I’m trying to think of a joke based around Vaer’s new field watch being called the C4 without resorting to “it’s an explosive new watch”. So… Vaer’s explosive new watch is the C4 Tactical Field DLC Solar. It’s designed to be their toughest tool watch to date, larger and more aggressive than any of their other creations. I’ve been hands on to see how it measures up.
My first impression is that while Vaer describe it as a large watch, it’s actually very well sized at 41.5mm in diameter with a 48mm lug-to-lug and 12.8mm thickness. The tonneau shape with its wide arc and curving lugs does give it a wider visual than the slim lugs and circular case of models like the C5. However, it’s very comfortable on the wrist, with the 4 o’clock position of the crown stopping it from digging into the back of your hand.
It also feels surprisingly light despite its steel belying its ruggedness. Its black DLC coating makes it very scratch resistant and it has a 200m water resistance rating, which is solid for a tool watch that isn’t a dedicated diver. It’s equipped with a uni-directional rotating bezel with a 12-hour scale with an additional 20-minute graduation across the first portion of the scale so it can serve as diving immersion timer. It makes it quite versatile for a variety of uses.
For the dial, they’ve maintained the same tactical vibe with a matte black base with applied numerals made from blocks of Super-LumiNova for low light legibility. That’s paired with lumed hands, with the seconds hand featuring a red tip as the only splash of colour on the otherwise monochrome display. As it’s powered by a solar quartz movement, the seconds hand does have the characteristic deadbeat movement, which is actually a benefit for a tactical field watch as it makes it easier to coordinate precise manoeuvres in a military setting.
The movement is the Japan-made Epson VS-42, which converts six hours of light into six months of battery charge. It’s protected by a solid caseback engraved with the NATO phonetic alphabet, which is great because I can never remember how it goes for the life of me. And if you find yourself in trouble out in the field, remembering it as you radio for aid could well be a matter of life and death for clear communication.
Circling back to the fact that the watch feels light on the wrist, a key part of that stems from the strap that it’s presented on. It’s a perforated rubber number with a waffle texture across its surface. The texture gives it good grip so that it’s easy to hold even in wet conditions while the extra perforations make it breathable so that water and sweat can escape.
The Vaer C4 Tactical Field DLC Solar is priced at $499 (approx. £375), ideal for a timepiece that you’re not afraid to throw into the challenges and trials of an outdoor lifestyle. Sometimes practicality and utility are the cornerstones of a watch and the Vaer executes on that promise.
Price and Specs:
More details at Vaer.
