Which is cheaper, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz?

At MSRP the Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz is the cheaper of the two at $239, against $599 for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze — a $360 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz?

The Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz 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 DS2 Meridian Quartz?

The Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz is rated to 150m 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 DS2 Meridian Quartz?

The KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze carries a 41-hour power reserve against 40 hours on the Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz.

What movement does the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze run compared to the Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz?

The KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze runs a automatic caliber (NH38), while the Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz runs a quartz.

Side by side

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 BronzevsVaer DS2 Meridian Quartz

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 DS2 Meridian Quartz

ds2-meridian-black-quartz-39mm

MSRP $239

At a glance

15 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze35mm

DS2 Meridian Quartz39mm

Power Reserve

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze41h

DS2 Meridian Quartz40h

Water Resistance

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze100m

DS2 Meridian Quartz150m

MSRP

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze$599

DS2 Meridian Quartz$239

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

3 specs

Caliber

NH38

—

Type

Automatic

Quartz

Power Reserve

41h

40h

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$599

$239

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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.

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Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz

The Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz is lauded for its wearability, with reviewers and owners consistently praising its 39mm case size as a perfect fit, noting its thinness at 10.4mm. The watch features a satisfying 120-click coin-edge bezel with minimal back play and comes with two straps for $239, powered by a Miyota GM12 quartz movement offering a three-year battery life. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Vaer DS2 Meridian Quartz highly for its comfortable wearability and accessible price point.

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