Side by side

Brew RetrographvsVario 1945 D12 Bronze Fumé

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

Retrograph
BrewRetrograph
MSRP $375
1945 D12 Bronze Fumé
Vario1945 D12 Bronze Fumé
MSRP $428

At a glance

22 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Retrograph38mm
1945 D12 Bronze Fumé37mm
Power Reserve
Retrograph
1945 D12 Bronze Fumé40h
Water Resistance
Retrograph50m
1945 D12 Bronze Fumé100m
MSRP
Retrograph$375
1945 D12 Bronze Fumé$428

Full specifications

Case

9 specs
Category
Chronograph
Field
Diameter
38mm
37mm
Thickness
10.4mm
10.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
41.5mm
45mm
Lug Width
22mm
18mm
Material
Stainless Steel 316L
316L Stainless Steel
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
50m
100m
Caseback
Stainless Steel 316L
Solid

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Inner
Dial Color
Cobalt Blue Sunburst
Grey
Indices
Applied

Movement

8 specs
Caliber
VK64
Miyota 82s5
Type
Quartz
Automatic
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
0h
40h
Jewels
0
25
Hacking
No
Yes
Hand-winding
No
Yes
Complications
Chronograph
None

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$375
$428

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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.

Brew Retrograph

The Brew Retrograph is widely praised for its unique 1970s "TV Dial" aesthetic, thin profile, and comfortable wearability, with owners appreciating its well-finished rectangular case featuring alternating polishing and brushing, and its sunburst dials with contrasting matte subdials. Reviewers and owners consistently highlight the Seiko VK64 meca-quartz movement for its solid performance, instantaneous chronograph reset with good tactile feel, and quartz accuracy, all at an affordable price point. Some owners note the lack of a running second hand and that the date change is not instant, while one owner found the strap needed improvement. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Brew Retrograph highly for its distinctive design and excellent value, particularly praising its comfortable wearability and the satisfying meca-quartz chronograph function.

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.

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