Which is cheaper, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vario 1918 Pilot?

At MSRP the Vario 1918 Pilot is the cheaper of the two at $388, against $599 for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze — a $211 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vario 1918 Pilot?

The Vario 1918 Pilot wears larger at 40mm versus 35mm for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze — a 5mm difference across the dial.

Which has better water resistance, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vario 1918 Pilot?

The KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze is rated to 100m versus 50m for the Vario 1918 Pilot.

Which has a longer power reserve, the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze or the Vario 1918 Pilot?

The KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze carries a 41-hour power reserve against 40 hours on the Vario 1918 Pilot.

What movement does the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze run compared to the Vario 1918 Pilot?

The KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze runs a automatic caliber (NH38), while the Vario 1918 Pilot runs a manual (Miyota 8N33).

Side by side

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 BronzevsVario 1918 Pilot

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

Vario 1918 Pilot

vario-1918-pilot-white-dial-with-white-lume-watch

MSRP $388

At a glance

15 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze35mm

1918 Pilot40mm

Power Reserve

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze41h

1918 Pilot40h

Water Resistance

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze100m

1918 Pilot50m

MSRP

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze$599

1918 Pilot$388

Full specifications

Case

6 specs

Crystal & Dial

5 specs

Crystal

Sapphire

Domed Sapphire

Crystal Shape

Dome

Flat

AR Coating

Yes

Inner

Dial Color

Brown

White

Lume

Super-LumiNova

None

Movement

3 specs

Caliber

NH38

Miyota 8N33

Type

Automatic

Manual

Power Reserve

41h

40h

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$599

$388

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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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Vario 1918 Pilot

The Vario 1918 Pilot is praised for its classy, unique, and beautifully done vintage theme, especially its 45-degree tilted enamel dial and cathedral hands, offered at a bargain price. Owners note the Miyota 8N33 hand-wound movement with over 40 hours of power reserve and C3 lume. Some find the 40mm size a bit small for larger wrists, and the Vario logo is occasionally seen as out of place. The tilted dial is impractical for right-wrist wear, and one owner reported disappointment with the movement's loudness. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Vario 1918 Pilot well for its unique dial execution and vintage aesthetic at an accessible price point.

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