KUOE OLD SMITH 90-007vsVario Empire Art Nouveau Handwound

Owners widely praise the KUOE OLD SMITH for its distinctive vintage aesthetic, with specific admiration for the blue hands that pop in sunlight and the satisfying chunky numerals. The watch is considered a discreet dress or office option, with one owner cherishing it despite an initial defective crown. The 38mm size is noted as a perfect fit by one owner, while another finds the 35mm size and 12mm thickness can be problematic on smaller wrists. The $635 price is considered high for the NH38 movement and standard specifications, though some believe the premium is justified by Kuoe's unique design language and microbrand status. Accuracy is reported at -5 seconds per day, but the Super-LumiNova is weak. Overall, owners rate the KUOE OLD SMITH highly for its unique design and cherished vintage aesthetic at the price.

Owners widely praise the Vario Empire Art Nouveau Handwound for its detailed, multi-layered dial featuring applied numerals and guilloche patterns, its elegant Art Deco-inspired design, and the enjoyable winding feel of the Miyota 6T33 handwound movement, often visible through an exhibition case back. The 38mm case size is considered a positive by many, and the included leather strap is noted for its comfort and quality. Some owners find the differing fonts on the sub-dials and perimeter less appealing, and the absence of a constant seconds sub-dial is flagged as a drawback. On balance, owners rate the Vario Empire Art Nouveau Handwound highly for its distinctive Art Deco styling and detailed dial at its price point.