The Raid: Why We Supported "Geek of History" on the Ultimate Desert Patrol

When you look at a vintage military vehicle, an old piece of canvas kit, or a watch built for the field, nothing is there just to look "bloody cool." Every cut-down grille, every stencil, and every weld was born out of sheer necessity and survival.

So, when Sophie and Gary from Geek of History reached out about taking their beautifully restored, Long Range Desert Group (LRDG)-inspired wartime Jeeps out of the damp English countryside and straight into the brutal sands of the Sahara, I knew Vario had to be a part of it.

As a small business that lives and breathes historical storytelling, supporting their journey wasn't just a collaboration, it felt like a duty to the history we both love.

A Meeting of Historical Minds

For those who don't know her, Sophie isn't just an adventurous "geek of history." She is also the founder and creative force behind Stanley Biggs Clothiers, a fantastic independent British heritage clothing brand unashamedly inspired by the styles, spirit, and durability of the past.

If you follow her logs, you know they didn't just throw some sand-colored paint on a couple of old Jeeps and call it a day. For months, their lives existed in late nights, sketches, and obsessive research. They stripped the vehicles down to mirror the original British pattern desert patrols, fitted historical Bagnold condenser systems to the front grilles to capture steam, and hand-stenciled unit numbers honoring Gary's grandfather’s service in the North African Campaign.

That level of meticulous, functional detail is exactly how we approach watchmaking at Vario. It made perfect sense that when Sophie packed her 1930s travel trunk with authentic wartime khaki drill uniforms and her brand's own rugged British wool gansseys, she packed two very special Vario timepieces to navigate the dunes.

Two Eras on the Wrist: The A-11 Solar and the 1945 D12

To track the hours under the vast desert sky, Sophie and Gary relied on a duo of our historically-driven field watches.

First up was the Vario A-11 Solar. Taken from the design of the original American military powerhouse—"the watch that won the war"—Sophie chose it on our rugged canvas strap. She noted how much she appreciated the historically accurate, slightly smaller sizing. Unlike modern, oversized "beast" watches, it sits properly on the wrist, staying out of the way when you're wrenching on a temperamental fuel line. Plus, out in the harsh desert sun, the solar-powered movement keeps itself continuously charged. No batteries to fail, no screens to crack—it just gets on with the job.

Alongside the A-11, they also took our Vario 1945 D12. Inspired by the legendary "Dirty Dozen" watches commissioned by the British Ministry of Supply during WWII, the D12 is the spiritual sibling to the very LRDG history they are exploring. Tough, understated, and featuring our signature offset crown for wrist comfort, seeing it covered in thick desert dust next to a steering wheel vibrating at 50 mph felt entirely right.

A small correction: Our watches are produced in China and Japan, with each one individually inspected in Singapore before it reaches your wrist. This extra layer of quality control helps ensure every watch leaves our studio in the best possible condition.

Supporting the Small and Independent

One of my favorite moments from Sophie's logs was when she recounted a failed fuel line upgrade during prep. They bought a cheap pipe, it disintegrated, and they had to drain the tank all over again. Her takeaway? "Buy cheap, buy twice. That’s exactly why we always try to support small independent suppliers that focus on quality"

As a small, family-run watch brand, that resonated deeply with us. Whether you are sourcing custom radiators from local specialists, buying a wool jumper hand-made to last a lifetime from Stanley Biggs, or choosing a historically-inspired watch from an independent microbrand like Vario, choosing quality and passion over mass production always triumphs in the end.

Under a Dark Desert Sky

Sophie and Gary have since made it across the ferry to Calais, driven down to Morocco, and successfully put those old engines to the test across the sands, documenting it all on a vintage, battery-free 1930s Kodak 35 film camera. They proved that good engineering, honest clothing, and classic design never truly expire.

We are incredibly proud that a small piece of Singaporean watchmaking history accompanied them on the adventure of a lifetime. To see the full journey unfold, make sure to check out their newly launched Geek of History YouTube Channel and give them some love.

Until the next adventure!