Built by and for adventurers, the Nadir Vespera GMT is ready to go
Time+TideThe flow of creativity within the micro and independent watch world is steady. Every day we are presented with a new brand or a new model, many of which offer something either different or novel or of great value. But because there is so much novelty all the time, we can’t always spot what should be catching our eye. What is worthy of our attention? Which is why we’re here to point out new releases that we believe might be of interest to you. Today, we’re going to enter the world of Nadir, a relatively young brand based in Poland, through its second model called the Vespera GMT Silver. Created by and for adventurers, off-roaders, and over-landers, this GMT watch is built tough but endowed with a strong air of everyday/sports horology, complemented by a whiff of elegance.
The case
Whilst most of the time the design of a watch is first defined by its dial, with the Nadir Vespera GMT, it is defined by its case. It’s modern and angular, muscular and something I can’t really put my finger on. The principal element of which is the cut-outs at its four corners, something like a prolongation of the lugs which curve in and then out to form two boulders on either side of the case. These two metal protrusions create symmetry and appear massive because they are accentuated by two upper and wide polished chamfers, and answered by at their bottom through rounded off and brushed corners which swoop in below the case to the brilliantly CNC-machined case-back.
The rest of the case is mostly brushed either vertically or horizontally, with some radial brushing, which reinforces the modern allure of the Vespera GMT and the angularity of the case, especially looking at the bezel, whose circular brushing is repeated on the dial.
Measuring 42mm in diameter, 47mm lug-to-lug, and 13.1mm thick, the Vespera GMT commands a strong wrist presence without being over-the-top. Seen from the side, the aforementioned metal protrusions truly give the case a muscular profile, indicating its intended use off-road and over-landing by way of four-wheeled or two-wheeled machines. (The brand’s founder does both, and regularly so.)
A heavily knurled threaded crown with two different machined patterns is conveniently located at the four o’clock and partially recessed within one of the cut-outs, so that it doesn’t dig into the wrist whilst being easy to grab and operate. Together with a screw-down caseback, the Vespera GMT boasts 200 meters of water resistance, which is excellent for this and any type of watch destined (as we will see below) to not only live off-road but also on it and in everyday scenarios. Its case is completed by a domed sapphire crystal with an inner anti-reflective coating.
The dial
What I immediately found to be intriguing with the dial of the Nadir Vespera GMT is the dual nature of its design. On the one hand, it is rather elegant on account of the multiple polished surfaces and applied elements, whilst on the other hand it is sporty and utilitarian on account of its legible hands and massive Arabic hour numerals at the cardinal points.
It feels as if the brand founder couldn’t decide at first which road to take when designing the dial (which is identical to the non-GMT version of the Vespera), so either elegant or toolish, and ended up striking the perfect balance between the two. This is why there are large numerals paired with large hands to easily tell the time, though the markers are applied and fully polished, while the hour and minute hands are half-polished and half-brushed to be legible at any angle. The seconds and GMT hands are blasted, the former covered with lume, the latter completed by a black painted rectangular and lumed element.
Again, in the latter two elements, we find a little bit of contradiction in the design, but one that was handled elegantly. The integration of the date aperture at the three o’clock and framed by the large numeral signifies that the Vespera GMT was indeed meant to be legible and practical to use, and I personally find the juxtaposition of the framed, polished, and bevelled window with the large marker unusual but compelling. All other hour markers are also applied and polished, the minute track painted in black and complemented by little cut-outs at the periphery of the dial to mark each minute so that the time-telling functionality of the Vespera GMT is complete.
Moreover, the brand opted to print the 24-hour GMT scale on the narrow and steep rehaut so that it doesn’t get in the way of reading the time and date whilst being easy to read whenever it is necessary to do so. Lastly, the icing on the cake is the radially brushed dial, which brings everything to life.
The strap
The Nadir Vespera GMT Silver isn’t your typical sports or tool watch, as it is both and more, so the brand had to choose carefully what kind of fastening mechanism it would equip this model with. What they opted for is a thick handmade Italian leather strap made by a company called Badalassi Carlo, which comes with a massive signed buckle, two large keepers (one of which is mobile) and quick-release spring bars. The strap is indeed thick yet comfortable, and works well with the 22mm lug width the Vespera GMT comes with.
The movement
Now ultra-popular, the Japanese-made Miyota 9075 flyer-style GMT calibre is what ticks inside the Nadir at a healthy 4Hz beat rate and comes with 42 hours of power reserve. I’ve test-driven many 9075s since it came out in 2022, and they’ve all run well and are exceptionally easy to use and reliable, making it the perfect choice for an elegant tool watch meant to be used in many places in different time zones and in intense environments. I find the choice of this movement to make sense given the specs and design of the Vespera GMT.
Nadir Vespera GMT pricing and availability
The Nadir Vespera GMT comes in three colours (Silver, Green, and Yellow), each a numbered edition of 50, available via Nadir’s website. As a bonus, the watch comes with a quality three-slot leather watch roll so that you can bring more watches on your next off-roading adventures. (Or many straps.) Price: €649/A$1,160
| Brand | Nadir |
| Model | Vespera GMT Silver |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 13.1mm (T) x 47mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Silver (as tested) |
| Strap | Badalassi Carlo leather strap |
| Movement | Miyota 9075, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT |
| Availability | Limited to 50 pieces per colour |
| Price | €649 A$1,160 |