Vario Empire Art Nouveau HandwoundvsZelos Skyraider 40 Skeleton

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.

The Zelos Skyraider 40 Skeleton is noted for its skeletonized dial and the use of BGW9 and C3 Super-LumiNova for legibility. It is powered by a manual-wind ETA 6498 movement, offering a 44-hour power reserve. On balance, the Zelos Skyraider 40 Skeleton is seen as a cool-looking option, though availability is a factor.