German watchmaking has always had its own identity. While names like Nomos Glashütte, Sinn, Junghans or A. Lange & Söhne often come to mind first, smaller independent brands continue to show there’s plenty of creativity outside the big names too.

That’s where VANDAAG fits in. A young brand from Oldenburg bringing a clean, nordic-inspired design language with a focus on quality, functionality, and thoughtful details rather than unnecessary excess.

What makes this even more interesting is that before VANDAAG ever became a brand, the people behind it were already deeply rooted in watchmaking. For over two decades, the team has been developing watches for companies around the world designing collections, sourcing components, and bringing ideas to life from concept to market.

At some point, the question became inevitable: why not create something of their own?

That answer became VANDAAG, named after the North German word for “today.” More than just a name, it reflects the brand’s philosophy: focusing on the present, creating watches meant to be worn and enjoyed now, not just admired from afar.

Coming from Oldenburg in northwest Germany, that mindset translates into their design approach as well. Clean, functional, and understated, with a touch of sportiness. Never over designed, never trying too hard. As they put it themselves: put everything into a watch that makes it good, without overloading it.

Over the years, that philosophy has shaped a well-rounded lineup. The Tiefsee brings a more tool-focused, diver approach, while the Schallmauer Automatik covers the chronograph side, evolving from quartz beginnings to a more serious automatic with the Sellita SW510BHa Elabore movement. The Primus leans into a dressier direction with a clean, refined design.

And then comes the Baas, the latest addition. A versatile automatic that sits right in the middle: a bit sporty, a bit dressy, and very much in line with what VANDAAG is all about.

Big thanks to the guys at Vandaag for sending this one over and giving me the chance to spend some time with it and share my thoughts.

Baas Impuls

The watch comes packaged in a premium wooden box that immediately sets the tone. It’s beautifully finished, with a solid, quality feel, and opening it feels more like unveiling something special than just unboxing a watch. Inside, the brand’s name is subtly written, adding a nice touch of identity without being over the top. It’s a small detail, but one that reinforces the overall attention to presentation.

And then you see the Baas Impuls for the first time.

It’s honestly hard to describe that first impression. The deep, rich, sunburst red dial immediately draws you in. It’s not just red, it has layers to it. Depending on how the light hits, it shifts between darker, almost wine-like tones and brighter, more vibrant flashes. It’s incredible and genuinely mesmerizing to watch how the light dances across the surface at different angles.

It’s one of those rare moments where photos don’t quite do it justice, you really have to experience it in person to fully appreciate it. That said, it’s also a lot of fun to photograph, allowing you to play with light and explore different angles.

One of the most striking elements of the Baas is the shape of the dial. It curves noticeably downward toward the edges, with the hands(second and minute) following that same contour, creating a cohesive and almost fluid look. This is further enhanced by the double-domed sapphire crystal, which adds depth and really emphasizes the curvature of the dial. On a side note, it is not easy to show the curves on a photographs but see below my attempt(at the end I attached more photos)

The watch features rectangular applied indices, filled with Nemoto LumiNova® NCW1000 in blue, ensuring strong legibility in all lighting conditions. Up close, these details add another layer of depth and refinement to the dial.

Around the dial, the sapphire crystal is framed by a fixed stainless steel bezel. It features a faceted design with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces, giving it a subtle but refined play of textures.

On this version, I particularly like the black date disc, it blends in just enough while still offering a clean contrast, keeping the overall look balanced. The text is kept to a minimum, with only the brand name at 12 o’clock and “Automatic” at 6, reinforcing that clean, uncluttered design VANDAAG is known for. Well the Made in Germany at the bottom with relatively smaller letters.

The movement and dimensions

The watch is powered by the Sellita SW200-1 in Elaboré grade, a reliable and well-proven movement running at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) with a power reserve of around 42 hours. Accuracy is further optimized in-house by a master watchmaker, regulated to approximately +/- 8 seconds per day, which is always great to see at this level. So far, after a week of continuous wear, mine is running at around +6 seconds per day.

One detail I really appreciate on this model is the customized rotor. With the exhibition caseback, it makes a real difference elevating the whole experience instead of just looking at a standard, off-the-shelf design. It adds a bit of personality to the movement side of the watch.

Even better, the rotor features lume, which is a fun and unexpected touch. Not something you necessarily need, but exactly the kind of detail that shows the brand went a bit further than required.

The bracelet measures 20mm at the lugs and tapers down to 18mm, giving it a nice, balanced look on the wrist. It’s a solid 5-link design in 316L stainless steel, with a comfortable, almost dressy feel despite the sporty edge of the watch. The butterfly clasp keeps things clean and seamless.

A big plus is the use of screw-in links in various sizes, which makes adjusting the bracelet straightforward and precise. Combined with the quick-change spring bars, it’s very easy to get the perfect fit or switch things up when you feel like it.

I also have to mention the sizing, honestly one of the easiest experiences I’ve had. The screws were very easy to loosen, and the links came apart without any hassle. Everything felt well-made and straightforward, making it quick and stress-free to get the perfect fit.

As for the dimensions, the Baas sits in a very sweet spot: 40mm in diameter, 46.5mm lug-to-lug, and just 9.35mm thick. On my 17 cm wrist, it wears slim, compact, and comfortable, one of those watches you can forget you’re wearing, in the best possible way.

It offers 100m of water resistance, which is perfect for everyday use and easily handles light water activities like washing your hands, rain, swim or even a tropical storms in Vietnam.

That said, I’d probably avoid pushing it too far. Things like jet skiing, surfing, or high-impact water sports are not really what this watch is made for. For those a screw-down crown would be appreciated. For normal daily wear though, it has you more than covered.

Final thoughts

The Baas is simply a great watch. The dial is the highlight in my opinion. It is beautifully executed, with that subtle curvature and hands that follow it, adding depth and character. The red sunburst keeps playing with the light all day, constantly shifting, and it never gets boring. Add to that the crisp applied indices and the quality lume, you’ve got a dial that works just as well in the dark as it does in the light.

The customized rotor is another detail I really appreciate. It’s something you don’t always get at this level, and through the caseback it adds a bit of extra personality, especially with the added lume.

What really stands out though is the versatility. On the bracelet, it leans sportier and more casual. Swap it onto a leather strap, and it easily slides under the cuff, taking on a more refined, dressier look. It’s one of those rare watches that can genuinely cover almost any occasion.

At the end of the day, this is a watch that’s just a pleasure to wear and to look at. Everything feels well thought out, all the details are on point, and there are just enough extras to make it stand out without overdoing it.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: Diameter: 40,00mm – Lug to Lug: 46,50mm – Height: 9,35mm
• Case: 316L Stainless Steel, brushed with handpolished edges 
• Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with double AR coating
• Movement: Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré with custom rotor
• Lume: Blue Nemoto LumiNova® NCW1000 luminescent
• Bracelet: 5-link 316L stainless steel bracelet with butterfly buckle
• Water resistance: 100m/330ft
• Price: 849 Euro on bracelet, 799 on leather strap

Link to the watch:

https://www.vandaag.de/en/navigation/01954be3f2297e24b4f6e3f869a0922e