Lorier MerlinvsSternglas Naos XS

Owners widely praise the Lorier Merlin for its vintage-inspired 37mm case, heat-blued hands, raised numerals, and hesalite crystal. The watch is noted for its comfortable wear, with some finding it wears large despite its size and even thinner on a two-piece strap. Drilled lug holes and a locking bezel are also appreciated features. Accuracy varies, with one owner reporting +8 seconds per day, while others do not specify. Some owners find the dual-crown design unappealing or the case chunky, with the 37mm size feeling small for a dive bezel watch, though others find it perfect for smaller wrists. The supplied strap and its hardware are considered cheap by one owner, and the bezel action is described as light and hollow. A desire for a sapphire crystal option at the price point is mentioned by some, while others prefer the hesalite for its vintage look. On balance, owners and the community rate the Lorier Merlin highly for its authentic vintage aesthetic and comfortable wear.

Owners widely praise the Sternglas Naos XS for its simple, awesome design, domed sapphire crystal, and clean hands, with one owner highlighting the beautiful blue mother-of-pearl dial and top-notch build quality on a special edition. It is recommended as a durable, refined daily wear watch for around $270, suitable for casual and formal occasions. However, one owner found the Sternglas Naos XS to have a cheap feel and a face resembling a toy, noting it wears smaller than expected, while another described the automatic movement as a bit noisy. On balance, owners rate the Sternglas Naos XS highly for its refined design and value, with specific praise for the mother-of-pearl dial on special editions.