Free USA ShippingWith optional to 2-day shipping available.
Waterproof WarrantyGuaranteed 100% ocean-ready.
Two Straps StandardOur 20mm straps are interchangeable
Why we love it
"The perfect combo of style, durability and value."
- Huckberry
This watch is perfect for swimming and surfing, and it's protected by our waterproof warranty.
Our success has been built on delivering exceptional value to our owners.
What makes the A12 special? In our opinion, it's the perfect balance of competing ideas. Simultaneously traditional and modern, elegant and rugged, simple and complex - this watch is a humble, everyday wearer, with the specs and credentials to put most $2000 watches to shame.
1. Ocean-Ready
Life is unpredictable. The perfect everyday watch needs to provide peace of mind in all conditions. Whether you're heading out in the rain or taking a jump in the pool, this watch never needs to be left on the sidelines.
2. Scratch Resistant
Impact is inevitable. When it happens, you want to be sure your watch won't scratch. That's why we use premium sapphire crystal to protect our dials (the second hardest material after diamond).
3. Easy Customization
Every day is different. And the easiest way to switch up the look (and functionality) of your watch is to change straps. That's why every Vaer watch ships with 2x quick-change strap options.
Watches for Every Budget
Many of our watches look similar, though have very different prices. This is due to movement type (the watch's power source), and assembly origin. Below you can find a chart comparing how different models stack up.
Collectors & Enthusiasts
Collectors & Enthusiasts
Extended Off-Grid Use
Self-Winding Movement (Automatic)
Self-Winding Movement (Automatic)
Ambient Light
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
-5/+15 sec/day
-5/+15 sec/day
-10/+20 sec/month
Switzerland
USA
USA
Our mission at Vaer is to make products that will last and become more important and personally significant over time. While luxury and technology have a place in modern life, the products we love the most are durable everyday items that promote values of simplicity and independence.
Every watch we've ever sold has come standard with two interchangeable 20mm Vaer straps. This cross-compatibility across our entire product line, gives owners increased functionality and value, with the option to easily change up their strap.
Whether it's our ocean-based roots in Venice Beach,our thousands of five-star customer reviews, or our unique position as the largest independent assembler of watches in the United States, there's a lot to talk about with Vaer. We firmly believe that the more you learn about our watches and company, the more likely you'll be interested in supporting our brand. If you have a more detailed question, feel free to visit our FAQ below.
You can absolutely swim, surf, snorkel, scuba do anything else in-water with your Vaer watch. If you didn't know it already - ALL Vaer watches include a waterproof warranty. Which is our way of saying, if you can flood it, we'll replace it (as long as your crown is sealed and your within your 2 year warranty).
Many Vaer watches are proudly assembled in the USA. While no modern wristwatch can claim to be 100% Made in the USA, we are deeply committed to supporting American craftsmanship and maximizing domestic sourcing wherever possible.
Our USA-assembled watches, especially those featuring Ameriquartz movements and paired with leather straps, stand out with some of the highest U.S. source origin on the market—exceeding 60% USA content. This is an industry-leading achievement, reflecting our dedication to investing in American manufacturing and supply chains.
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We work hard to ensure that you receive your Vaer watch as quickly as possible. All orders are fulfilled directly from our own fulfillment center in Kansas City, Missouri, giving us full control over the process and ensuring fast, reliable service.
For USA-based orders, we offer the following shipping options:
For international orders, delivery times will vary depending on your location and chosen shipping method.
Our fulfillment team processes orders promptly, so whether you’re in the United States or overseas, you can count on us to get your Vaer watch to you as efficiently as possible!
At Vaer, we design our watches with versatility and comfort in mind, offering most models in multiple sizes to ensure a perfect fit for a wide range of wrists. To help you select the ideal size before purchasing, we encourage you to visit our Vaer Watch Sizing Guide for detailed references and guidance.
Most of our straps and bracelets are made to fit wrists ranging from 6.4 inches to 8.6 inches in circumference. If you receive your watch and don’t love the fit, you have options:
We’re committed to ensuring your Vaer watch not only looks great but also feels great on your wrist. If you need further assistance, our customer support team is here to help!
Yes, we’re happy to ship Vaer watches anywhere in the world! To date, we’ve shipped to 83 countries, and our global customer base continues to grow. Whether you’re in Canada, South Korea, Japan, the UK, or beyond, we’re committed to getting your watch to you safely.
While we are proud to offer international shipping, please note the following:
If you have any concerns or questions about international shipping, our support team is always ready to assist.
Vaer offers a 2-year limited warranty on all watches, covering any defects in materials or workmanship under normal use. If a watch experiences issues due to these defects, Vaer will repair or replace it at no cost to you.
The warranty does not cover:
To make a warranty claim, you’ll need proof of purchase and should contact Vaer’s customer service team. Full details and instructions for submitting a claim can be found on the Vaer support page.
Yes, you can! All Vaer watches feature interchangeable 20mm straps, making them fully compatible with any other 20mm straps on the market. This means you can easily customize your Vaer watch with third-party straps to suit your style or needs.
Alternatively, you can use your Vaer straps with any other 20mm watches, which is the most common lug-width size in the watch industry.
Please note, however, that our metal bracelets are custom-fit to each specific watch case due to the precision form-fit of the end-links (where the bracelet meets the case). These are not interchangeable with other watch models or third-party bracelets.
No, Vaer does not currently operate any retail stores. However, you can use our Store Locator page to find authorized locations near you where Vaer watches may be available.
We are actively working to expand this list and make Vaer watches more accessible. For now, we remain focused on delivering exceptional service through our online store, ensuring that every customer gets the best possible experience when purchasing directly from us.
We came up with the name "Vaer" in the summer of 2016, about six months after starting the company. The name is our invention, created to be unique, easily identifiable, and meaningful—qualities that were critical for securing a trademark and building a recognizable brand.
While Vaer is deeply rooted in American identity, we also wanted a name with universal appeal that didn’t tie the brand to any specific nationality. Inspired by horology’s strong European heritage and our personal interest in 20th-century European modernist design, we drew inspiration from a variety of languages across the region.
Here are a few of the linguistic roots and associations for "Vaer":
Ultimately, we chose the name Vaer because it’s a pleasant-sounding word with positive meanings across a variety of languages, perfectly aligning with our values of craftsmanship, resilience, and universal functionality.
Overall rating: 4.4761906 / 5 from 126 reviews.
The A12 Dirty Dozen Swiss Automatic 36mm watch combines European luxury with everyday utility, featuring a Swiss Made Sellita SW260-1 Automatic Movement, a 10 ATM waterproof rating, and two interchangeable straps. Customers praise its classic design, elegant face, and outstanding quality, while appreciating its slim and comfortable 36mm diameter.
Review topics: [].
"This is my first Vaer watch purchase. A12 Dirty Dozen. Black rubber strap. Watch is supremely comfortable on my wrist (200mm). Highly legible in low light. This watch has a certain very enjoyable heft to it on my wrist & the strap is non-intrusive, non-grabby, rides perfectly on my wrist. Highly recommended."
"This is a great watch! Extremely well designed and unbeatable value. My only complaint is that the olive green band isn’t quite the same as depicted in the images. The band I received is fine, but definitely not what I expected compared to the pictures. I also ordered a tan leather band which looks really great!"
"I got this one as a replacement to the previous model A12 manual, and this one has become my daily driver. It’s a really good fit for my 6. 5” wrist, and the automatic movement is a huge improvement over the previous manual movement in my opinion."
"I have long wished to buy a ‘dirty dozen’ watch and so was excited to see Vaer’s offering. It had all I wanted; 36mm diameter, small seconds, sapphire crystal, regulation numerals and decent water resistance. As a bonus, it has some gorgeous syringe hands, not to the best of my knowledge seen on any of the original watches but period correct and very cool. From a couple of feet away, the A-12 looks almost identical to the original dirty dozen watches but is much better made. I believe Vaer have cleverly positioned their watch in the market. It is leagues better than the cheap $100 versions and provides 90% of the quality you might find on the up-market versions costing four or five times as much. So then nearly perfect. Sadly, I have two gripes. The first is Vaer’s insistence on selling all their watches with a rubber strap. I understand why they do this but I hate the things. So mine and I am sure many, many others instantly went in the bin. This is not great from an environmental point of view. The other is the movement. Life is easy when you are selling quartz watches. The movements normally either work or they don’t. So if a customer sends a watch back with a genuine fault, it is pretty easy to fix. When you are selling a $1,000 automatic, life is not so simple. Sellita in general have a good reputation, so I can see why Vaer chose the Sellita 260-1, which looks very good on paper. But is it? Sellita quote ± 7 seconds a day and a power reserve of 38 hours. In use, I have found the inaccuracy of double or triple this and a power reserve in normal usage of as low as 8 hours. If your watch makes a habit of stopping overnight, it is almost unusable on a day-to-day basis. I understand a company the size of Vaer cannot afford to have many experienced watchmakers on staff but dealing with their customer service was a chore. Even now, I have no real idea if the Sellita 260-1 is simply not one of the company’s better movements or if I have got a lemon. This is frustrating in the extreme. So despite the A-12’s good looks, impressive construction and keen price, I would recommend caution. Score 3 1/2"
"This is my favorite watch. I have the 40mm as well but noticed that the 36 is a better proportional fit for me. Now I have both A12’s , and a C5 Ameriquartz. The straps and bracelets are very nice. Lume image is of the 40mm."
"Love this watch. So glad I purchased it."
"Superb readability, flawless finishing, and lume that truly impresses. The accuracy is exceptional — easily within chronometer standards. On top of that: fast and smooth shipping. Highly recommended!"
"Such a great looking watch! Classic dial design, great legibility and lume, and the 40mm size option is exactly what I was looking for. The case has a subtly premium look (handsome lugs, fine brushing and polished chamfers), and the crystal gives a nice touch of distortion at extreme angles. Looks awesome on the bracelet or different straps (it’s killer on an olive nylon 2-piece). The A12’s elevated case finishing makes it unusually versatile for a military-style field watch. It’s a brilliant everyday watch."
"For the price of $999 the watch felt too light, and without option with the stainless steel bracelet. The biggest improvement could be done for this watch of mimicking the WWII era is to supply this watch with the hand wound Swiss movement."
"Watch is a great look and gets the younger kids asking me questions about why I would get something that looks old. It’s a waste trying to explain some things to some of the young ones, so I take the high road and enjoy the tool that keeps me on time! Great watch guys! I saw your brand initially in an Outerknown mag and was just drawn to the foundation. It’s tough making things all American, but you all have done your best to stay true, and for that, I’ll be coming back for more!"
Shop the 2026 Lookbook
Our 2026 Lookbook highlights a few favorites from the current lineup, styled alongside the kinds of clothing and environments that naturally fit the brand. The overall aesthetic leans toward American classics—denim, canvas work jackets, knit sweaters, boots, and the occasional vintage piece from the 1970s and 80s.
Shop Lookbook
Free USA Shipping
Enjoy fast and free shipping on all watch orders, packed and fulfilled by our team in Kansas City, Missouri.
Styling Appointments
Chat with one of our team members for one-on-one shopping advice. Available in-store and online.
Built for the Water
Every Vaer watch is a rugged outdoor tool -currently worn and trusted in 79 countries, and every ocean on earth.
