Tyler Frederick
Mojo infused
In the words of Jeremy Clarkson, “We’re an endangered species, you and I.” Finding romance in many aspects of life through things that are often viewed as inanimate objects. Cars, watches, and guitars are technically objects that lack emotion or feelings, but we as individuals infuse our “mojo” into the things that feed our creativity, our need to feel alive, and the objects we use as our own forms of physical expression. My grandfather is the one who fueled my love of cars and motorcycles, and when I received the VAER R1 USA Chronograph, it reminded me of the vintage race cars he adored, specifically those from the 1970s Formula One and the SCCA Trans AM Series. Two entirely different spectrums of motorsport, but both equally badass.
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Key Features of the VAER R1 USA Racing Chronograph:
Vintage racing vibes
The R1 USA Racing Chronograph takes me back to a time when safety was the lowest priority and being the fastest was top—the golden era of motorsport. I’m not saying “safe” isn’t important, but, yes, I’m reminded of vintage F1 and SCCA, and I also get strong Group-B Rally vibes. If you haven’t checked out Group-B Rally before, please do; it’s pure insanity. The watch reflects my love for classic motorsport styling: elegance combined with an absurdly quick appearance, even while standing still. While I wasn’t around to appreciate that era when it was active, I admire it as an enthusiast, and the R1 USA Racing Chronograph offers a taste of those years gone by.
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Built for the cockpit
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the desire to throw on a race suit and helmet with this on my wrist, especially considering it’s the perfect size to fit under the sleeve/glove. The compact nature of the cushioned case paired with the FKM rubber strap makes for an incredibly comfortable wearing experience, and the combination of the brushed “bezel” and polished lugs and sides creates a blend of rugged tool/sport watch and elegance—in short, VAER nailed the 60s/70s racing vibe.
Panda power
The more time I spent staring at the case paired with the off-white “panda” dial and the accents of red, black, and yellow, the more I couldn’t help but think about one of the most beautiful race cars ever designed, the Lotus 49, which achieved countless victories from 1967 to 1970, including the championship for Jim Clark in 1968 and the championship for Jochen Rindt in 1970. Like the car, the watch has many details, and while it’s minimalistic, the longer you look, the more detail you notice.
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Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 38mm Diameter 46mm Lug-to-Lug 12.6mm Thick 20mm Lug Width 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire Crystal Panda Dial Applied Markers Syringe Handset W20 Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Seiko VK63 Meca-Quartz -10/+20 sec/month 40-Month Battery Life |
| Strap | FKM Rbber Strap /w Jubilee-style Bracelet Option |
VAER R1 USA Racing Chronograph
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Quibbles
I love the R1 USA Racing Chronograph, and the FKM rubber strap is supple and comfortable, enhancing the wearing experience. However, the watch is also available with a stainless steel jubilee, which looks fantastic in the images on the VAER website. I prefer a steel bracelet above all else, so my “quibble” is that I didn’t get to experience the jubilee. It not only looks great, but it’s also known as an extremely comfortable bracelet option, which I favour. Sidenote, I get a little worried about anything that’s highly polished, so keep in mind it’s more susceptible to scratches on the lugs and sides of the case.
Final Thoughts
I don’t think I need to explain why I love the R1 USA Racing Chronograph. It’s everything I look for in a watch: connected to motorsport, great proportions, a beautiful vintage-styled dial, and plenty of strap/bracelet options. I would confidently say this is an ideal daily watch. Great quality all around and a great watch for $525. I know that’s a tad steep for a meca-quartz, but I’ve personally loved the watch as a whole, and I think it’s worth more than considering. For more information, check out VAER.
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About the author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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