Could This Pitch-Perfect Affordable Field Watch Help Another Iconic Anthropomorph Usurp Snoopy?

An upstart Portland brand’s latest spin with America’s beloved forest guardian is arguably the coolest yet.

Close-up of a blue watch face showing white hour and minute hands, a blue second hand, and yellow numbers 16 to 21.

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Founded 11 years ago in Portland, Oregon, Vero Watch Company is on a mission to prove a well-made American field watch can delight and deliver without breaking the bank.

One of the strongest arguments the brand has made is its popular line of Smokey Bear-themed field watches, which blend quality, good looks and sub-$600 price points.

That’s to its cool, contemporary look and feel, Vero’s sixth Smokey Bear watch might just be its best yet.

Vero Watch Company

The case gets even more compelling with the latest edition in the series, which updates the look and feel, blending heritage vibes and modern aesthetics into arguably the best treatment yet.

I dare say the new Smokey Bear Blue Skies Edition could even challenge Snoopy’s dominion over the “iconic American anthropomorph-themed affordable watch” space.

Tangled up in blue

As the name implies, the big update here is the color, which channels the clear skies Smokey seeks to protect.

The Super LumiNova coating on the numerals, dial dots and hands ensure the watch’s functionality long after sunset.

Vero Watch Company

The monochromatic pebble blue dial comes to life through Ion Plating, which bonds the coating to the stainless steel.

But it doesn’t stop there; while all previous Vero Smokeys have cases rendered in gold and silver tones, this one’s 38mm 316L stainless steel case matches the dial.

While contributing to the watch’s water resistance, even the screw-down crown gets the blue hue .

Vero Watch Company

The color even extends to the screw-down crown and uniquely branded caseback, which ensure water resistance up to 120 meters.

The beating heart, meanwhile, carries over from previous editions: a Seiko NH38A automatic with 41-hour power reserve that winds itself naturally through the normal motion of your wrist.

The watch comes with both a classic leather strap and the blue canvas NATO strap shown here.

Vero Watch Company

The watch also gets a Super LumiNova coating on the numerals, dial dots and hands, offering up to 15 hours of illumination when it has been under the sun long enough for a full UV charge.

You can go blue with the strap too, as the beautifully boxed watch comes with both a leather strap and blue canvas NATO option.

Close-up of a black watch back with engraved text "ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES" and a brown leather strap. — The blue view continues with the caseback, which relays Smokey’s full message with a bit of tasteful embossing.

You can also enjoy a bit of planet-preserving feel good, as Vero donates 10% of every Smokey watch sale to fire prevention efforts and education around fire safety.

Availability and pricing

The Vero Smokey Bear Blue Skies Edition is available now for $525.

Vero Watch Company

Vero Smokey Bear Blue Skies Edition

Specs

Case Size	38mm
Movement	Seiko NH38A Automatic
Water Resistance	120m

$525 at Vero Watch Company

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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