Side by side

Glycine Airman No. 1 PuristvsVaer D5 Meridian Auto

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

Airman No. 1 Purist
GlycineAirman No. 1 Purist
MSRP $2,800
D5 Meridian Auto
VaerD5 Meridian Auto
MSRP $679

At a glance

17 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Airman No. 1 Purist36mm
D5 Meridian Auto39mm
Power Reserve
Airman No. 1 Purist48h
D5 Meridian Auto40h
Water Resistance
Airman No. 1 Purist30m
D5 Meridian Auto200m
MSRP
Airman No. 1 Purist$2,800
D5 Meridian Auto$679

Full specifications

Case

8 specs
Category
GMT
Diver
Diameter
36mm
39mm
Thickness
11.6mm
12.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
46mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
30m
200m
Caseback
Solid

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Inner
Dial Color
Silver
Black
Indices
Applied
Lume
Luminous
None

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
SW330-2
Miyota 9015
Power Reserve
48h
40h
Complications
Date
None

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$2,800
$679

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Glycine Airman No. 1 Purist

The Glycine Airman No. 1 Purist is praised as a faithful re-creation of a historical 24-hour watch, with one owner purchasing it for $620 and viewing it as a long-term keeper due to its heritage reissue status and vintage aesthetics. The 36mm size is noted as a conversation starter. However, the acrylic crystal is prone to scratching, with one example showing a small scratch over the date window. Some community members suggest pre-Invicta models may hold value better. Overall, owners appreciate the Glycine Airman No. 1 Purist for its authentic vintage appeal and unique dial, though the acrylic crystal requires careful handling.

Vaer D5 Meridian Auto

Owners widely praise the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto for its classic aesthetic, comfortable 39mm size, and well-executed 120-click bezel with minimal back play. Reviewers highlight the anodized aluminum bezel insert, lyre lugs, sword hands, and gold accents on the blue sunburst dial as contributing to its old-school charm, making it a great companion for desk diving with comfortable strap options and quick-release spring bars. One owner specifically noted satisfaction with the 42mm variant's premium steel bracelet featuring a tool-less micro-adjust clasp. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto highly for its classic design and comfortable wearability at its price point.

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