Vario Empire Art Nouveau HandwoundvsWolbrook Skindiver II Professional

Owners widely praise the Vario Empire Art Nouveau Handwound for its detailed, multi-layered dial featuring applied numerals and guilloche patterns, its elegant Art Deco-inspired design, and the enjoyable winding feel of the Miyota 6T33 handwound movement, often visible through an exhibition case back. The 38mm case size is considered a positive by many, and the included leather strap is noted for its comfort and quality. Some owners find the differing fonts on the sub-dials and perimeter less appealing, and the absence of a constant seconds sub-dial is flagged as a drawback. On balance, owners rate the Vario Empire Art Nouveau Handwound highly for its distinctive Art Deco styling and detailed dial at its price point.

Owners widely praise the Wolbrook Skindiver II Professional for its comfortable wearability, long-lasting lume, and attractive dial designs, with some appreciating the quartz accuracy and smooth sweeping second hand. The watch features a 40mm diameter, a well-weighted 120-click unidirectional countdown bezel with a BGW9 lumed triangle, and a shock-resistant HexapleX case architecture. It is powered by either a Miyota 9015 or 8315 movement, with the latter adjusted in France to ±15 seconds per day and offering a 60-hour power reserve. Some owners find the 20mm strap potentially problematic and note it wears like a 42mm watch despite its 40mm case size. One reviewer expressed disappointment in hand color matching, poor lume, bezel wobble, and the watch sitting high on its strap, ultimately not recommending it.