Vario’s Merlion Trench Watch is designed, cased, and inspected in Singapore
The local indie watch brand fuses its signature military aesthetic with national pride.
By Yanni Tan /
You may not know that Vario’s flagship 1918 Trench Watch is its best-selling model, with fans from all over the world, but we bet you’d want to collect its latest head-turning SG60 iteration.
Limited to only 60 individually numbered pieces, the 37mm creation is a reimagination of the brand’s World War I-inspired model with bold, bright strokes of the Singaporean identity. “This SG60 Merlion Trench Watch is more than just a timepiece — it’s a piece of our nation’s history on your wrist,” said Ivan Chua, founder of Vario. “We’re proud to honour Singapore’s 60th birthday with a design that blends tradition and symbolism.”
At its heart lies an enamel dial in striking crimson with white Arabic numerals, evoking strength, passion, and our nation’s iconic colour palette. Taking pride of place at 12 o’clock is, of course, the ever-distinguished Merlion emblem, symbolising Singapore’s heritage and resilience. Paired with cathedral-style hands and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, the watch delivers exceptional legibility and vintage character.
Built on the foundation of the Vario 1918 Trench, this edition also boasts modern enhancements befitting a commemorative edition. They include a 2mm double-domed sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating, a marine-grade 316L stainless steel case with thick wired lugs for strap security, 100m water resistance thanks to a screw-down crown, and C3 lume for optimal visibility.
The Vario SG60 Merlion Trench Watch is designed by brand founder Ivan Chua, and also cased and inspected in Singapore
Encased within is an adjusted Miyota 82S5 automatic hand-wound movement with hacking seconds, offering more than 40 hours of power reserve. Adding more refinement on the calibre is Cotes de Geneve finishing.
Each assembled and inspected by veterans from our very shores, every one of the 60 units comes engraved with SG60 and the Merlion emblem on the caseback. Retailing at approximately S$600, this collector’s timepiece is also backed by free worldwide express shipping and a two-year international warranty.
This edition is completed with a black crazy horse leather bund strap, delivering military authenticity, all-day comfort, and styling versatility.