Great field watch
"I really like the watch itself. The lume and simplicity are very nice. The case is heavy and sturdy. Finish is good quality. Only thing I can say is the date can be hard to see. But overall great watch after 1 week of wearing it."


















With optional to 2-day shipping available.
Guaranteed 100% ocean-ready.
Our 20mm straps are interchangeable
SUMMARY: This is the solar-powered version of our top-selling C5 Tactical Field. Solar provides the best of both worlds - perpetual timekeeping with incredible accuracy. Six hours of sunlight will provide six months of power reserve, and the watch can run off any light source (even candlelight). The C5 Tactical is a military-inspired 10ATM watch, that stands out in the Vaer line-up thanks to its "blacked-out" aesthetic and extremely impressive lume paint performance. As a C5 model, this watch is part of our all-time bestselling collection, distinguished by its ocean-ready functionality, low-profile case design, ultra-accurate quartz movement, and full USA assembly.
WHO IS THIS WATCH FOR? We recommend the C5 for those seeking a dependable tool watch that can also be dressed up for more formal occasions. The perpetual timekeeping function of a solar-powered quartz watch makes it the perfect fit for an everyday wearer, and the 40mm case sizing is large enough to command presence on most men's wrists while still maintaining our commitment to ergonomic, and timeless proportions.
INSPIRATION: In designing the C5 Tactical our goal was to pay homage to military history while also further establishing a distinct and modern Vaer aesthetic. This watch's dial design is inspired by the A-11 field watch worn by American servicemen in World War II - and features prominent Arabic numerals for the hours, as well as subtle 24-hour, and 60-minute markings on the inner and outer dial. The C5 Tactical Solar is further distinguished as one of the first Vaer field watches powered by ambient light - a premium feature that optimizes its use in remote settings and helps deliver on the promise of near-perpetual timekeeping.

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.
Leaving on a trip with only one watch? This would be it. Durable and elegant, accurate and affordable, the C5 has everything you need, and nothing you don't. Best of all, it's a great conversation starter - thanks to its unique characteristic of full US assembly and a solar powered movement.

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.



Extended Off-Grid Use
Collectors & Enthusiasts
Daily Outdoor Use
Ambient Light
Self-Winding Movement (Automatic)
Quartz Battery
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
-10/+20 sec/month
-5 /+10 sec/day
-10/+20 sec/month
USA
USA
Hong Kong



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 fit a wide range of wrists. To help you select the right size before purchasing, check out our Watch Sizing Guide for detailed references and guidance.
Most of our straps and bracelets are designed to fit wrists ranging from approximately 6 to 8.6 inches in circumference.
If you receive your watch and don’t love the size or fit, you’re welcome to return or exchange it within our 30-day return window, as long as the watch remains in new, unused condition.
Feel free to carefully try the watch on to make sure the size and fit are right for you. We recommend keeping the protective plastic in place while trying it on. If your watch comes on a metal bracelet, please do not size or adjust the bracelet until you’re sure you want to keep it, as adjusted bracelets cannot be returned.
If the case size feels right but you’d prefer a different strap or bracelet, you can also swap it for another option from our collection.
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.
Yes! Our Venice Beach Showroom is open daily from 11:00am to 6:00pm at 1733 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Unit B, Los Angeles, CA 90291. Stop by to explore the full collection, compare models, and try on sizes and straps with personalized guidance from our team. Appointments are encouraged, and walk-ins are always welcome.
You can also use our Store Locator page to find other authorized retailers near you.
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: 4.691134 / 5 from 2425 reviews.
The C5 Tactical Field Solar watch is praised for its perfect size, high-quality design, and outstanding lume performance. Customers appreciate its value, comfort, and versatility, making it suitable for both everyday use and formal occasions.
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"I really like the watch itself. The lume and simplicity are very nice. The case is heavy and sturdy. Finish is good quality. Only thing I can say is the date can be hard to see. But overall great watch after 1 week of wearing it."
"This watch handled the ocean like a pro! It fits very comfortably on the wrist and the easy strap removal is great for switching the look of the watch if I dress up or down. Only complaint is the oyster strap. I wish it was a tad bit more comfortable on the wrist. It feels like it’s a tad rigid on the outer side of the wrist. Overall I love the watch and the black ocean strap is one of my new favorites to wear."
"Great looking and feeling watch. I added the matching black metal band which is a perfect complement to the watch. The links were easily adjusted with the included screwdriver, however the spring connector bar is not easy to manipulate when attaching the band to the watch. Once connected, it feels solid and the weight is perfect."
"The design is great. It is a good-looking watch. It wears very well on my 8” wrist. The dial is colorful, the lume is fantastic, and I like the layout of the Arabic numerals. The silicone strap is comfortable and I like the tab-securing feature. I wanted a watch without a date complication, and this is the perfect one: Solar powered means you set it and forget it (as far as fiddling with it). I can pick it up and dash out the door for a workout or whatever is on the agenda and it looks and feels great. Well done! And the price is unbeatable for all of the top-quality features."
"C5 Recon, excellent watch. High quality with the exact features I wanted in a watch. Solar, sapphire crystal, classic field watch design and incredible lume. The black rubber band is very comfortable. The size is great. Definitely not too big. If I had any nit pick it would be the date is a little difficult to see. It would also be cool if it had the day as well as the date. But, it’s still my favorite watch. It keeps excellent time as well."
"Watch is sharp, especially with a steel band. Really impressed with the face clarity, size and weight. Would be 5 stars if the steel band was easier to adjust, its a bit difficult. Also, the illumination is really bright but wish it would last longer. Overall happy with my purchase!"
"I wanted a watch to wear fly fishing that I could see in low light. This watch is perfect for that. Waterproof, comfortable, durable and visible at night without having to press a light button with my opposite hand. It’s a beautiful field watch with nice proportions and stands out as not your typical looking field watch. The 40mm size fits my 7-1/4” wrist well but I will say if your wrist is much smaller the straps might be too large. I have the black silicone strap on the third smallest hole and the Horween leather strap is on the second smallest. Both look and feel great. I especially like how the tan leather strap looks with the watch dial. I do have a couple of small complaints. The first is that the second hand doesn’t line up with the indices. The second is that the crown feels a little gritty when screwing it down. Other than that I really like this watch."
"Very cool watch, looks great! I love field watches and wanted a black dial to wear when I wasn't feeling my others (blue dial Hamilton khaki auto, white dial Hamilton khaki mechanical, cream dial Timex expedition). It's more accurate than either of those, and I love the fact that it's solar powered. Lume is excellent. I have no idea how it would have fit with the stock strap, since I immediately remove straps/bracelets from all my watches and fit with CNS Paratrooper straps (regardless of whether it's Timex, Rolex or anything between). My wrist is 6. 75", and it looks too large in the picture but is perfect in reality, assuming that this thing we're in is actually reality."
"I’ve been wanting a solar watch for some time. I was contemplating between a 36 or a 40mm, I’m so happy I went with the 40mm, it doesn’t look humongous on my wrist. It’s become my go to watch, I absolutely love it! The rubber strap is comfortable and the blue face is just awesome! Very happy with my purchase."
"Absolutely love my new c5 recon! Been on the market for a field watch that looks good, combines class with tool and utility, and finally decent lume. Vaer has exceeded my expectations on all front. This new watch has become my new ride or die and that’s coming from someone with a 20+ collection of all brands and kinds. Built tough for work and it does show the wear and tear fast but also has taken anything I’ve thrown at it thus far. For the price I haven’t found a watch doing it this well to date. Keep it up guys I’ll be looking forward to trying one of your automatics next!"