Vesuviate’s Volare GMT has been a successful model for this microbrand, and for good reason. The Volare delivers a handsome appearance, rugged specs, and impressive value. As such, brand founder YK Wong had every reason to develop the new variant I have in hand for today’s review: The Volare-Digi ($475).
Don’t let the name throw you. Vesuviate did not abandon the Volare’s Seiko NH34 automatic (24-jewel, 41-hour power reserve, 21.6k bph) for a digital module. Rather, YK reimagined the GMT complication as a mechanical digital display, replacing the fourth hand with a 24-hour disc that peeps through a curved window between 5 and 7 o’clock, showing a 5-hour swath. A red dart marks the current hour for your second time zone. It’s a good look and, at least to my eyes, far easier to read than most GMT hands. Not that the original Volare was difficult, mind you, but there is something to be said for clearly displaying information in the same place every time.
The changes didn’t stop there. You’ll notice a new, heavily textured, ombré gray dial that is brimming with character. For the bezel, Vesuviate shifted from two-tone sapphire to matte charcoal stainless steel with raised numbers. It gives up a bit of daytime visibility and all but disappears at night, but I love the way it grounds the face.
The final design change is the elimination of the original Volare’s bi-color day/night 12-hour index and bezel insert. Without a GMT hand, the Volare-Digi does not need the 12-hour index, so a conventional chapter index takes its place. You still have the day/night differentiation, it’s just on the disc: 12 hours black and 12 hours white.
By blacking out the bezel, Vesuviate reduced the amount of lume, although not so much that you will miss it. You’ll find plenty of BGW9 Super-LumiNova on the markers, hands, and crown. While it is nice to have a lumed bezel, it doesn’t make much sense on this model. Sometimes form trumps function, and that’s okay.
The rest of the watch retains all the elements I enjoyed in the first Volare. It is rated for 200m, features a sapphire crystal (5x AR-coated) and a screw-down crown, and its stainless steel case and bracelet are heat-treated to a surface hardness of 1,100 HV. Having owned a blue Volare for 4 years, I can personally vouch for its effectiveness. My watches live a pretty cushy life, but I have yet to put a mark on my Volare’s bracelet or clasp.
Bezel action is excellent. It moves precisely through its 120 positions with firm snaps. The toothy edge and slight lip provide an ideal grip. When you set it, you can feel confident that no normal amount of contact will knock it out of place.
The Volare-Digi’s cushion case is 41mm wide, 46.7mm long, and 14mm thick. It is not small and makes no effort to shrink. Rounded corners, flat sides, and a combination of brushed and polished finishes give it a strong yet dapper appearance. Despite its burly proportions, I found it to be a good fit on my 6.75″ wrist, even tucking under a buttoned shirt cuff when required.
I’ve not hesitated to wear my blue model with a suit, and with Vesuviate’s excellent 3-link, dual-finished bracelet, I may be tempted to do the same with the Volare-Digi; however, the dark bezel insert and gray dial give this one a bit of an edge. It’s a more aggressive look, almost tactical. Indeed, the Volare-Digi looked right at home on an olive Artem HydroFlex. And why not play with straps a bit? Vesuviate’s bracelet and expanding clasp are great, but the quick-release pins make swapping easy, even if the nubs for those pins are set a little deep against the case.
Around the back, the Volare-Digi retains the signature red sapphire display window. I like it because, while the NH34 is a fine movement, it really isn’t much to look at. The red tint allows you a view and adds a touch of character to boot.
Vesuviate ships the watch in its dandy two-cushion, leather travel case. Aside from a protective cardboard box, it is all the packaging you get, and all the packaging you need. I appreciate the approach.
All in all, I really like the Volare-Digi. It is a smart update to an already fine wristwatch that gives it a very different character. At $475, including whatever tariff du jour the U.S. has imposed this week, it’s a good value for a well-made, cleverly designed timepiece that will weather years of travel without breaking a sweat.
For more information or to place an order, visit vesuviate.com.
