Which is cheaper, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto?

At MSRP the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze is the cheaper of the two at $599, against $679 for the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto — a $80 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto?

The Vaer D5 Meridian Auto wears larger at 39mm versus 35mm for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze — a 4mm difference across the dial.

Which has better water resistance, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto?

The Vaer D5 Meridian Auto is rated to 200m versus 100m for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze.

Which has a longer power reserve, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto?

The KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze carries a 41-hour power reserve against 40 hours on the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto.

What movement does the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze run compared to the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto?

Both watches run automatic movements — the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze uses the NH38 and the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto uses the Miyota 9015.

Side by side

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 BronzevsVaer D5 Meridian Auto

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

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze

os90002nd-bz-br

MSRP $599

Vaer D5 Meridian Auto

d5-meridian-black-usa-auto-39mm-1

MSRP $679

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze35mm

D5 Meridian Auto39mm

Power Reserve

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze41h

D5 Meridian Auto40h

Water Resistance

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze100m

D5 Meridian Auto200m

MSRP

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze$599

D5 Meridian Auto$679

Full specifications

Case

7 specs

Crystal & Dial

4 specs

Crystal Shape

Dome

Flat

AR Coating

Yes

Inner

Dial Color

Brown

Black

Lume

Super-LumiNova

None

Movement

2 specs

Caliber

NH38

Miyota 9015

Power Reserve

41h

40h

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$599

$679

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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 90-002 Bronze

Owners widely praise the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze for its vintage military aesthetic and comfortable 35mm wearability, noting the lug design allows it to fit well on wrists around 7 inches. The Seiko NH-35 movement is reported to be reliable, keeping time within +2 to +3 seconds per day. Some owners dislike the 18mm lug width and the PVD coating on the NATO strap hardware, which does not match the bronze case. Overall, owners rate the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze highly for its vintage appeal and comfortable wearability.

From video reviewers

The watch's bronze case finish is a notable strength, with reviewers highlighting its unique patina and subtle aging effect. A weakness is the lume brightness, which may be a drawback for those who prioritize nighttime readability. Reviewers agree on the watch's movement accuracy, citing the reliable and accurate Seiko NH38 caliber.

WatchCrunch

WatchUSeek

Vaer D5 Meridian Auto

Owners widely praise the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto for its classic aesthetic, comfortable 39mm size, and well-executed 120-click bezel with minimal back play. Reviewers highlight the anodized aluminum bezel insert, lyre lugs, sword hands, and gold accents on the blue sunburst dial as contributing to its old-school charm, making it a great companion for desk diving with comfortable strap options and quick-release spring bars. One owner specifically noted satisfaction with the 42mm variant's premium steel bracelet featuring a tool-less micro-adjust clasp. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Vaer D5 Meridian Auto highly for its classic design and comfortable wearability at its price point.

Fratello

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