Lorier MerlinvsPagani Design PD-1723

Owners widely praise the Lorier Merlin for its vintage-inspired 37mm case, heat-blued hands, raised numerals, and hesalite crystal. The watch is noted for its comfortable wear, with some finding it wears large despite its size and even thinner on a two-piece strap. Drilled lug holes and a locking bezel are also appreciated features. Accuracy varies, with one owner reporting +8 seconds per day, while others do not specify. Some owners find the dual-crown design unappealing or the case chunky, with the 37mm size feeling small for a dive bezel watch, though others find it perfect for smaller wrists. The supplied strap and its hardware are considered cheap by one owner, and the bezel action is described as light and hollow. A desire for a sapphire crystal option at the price point is mentioned by some, while others prefer the hesalite for its vintage look. On balance, owners and the community rate the Lorier Merlin highly for its authentic vintage aesthetic and comfortable wear.

Pagani Design PD-1723 is praised for its attractive dial, sapphire crystal, and overall finishing, with owners appreciating its vintage-inspired aesthetics and minimalist logo. The watch is noted to wear larger than its 37mm case size due to a thin bezel and 20mm lugs, feeling closer to 39mm on a 7-inch wrist. Lume is a point of contention, with some finding it surprisingly good on the indices and 12 o'clock position, while others describe it as poor, particularly on the hands. The bracelet is widely considered to be of low quality, though some find it comfortable with a nice taper, and many owners prefer using aftermarket straps. Discrepancies between product listings and received watches, particularly regarding movement branding and the PT5000 movement's potential winding issues and rotor rattle, have been noted. The V2 update features an exhibition caseback and a clasp swap, which some owners prefer over the V1, while others favor the V1's hands and dial proportions.