I can count the number of solar-powered microbrand watch options I’ve come across on one hand and still have a finger and a thumb left over. We can now add another, courtesy of American microbrand Venturian Adventure WatchWorks: their new Wildsider.
Founded by graphic designer and sportsman Jason Strong in 2021, Venturian introduced the Wildsider as an expression of his love of the outdoors. The watch was successfully funded via Kickstarter at the end of 2022 and is now available for order. Jason was kind enough to loan me a sample for this review.
Upon opening the minimalistic, recyclable packaging, I was greeted by a deceptively understated watch. The first thing I noticed was just how light the Wildsider is. It’s a striking first impression, especially given how rugged the watch looks, and that is due to the titanium case. Titanium has been growing in popularity among brands large and small, but seeing it used in a field watch makes a lot of sense. It must be said, that while titanium is far lighter than 316L stainless steel and more resistant to corrosion, it is a softer metal and is a little more prone to picking up scratches. If you’re like me and you don’t baby your watches, a little patina is part of the joy of ownership, but folks who try to keep their timepieces looking like new should take note.
The Wildsider is a compact 38mm, and it feels even smaller thanks to its light weight. It looks chunky thanks to tall, stubby lugs, the flat-sided barrel case and flush bezel, and the small but pronounced crown guards. Despite its squat appearance, it’s only 10.5 mm in height and easily fits beneath a shirt cuff. The gear-toothed crown is small but easy to grip. The engraved crown cap is adorned with a scaled-down version of the brand’s mountain peak logo that also dominates the screw-down caseback along with the usual text specifications.
Its 20 mm lugs make swapping straps a breeze, but in a rare departure from my usual tastes, I think it is perfectly paired with the included nylon strap, which is thin and flexible yet strong. Coupled with the matte finish and the gear-toothed crown, those stepped-in lugs impart an industrial, toolish character. I might have preferred a bracelet for the Wildsider, but I do think the NATO-style strap better fits the mission statement. It also adds almost no weight to the already light titanium case, making the watch forgettable in the best possible way.
Inside the Wildsider is the main attraction, a Seiko Epson Solar Movement VS22B-07. The stepped dial’s inset solar cell can provide up to 6 months of charge and will run off of light even in conditions where transmission is as low as 25%, making it usable even in cloudier climates. The main appeal of a solar-powered watch is, of course, the elimination of a traditional quartz watch’s battery. Beyond that, it runs and operates just like any other quartz watch, down to the second hand’s one tick per second.
Over time, what at first appeared to be a nicely finished but basic watch revealed a multitude of details that really speak to Venturian’s passion for adventure and exploration. Both the sloped rehaut and the side of the rotating bezel are inscribed with inspirational mantras. From a purely practical standpoint, the bezel might have been better served by a coin edge or similar finish to aid grip and operation, but I must admit I have never seen a watch engraved in this manner. Then again, the compass bezel is just as much an aesthetic choice as a functional one, so perhaps the grip was a secondary priority.
The Venturian Wildsider is available in three colorways: black, white, and red. The black and white are naturally the most versatile, but the almost coral-pink red dial is certainly eye-catching. Stubby, skeletonized syringe hour and minute hands are joined by a bright red seconds hand that resembles an arrow in flight (the second hand is black on the red dial to provide contrast).
The painted hour markers are well-lumed, and the dial is generally highly legible. In a departure from convention, the 12 o’clock marker is nearly identical to the others save a small gap in the lume. It doesn’t detract from legibility in normal use, nor does the grainy texture on the hands that appears under closer examination.
Apart from the text along the rehaut, the dial is relatively sparse save for one detail that serves as my only real criticism of the Wildsider: the date window. The 3 o’clock date window is set along the inner circle of the dial, preserving dial symmetry by not chopping an hour marker. However, it’s so small and often shadowed by the dial layer that I frequently had to strain to read it.
My time with Venturian’s Wildsider was worry-free and fun. It was light enough and comfortable enough that I often forgot I was wearing a watch until I looked down and spotted it. Each time I did, I took a moment to appreciate it. The Wildsider may not be the biggest conversation starter thanks to its understated good looks, but not every watch needs to stop people in their tracks. In fact, what I considered much more interesting than its ability to draw the eye was how well it resonated with some of the more avid mountaineers and distance hikers I know.
Once you get past the Wildsider’s somber first impression, you’re left with an imaginative take on the field watch that’s loaded with personality and little details. Practical, comfortable, and reasonably priced at $339 USD, the Wildsider would make a great companion for journeys great or small. Whether your New Year’s resolution is to buy more watches or fewer, I’d encourage you to give this one a look.
So strap on a Venturian Wildsider, go out, and get some sun.
