I entered the watch collecting hobby as a small-wristed guy in a big watch world. While I still buy and enjoy some watches over 42mm, I am always on the lookout for 38-40mm models that better fit my wrist, look more appropriate with a suit, and consequently, get worn more often. Lucky for me, there are a growing number of several microbrand and independent watchmakers releasing new models in mid-sized cases. The Vescari Chestor is one of the latest. They let me test drive one ahead of their late March Kickstarter launch.
The Chestor is a mid-sized quartz chronograph with a decidedly dressy aesthetic featuring a sunray dial, plenty of brightwork, and not a dot of lume. Water resistance is 50m, which is more than sufficient for most daily wear, but short of what you would expect in a more sporting watch. It measures 40mm wide, 48mm long, and 13.6mm thick, proportions that fit comfortably on my 6.75” wrist and slide under a buttoned shirt cuff without fuss.
At first glance, I thought the Chestor was closer to 38 or 39mm, a trick of the eye produced by the reflections of its polished and beveled bezel. The mirror finish continues on the bezel’s sides. A polished chamfer along the outer edge of the lugs provides a pleasant contrast to the longitudinally brushed sides and tops. The cylindrical chronograph buttons are also polished, as are the raised surfaces on the signed crown. It’s an elegant look and more interesting to my eye than if every surface had been polished.
I received a dark blue dial variant for this review; a shimmering navy that goes deep purple in low light. There is a small seconds subdial at 3 o’clock and a 60-minute at 9. Their indexes and the chapter ring are printed in white. All hands, indicators, and markers are polished. The watch does suffer from the inevitable legibility issues that occur when you place reflective elements over a dark, glossy surface, but the facets on the alpha hands handle, and markers go far to alleviate this problem under most light conditions. The dial text is restrained, only the Vescari brand name really registers, and I consider this to be a good thing.
An anti-reflective coated mineral crystal tops it off. I love the vintage bubble effect of that high dome but wish it were a different material. Mineral crystals are pretty tough, but you can still scratch them, and when it happens, there is nothing you can do about it. I’ll take acrylic and a tube of Polywatch scratch remover any day, or I’ll pay a little more for the scratch proof qualities of sapphire.
A Miyota 6s21 movement runs the show. It’s hard not to compare it the Seiko MechaQuartz. The Miyota lacks the Seiko’s mechanical module, so it gives up snap-back reset, and its 1/4 second sweep hand is a beat slower than its rival’s, but its pushers have the same positive click, and its four-beat sweep is leagues better than the usual jumpy quartz tick.
In addition to the blue and steel version reviewed here, Vescari will offer the Chestor in six different color combinations including black or silver dials in black or rose gold PVD cases, or a rose gold bezel. Buyers can order bracelets, leather crocodile print straps, or the leather-backed canvas on my sample. I rather liked it. The fabric is smooth like sailcloth, and the strap is neatly tailored, tapering from 20mm to an 18mm buckle. It is a most casual look in the collection but not so much that it was out of place on the buttoned-up Chestor.
Pre-order pricing promises to be very aggressive, starting at €119 (about $134.60 USD) for early birds. The bracelet and extra straps are just an extra €15 a piece. At that price, it is hard to say no. The Vescari Chestor will launch on Kickstarter March 27, but in the meantime, be sure to check out the preview page. ⬩
