Bremont Supermarine 500MvsFears Archival 1930

Owners widely praise the Bremont Supermarine 500M's luxurious appearance and sapphire bezel, with some preferring its design over other luxury dive watches. Reviewers note its updated, legible dial with excellent, long-lasting Super-LumiNova lume. The hardened steel case with anti-reflective coating offers scratch resistance, and the crown placement is a favored feature. Some owners find the 43mm thickness substantial, and one reviewer questions the long-term water resistance of its three-piece case construction compared to traditional designs. Criticisms include the lack of a dive suit extension on the bracelet and a second hand that can be difficult to see in low light, with some finding the bezel markings could be more prominent. Overall, owners and reviewers consider the Bremont Supermarine 500M a handsome, rugged dive watch with a refined look that competes well with more expensive brands.

Owners and reviewers widely praise the Fears Archival 1930 for its elegant, vintage-inspired Art Deco styling, featuring a captivating champagne dial with Deco numerals and heat-blued hands. The watch is noted for its comfortable, thin 8.54mm case and surprisingly substantial wearability, even on smaller wrists, due to its curved caseback and light weight. Its pull-out crown is easy to grip and wind, and the use of a new old stock ETA 717 movement from the 1930s adds historical appeal. However, some owners and forum members question its value proposition, citing components like an ETA 7001 movement and a Hong Kong case, with a power reserve of 38-40 hours requiring frequent winding. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Fears Archival 1930 highly for its unique vintage design and comfortable wearability, despite some reservations about its price relative to its components.