Vincero Apex Review: Is it Worth Starting Your Engine Over?

Disclosure: We received courtesy product from Vincero in exchange for our honest review only. All opinions expressed here are our own. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

Vincero’s new Apex race watch has been out for a few months and there aren’t too many reviews. So is this watch worth your money or are there better options out there?

In true TAM fashion, we picked up the Vincero Apex and dove into the gritty-details to answer that question for you.

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The Adult Man Image/Icon Image source: Vincero

Vincero Apex

Bottom line: The Vincero Apex is a unique take on the racing watch genre. With solid water resistance, sapphire coated crystal, and a Seiko mecha-quartz movement, Vincero has stepped up their quality again.

Ratings:

The Adult Man Image/Icon  Design
The Adult Man Image/Icon  Quality of Materials
The Adult Man Image/Icon  Value for Money
The Adult Man Image/Icon  Craftsmanship
The Adult Man Image/Icon  Customer Service

Pros:

  • Solid quality and construction with a sapphire coated crystal and 100m of water resistance
  • Tons of small details in the design like a textured chapter ring that makes the watch dynamic and fun to look at
  • Links on the bracelet are easy to swap out
  • 2-year warranty, free shipping, and 30-day returns

Cons:

  • There’s no second hand, which is something you lose with the chronograph movement
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Tell me if you’re anything like me:

I could have 100 watches, and I’d still be on the lookout for a fresh style. 

Does that sound like you? 

Well, I kept seeing panda dials (white dial with black subdials) popping up on my Instagram feed. I knew I couldn’t get a new watch—I already have too many. 

And then I saw Vincero’s new Apex

This racing watch comes in a variety of colorways, but the panda dial drew me in right away and I had to get it. 

I’ve been wearing this watch for about three months now. Keep reading for my full thoughts. 

How Does the Apex Fit in With Other Vincero Watches?

Since October 2019, Vincero has been releasing new watches pretty regularly—a fact I explore in more detail in my video review of the Apex above. 

We’ve reviewed most Vincero watches, and if you’re interested in learning more about the brand, head over to our mammoth Vincero review.

Or, just click on one the watches below to take you directly to our reviews of each collection:

Their three most recent releases (Altitude, Vessel, and Apex) have been taking the brand in a new direction. 

vincero vessel product shot against white background
The Vincero Vessel

And I like it. 

While Vincero started with edgy minimalist designs, they’ve been branching out into the tool watch space. But they’ve still kept that signature Vincero mood going. 

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Vincero Altitude
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Vincero’s Altitude line offers a cool design with versatile color schemes. While they’ve made some concessions to keep the price down, Vincero has delivered another great fashion-forward watch.

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The Altitude is the brand’s first pilot watch, the Vessel their first diver watch, and now the Apex: Vincero’s first racing watch. 

While I like the Kairos for its pared-back minimalism, these three new additions are more unique.

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Vincero Kairos
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While we’d like to see a greater selection of leather bands from Vincero, the simple, masculine design of the Kairos collection works equally well in the office, at a wedding, or out for drinks.

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And beyond that, Vincero is pushing their quality boundaries, too, including materials like sapphire crystals and bumping up the water resistance. 

Things to Consider Before Buying a Racing Watch

Vincero Apex chronograph detail

Race watches have a chronograph movement and a tachymeter. This means there’s a lot to look at. 

Because there’s so much information packed into the timepiece, it’s not really appropriate for formal occasions where a slimmer, more refined minimalist watch is called for. 

That said, if a sporty utilitarian piece is more your pace, then a racing watch is a fantastic option. The style is equally loved by Europeans and Americans alike, so if you’re planning a Euro-trip (or an America trip for our EU readers) these types of watches skip effortlessly across the style border. 

Vincero Apex Unboxing & Review

Packaging

Vincero Apex black packaging

The Apex arrives in a chunky black cardboard box. The unboxing experience with Vincero is solid, but nothing special (we’ve done it six times now). 

I’ve never put too much weight on the unboxing experience unless it’s truly terrible. But it is a small consideration if you’re getting the watch as a gift—you want the other person to have an amazing first impression before they see their new timepiece. 

Case & Caseback

Vincero Apex tachymeter and case detail

The case is made with 316L stainless steel and has a 42mm diameter with 11mm of depth. 

I like a 42mm diameter—I have average sized wrists, so the size is masculine, but doesn’t flirt with oversized territory like 44-46mm. I’m also a fan of how slim this timepiece is. 11mm isn’t the slimmest by any means, but the proportions are flattering. 

The bezel is equipped with a tachymeter and just the slightest hint of color. It’s one of my favorite aspects of this watch: the word “tachymeter” is printed in a contrasting color (on my panda dial, it’s red). This contrasting color is picked back up in the chronograph hand. 

Vincero Apex tachymeter dial

It’s a subtle touch that gives this racing watch a little more edge to it than other versions of the same style. 

Vincero has done away with their signature marble insert on the Apex caseback. Instead they feature a heavily embossed and polished logo, along with their catchphrase: “Veni, Vidi, Vici. Live Your Legacy.”

Vincero Apex faux marble caseback

I’ve joked before that putting on a Vincero watch is the horological equivalent of listening to an hour of Gary Vaynerchuck podcasts or watching an episode of Ballers on HBO. You just walk around telling it like it is and calling shots left and right. Well, they’ve still got the magic touch. 

This timepiece has a 10atm (100m) water resistance, which is another step up for the brand. At 100m, I feel comfortable leaving the watch on in the shower (no, I don’t take showers 100 meters below the surface, contrary to popular belief). 

But with that kind of water resistance rating, I’m confident Vincero’s done a good job testing the model so I don’t have to worry about fogging up the glass. 

Dial & Crystal

Vincero Apex dial closeup on white background

The dial of the Apex may look straight-straight forward, but there are a few details that I’m really enjoying. 

First off, I love the white and black panda dial. The other colorways don’t grab me all that much, so I won’t speak to them. 

The Silver/Black option (my favorite) has a white dial with a textured chapter ring. Along the chapter ring the brand has placed silver and black indices and the Arabic numerals 12 and 6. 

There’s a strong contrast with the two black subdials. The left subdial measures out the minutes of the chronograph, and the right subdial acts as a 24-hour clock. 

view of Vincero Apex crystal closeup

Considering the case is only 11mm deep, Vincero does a great job including a lot of different “elevations” in the dial. There’s a ton of depth in the dial, from the raised indices, the raised chapter ring, the dial face, and then down to the subdials—it’s varied and adds a lot of intrigue to the watch. 

The crystal is a flat sapphire coated mineral crystal. This is the standard crystal Vincero uses, and I haven’t had any issues with it for any of my other watches from the brand. 

I was pleased to see them step the Vessel up to a full sapphire crystal and was hoping to see that in the Apex, but a sapphire coating will do. 

Movement & Crown

Vincero Apex dial closeup

The Apex runs on a Seiko mecha-quartz movement. What’s a mecha-quartz movement, you ask? 

Basically, the chronograph sundial and hours/minutes complications run via Japanese quartz, but the chronograph second-hand is mechanical, so it snaps back into position when you press the bottom pusher. 

It functions well and any respectable race watch should have the chronograph function. 

The only downside I can see is that there’s no second-hand. If you like the ticking motion of a second-hand, you’re going to be let down because this movement doesn’t allow that feature. 

Vincero Apex closeup crown detail

The Apex has a two-position crown, though only the most outward position affects the watch. A Vincero “V” logo is laser-etched into the crown, and chamfers run along the sides for better grip. 

Two pushers above and below the crown control the chronograph (the top starts it, the bottom resets). 

Strap & Wearability

model adjusting black asket zip coat wearing olive asket chino everlane white tread sneaker and vincero apex racing watch
Vincero Apex on my 7¼ inch wrist

The Silver/Black colorway comes with a silver link bracelet. Believe it or not, this was a first for me. Before picking up the Apex, I had maybe 20 watches, but all either had a leather, silicone, or nylon strap. 

I’ve been loving the look and it’s my go to for casual wear. The silver link bracelet pairs well with my white gold wedding band and that cooler color pairs well with my skin tone. 

I’d love to see Vincero come out with a race strap—the kind that has tons of holes punched through it. 

While I like the bracelet because it won’t get damaged in the water, a leather strap would be a great backup for when I want to switch the look up. 

vincero apex racing watch on model wrist

The Apex bracelet arrives at its largest possible size, so there’s a good chance you’ll need to remove three or four links to get it to fit your wrist. 

Good news: you can do this at home with a few tools you probably have lying around your house. You don’t need that link-remover tool—just something thin and sturdy that you can tap in with a wrench. 

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Vincero Apex
(Get 20% off with code TAM20)

The Vincero Apex is a unique take on the racing watch genre. With solid water resistance, sapphire coated crystal, and a Seiko mecha-quartz movement, Vincero has stepped up their quality again.

Check Best Price
If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

My Thoughts Overall On the Vincero Apex

What I Like

  • Outfitted with a sapphire coated crystal and 100m of water resistance, Vincero boosted their quality in the Apex.

  • I love the contrast of the white and black dial. There’s a lot of depth and it’s interesting to look at. 

  • The links of the bracelet are easy to change out. 

  • 2-year warranty, free shipping, and 30-day returns.

What I Don’t Like

  • There’s no second hand. You don’t often get one with a chronograph movement, but I still miss it. 

Who is the Vincero Apex for?

The Vincero Apex is an excellent timepiece for guys who want something that’s bold and masculine but has a little sporty-vintage vibe.

The Verdict

Racing watches aren’t going out of style soon, and the Apex is Vincero’s unique stamp on the genre. 

It makes for a fantastic “everyday” watch. With a sapphire coated crystal and 100 meters of water resistance, this timepiece can withstand a good deal of abuse. 

Please check out Vincero’s other colorways, but for me, it was the Silver/Black (what I’m calling a panda dial) or nothing at all. 

The dial is full of depth and texture, so it makes for a handsome piece. I still find myself missing the action of a second hand, but that’s a tradeoff you’ll have to make with a chronograph movement. 

The Apex has been my “nightstand” watch for a few months. By that, I mean it’s what I put on first thing in the morning after getting out of bed (and usually it’s what I take off right before bed, too). 

If you’re a fella with drive, shift into gear and pick up this racing watch for yourself.

Exclusive Discount Available
Vincero Apex
(Get 20% off with code TAM20)

The Vincero Apex is a unique take on the racing watch genre. With solid water resistance, sapphire coated crystal, and a Seiko mecha-quartz movement, Vincero has stepped up their quality again.

Check Best Price
If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

More Vincero Reviews

Digging the Vincero vibe but want to explore other flavors?

Check out our reviews of five other Vincero collections by clicking on a watch:

FAQs

When was Vincero founded?

Vincero was founded in 2014 in the San Diego area. 

How long does Vincero take to ship?

Vincero offers free standard shipping, and it takes between three and four days to arrive. 

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