.

The next pic series below are something that I wanted to highlight for a while since I have talked about it quite a bit. What am I talking about?!? I am talking about the lighting in these pics. I wanted to highlight how quickly and how dramatic the lighting changes in just matters of seconds. You can have a bright and happy pic ready to snap & but if you wait too long you end up with a dark & moody pic. It’s crazy, it’s challenging but boy is it f-cking fun!

Speaking of f-cking fun, this D12 is fun to wear. I always find it funny when people assume that I only wear watches that are “beasts” in size. For me, case size doesn’t make the beast, it’s about design, specs and engineering. This watch has nice quality, a great design and some nice specs for its price. I’d never compare this engineering against a watch like the Omnidiver. Those are two completely different species and comparing the two doesn’t make a bit of sense. This watch is a beast in its own regards, especially because of the dial.

The dial is a huge highlight for me. It makes wearing this watch an absolute joy. In my opinion, Vario’s choice of hands is perfect. Perfect in terms of size and color. Size for legibility and color for the cohesion of details between the hands and the markers. The combination of both white and yellow works so well set against this textured green dial.

As I mentioned before, case size is just an irrelevant detail. That being said, having a smaller case limits the amount of space for details. I hear stupid comparisons made between cars and watches, so it’s my turn to make one of those stupid comparisons. A tattoo is a great example. A large tattoo allows the artist more space to make it more detailed and intricate. The smaller you make the tattoo, it’s much harder to near impossible to add a great amount of detail. That is the drawback to a smaller case in my opinion.

I am also one of those people who can strap on any size watch and be completely happy, comfortable, etc….no matter if the watch is 30mm or 60mm. I know that we are all different and I’m not here to preach to you about how you as an individual is supposed to do things. That is not up to me, what is up to me is to tell you to try to be open to different watch wearing/style/design experiences. It’s all about variety.

My last stupid comparisons for today is this, I like having a variety of clothes, from fit to style, it all depends upon my mood that day or what I am doing which dictates what I reach to throw on. Why would I want a closet full of the same exact stuff? It’s also like eating the same meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day. We aren’t closed minded to those experiences, so why would we be when it comes to our watches?!? Just some food for thought today.

You can see my ASA moments forever infused onto this watch, located on the bezel. I dropped it on a pile of abandoned bricks when I was out shooting pics of it. I don’t mind scratching and denting my watches, but it still doesn’t stop my mouth from saying “mother f-cker” Hey, just like when I wake up Monday morning minutes before my alarm goes off.

I was happy to see that this 1945 D12 watch could handle falling not once, but twice onto the bricks. Having a watch that can handle shit like that is important to me. Sometimes it’s a foreseen situation and other times it’s 110% accidental, but either way it happens I like the assurance. The assurance that once I grab a watch to go with me, that I don’t have to worry about it after that. This is exactly what Vario achieved with their D12 watch here. A no worry, grab n’ go watch.

Coincidentally, this is the foundation of how I built my collection. I’m not here to tell you how to collect, I am here to share my experienced based opinions. If you like protecting your watch and keeping it a safe queen, that is your choice, your decision. Are you wrong for that? Absolutely not. Is that wrong for my approach to watches? Yes, 100% it is. That being said, both sides are right because we are approaching watches with our own individualized approach.

I have to say that I am very impressed by this piece and how Vario has consistently made progress on each of their releases that I have had the honor of reviewing. There are certain details that I may have changed to make it a more “me” watch but that has absolutely nothing to do with Vario doing anything wrong here.

Take for example this crown was really small and hard to grip when operating, then I would suggest that if Vario made the crown larger it would improve the experience of this watch. Thankfully this crown is extremely easy to hold and operate, but the example is what I like to suggest or mention as pro/con type of review topic. My personal preferences aren’t necessarily something that another person would share in the same feelings.

If someone were to ask me, “hey, what would you change about this watch or what are your impressions” I might state those personal preferences. It would be awesome to see a future D12 release with a hand winding Unitas movement inside. I’d love to see it in a larger case, with a larger dial to increase the space for these already beautiful details. Those who prefer a 40mm+ case might find the current D12 offering a bit small. Unfortunately for people who prefer larger case sizes, the current trend are smaller cases.

Thank you all for reading. Thanks to Ivan and the VARIO team!

https://vario.sg/collections/1945-d12-field