Lorier MerlinvsNivada Grenchen Depthmaster

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 report terrific build quality and a feel similar to the 1960s original, with some appreciating its reasonable lug-to-lug and better-than-expected appearance in person. The compact 39mm case is praised for its wearability, especially on smaller wrists, and offers impressive 1,000m water resistance. However, the Soprod P024 movement's 38-hour power reserve is a point of criticism, as is a bezel that can be difficult to grip and weak lume. Some owners find the watch wears on the smaller side, and the date complication is seen by one owner as detracting from the design. The "Pacman" variant is noted as polarizing, with one owner questioning their purchase, while the "Ghost Purple" variant's 30 and 45 numerals are described as having a rushed aesthetic. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster highly for its faithful reissue, impressive water resistance, and comfortable wearability at a competitive price.