We love new microbrands here at The Time Bum, so when a watchmaker approaches us to review their very first model, we take notice. Today, I have the debut release from New York City’s Vesora, the Gantry Field ($489 pre-order). I took a few days to get a feel for the watch and came away impressed with the brand’s sophisticated take on a traditional military design.
The Gantry Field is, as you astute readers have already noticed, a field watch. While the watch world has plenty of variants on this theme, I believe a field watch needs Arabic numerals, a 24-hour index, bright lume, sturdy components, and reasonable (if not necessarily dive-worthy) water resistance. The Gantry ticks every box. It has a 316L stainless steel case with a double-domed, AR-coated sapphire crystal. The push-pull crown and gasketing are sufficient to seal the watch for 100m water resistance. Swiss BGW9 Super-Luminova does its usual outstanding job of glowing when the lights go down, though the lack of lume on the 13-24 hour markers was a bit disappointing.
A hand-winding Swiss Elaboré Sellita SW210-1b powers the Gantry. Well … it will be in production. As you can see, the prototype has a Miyota 9039 automatic. I have no issues with the Miyota. It is comparable to the Sellita in terms of its 28.8k beat rate and 42+ hour power reserve (45 hours to be precise), but in Elaboré form, the Swiss unit will put the Gantry’s display window to better use, showing off the Sellita’s blued screws and Geneva stripes. Vesora chalks up the switch to a supply chain issue. No doubt, that was a hassle for the brand, but customers will get the benefit of a slimmer, less common movement that eclipses the Miyota in both beauty and character.
The Gantry measures 39.5mm wide and 46.5mm long. In production, it will be 10.6mm thick, as opposed to 11.3mm for the prototype. Even in its ever-so-slightly thicker form, I found the Gantry’s proportions to be quite reasonable, neatly fitting my 6.75″ wrist and tucking comfortably under a buttoned shirt cuff.
Clean edges and longitudinally brushed surfaces accentuate the tool watch aesthetic, while a hint of polishing on the signed crown and around the outer edge of the fixed bezel adds a touch of dimension to break up this otherwise utilitarian case. I found the crown to be on the small side, requiring a tight pinch to unscrew.
Vesora supplies the Gantry Field with both a military pass-through strap and the brushed, three-link bracelet shown here. I didn’t have the strap on hand, but really, the bracelet is the real attraction. It tapers from 20mm to 18mm at the clasp, has quick-release pins, push-button microadjustment, and tightly fitted end links. It’s a quality piece all around and an excellent addition to the watch. I’m sure the NATO is just fine, too, and will look perfectly appropriate, but I felt no urge to replace the bracelet.
To my eye, the Gantry’s dial is the element that most distinguishes it from most traditional field watches. As noted above, it starts with the familiar field watch layout, but then subtly elevates it. The surface is a deep, glossy enamel with a recessed center, displaying an inky blackness you can fall into. Note the lightly stylized typeface of the numerals; the tiny serifs, nearly closed loop on the 2, and the gentle arch of the 7. I should mention that where the prototype says “Automatic,” production units will say “Gantry.”
The brushed hands are easily legible, day or night. In contrast, the blued second hand is almost a phantom against the black dial. As a casual tool watch enthusiast, I enjoyed spotting the blue reflection as it passed by. If I were actually trying to time something in low light, I would likely feel otherwise.
If you are looking for high contrast, I’d suggest the optional white dial, or, if you are ready to make a bold fashion statement, red. Honestly, I’d have a hard time passing up the red. It’s lovely, I’m overdue for a midlife crisis purchase, and a bright red watch is easier on the wallet than a bright red sports car.
The Vesora Gantry Field is an impressive start for this new brand. It breathes new life into a traditional style, changing just enough to impart its own distinctive character. Full price at launch will be $569, making the $469 presale offer quite tempting, especially with the Elaboré-grade Sellita inside.
Vesora is taking $100 deposits now, with the balance to be billed on October 30, 2026. Delivery is expected in January or February of 2027, assuming the preorder quota is met. If you are in the market for a light twist on the field watch formula, head over to vesorawatchco.com. It’s worth a look.
