Shifter: VAER S3 Calendar Field Watch and my Legacy of Destruction

[@andrewbarten7347]

My Vaer S3 Tradition is 36mm of absolute perfection! I don't know where to begin. The brushing, the sleekness, the vintage tool watch vibe with it's black/amber dial and it's flawless, high-end finish. THEN there are it's specs/features: 36mm case, 20mm lugs, screw-in case back, screw in crown, 100m WR, sapphire crystal and (best of all) QUARTZ! This is the watch many of us have waited for our whole lives: A quartz Explorer/Smiths Everest. I LOVE THIS WATCH !! Well done, Vaer.

[@NhamshahSpah-ky-id6jo]

We’re pretty close in age. I was in junior high school in the early 80s too. I bought a Vaer after 20 years of no watch. And the reason I bought it was: I hated taking out my phone just to check time, because then I would see that there was an email or text to answer… and then the time wasting would start. Like you, I lived an adult life before the Internet. And I would LOVE to return to a simpler time. I drove from San Diego to New Hampshire and up and down the East coast with PAPER maps. Anyway, it was nice to hear the sentiment from someone else. By the way, the watch worked fine. I gave it to my daughter and bought another one. I work a physical job; so, I didn’t baby the watch. But then again, I’m not cursed(?) as you seem to be. Anyway. I wish you well.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Man, taking the phone out to check the time is the absolute worst. And it typically means the phone is in someone's front pocket. Soulless. But I know I'm in the minority.

[@NhamshahSpah-ky-id6jo]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 My phone is in a thigh pocket. I work in the building trades; so, always had an abundance of pockets. Years ago (before the smart phone, when it was just a phone) it was on a belt clip. But, that didn’t last long. I broke every type of holster, phone clip or whatever. No, it’s never been next to my 🥜. I wish the phone was back on the wall. The beeper was like a pack of gum, could go anywhere.

[@mightymurph550]

If this was a channel strictly dedicated to the unintentional, and unexplainable slaying of watches i would be 100% invested. Lmao

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I saw a guy wearing something like this. www.panerai.com/us/en/collections/watch-collection/submersible/pam02231-submersible-carbotech.html. I looked down at my little Vaer and felt like a guy driving a Yugo on the Autobahn.

[@flyb3n]

How's the S3 doing?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I still works! So far....

[@johnmerriman274]

So, what's the bottom line? Is it still running and if not, what happened?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Wife has it. Loves it. I still love it. Still works. I would buy another Vaer tomorrow. I do love my garmin but mostly because I am on a mission to improve my fitness, sleep, etc.

[@johnmerriman274]

Thanks for the update. My S5 is in the mail. Looking forward to it.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

@@johnmerriman274 Cool! Wear it well!

[@JS-.-]

Watch update??

[@davidsimerly3261]

Your slightly ADD style storytelling would fit perfectly amongst my family and close friends. I look forward to your videos!

[@4053rubber]

Totally with you on the having a watch to tell the time over relying on your phone for the time lol 😂

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Can't stand pulling out the phone unless no other option. But here is the thing. I spend so much time outdoors. HIking, run, paddle, shooting, etc. I don't want to have to pull out the phone every time I need to check the time. And I don't shoot selfies all day long like a lot of other folks.

[@4053rubber]

Me neither Dan. Must be an age thing. I worn one since I was 6. And my first one (your wife will like this) was a Timex wind up watch 😁

[@_smsb_]

ha! i was in the portfolio webinar yesterday and you mentioned your watch. this popped up in my feed today so had to take a look. i'm on the cheap casio train myself.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Cheap VAER. They make good watches. this one is entry level but it's still working!

[@crazyballa43]

I’ve long suspected you’re not from this planet. I think this confirms that theory.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Proof.

[@markzgmr]

Is your VAER still working?😀

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

My wife bought me a Citizen once. Lasted over a decade through the washer and dryer twice. Finally died. Looking for something new. Would consider this but after shipping to Frand customs that 179 might turn into Rolex money.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Amazon! And so good for the environment........

[@photom3]

I have no doubt about the watch experience and also have no idea why. I’m usually skeptical of things that flow through the inter webs but what has kept me around for the last dozen or so years is the candor which is rarely seen in the world today. Although very different from my own, the stories are both interesting and educational.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

a graveyard of time...

[@robertbellomy2]

Two of my favorite watches I’ve owned for over twenty years are the Military Watches made by Luminox. Good luck with your new watch!🙂

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I'm trying to tell myself I'm not down the watch rabbit hole.

[@NhamshahSpah-ky-id6jo]

Me too. Got one of the Luminox Navy Seal watches 25 years ago. The bezel kept falling off (about 2 years into it). Eventually lost the bezel. It’s sitting in a box in a drawer. The tritium has long since lost its lume (it was guaranteed for 10 years).

[@joesir20]

One of the best watch story I’ve heard! 😂👍

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It is still working.

[@GlennZucman]

Thanks, Dan! Sorry for your strange watch misfortune, but weird misfortune does make for great stories. And even those of us who don't have bad watch luck have some sort of tech that always seems to fail us and wonder "why us". I don't wear a watch from November thru March because they always seem to snag the long sleeves I wear in the cooler weather. But I do wear a watch from April Fools Day thru Halloween. If I'm kayaking or hiking someplace I haven't hiked before, I wear a Garmin GPS watch which is great for drawing pretty pictures of where I went. I wore the watch 24/7 for a while. Then I realized what a distraction it can be. On familiar trails and daily walks I really don't need it to count my steps or minutes of activity. I can sort that out on my own. I have been working on a "walk every street in my city" project, and it's terrific for that. The rest of the Warm 7 Months I wear a "Slow Watch" which I love. No second hand, no minute hand, just one hand on a 24 hour dial. I feel like most watches, digital and analog both, are sort of Time Data. The Slow Watch feels more like a "Time Pressure Gauge". I love that the hand straight up is noon, and straight down is midnight. Pointed West it's 6 in the morning and pointed East it's 6 pm. The face is nice enough that you can tell time within 2 or 3 minutes if you really need to, but I mostly don't. It's more of a conceptual watch to give me a sense of the day progressing an to a degree to remind me not to worry about minutes if I don't have to.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Didn't even know there was such a thing. I have an old Garmin I used to wear a lot but realized I don't really need to track my exploits. When I run I just run for time, and if I really need to track a bike ride I can just use the phone. I also didn't like how much data was being tracked, and the constant green light almost seared my skin.

[@clownworldresidentii5184]

are you in an environment with extreme levels of magnetism?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

dont think so...

[@heathermtaylor7683]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video Daniel. I had a Timex years ago - red and black dial with rotating dial - it was stolen. I still miss that watch. I have a G-Shock now. As you and your sister were both struck by lightning, can she wear watches without incident? Thank you for your story of 'time'.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I don't actually know. Not sure she even wears one.

[@heathermtaylor7683]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 - It was just a thought. Thanks again for intelligent content.

[@pacoedw]

Ahhh the watch rabbit-hole, I'm deep into it. I feel for you. LOL. I own 4 watches, 2 mechanical, 2 quartz and an iWatch for health tracking. First time I hear about VAER, looks nice, I'll keep an eye on them. How is the watch holding up? Still alive? Cheers.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It still works. Very thin and fits my wrist perfectly. If you have normal size wrists I would go for the 40. Simple, clean and did I mention it still works. I will be in the market for a mechanical at some point.

[@markscott4059]

Milner you inspired me yet again. Drug thru the junk door and found my old timex expedition watch with the green face. Off the store for a new battery and wrist band.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

ya, those are great. I ALMOST bought that instead of this but wanted to try something different.

[@shutterlag192]

Where do we carry our phones?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

anywhere but the front pocket...

[@folksurvival]

In a bag or vehicle.

[@chrispatmore8944]

I gave up wearing watches decades ago, not because of my effect on them, although you do have me wondering now. It's more of an aversion to wearing jewellery. Although I haven't had much luck with any attempts. Back in the early 1980s I was given two watches after my dad died. One was one he'd inherited from his dad, or may grandad. It's an old gold watch with an inscription dated 1925, which I've never used. The other one was a Seiko diver's watch, which was a good one back then. Certainly not an Omega, but good. I wore it for a week, then went surfing with it. I figured if it's rated to 50m then what harm is a bit of surf going to do. It wasn't even a particularly big day. It certainly wasn't Hawai'i, Teahupo'o or Nazare, just a Gold Coast (Australia) beach break. Got dumped by a slightly gnarly wave and it filled up with water. It was almost a decade before I wore another watch, that I was given as a gift. It stopped working after a short while. I figured it was the battery, and never bothered getting it checked or replaced. Not bothered with them since, even when given as a gift. Yup, I use my phone, if I need to know the time, although it's more the wife asking the time because she's forgotten where she's put hers down. Although my phone is essentially an iPod with maps. online banking, and ticket apps. I rarely talk or message on it, unless someone contacts me. I don't even know my number without looking it up. Living in London, I know just about every public transport journey, apart very local ones that I will walk, are going to take an hour, so I just look at the wall clock before leaving the house to get to an appointment on time. Time is a human construct anyway, and I don't want something on my wrist continually reminding me.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

There's no right and wrong here. Flooding the watch is kinda funny. Only because I HAVEN'T done that one yet. When I move around I put the phone in a bag in the backseat and dont' look at it. I really have an aversion to picking up the phone unless i have no other choice. But I know I'm in the minority.

[@folksurvival]

The urban bugman life.

[@rickharsh7005]

I have the same problem, they always die on me. I have been watchless for years now. It is bizarre.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

There are more than a few of us out there.

[@MikePGuitars]

I really resisted smartwatches for a long time. But if you won’t kill it immediately, you might appreciate a Garmin Instinct, even if only for fishing. I park my car and hold down a button to mark my spot on the watch’s GPS. Hours later, when I’m trapped in rhododendrons and can’t tell which way is up, the watch will guide me back to the starting point, either following the way I came or (often helpfully) in a straight line. It will also alert at a preset time before sunset so I don’t find myself trying to hike back to my car in the dark. And the battery goes a couple weeks between charges. It’s become my best fishing buddy and let’s me leave my f*^%ing phone in the car.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I've had a Garmin for years but stopped wearing it as I don't really have any reason to track my exploits. And if I need to I just use the phone. I did get semi lost a few years ago, at a race along the border, which was why I got the Garmin in the first place.

[@garrytrinh3062]

Do you change your own battery?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Not yet. Thank God. But I will have to at some point if this baby survives....

[@garrytrinh3062]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 would you take it to a professional or DIY?

[@barreltech8949]

Hopefully this watch works out for you, I love mine

[@The_Hero_Is_Back]

Twenty or twenty five years ago, I took off my watch the night before going on holiday. I’d a very regimented commuting life. I wanted to live off the clock for a couple of weeks. And it was so nice that I never put it back on. I’ve a good sense of time. There’s a clock on my pic and another on my phone and one in the lounge that is never right but that’s ok. I don’t get why people wear watches any more. They’re as antiquated as fob watches or those 19th century sock braces. But each to their own.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

My daily schedule is by the hour or half hour, so I check my watch dozens of times a day. I had a friend say yesterday "god man, your schedule." I'm used to it.

[@rds-gb]

I used a Suunto in Afghanistan, it lasted the tour but it now sits in a memory box, still functioning but in a condition which prohibits casual daily wear. When finished my third tour, this time to a location in Africa, I treated myself to an Omega Seamaster 300, its been on my wrist every day since. My career took me abroad for 6-9 months ever year for more than a decade and a half. I doubt many watches would have survived the kind of abuse this watch has had to suffer. as with cameras, you get what you pay for.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Oh man, LOVE Omega;

[@4053rubber]

Really nice military style watch that Dan. Has it got the Miyota Movement or the Swiss Rhonda movement in it?

[@4053rubber]

Just googled it. MIYOTA movement. They're made by Citizen so should be super reliable for time keeping.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I had no idea. I've heard mixed about Citizen but with my luck it wont' matter. A half day later it still works.

[@WatchmanNiel]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 Beware, this rabbit hole goes DEEP! 😊

[@Kuhsaenngg_Joha]

Please keep is updated😂

[@lausteofraigneau]

Huge!! Love you, keep going watch breaker!!!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

So far so good.....but still nervous.

[@arneheeringa96]

I broke some quite incredible things, repairmen said only a beast can do, but I'm quite lucky on my watches. Had one Prisma that was discounted to about 40 bucks and had it for about 20 years although I broke the glass at least 5 times. Now I have a 10 buck watch for more than 5 years and it keeps. I can replace the battery on this one on my own and this week it got it's third one.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I LOVE old watches. My wife's Timex is all brassed and worn and she keeps thinking it looks worm out and I have to say "No, now it is starting to look good."

[@PedroDeBandit]

Breaking your wife's watch, that's hilarious Dan. You've obviously got some quantum vodoo going on there! We'll be waiting to hear how the Vaer dies. I'm only slightly older than you and stopped wearing a watch after visiting Bali at the age of twenty. Being free of 'time' has been pretty refreshing and I can now tell the time pretty instinctively anyway 😉

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I work for a tech company so time is a minute by minute thing. And yes, breaking her watch was the best ever.

[@rogersmith6440]

Milnor, this one was classic. The middle school watch gifted to you - was it Tag Huer by chance? I wanted one of those so bad. Much older now and rockin an Omega Seamaster. Watches are the only accessory a real man needs. Totally agree about iPhone. Nailed it brother! Cheers

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Maybe.....will never mention brand by name. Omega Seamaster, that is a classic! Same for Speedmaster. Both look stellar.

[@NhamshahSpah-ky-id6jo]

A watch and a good pocket knife.

[@badgerag]

Very, very watchy!!!

[@maran604]

Nice looking watch, enjoy it! I'm still looking for perfect field watch, Rolex explorer 36mm would be perfect, but price, ridiculous..

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yes, they are insane now. I think the G Master is the Rolex I would choose if I lost my mind and spent that much on a watch. Having said that, I just bought the most expensive lens I've ever purchased.

[@happytravels2480]

Loved every part of this. Can’t believe G-shock didn’t work for you!? They’re tough as nails.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yes, it was surprising. Vaer has been perfect so far. I did rip off the band by accident today while attempting to get into my moto jacket.

[@happytravels2480]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 I do wonder about the quick release bars getting caught on things. I usually change my straps to single piece natos. They are the most comfortable, and If I pop a spring bar, I won’t lose the watch. I do love my Vaers. I just picked up the one you have and the the 36mm white S3. I also have the S3 standard issue in 40mm. Great watches for the $$.

[@NhamshahSpah-ky-id6jo]

@@happytravels2480 I had to get a single pass strap because my wrists are big. I’m not a bodybuilder or anything; just working in the building trades for decades. Also, went with the 36mm (retro) size. I went 2 decades with no watch on my wrist. And when trying them on at a store (new 40mm standard size), I found my sleeve would not go over it. I knew that would irritate me when at church or other times I wear a suit. So, I went retro and don’t regret it. Anyway, the quick-releases are in the inside; don’t see how they would catch anything. And in just over a year, I managed to break only 1 pin, with the single pass setup.

[@owenwilliams9582]

Nice one Daniel, the 'Watch Mincer', oh before you turn that nice unit into dust, drop it in the post to me here in Wales, lol

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Wales. Man, I'd love to bring my watch over as an excuse to see Wales.

[@owenwilliams9582]

lol, i'll sort out the digs for ye.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

You need a marine master 1000. It’s a legendary watch that has been produced by Seiko since the early 70s. The core is titanium with a hardened ceramic shroud. It’s been throughout South America, up volcanoes and much of the east coast. You can’t kill it. It’s a bargain for $3500. But I had friend who couldn’t wear battery watches he would drain them in days. I find it funny you will discuss a watch but not camera reviews

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I would never spend that amount on a watch. Not saying it wouldn't be worth it. I will never do camera reviews. They bore the living shit out of me. The only reason anyone does them is that they get views. But none of the people doing them seem to really be that interested in actually using them. This watch film was more about my story than the watch. I don't know enough about it to do a real review.

[@javicxjavicx]

Going to need more unboxing videos Mr. millny, it can be clipless peddles for all I care.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

How about a 'reboxing" video when I send everything back?

[@Elassyahmed]

When I saw the thumbnail *Josef Koudelka has entered the chat*

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Met him once.

[@Elassyahmed]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 Not possible to be nore envious.

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

i still have my dads Olympic. Pretty sure the glow in the dark numbers are radioactive.....dad passed from a brain tumor 🤔..not sure if that's a connection there

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That sucks. sorry to hear. Get a geiger counter?

[@chiprock2692]

Near miss lightning strike. Get an EMF meter and see how many milligauss you are emitting. Can you use a magnetic compass? Compare readings on that arm between you and your wife. There's spectrum children that can find/feel electrical current through walls...you might be the T1 version.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I think I can use a compass. It's been a LONG time since I had to use one. I'll check. Maybe stick my finger in an outlet in the meantime......

[@NhamshahSpah-ky-id6jo]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 I don’t recommend it.

[@jacobcantleberry7201]

Is it dead yet?!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

No. I'm feeling good.

[@CRAusmus]

Magnetism. It's your genuine magnetism Dan. Or, it's aliens...

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I've been researching this a bit. Turns out, it's a real thing. Quite a few of us out there. you can also accidently magnetize your watch. But you can also undo it.

[@doubleletter]

Come on man. If you can do a watch review, we want to see your eyewear collection. I am serious.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It's all Oakley.

[@TheGazmondo]

Daniel keep us informed how the watch thing goes mate, I’ve heard this many times, and certainly isn’t anything logical, that’s for sure.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

its' still working. I've got a good feeling about this one...

[@folksurvival]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 Still working now?

[@rvandrunen]

Big fan of Vaer Watches. If it works for you, they could use you as a spokesperson and have a variation of the old Timex ads. Keeps on ticking even if Milnor wears it.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Somehow I doubt VAER would view me as a spokesperson. Most brands want nothing to do with me. But yes, if it works on me, it should work on you.

[@javicxjavicx]

Only Casio watches for me, working construction watches don't last long

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I've had a few. And broke them. I do love Casio however.

[@NhamshahSpah-ky-id6jo]

Have been fortunate so far. Mine (Vaer) still works after a year. And I’m in the trades. It has a few “character building” marks on it. But that’s fine.

[@juanQuedo]

-So...if every watch that had a place on your wrist have died, aren't you the common denominator of that equation? 🤔 I see a pattern- . Ok! I kept watching, thought you were thinking it was the watches, nope..it's you, definitely you. 😂 Start somehow a project about atomic clocks and see how far your anti-time powers are.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Oh, it's me. I'm cursed.

[@megankirk2124]

You’ve had quite a time with your little arm clock, Change your future if you change your tok.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yes, a constant battle.

[@stinkystealthysloth]

Get a G-Shock and live in peace my friend

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

As I mentioned in the film. I've had two and they both died.

[@stinkystealthysloth]

​@@DANIELMILNOR505 which models? If you can kill a GW-5000 you can have my soul

[@stinkystealthysloth]

Like, if you're killing G's, you will kill all other watches as G-shocks are specifically designed to survive abuse. They have a special floating module structure to direct the shock of physical impacts away from the module, and are all 200m water-resistant across the board. There are some g shocks that are tougher than others though. The GW-5000, the King G, Mudmaster and Frogman are the toughest models available.

[@ruudmaas2480]

Hilarious 😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@joe_a_photo]

Doing watch reviews? People are going to think you are part of the edc community haha

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

tactical, bug out, mil spec, EDC. STAT!

[@johnlaw6735]

6" shorebreak LMAO

[@gustavomonasterios6083]

Get a pocket watch. Impossible to destroy.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

My guess, I'd kill that too. And what if i'm only wearing my orange short shorts?

[@gustavomonasterios6083]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 cycling shirt also has pockets hahah

[@bud_zdorovim]

"кто этот клоун......?" ))))

[@q3dm17]

:D