Paying homage to the 1970s is a new territory for Singapore-based Vario. The brand made a name for itself with its WWI-inspired trench watches and also captured the hearts of watch enthusiasts with its classy Empire collection. The new Futurist is like a fine wine, it only gets better when you let it breathe a bit.
Compared with some of Vario’s other designs, the Futurist is more restrained in terms of design. It is like an excellent bottle of red wine that tastes good right after you open it, but excels to a whole other level once you give it some air, either by decanting or swirling it in your glass. The Futurist also opens up like that in a similar way. With a case diameter of 39mm, it is pleasantly proportioned, and with the crown tucked away at the twelve o’clock position, it is very comfortable to wear. The overall height of 10mm and the flat caseback also play an essential role in this. Vario used Italian leather for the strap, which not only has a refined texture and a beautiful depth of color that matches the dial, but is also one of the most comfortable leather straps I have tried in a while. Without a need to break in, it is comfortable from the start.
Vario offers the Futurist in four different colors. Next to the red dial, it is also available in green and blue. Each of these is limited to 100 pieces, while the silver dial is an unlimited series. The price of the Futurist is, regardless of dial color, $648.
