Lorier MerlinvsOrient SK Diver Retro (Revival)

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 Orient SK Diver Retro (Revival) for its affordable, retro-cool, asymmetrical case design and interior rotating bezel. However, reviewers and owners alike flag the folded link bracelet as a significant detractor, describing it as "jangly" and of poor quality. Concerns are also raised about its weak lume and 50-meter water resistance, rendering it unsuitable as a true diver. The movement's lack of hand-winding and hacking is noted, and some find the watch's design polarizing, with lugs appearing on separate planes, leading some to feel it "radiates 'cheap watch'". On balance, owners value the Orient SK Diver Retro (Revival) for its unique vintage aesthetic and accessible price point, despite significant drawbacks in bracelet quality and water resistance.