Today, we’re exploring a brand that hasn’t previously appeared on our review radar – Vesuviate. While I’ve been familiar with the brand for some time, particularly through their Attivo line-which features a distinctive square case and has become something of a signature model for them – I wanted to take a different approach. Rather than focusing on their flagship, we’re turning our attention to a lesser-known yet equally compelling collection: the Volare. This series stands out with its sporty tool-watch aesthetic, enhanced by vibrant pops of color that add a playful twist to its rugged design.

Vesuviate was established in 2019, taking its name and logo inspiration from the legendary Mount Vesuvius. For those unfamiliar, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. famously led to the destruction of Pompeii—an event symbolizing both power and legacy, much like the brand’s ambition.

Their debut model, the Attivo, is a square-cased, time-only watch that received strong early reviews and continues to be the brand’s best-seller. Vesuviate positions itself as a maker of “the ultimate tool-watch designed for people living an active lifestyle,” with engineering tailored for enthusiasts of diving, flying, racing, sailing, and other high-performance pursuits. This philosophy aligns with the founder’s professional background in supply chain engineering and auditing—fields that demand precision, reliability, and rigorous quality standards.

All Vesuviate watches feature a proprietary surface treatment that enhances durability, ensuring reliable performance even in the most demanding environments – all while remaining accessibly priced.

The watch arrived in a black cardboard box, which initially led me to expect the usual forgettable packaging destined for the back of a closet. But Vesuviate pleasantly surprised me – they’ve gone the extra mile by including a two-watch leather travel pouch instead. It’s a thoughtful and functional touch that I absolutely appreciate, and I always give credit to brands that invest in practical packaging rather than something purely disposable. First impressions were strong. I opted for the purple variant, as it happens to be my current favorite color. That said, the Volare GMT is also available in a vibrant range of other hues—blue, brown, green, red, and white. And from what I’ve seen in reviews and hands-on videos by fellow enthusiasts, every colorway is just as striking as the one on my wrist. Another highlight is the watch’s bold, robust design. The cushion-style case gives it real presence without feeling generic – this is far from your standard off-the-shelf design. It feels intentional, distinctive, and refreshingly original.

The Vesuviate Volare GMT sports a rugged yet refined 41mm cushion-style case crafted from ion-nitrided stainless steel. One standout feature that elevates the Volare above most watches in its price bracket is its case-hardened thermo-chemical treatment – specifically, a process known as Ion Nitriding. Unlike traditional coatings such as PVD or DLC, which apply a surface layer that can wear or flake off over time, Ion Nitriding actually alters the molecular structure of the metal itself by diffusing nitrogen into the surface during a controlled heat treatment. This technique is typically reserved for high-performance industrial applications and is rarely seen at this price point.

The result? A dramatically enhanced surface hardness – an impressive 1,100 Vickers – applied to both the case and bracelet, making the watch incredibly resistant to scratches. To put it to the test, I ran a penknife across the bracelet, and it came through virtually unscathed. This isn’t just marketing fluff; it’s real, tangible durability. And because the treatment transforms the surface itself rather than sitting on top of it, the protection is built to last for the lifetime of the watch. It’s an impressive feat of engineering that gives the Volare serious tool-watch credentials without compromising on looks.

At 46.7mm lug-to-lug and 13.7mm in thickness (closer to 14mm including the domed sapphire crystal), the Volare wears comfortably even on slimmer wrists and manages to slip under a shirt cuff with minimal fuss. The case design blends functionality with aesthetics. Circular brushing on the top surfaces contrasts with polished sides, and the overall silhouette leans toward vintage cushion-case divers. A screw-down crown with protective guards adds to the robust 200-meter water resistance, making it suitable for both land and aquatic adventures. Capping off the crown is a lumed Vesuviate logo—a subtle yet distinctive design flourish that adds character and reinforces the brand’s attention to detail. Around back, the red-tinted sapphire exhibition caseback offers a glimpse of the movement within. While striking, it would have been even more compelling if the tint were matched to the specific dial color—such as a purple hue for this particular model—a small change that could have elevated the cohesive visual experience even further. The 120-click unidirectional bezel, featuring a sapphire insert with a luminous 24-hour scale. The bezel action is crisp and precise with no play—a detail that speaks to the brand’s maturing engineering standards.

The dial is where the Volare GMT truly shines – both literally and figuratively. Vesuviate opted for a gradient dial that fades from a dark top to a lighter bottom, echoing a rising or setting sun. This bold aesthetic choice adds dynamic depth to the watch, with color variants available in red, blue, green, brown, purple, and a standout full-lume white.

Applied rectangular hour markers are polished and filled with Swiss BGW9 Super-LumiNova, ensuring legibility in darkness. The gradient is complemented by dual 24-hour scales – one on the inner rehaut and another on the bezel insert—both color-coded to separate AM/PM hours, enhancing usability while adding an aviation-inspired design element. The handset is well thought out: obelisk-style hour and minute hands are polished and lumed, while the GMT hand is skeletonized with a lumed red arrow tip to make it immediately distinguishable. Even the second hand, which is yellow, is thoughtfully chosen for visual clarity. A date window at 3 o’clock is nicely framed and balanced, although the 3-hour marker beside it is understandably trimmed.

Powering the Volare GMT is the Seiko NH34A, a 24-jewel automatic movement running at 21,600 beats per hour. It’s part of the same family as the reliable NH35 but introduces true GMT functionality, making it one of the most affordable automatic GMT movements on the market. While the NH34 offers a “caller GMT” function (you set the GMT hand independently, not the local hour hand), it’s more than adequate for travel or tracking a second time zone. The rotor is custom-decorated with Vesuviate’s logo, giving a touch of brand identity to the otherwise utilitarian view. While not COSC-certified or high-beat, the NH34A is a solid workhorse known for reliability and easy servicing—a pragmatic choice that aligns with the Volare’s rugged spirit.

Vesuviate didn’t cut corners with the bracelet, either. The 20mm stainless steel bracelet mirrors the case’s durability thanks to the same ion-nitriding treatment. It features a mix of brushed outer links and polished center links, echoing the contrast of the case finish. Solid end links with quick-release spring bars make strap changes hassle-free, even for those without steady hands or watch tools.

The bracelet tapers slightly and terminates in a signed expandable clasp. This clasp isn’t just your average flip-lock; it features push-button expansion, which may be intended for diving but is just as useful for accommodating wrist swelling on hot days. Unlike bulkier dive clasps, this one remains slim and well-integrated! For those who enjoy customizing their watches, the Volare looks equally at home on a NATO or rubber strap. While the overall quality of the bracelet is commendable, one area for potential refinement would be the finishing of the link and clasp edges, which could benefit from slightly softer contours to enhance wearing comfort and create a more refined tactile experience.

The Vesuviate Volare GMT is a pretty cool watch in the end of the day. I like the original design, the pop of colour that makes it fun. The GMT function is very usefull, especially for me who’s mom lives in Australia and it makes it easier to see when can I call her, haha. It successfully blends the vintage-inspired charm of a cushion case with modern features like a gradient dial, sapphire bezel insert, and full lume capability. The inclusion of the Seiko NH34A movement adds legitimate GMT functionality without pushing the watch into unaffordable territory.

The Vesuviate Volare GMT is a triumph of thoughtful design, robust engineering, and accessible pricing. It successfully blends the vintage-inspired charm of a cushion case with modern features like a gradient dial, sapphire bezel insert, and full lume capability. The inclusion of the Seiko NH34A movement adds legitimate GMT functionality without pushing the watch into unaffordable territory.

What sets the Volare apart is its attention to small details—lumed crown, dual 24-hour scales, custom rotor, tool-less bracelet changes – all wrapped in a durable, adventure-ready case. It’s the kind of watch that feels over-engineered in the best way: not just capable, but genuinely exciting to wear and use. For anyone seeking a fun, colorful, and rugged GMT watch that can keep up with daily life and weekend getaways alike, the Volare should be high on your list.

Price: 425$ at vesuviate.com