Lorier MerlinvsNivada Grenchen Super Antarctic 35mm Automatic

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 Nivada Grenchen Super Antarctic 35mm Automatic is praised as a fantastic time-only release with excellent legibility due to its large indices and hands, and a comfortable 38mm case. Reviewers highlight its vintage-accurate 10.1mm thinness and 200m water resistance. An owner reports accuracy gains of +6 to +9 seconds per day, and one reviewer notes the "cream" lume color appears too yellow for faux patina. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Nivada Grenchen Super Antarctic 35mm Automatic highly for its comfortable size and excellent legibility at its price point.