Vero is an American watch company based in Portland, Oregon. The brand was founded in 2015 by watch enthusiast Chris Boudreaux with the goal of creating high-quality, handcrafted timepieces with a focus on minimalist design and attention to detail.

Vero watches are known for their clean and understated aesthetic, combining classic elements with modern touches. The company takes pride in its craftsmanship and sources materials from reputable suppliers to ensure quality and sustainability. Each timepiece is meticulously assembled and finished by hand, reflecting the dedication and precision that goes into their creation.

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Vero offers a range of watch models, including both quartz and mechanical movements. As a dive watch fan, I first discovered the brand during the launch of its hugely successful Open Water Automatic Collection. Since then, the brand has launched several new models, including the most recent Meridian Manual Wind Series, featured here.

This field watch collection is a self-referential riff on the company’s own Rally and Sunset 36mm manual wind watches from 2019. The latest iteration of the Rally (seen here) solidifies an already popular design in a new 38mm package. With a tidy lug to lug of 44.5mm, and a case thickness of only 9.4mm, the Meridian Manual Wind is a wrist and cuff-friendly timepiece carefully crafted from 316L stainless steel.  

One notable aspect of the new collection is the attention to detail. The brand emphasizes the importance of small design elements and finishing touches that enhance the overall look and feel of its watches. This dedication to craftsmanship is evident in the thoughtful choice of numeral font, the careful selection of colour combinations, and the restrained use of dial text—which together contribute to the overall simplicity and symmetry of the watch face.

In terms of legibility, the stark contrast of dial elements could not be better suited for a field watch. In addition, Vero have treated the handset and dial dot indices with a healthy dose of Super-LumiNova. The result is a clear and long-lasting glow that will get you through the night when fully charged.

The flat sapphire crystal flows seamlessly into the broad, circularly brushed step bezel, which sits upon a slab-sided mid-case like a dais. As with the bezel, the top of the tapered lugs is also brushed; however, all vertical surfaces are polished for a welcome juxtaposition. The lugs themselves are drilled for easy strap changes, and the knurled, push crown is nicely sized for easy manipulation.

Through the screw down, display case back you can see the customized Sellita SW210-1. It features a mix of black rhodium-plated elements, thermally blued screws, and snail-finished ratchet gears. The calibre is hand-assembled in the brand’s Portland shop and is regulated to +/-5 seconds/day. The case back is also screwed down, promising up to 100m of water resistance.

This time around, the Meridian Manual Wind also comes with a stainless steel bracelet option. In conjunction with fellow microbrand watch manufacturer, Nodus, Vero’s bracelet is equipped with a fine, on-the-fly micro-adjusting clasp at the push of a button, ensuring comfort throughout the day. As a secondary offering, the watch also comes with a nicely textured leather strap.

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Specs

Case	316L Stainless Steel 38.mm Diameter 44.5mm Lug to Lug 9.4mm Thick 18mm Lug Width Screwed Case Back Push/Pull Crown 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Flat Sapphire Crystal /w AR Baton Hands Printed Indices Super-LumiNova
Movement	Swiss Made Sellita SW210-1 Regulated in Six Positions (+/-5 secs/day) 19 Jewels 28 800bph 42-Hour Power Reserve When Fully Wound
Strap	Stainless Steel Bracelet /w NodeX Micro-adjusting Clasp Leather Strap

Vero Meridian Manual Wind

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Of Interest

Recently I had the opportunity to put the Meridian Manual Wind through its paces in a weekend of hiking at Lac Poisson Blanc in Quebec’s Upper Laurentians. I found the watch to be a comfort on the hybrid leather strap. Its slim profile allowed it to slip easily under the cuff of my rain shell and also made accessing it straightforward when I wanted to check the time. On Sunday, when a thick layer of smog settled in—brought on by forest fires to the north—legibility remained high in the eerie grey light. The watch is lightweight, and at 100m of water resistance, I had no worries wearing it in the humid rainy conditions. In fact, I took it swimming to clean up on Saturday. The watch was a great companion throughout.

Quibbles

While I like the polished sides from an aesthetic point of view, a thoroughly brushed case might bear the wear and tear of a weekend field watch a little easier.

Final Thoughts

The Meridian Manual Wind is a straightforward, compact field watch with a touch of visual flair in its choice of dial colours. The watch aligns firmly with the boutique producer’s design language and is striking in its refined minimalism. I really like the balanced, sector-style layout and its lack of ostentation. I should mention that while I wore the watch on its leather strap much of the time, the bracelet really does elevate it in terms of styling, and the micro-adjusting clasp is a solid addition in a watch that retails for only $795USD—with a regulated Swiss movement to boot.

Vero’s commitment to quality, attention to detail, and hands-on watchmaking set it apart in the world of independent watch brands. Moreover, Vero is a company that stands behind what it creates. The watchmaker offers an industry-leading 10-year, no-questions-asked warranty against any damage. You heard right. Any damage.

If you are after a hardy weekend companion, look no further than the Vero Meridian Manual Wind. Please visit the brand website for further details.  

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About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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