Side by side

Vario 1945 D12 Bronze FumévsZelos Helmsman 3

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

1945 D12 Bronze Fumé
Vario1945 D12 Bronze Fumé
MSRP $428
Helmsman 3
ZelosHelmsman 3
MSRP $529

At a glance

10 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
1945 D12 Bronze Fumé37mm
Helmsman 340mm
Power Reserve
1945 D12 Bronze Fumé40h
Helmsman 340h
Water Resistance
1945 D12 Bronze Fumé100m
Helmsman 3200m
MSRP
1945 D12 Bronze Fumé$428
Helmsman 3$529

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Field
Diver
Diameter
37mm
40mm
Thickness
10.5mm
11.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
45mm
40mm
Lug Width
18mm
20mm
Water Resistance
100m
200m

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Domed Sapphire
Dial Color
Grey
SS - Frost

Movement

1 specs
Caliber
Miyota 82s5
Miyota 9015

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$428
$529

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Vario 1945 D12 Bronze Fumé

Owners widely appreciate the Vario 1945 D12 Bronze Fumé for its historical representation and the use of two lume colors. The blended branding is considered tasteful by some, though one owner expressed indecision about the logo and crown position. The 37mm bronze case is designed to develop a patina, as are the bronze hands, complementing the gradient matte black dial with faux-patina lume. The Miyota 82S5 automatic movement, however, is noted by owners to be noisy and rattly, with one owner reporting +7 seconds per day accuracy and a 40-hour power reserve. Overall, owners rate the Vario 1945 D12 Bronze Fumé positively for its aesthetic appeal and historical narrative, despite the noisy movement.

From video reviewers

The bronze case developing a patina is a key aesthetic feature. Reviewers found the value proposition to be good at $428 USD.

Zelos Helmsman 3

Owners widely praise the Zelos Helmsman 3 for its exceptional finishing and polishing on the titanium case, with some noting it feels nicer than previous models. The unique Titanium Crystalline Dial and Damascus Titanium dial are frequently highlighted as aesthetically pleasing and head-turning features, especially considering the price point. The brushed beads of rice bracelet is described as fitting well, and the on-the-fly clasp is considered amazing. Lume is also noted as great, with lumed crowns being a positive observation. However, some owners report the watch can feel top-heavy with sharp edges, making it uncertain as a daily driver for some. The meteorite bezel is seen by one owner as not adding significant value, and the stock strap's keepers and stitching were considered to detract from the watch's appearance.

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