The Vario Empire Automatic reviewed by Monochrome Watches is a 38 mm dress watch powered by a Seiko NH38A automatic movement. Its listed specifications include a sapphire crystal, 50 m water resistance and a 41-hour power reserve. Monochrome’s approximately 2019 review recorded a post-campaign retail price of USD 348; that is historical pricing, not a verified price or offer today.
What the original Vario Empire Automatic offers
The original automatic model pairs a compact stainless-steel case with a straightforward time-only movement. Monochrome Watches lists its case as 38 mm in diameter and 11.5 mm thick, made from 316L stainless steel. The watch has a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and the review specifies 50 m water resistance.
| Specification | Original Empire Automatic, as listed by Monochrome Watches |
|---|---|
| Case | 38 mm diameter; 11.5 mm thick; 316L stainless steel |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Movement | Seiko NH38A automatic; 24 jewels; 21,600 vph (3 Hz) |
| Functions | Central hours, minutes and hacking seconds |
| Stated power reserve | 41 hours |
| Water resistance | 50 m |
| Strap | 20 mm width; review describes Italian leather and Harris Tweed options |
These are the reviewed model’s published specifications, not independent measurements or a guarantee of performance for an individual watch. The 50 m rating describes a specification; it does not by itself establish suitability for every kind of swimming or water activity.
What the NH38A movement means in practice
The NH38A is an automatic mechanical movement: wrist motion winds it, and its hacking seconds stop when the crown is pulled for setting. The reviewed configuration has central hours, minutes and seconds rather than a calendar or GMT complication. Monochrome lists a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and a stated reserve of 41 hours when fully wound.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- [Luxurious Mechanical Watch] High quality hollow mechanical watch appearance retro gorgeous, exquisite carving and design of the golden appearance of the European nobility more highlight your noble identity extraordinary taste, to bring you a pleasant luxury experience
The reserve is useful when deciding whether the watch can sit unworn through a day or weekend without stopping, but it is a stated specification, not a claim about measured real-world running time. Monochrome also identifies a different earlier Kickstarter generation that used a hand-wound Miyota 6T33; that movement should not be confused with the NH38A in the reviewed automatic.
Price: what USD 348 does—and does not—tell you
Monochrome’s approximately 2019 review records an early-bird campaign price of USD 278 and a post-campaign retail price of USD 348 for the original automatic model. Both figures are historical campaign-era prices. The available evidence does not establish the original model’s current price, whether it remains available, or what a retailer or second-hand seller may charge now.
Rank #2
- "SKY MOON" built-in sky panorama , the most dazzling starry sky in the northern hemisphere , rotates at different speeds with a unique three-layer glass (respectively , the star dial with gears , the galaxy chart and the moon phase chart) , resulting in incredible star movements and the moon trajectory , the complex watchmaking process , for your careful appreciation.
- Luxury Dress Watches : We incorporate the blue starry sky that changes at different times into the dial , and the way the moon phase is presented is also different as the date on the outer ring rotates. Create classic and unique designs.
- Automatic Mechanical Watches : High-quality mechanical movement , manual and self-winding , no battery. High hardness minerals glass mirror , scratch-resistant and wear-resistant , 30M waterproof , to meet your needs in a variety of high-intensity work and play environments.
- Starry Night Light : New luminous design , the night scene like the Milky Way keeps turning. Bring the dial to life in the dark. It is a very good choice to wear by yourself or as a holiday gift.
- OLEVS Men's Watches: This store offers 60 days free returns and a 2-year product warranty, extended to after Christmas, so there is no need to worry about damaged goods that cannot be returned for a refund. Package includes watch/gift box/free adjustment tool/user guide. If you encounter problems while using the watch, you can contact us through Amazon and a professional after-sales team will provide you with services.
Current listings for watches that share the Empire name are different products, so their prices cannot be used as a current price for this NH38A model. For example, Vario’s official listing for the Empire Seasons True GMT Winter White displayed USD 698 and showed the watch as sold out when crawled; it specifies a Miyota 9075 True GMT automatic movement. A separate official listing for the Empire Art Nouveau Outer Black Handwound displayed USD 888 and also showed sold out; it specifies a hand-wound Miyota 6T33. Those listing prices and availability are time-sensitive and do not establish the value or availability of the original Empire Automatic.
How the Empire variants differ
“Empire” covers distinct generations and configurations. The movement, complication, case details and price need to be matched to the exact model rather than inferred from the family name.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- ⌚【Design Inspiration】This is an all-steel octagonal design with the characteristics of a classic sports adventure watch. The shape is exquisite and exquisite. Through amazing proportions, high-tech materials, and anti-magnetic structure,You can see the precise operation of each mechanical part, its unique masculine beauty injects new blood into the sports watch.
- ⌚【Unique Octagonal Design】The front of the octagonal bezel is polished with a polished and brushed process, which is resistant to scratches and presents two different metallic textures. The most classic and legendary aesthetic design has finally conquered the world as the ultimate octagonal case of sporty elegance. The 1.61inch large dial with high quality stainless steel watch band makes the watch more durable. The total length of the watch is 8.26inch.
- ⌚【Mechanical Movement】NO need to use BATTERY, but AUTOMATICE SELF-WINDING! The back of the watch adopts a back-through design, through the sapphire glass back we can clearly observe the movement beauty of the movement.The watch is equipped with a stainless steel bracelet that is comfortable to wear and has a very elegant posture. The whole is meticulously polished to bring a more refined wearing experience.
- ⌚【30M Waterproof】Daily life waterproof design which bear daily wash hand, swear,accidental rain or water splash.Please keep it away from swimming and hot water bathing in case consume the watch.(Note! Mechanical watch is different from quartz watch. Insufficient mechanical kinetic energy will cause the watch to stop, please winding it in time.)
- ⌚【Perfect Gifts】With a independently designed FORSINING watch box, is the perfect gift for yourselves or for that special and important someone. The fashion design watch can be easily matched with a variety of clothing and suitable for all occasions.
| Model | Movement and function | Listed case and crystal | Water resistance | Price and listing status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Empire Automatic reviewed by Monochrome, approximately 2019 | Seiko NH38A automatic; central hours, minutes and hacking seconds | 38 mm diameter, 11.5 mm thick; sapphire with anti-reflective coating | 50 m | USD 278 early bird and USD 348 post-campaign retail in the review; historical campaign-era prices, current price and availability not established |
| Earlier Kickstarter Empire generation, as identified in the Monochrome review | Hand-wound Miyota 6T33; this is not the reviewed NH38A automatic | Not stated in the review’s cited movement distinction | Not stated in the review’s cited movement distinction | Not stated in the cited review evidence |
| Empire Seasons True GMT Winter White, Vario official listing | Miyota 9075 automatic True GMT | 38 mm diameter; 46 mm lug-to-lug; 12 mm thick; sapphire crystal | 5 ATM | USD 698 displayed; sold out in the crawled listing |
| Empire Art Nouveau Outer Black Handwound, Vario official listing | Hand-wound Miyota 6T33 | 38 mm diameter; 46 mm lug-to-lug; 11 mm thick; sapphire front and exhibition caseback | 5 ATM | USD 888 displayed; sold out in the crawled listing |
The two newer Vario listings are useful for distinguishing the product family, not as like-for-like alternatives or evidence of a price increase for the original automatic. Their cases and movements differ, and only the original review provides the automatic model’s 20 mm strap detail and 41-hour reserve.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the original Empire Automatic a good value?
At its documented post-campaign price of USD 348, the value proposition was a sapphire-equipped, 316L steel 38 mm automatic dress watch with a named movement, hacking seconds and a 20 mm strap specification. The supplied product facts support that description, but they do not establish comparative market value, long-term reliability, accuracy in use, or current resale value.
Rank #4
- Material: Mechanical movement, mineral strengthened glass mirror, the case is made of stainless steel and the strap is made of High grade leathe.
- Measuare: Band length: 18.5cm/7.39inch, dial diameter: 41mm/1.6inch, dial thickness: 15mm/0.6inch.
- 30M waterproof, Daily waterproofing to prevent water splashing. But not suitable for bathing and swimming.
- Classic and fashionable desgin, PU leather strap, suitable for any occasion.
- It will be a wonderful gift for your father, husband, friends, son or brother on some special days.
For a present-day purchase, evaluate the exact reference and condition, confirm the movement and included strap, and compare the seller’s current price against watches offered at the same time and in the same market. Because the original generation’s current availability and price are not established, the historical USD 348 figure is context—not a price benchmark for an offer today.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
