I love watches. Not like, I really love them. It’s almost become an obsession for me. I have so many, I’ll often select one to discover its battery is dead despite feeling like it was just replaced. I recently came across a newer watch company named Vaer based in Venice Beach, California. The company, less than ten years old, has several lines of watches that are assembled in the U.S. Recently, the company started to make dual time zone watches for pilots and avid travelers.
While they offer several styles of watches for different lifestyles, the line of GMT Watches (or pilot watches) was only started a year ago. The G2 Meridian comes in several colors: navy/red, navy/black (or Batman), Gilt (gold), and green. The G2 Meridian Navy/Red – 39mm, was inspired by the 1970s Rolex Milsub and the 1950s GMT Master. Its red/navy bezel was what first caught my eye, but not only is this watch attractive and functional, it is also affordable. Starting at $359, it comes with two easily interchanged straps—the waterproof FKM Ocean Strap (black), and the Single Pass Recon (olive) strap. There are also five options to upgrade the olive strap: the Premium Steel Bracelet ($90), Lined Horween Leather in tan or black ($120), a black FKM Waffle Strap ($30), and the Premium Jubilee Bracelet ($120). I selected the Premium Steel Bracelet.
I think the most outstanding feature of the G2 Meridian is its capability to depths of up to 500 feet (or 15ATMs), which is insane to me. The deepest I ever dove was 120 feet! Beyond that depth would require further certifications. But wait, there’s more; the G5 is capable to depths up to 650 feet (20ATMs)! The crown has a locking screw-down feature that seals the internal watch components from the pressure of the depths. Both company founders are Southern California surfers, so it’s no surprise they wanted a watertight watch able to handle extreme elements. Their compelling origin story explains how they tested their designs to ensure they could withstand extreme conditions.
The dual, or triple, time-zone feature also caught my eye. The G2 and G5 series include a red arrow GMT hand, that is to be set to Greenwich Mean Time or Zulu time which means no need for mental math to read the time on the METAR or TAF. Simply use the red arrow as the hour hand (instead of the typical shorter hand). If you want to set a third time zone, simply twist the 120-click, bi-directional bezel so the hour hand aligns with the local time of the third time zone.
Swapping out the waterproof strap for the metal bracelet was extremely easy. Flipping the watch, on each side you will find two small, spring-loaded levers that retract two tiny pins from the case of the watch. Installing the metal bracelet was much easier than I had initially anticipated though it took a few tries for me to align the pins.
As a watch connoisseur, I have my own watch hammer and pin kit to size metal bracelets, but Vaer uses a screw-type pin requiring either the Vaer Watch Tool or a 1.4mm flat-head screwdriver (aka an eyewear screwdriver). Simply unscrew the pins and remove the appropriate number of links and screw the final pin(s) back in. I did have a screw back out on the first day (pilot error), so make sure that you tighten them properly. You can also finely tune the size adjustments on the clasp. There are four positions along the clasp allowing you to shrink or expand the bracelet by small increments to either fit a little more snuggly or loosely depending on your preference. To change the incremental clasp position, use the pin adjustment tool from your watch kit to push the pin in on each side.
Another great feature of the G2, is the glow-in-the dark “lume” feature. The G2 markers and all three hands have 15 layers of Grade A, BGW9 Super-LumiNova applied to them.
My first impression when I opened the box was that the 39mm was a little small, but after adjusting the bracelet and wearing the watch, it fits great on my wrist—though I would love to see a 44mm version! Lastly, there is a date window at the bottom (at the six o’clock position) which I felt was a little small. But honestly, when I put reading glasses on, it’s perfectly legible. I guess my eyes are reminding me that I’m not in my 30’s anymore.
If you’re looking for a classic timepiece that looks great, has functionality and won’t break the bank, check out the G2 Meridian. It comes in several color options including the newest ones, Batman (aka Navy/Black), Gilt and green. Be sure to check out their latest blog, Journal of April 24, 2025 that announced the release of these new designs.
