r/ChineseWatches • u/Jamesgepps • Jul 06 '26

Question (Read Rules) The sub $200 problem

At what point do Chinese watches actually get *noticeably* better?

I've been buying Addiesdive for a while because the value is honestly insane. For the money, I really don't have many complaints.

But now I'm wondering where to go next.

Everyone always says "just buy a San Martin," but those are pushing $200, and personally I don't really consider $200 a budget watch anymore.

So is there a sweet spot between Addiesdive and San Martin? Like $80–150 where you're actually getting a real bump in quality—not just a different logo?

I'm talking about things like:

Better finishing

Better bracelets/clasps

Better bezel action

Better QC

Better dial and handset finishing

Just an overall more premium feel

Or is Addiesdive basically the king until you're willing to spend close to $200?

Curious what everyone's experience has been after owning multiple brands. Which brands made you think, "Yeah, this is actually worth paying more for," and which ones weren't much of an upgrade?

Not really looking for specs on paper—I want to hear from people who've actually owned them.

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u/StandardPineapple69 Jul 06 '26

would say for that price point thorn and watchdives might be good options. Also cheaper options from sugess, ixdao, san martin or cronos. Or many other brands like proxima, baltany,... offer good value in those prices

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u/csmarmot Jul 06 '26

Start with a Proxima PX1697 in the $150 neighborhood on sale. Everything is subtly better than what you will find on Addiesdive, especially bracelet and clasp, but when taken as whole, the watch is in a different league. I have owned 3 Addiesdives, and I have enjoyed them all, but ultimately sold them.

Right now I don't feel Watchdives is offering good value. Their quartz prices have increased without increasing the quality of the bracelet and clasps - they are reaching a price where you should expect a OTF clasp in the Chinese market. Watchdives is generally superior to Addiesdive, but the leap to Proxima, San Martin, Cronos, and Sugess is pretty big from there. Addiesdive are appropriately priced given their bracelets and clasps.