KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 // BEST MILITARY WATCH UNDER $300?

[@scottparis6355]

I have one of these and I love it. The dial design is simple and elegant. I got 2 Italian leather straps, although I don't remember whether they were just optional, or I paid extra for them. The mineral crystal is beautiful, much more transparent and non-reflective than sapphire. I won't be wearing this watch while I work on a car or use a chain saw, so I'm not particularly worried about scratching it. I have a 7 and 3/4 inch wrist, and the size is just fine. Easily readable and small enough to stay out of the way. (Come to think of it, I wonder if all the hype about sapphire dials isn't partly related to the tendency for 42mm watches to get banged into doorframes and such.) I'm actually a bit tired of pie-pan sized watches and have been buying smaller across the board lately. I think when people say "It's too small." what they're really saying is "It's not what I'm used to." The only negative I have is the lume. I paid extra for what they called Super Luminove lume, and it's about the same as your sample: dim and not much of it. I guess they had to decide between the applied numerals and lumed numerals, although there is at least one watch that I know of that has lumed applied numerals. (But it's a $2,000 watch!) Overall a great watch and a great value.

[@CaldonianDude]

Nice watch. I'm looking for something to wear on long country walks (tired of getting my iPhone out, and no, I'm not taking my Longines out and having to risk a broken strap as I clamber over stiles) and this seemed to tick the boxes. I think they nailed the design with the clear dial and the size is perfect. The problem with the lume is a real downer though - especially on early Winter mornings in the UK you don't want to be squinting through the rain and dark to see the time. By the way, I take it it has some water resistance - I don't think you mentioned that in the video, but I will have a read of your blog later. I will also check out the Hamilton as I'm fine with hand wind.

[@Kurt49]

Bought one no date and cream dial absolutely love it. It’s becoming one of my favourite watches to wear and I love the 35mm size even though I have a 71/2” wrist.

[@svddvs2104]

How is time keeping ? Greetings

[@Kurt49]

@@svddvs2104 I wear it all the time and it keeps perfect time.

[@svddvs2104]

@@Kurt49 okay thank you for the response

[@CaldonianDude]

How about waterproof? For me it absolutely needs to be rain proof, and ideally would survive dropping in a puddle (I have literally had exactly that happen to be when a canvas strap broke on the lug)...

[@StandAloneState]

@@CaldonianDude100m water resist with screw down crown, should be good to swim with it and light scuba diving

[@TheGrenadier97]

Great video and cool watch, very true to its origins. I would get rid of the date window, but i won't be picky. On my list.

[@apple_cider1207]

Thank you very much good sir for this stellar review. I'm buying mine now,.

[@angelrivera2936]

Awesome and very informative video!

[@rethurman3rd]

Wow, never had heard of this brand, so thank you for putting them on my radar! Love the look, love the value play. Ooo, and now I've got my eye on that Royal Smith 90-005, which also looks great, and, from the photos only, likely has a little better finishing than these Old Smiths. How about a video on it, too? And, btw, it is "Ku-oh-eh", 3 syllables. Don't feel too bad; aside from you I can find very few other youtube videos looking at their watches, and *none* of them are pronouncing it correctly. :/

[@StandAloneState]

The brand made a post on IG confirming the brand is called “Ku-Oh”. I feel they should’ve made a less confusing name but it was personal to them - so can’t fault that

[@sachinhj9910]

This is so reflective. The same downside that my Seiko SRPG39K1 also has. A very sad and a practical downside

[@paceyombex]

This is a proper homage IMO. Those "homage" from China should not be grouped with true homages like these or something like Seiko Turtle. Those watches are clones, at best. About the watch, The Khaki has always been the first pick when it comes to field watch. Seiko and Orient have some models in the genre, but none could catch the same "vibe" as the Hammy. Micro brand offerings, such as Boldr Venture, while good-looking and offering great value, still don't have the "vibe." This could be it, the one that could rival the Khaki. In its "base" form the value is pretty good, although it's certainly not perfect, as you mentioned in the video. But, when I looked into their website, I noticed some upgrades you can add, such as a dial with superluminova and sapphire crystal. When added to the price, it's still way cheaper than the Hammy, with closer specs now. Would love an update about this watch, with the upgraded parts.

[@CaldonianDude]

Yes, update on the watch with the upgrades would be super useful, although one commenter said the lume upgrade was not all that good...

[@lulul]

A domed sapphire crystal is very expensive.. The watch looks great though, I don't particularly like textured dials but they might look great in person (unlike in makro shots).. Good review!

[@tyt5216]

The option for the sapphire upgrade is half the price of the watch itself… Hard to justify but that thing would be an absolute sleeper with the upgrade imo.

[@bangzoom8180]

Simply go-juss!!

[@randyreynolds1045]

Really nice watches.

[@dixonstreetdrummer1846]

It doesn’t look 35 mm on the guys wrist when he’s talking about it in person.

[@anthonyvaughan1549]

Whats the address of the factory shop to get one of theses watchs. Old school address no on line or email tecnology.

[@benoitdelarochefordiere8653]

Is the sapphire crystal also curved? Is it worth getting the sapphire rather than the glass? Thanks

[@foxxrider250r]

Been awhile bud

[@johnpinner1]

Hamilton has ATE movement makes the world of difference

[@murph8411]

You mean ETA? Handwinding as well which is more authentic.

[@linsterlin9185]

I have Hamilton and Kuoe, both are really nice, Kuoe has its own taste, a bit rough, a bit simple, but you can tell the dial is handcrafted. NICE.

[@shinliew2363]

@@linsterlin9185 how about the finishing, craftmanship and materials feel in comparison with the hamilton ?

[@linsterlin9185]

@@shinliew2363 well, it’s not about the finishing, it’s about Kuoe’s special flavor, Hamilton is like movies, but KUOE is like cartoons. So lovable!

[@TheDistruptor]

Hamilton long lug👎🏻

[@juniorsoutoo]

Perfeito.

[@johnshropshire3399]

👍👍👏

[@maxinahunt8652]

Finally a normal, automatic watch for WOMEN! That doesn’t cost a fortune….. thank you!

[@sardendibs]

That’s a homage and not it’s own design.

[@alerojas2952]

Like yo mama

[@cqc2238]

Does it come in a size other than pimple?

[@stanb.5261]

Doesn't seem they're into the overly large for the overly insecure...

[@NomadicPhoton]

It’s pronounced Ku oh eh. Nice review though.

[@StandAloneState]

Ku-oh

[@slodoco]

Ku Oh Eh

[@StandAloneState]

Ku-Oh

[@thriftshop2609]

Poor lume, bummer

[@埴生]

窓口の女性に対応の疑問あり、買う買わないは個人の好き好きだが たった1人の対応の為に嫌いになった好きな時計店、やはり京都気質は好きになれない。

[@drunacres]

It's pronounced KOO-OH-AY

[@StandAloneState]

Ku-oh

[@robgrune3284]

overpriced for a rather thick, heavy, inaccurate time piece.

[@TimWismer]

Heavy?

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Lapel mics are only $5.... SIGH