Lorier MerlinvsStraton Straton Speciale Automatic or Quartz watch

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.

Owners widely praise the Straton Speciale Automatic or Quartz watch for its great retro feel, TV-shaped case, and fun color combinations. The automatic version is reported to be accurate at approximately +2 seconds per day. The meca-quartz model starts at $320, while the automatic is around $800 with a bracelet, both featuring a 40.8mm lug-to-lug measurement for wearability. Owners consider the quartz version reasonably priced, with its value linked to its mechanical movement. Overall, owners rate the Straton Speciale Automatic or Quartz watch highly for its retro aesthetic and wearability at its price point.