Lorier MerlinvsOrient Bambino Open Heart

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 Bambino Open Heart for its dressy style, clean dial, and reliable in-house F6724 automatic movement with hacking and hand-winding. Reviewers and owners highlight its value proposition, with one owner noting it remains a regular wear even after acquiring pricier watches. Some owners find the build quality and stock strap less premium, with one noting the mineral crystal is prone to scratching and another that the movement can be noisy. The 21mm lug width is cited as making strap swapping slightly more complicated. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Orient Bambino Open Heart highly for its dressy aesthetic and in-house movement at its price point.