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Founded in 2015, Vero Watch Company is dedicated to creating well-built, durable, and reliable watches at affordable prices. All of their watches improve on the models that came before them. In 2020, this continuous development led them to partner with trusted Swiss manufacturers held to the strictest quality control guidelines. They are passionate enthusiasts who meticulously create watches for dedicated collectors, and this passion also extends to their commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives. One of these initiatives involves protecting our forests. Last summer, Vero launched a pair of Smokey the Bear watches in stainless steel, with 10% of all sales benefiting the US Forest Service.
Piggybacking on the success of these two sold-out models, Vero is releasing two new ones to commemorate Smokey’s 80th anniversary. However, these new ones are made of bronze instead of stainless steel. The story of Smokey is quite interesting. To understand his significance, it’s essential to know a bit about his history. Smokey’s origins can be traced back to World War II when there were limited numbers of firefighters due to wartime demands. This left communities to deal with wildfires as best they could. The U.S. Forest Service established the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP) program to address this issue. The program aimed to educate the public about the dangers of forest fires.
They selected a bear as the program’s mascot and drew inspiration from the heroic actions of New York City fireman Joseph “Smokey Joe” Martin. Fast forward 30 years, and the “Fire Prevention and Suppression” playlist, which included Smokey the Bear’s public service announcements, filled the airwaves. If you were a child in the 70s and 80s, you can probably still hear his voice saying, “Only you can prevent wildfires.” Now, 80 years after his creation, his message is truer than ever, and Vero wants to help amplify it. Their new Smokey the Bear watches feature the phrase “If not you, who?” engraved on the back, serving as a reminder that everyone has a role in preserving our forests.
These watches measure 38mm in diameter by 12mm thick and have a lug-to-lug length of 46mm. Goldilocks shouldn’t have any issues with the size of this bear’s watch, and neither should anyone else, as it should fit nearly everyone just right. The watches are available in two dial colors: Forest Green and Brilliant Blue. These colors beautifully complement the warm tones of the bronze case. Since bronze is a “living” material, it will change and develop a patina over time, making each watch unique. Powering the hands is the Seiko NH38A automatic movement, regulated in the USA, offering a power reserve of 41 hours. A generous amount of lume has been applied to the hands, numerals, and markers to ensure high visibility in the dark.
Both the engraved case back and multi-gasket signed crown are screwed down to ensure 120 meters of water resistance. Protecting the dial is a sapphire crystal coated with anti-reflective material, making it readable from any angle. The new officially licensed Vero Smokey Bear 80th Anniversary Edition watches come with a leather strap featuring quick-release spring bars and a black canvas pass-through strap. Both styles are equipped with bronze hardware matching the case. They even offer an industry-leading 10-year, no-questions-asked warranty against any damage. Talk about standing behind their products.
Pricing for either dial variant is $550. These watches are not referred to as limited editions by Vero, but are being produced in small batches with staggered shipping dates. You can find out more by visiting the Vero website.
