Side by side

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-001vsVaer Tradition

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-001

KUOE OLD SMITH is widely praised for its vintage aesthetic and comfortable 35mm wearability, with owners noting its attractive bronze case and dial contrast. Reviewers and owners alike highlight its excellent accuracy. However, the case finishing is considered average for the price, and the lume fades quickly. Some find the small date window difficult to read, and the Seiko NH38 movement is described as noisy. The 18mm lug width and PVD-coated strap hardware are also noted as drawbacks. Overall, owners and reviewers find the KUOE OLD SMITH to be a compelling vintage field watch offering good value, particularly for its aesthetic appeal and accuracy.

Vaer Tradition

Owners widely praise the Vaer Tradition for its wearable 36mm size, fitting smaller wrists well and offering a vintage aesthetic. Reviewers and owners consistently highlight its excellent finishing, smooth screw-down crown, and bright lume. However, some owners express dissatisfaction with the stainless steel bracelet's end links, finding them awkward, and one owner reported receiving the wrong size watch. A few users noted dust inside their watches, and the single-domed sapphire crystal's reflectivity was a point of criticism for one owner, while another found the "American Assembly" text awkward. On balance, owners rate the Vaer Tradition highly for its vintage-inspired design and comfortable wearability at its price point.

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
OLD SMITH 90-00135mm
Tradition36mm
Power Reserve
OLD SMITH 90-001
Tradition
Water Resistance
OLD SMITH 90-00150m
Tradition100m
MSRP
OLD SMITH 90-001$405
Tradition$179

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Dress
Field
Diameter
35mm
36mm
Thickness
10mm
8.4mm
Lug-to-Lug
42mm
43mm
Lug Width
18mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
50m
100m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
Crystal Shape
Dome
AR Coating
Yes
Dial Color
Gold
Tan

Movement

1 specs
Caliber
Seiko VD78

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$405
$179
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