Leave your expensive watches at home. If you’ve done any adventurous traveling, you should know that sentence by heart. But that doesn’t mean you don’t want or need a capable wristwatch, especially a GMT that can track multiple time zones. Thankfully, the VAER G2 Meridian is a lovely watch that costs much less than a trans-Atlantic plane ticket.
I’ve worn the new 39mm watch from VAER over the last month and am, once again, very impressed by the fit, finish, and function of this USA-assembled wristwatch that costs less than $350.
In short: At 39mm, the VAER G2 Meridian is an ideal size for many wearers, even those with somewhat smaller wrists. With a GMT hand, reliable quartz movement, and a beautiful appearance, it looks much classier than its price tag would let on. With interchangeable bracelets and straps, and an impressive 500-foot water resistance rating, the G23 Meridian is an absolute value with just one minor downside, a hard-to-read date window.
Shopping for a new watch? Compare the G2 Meridian with the best field watches.
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Classic appearance -
Durable, very water resistant -
Wears well on most wrist sizes -
Affordable GMT watch
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Date window is hard to read
VAER G2 Meridian Review
Depending on your relationship with watches, you’ll probably expect a lot, or a little from a watch priced at $359. Having reviewed many watches with price tags well beyond $1,000 over the last year, my expectations were muted when I opened the box from VAER.
That, I realized very quickly, was unfair.
The VAER G2 Meridian is a beautiful watch at a very reasonable price. It stacks up well against many watches that cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars more. And it’s even assembled in the USA. Pretty cool.
Opening the VAER box, you’ll probably see two boxes. That’s because VAER sells all its watches with two straps. Some add additional cost to the watch; some don’t. I chose to get it with a stainless steel bracelet, and I’m glad I did because it looks darned good.
The face of the VAER G2 Meridian is as classic as they get. Inspired by 1970s Rolex Milsub and 1950s GMT Masters, it has a black face with white trapezoidal markers. The red and navy bezel insert, paired with a multi-directional stainless steel bezel, brings the iconic “Pepsi” appearance at a fraction of the price of a Rolex or Tudor.
A thin red GMT hand spins once every 24 hours to help track second time zones. It is a caller style, meaning that the GMT hand sets independently from the primary hour and minute hands.
A small date window at 6 o’clock is my only gripe. It’s tough to read in low light, and as I approach 50, I find myself squinting more than I’d like. Yes, it’s legible. But a little more contrast or bolder numerals would help.
Changing, Sizing Straps
One of the coolest things about VAER is the inclusion of second straps and a quick-release changeout. I wore the G2 Meridian with the included black silicone strap for the first couple of weeks of testing and really liked it. But I decided to switch to the bracelet for a holiday party.
To change the strap, simply compress two little tabs inside the lugs, and the pin releases the strap. It takes just a few seconds, even though it’s a little fiddly getting the new strap reattached. The whole process should take less than a couple of minutes.
Resizing the bracelet took me a bit longer, but it only required a very small (eyeglasses-style) screwdriver. I removed screws and a couple of links and had the watch sized for my own 7.5-inch wrist in about 15 minutes.
Both the strap and bracelet look nice and wear comfortably. And again, at $359 ($469 including the bracelet), it feels like a lot of value.
Timekeeping, Setting, and Outdoor Use
To test the durability of the G2 Meridian, I ran a couple of standard tests, soaking the watch in 6 inches of water for 2 hours and then freezing. I also left it outside in a snowstorm for a few hours for good measure. I also wore it on several rough occasions, including elk, pheasant, and goose hunting, and some cross-country skiing and daily runs for a month.
The watch didn’t miss a beat, and shows only a couple very light scratches on the bracelet after some legit real-world use.
Thanks to its Swiss Ronda quartz GMT movement rated to -10/+20 seconds per month allowance, the watch keeps fantastic time. I’ve seen no deviation from the time on my phone over a full month of testing. The movement has a 40-month battery life, so I expect solid timekeeping for the next 3 years or so.
Setting the watch is smooth and simple. The crown unscrews smoothly. Pull it out one click and spin down to change the GMT hand. Spin upward to adjust the date. Pull it out two stops to change the hour and minute hands. It’s simple and pleasant.
The moveable bezel has a nice firm click and just a little play. It contributes to a tough feeling build that punches above its price class.
The BGW9 Super-LumiNova is easy to read in low light, and it shines legibly for at least 8 hours (judging by my 4 a.m. time check after waking up last night).
Finally, the solid stainless caseback displays a fun, albeit difficult-to-read, depiction of the globe with time zones. Ostensibly a useful tool for judging time zones while traveling, I see it as a neat finish that’s probably not going to see much use outside of amusement on airplanes.
Why to Buy the VAER G2 Meridian
The VAER G2 Meridian is a versatile, handsome wristwatch at a size that will fit many wrists. It’s relatively affordable and has a very accurate quartz movement. It won’t impress anyone with its pedigree, but let’s be real, nobody cares about your wristwatch but you.
If you do much traveling, this is a good-looking watch that won’t stress you out with its price tag. It’ll tell great time, look good, and if you happen to get mugged on some rough street in a strange town, you’re out less than $400.
If that’s more than you’re willing to risk on a trip, there are plenty of other, even cheaper options.
But if your travel also takes you into business or more formal settings, the G2 Meridian is nice enough to polish up a suit and tie. Then keep it on when you hit the beach or pool, because its water resistance is more than capable to handle everything shy of serious scuba diving.
VAER launched the G2 Meridian as a value proposition for those who don’t want to spend more on the G5 automatic. It was meant to be a limited edition. But it sold so well that VAER plans to expand the line to more colors soon.
That’s a good idea. This is a classic watch that should work for a vast swath of consumers. Grab one, take it on a trip, take it on a hike, and enjoy a good-looking watch at a great price. As a beater, this one’s hard to beat.
