AllOutdoor Review – VAER C5 Field Solar 40mm Watch
Patrik Orcutt 07.11.25
VAER is an American watch company founded in 2016 by Ryan Torres and Reagan Cook in Venice Beach, California. The founders aimed to create durable, aesthetically pleasing, and affordable wristwatches suitable for both everyday wear and outdoor activities. After a year dedicated to product development, VAER launched its first model, the C5 Classic quartz, in early 2017. This watch featured 10ATM water resistance, a screw-down crown, and interchangeable straps, setting the standard for the brand’s future designs. VAER emphasizes American assembly, with a significant portion of its watches assembled in Scottsdale, Arizona, and strives to incorporate U.S.-sourced components when possible. The company has expanded its lineup to include automatic, solar-powered, dive, and chronograph models, often drawing inspiration from historical military timepieces. VAER also allocates a portion of its revenue to environmental conservation efforts and maintains a direct-to-consumer sales model to ensure the quality and affordability of its watches. For today’s review, we are specifically going to take a look at the VAER C5 Field Solar 40mm Watch to see how it performs. Let’s dive in!
Watch Coverage on AllOutdoor
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The VAER C5 Field Solar 40mm Watch was provided by VAER for this review and while I am allowed to keep the product indefinitely, this will not change my opinion on this product or any of VAER’s current or past offerings. I have taken the VAER C5 Field Solar 40mm Watch on many EDC outings over the past 4 months and worn it everywhere I would normally go.
Specifications – VAER C5 Field Solar 40mm Watch
- Movement – Japanese-made Epson VS-42 solar quartz (6-month power reserve after just 6 hours of light exposure)
- Case – 40mm
- Case Material – 316L stainless steel
- Face Material – Single domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown – locking screw-down with 100M of water resistance
- Date Window – Yes
- Lumen – X1 W207 Super-LumiNova
- Assembled – in the USA
- Warranty – 2 Year Limited
- MSRP – $329
Field Use – VAER C5 Field Solar 40mm Watch
When I first strapped on the VAER C5 Field Solar, I was drawn to its clean, utilitarian design and the promise of low-maintenance reliability. As someone who appreciates the blend of form and function, this watch seemed to offer both right out of the box at a price I could stomach.
The 40mm 316L stainless steel case struck a balance between presence and wear-ability, as I do like my watches to be low-key yet still be exciting to look at. Its 10.4mm thickness allowed it to slide comfortably under a uniform cuff, making it suitable for both casual and more formal settings. The single domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating provided clarity and scratch resistance, essential for daily wear.
One of my favorite features was its solar-powered Epson VS-42 movement. After just six hours of light exposure, it boasted a six-month power reserve, eliminating the need for regular battery replacements. This is pretty impressive to me, and while I don’t live in a cave or anything, this watch never skipped a beat while it was on my wrist. This also makes the watch have minimal upkeep, if any at all. This aspect is something I enjoy, as I do hate having to charge the smartwatches in my collection and worry about whether I need to bring a charging cable on my trips with me.
The dial’s legibility was great. White numerals contrasted sharply against the black matte background, and the 12-hour markers added a practical touch. The hands and indices, coated with X1 W207 Super-LumiNova, ensured visibility in low-light conditions. Even after hours in the dark, the lume remained bright, but certainly not as bright as my Luminox in my collection so keep that in mind.
During my time with the C5, I wore it through various activities—hiking, biking, and even during unexpected rain showers. It’s 100m water resistance and locking screw-down crown provide peace of mind and allow me to jump in the beach or pool whenever I wanted to. The watch remained unaffected by moisture, and the case showed no signs of wear even after many trips in and out of the shower.
The interchangeable 20mm straps add versatility to the watch and allow you to customize the C5 how you see fit. I personally was not a big fan of either of the two straps that shipped with the watch and opted to add my own olive green NATO strap. The included rubber strap is nice, but I’m not a big fan of rubber straps on vintage-looking watches.
One thing I must mention is the Price, At $350, some might argue the price is high for a quartz-powered watch, even a solar one. For the same price range, you can find entry-level automatics or watches with Swiss movements, though often with trade-offs in materials or assembly location.
Overall, the VAER C5 Field Solar 40mm USA impressed me with its combination of durability, functionality, and classic design. It’s a watch that can transition seamlessly from outdoor adventures to more formal wear. For those seeking a reliable, low-maintenance timepiece with a touch of rugged elegance that is assembled here in America, the C5 is worth looking into. Thanks to the guys at VAER for getting this watch out to me for review.
