Side by side

Oak & Oscar The Humboldt ExP-02vsVaer D5 Meridian Auto

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

The Humboldt ExP-02
Oak & OscarThe Humboldt ExP-02
MSRP $2,400
D5 Meridian Auto
VaerD5 Meridian Auto
MSRP $679

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
The Humboldt ExP-0239.5mm
D5 Meridian Auto39mm
Power Reserve
The Humboldt ExP-0256h
D5 Meridian Auto40h
Water Resistance
The Humboldt ExP-02200m
D5 Meridian Auto200m
MSRP
The Humboldt ExP-02$2,400
D5 Meridian Auto$679

Full specifications

Case

5 specs
Category
Tool
Diver
Diameter
39.5mm
39mm
Thickness
12.4mm
12.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
46.8mm
46mm
Caseback
Display
Solid

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
Crystal Shape
Double-domed
Flat
Dial Color
Grey
Black
Lume
Super-LumiNova BGW9
None

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
Sellita SW300
Miyota 9015
Power Reserve
56h
40h
Complications
GMT, Chronograph
None

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$2,400
$679

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Oak & Oscar The Humboldt ExP-02 vs Vaer D5 Meridian Auto gets more votes, a community discussion, or a price drop. No account needed.

What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

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

Oak & Oscar The Humboldt ExP-02

Oak & Oscar The Humboldt ExP-02 is a 39.5mm stainless steel tool watch featuring a unique, layered aluminum "ghost dial" for legibility and 200m water resistance, powered by a Sellita SW300 movement. Its appeal is limited by a US$2,550 price and an extremely limited production of 20 pieces, with its experimental dial construction done in Chicago. Overall, reviewers highlight the endearing dial and in-house bezel production as key features of the Oak & Oscar Humboldt ExP-02.

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.

Keep exploring

More watches worth a look

Matched to the watches above on size, movement, style and price — microbrands first. Open any one to dig in.

Adjacent matchups

People also compared

Comparisons nearby in the catalog — alternatives to the watches above paired against the matchup.