Side by side

NOMOS Glashütte Orion 1989vsVaer D5 Tropic Auto

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

Orion 1989
NOMOS GlashütteOrion 1989
MSRP $2,680
D5 Tropic Auto
VaerD5 Tropic Auto
MSRP $699

At a glance

19 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Orion 198932.8mm
D5 Tropic Auto39mm
Power Reserve
Orion 198943 hoursh
D5 Tropic Auto40h
Water Resistance
Orion 198930m
D5 Tropic Auto200m
MSRP
Orion 1989$2,680
D5 Tropic Auto$699

Full specifications

Case

9 specs
Category
Dress
Diver
Diameter
32.8mm
39mm
Thickness
7.6mm
12.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
42.3mm
46mm
Lug Width
17mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
30m
200m
Caseback
Solid

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Inner
Dial Color
Grey
Black
Indices
Applied

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Alpha | manual
Miyota 9015
Type
Manual
Automatic
Beat Rate
21,600 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
43 hoursh
40h
Jewels
17
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$2,680
$699

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

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

NOMOS Glashütte Orion 1989

The NOMOS Glashütte Orion 1989 is praised for its minimalistic design, with owners highlighting its ability to slide under a cuff due to its thin profile, and its attractive movement for the price. Reviewers note the galvanized gray dial with an eggshell texture, gold-plated hands and indices, and the manually wound Alpha caliber with a 43-hour power reserve. Some owners find the 38mm Orion Datum recommended for larger wrists, while others prefer the 35mm for classic proportions and consider the date function unnecessary on a dress watch. A point of contention among owners is the lug length, with some finding the 45mm measurement potentially awkward on smaller wrists despite the 35mm case diameter. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the NOMOS Glashütte Orion 1989 highly for its elegant, slim profile and refined finishing at its price point.

Vaer D5 Tropic Auto

Owners widely praise the Vaer D5 Tropic Auto for its excellent value, vintage aesthetic, and comfortable 39mm size that wears larger. Specific highlights include the bezel's satisfying click action and subtle shine, beautifully finished lugs that pair well with a jubilee bracelet, and a dynamic black and cream dial with a unique date feature. The incorporation of brushed steel, quick-release spring bars for easy strap changes, and good timekeeping are also frequently mentioned positives. The Vaer D5 Tropic Auto is considered good value with excellent water resistance, making it a great daily wear, and its fit and finish are often compared favorably to brands like Hamilton and Tissot. On balance, owners rate the Vaer D5 Tropic Auto highly for its blend of vintage styling, practical features, and strong value proposition.

From video reviewers

The dial design is a standout feature. The Miyota automatic movement is also noted.

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