Vario broadens its range with a new field watch with a twist, the new 1945 A-11S WW2
Tom Austin- Singaporean brand Vario’s latest timepiece is a solar quartz-powered, military-inspired field watch with specs that pack a punch in an affordable package.
- Available in two sizes, the 1945 A-11S WW2 Field Watch comes in a 35mm diameter for smaller wrists as well as a more contemporary 40mm diameter variation.
- There are three monochrome dial options for this new release, offering white, grey or black with a textured finish.
Field watches have been the go-to choice for many over the last 5-6 years, and while the luxury sector has dominated the headlines, a quiet uprising in the trend for military-inspired, simple yet rugged time-only tool watches has been underway. Vario is a brand that has been capitalising on this trend by producing quality military-style wristwatches at a more than reasonable price point. Previous offerings, such as the 1945 D12 field watch and the 1918 Trench, made light work of applying their own unique style to the field watch, with deep connections back to the origins of the genre. And now, they’ve returned with another one, the 1945 A-11S WW2.
The British Ministry of Defence’s “Watch, Wrist, Waterproof” standard – the format followed by the legendary “Dirty Dozen” – has proven to be the most well-known and enduring military standard in the field watch space, and indeed was the inspiration for Vario’s previous 1945 D12 model. However, the American Type A-11 standard isn’t quite as well-known, but it’s the standard that has inspired Vario’s latest piece.
The Type A11 watch became synonymous with American horology, and part of its specification was specifically set to include a hacking seconds hand (second hand stops completely upon pulling out the crown). This allowed soldiers to synchronise their watches during acts of combat and, therefore, played an integral part in the war itself. And as such, you’ll notice, there’s something different about the seconds hand on the 1945 A-11S – but more on that in a moment.
The A-11S comes in two styles: a contemporary 40mm diameter version, alongside a smaller 35mm version, which, while perhaps better suited for smaller wrists today, is more faithful to the original field watches of the time. Finished in 316L stainless steel, its simple case design is typical of that of any quality field watch, and looks stylish and understated, while being functional and comfortable.
Touches such as polished chamfers and a polished edge on the bezel are perhaps not what you’d expect to see on a military-inspired piece, but I’m sure over time these will dull down, breathing even more character into the watch. Functionality is perhaps somewhat limited with just a 50-meter water resistance rating, but at this price point, it’s hard to criticise that.
Across the two size options are three different dial variations, each finished in a clean, crackle-textured finish. Available in white, grey or black, the dials feature bold, contrasting lume-printed hour markers and minute tracks, along with a subtle red flash at 12 o’clock, and a toned-down, colour-matched Vario logo. Much like the field watches of yesteryear, there’s no dial text cluttering up the view.
It’s a time-only watch, with large, lume-filled sword hands, and you’ll notice there’s no seconds hand. Well, there is if you look a little closer. Right at the centre, there’s a plate sitting at the top of the hand stack, with a lumed pip that rotates, indicating the seconds. According to Vario, the traditional seconds hand was removed as a symbol of the original purpose of the hacking seconds hand on the A11. It represents a shift away from the tools of war and is envisioned as a symbol of peace instead. This is a subtle message I think we can all get behind.
The 1945 A-11S WW2 is an incredible value proposition, priced at just US$198, which is partly due to its movement. It utilises a Miyota solar quartz movement, specifically the 2070 in the 35mm, or the 2170 in the 40mm. These are powerful little Japanese movements which make wearing quartz a joy, as we’ve similarly seen with watches like the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph.
The Miyotas allow for approximately a 4-month battery life from a full charge, but wearing the watch for just a few hours outside will keep it running for quite some time. It’s this convenience and simplicity that makes the whole experience more enjoyable over time.
Vario manufactures excellent watch straps, too, so it’s no surprise that the one that comes with the A-11S is a banger. All three colourways come with a black Cordura re/cor textile strap, which is easily interchangeable with the multitude of straps Vario has on offer. It’s a modern but utilitarian look on this watch, which is refreshing when a lot of field watches can perhaps lean a bit too far on the heritage aesthetic. Each watch also comes supplied with a multi-use travel case, manufactured from recycled materials, which is yet another reason why the A-11S is a great value proposition.
Vario 1945 A-11S WW2 Field Watch pricing and availability
The Vario 1945 A-11S WW2 Field Watch will be available in a 40mm size initially, starting from June 1st. The 35mm version is scheduled to release in Q3/4 2025. Price: US$198 (introductory offer)
| Brand | Vario |
| Model | 1945 A-11S WW2 Field Watch |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 9.5mm (T) 35mm (D) x 9mm (T) |
| Case Material | 316L stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Dial | Texured black, white or grey with Super-LumiNova BGW9 |
| Strap | Black Cordura re/cor strap |
| Movement | Miyota solar quartz 2070 (35mm) or 2170 (40mm) |
| Longevity | Approx. 4 months |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | From June 1st 2025 |
| Price | US$198 (40mm version only) |
Made in partnership with Vario. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.