Lorier MerlinvsPhoibos Voyager

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.

The Phoibos Voyager is noted for its attractive MOP dial that plays with light and good overall finishing, along with a fun octopus logo. However, the red-on-red date wheel is illegible and may be misaligned. One owner flags the 13.5mm thick case, while comfortable at 39mm, as prone to striking objects. Overall, owners appreciate the dial's visual appeal and finishing, despite legibility issues with the date wheel.