Which is cheaper, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the HELM Vanuatu?

At MSRP the HELM Vanuatu is the cheaper of the two at $285, against $599 for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze — a $314 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the HELM Vanuatu?

The HELM Vanuatu wears larger at 42mm versus 35mm for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze — a 7mm difference across the dial.

Which has better water resistance, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the HELM Vanuatu?

The HELM Vanuatu is rated to 300m versus 100m for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze.

Which has a longer power reserve, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the HELM Vanuatu?

The KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze carries a 41-hour power reserve against 40 hours on the HELM Vanuatu.

What movement does the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze run compared to the HELM Vanuatu?

Both watches run automatic movements — the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze uses the NH38 and the HELM Vanuatu uses the Seiko Instruments NH35.

Side by side

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 BronzevsHELM Vanuatu

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

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze

os90002nd-bz-br

MSRP $599

HELM Vanuatu

vanuatu

MSRP $285

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze35mm

Vanuatu42mm

Power Reserve

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze41h

Vanuatu40h

Water Resistance

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze100m

Vanuatu300m

MSRP

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze$599

Vanuatu$285

Full specifications

Case

7 specs

Crystal & Dial

2 specs

Crystal Shape

Dome

Flat

Dial Color

Brown

Black

Movement

4 specs

Caliber

NH38

Seiko Instruments NH35

Power Reserve

41h

40h

Jewels

Complications

None

Date

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$599

$285

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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.

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze

Owners widely praise the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze for its vintage military aesthetic and comfortable 35mm wearability, noting the lug design allows it to fit well on wrists around 7 inches. The Seiko NH-35 movement is reported to be reliable, keeping time within +2 to +3 seconds per day. Some owners dislike the 18mm lug width and the PVD coating on the NATO strap hardware, which does not match the bronze case. Overall, owners rate the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze highly for its vintage appeal and comfortable wearability.

From video reviewers

The watch's bronze case finish is a notable strength, with reviewers highlighting its unique patina and subtle aging effect. A weakness is the lume brightness, which may be a drawback for those who prioritize nighttime readability. Reviewers agree on the watch's movement accuracy, citing the reliable and accurate Seiko NH38 caliber.

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HELM Vanuatu

Owners widely praise the HELM Vanuatu for its exceptional comfort, with the titanium bracelet frequently cited as "uber-comfortable" and the watch itself being less overbearing on the wrist than comparable dive watches. Reviewers note its great bezel action and overall quality, with one owner finding the purchase satisfactory despite a nearly two-year wait. On balance, owners rate the HELM Vanuatu highly for its wearability and solid build at the price.

From video reviewers

The case finishing is consistently praised. The bracelet is noted as having significant rattle.

WatchUSeek

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