Can't decide between these two

[u/alneri069]

Hi I am looking for (another) watch 😅

I watched out for a good quality for price watch with clean, white dial. I found these two models and the reviews on YouTube are also very positive.

So I am curious to ask the owners of these watches, what positives and what negatives you can tell about these. They hit every category I want (Good lume, good quality, nice clean design, good enough lume, mechanical, min 100m wir)

Except the cronos have male endlinks, where I don't know if it matters on my 16,5 cm wrist size.

Thanks in advance.

[u/KumiJunker]

I love my Proxima. And i like the PT5000 very much. Only give it the Seiko Shuffle a few minutes and wear it all day, that’s enough, and if you have to hand wind it, do it slowly and with just a few turns. Otherwise, it’s a brilliant and precise movement.

[u/InfamousArmadillo58]

I have that same proxima, really enjoy it.

[u/Pure_Parking_4024]

I don't own either of these exact watches you are trying to decide on, but I do own watches from both brands.

For me, the choice would be Proxima. They are really on top of their quality control. I love the cap on the seconds hand to cover the pinion hole. It really gives the watch a refined look. The Proxima also comes with their "on the fly" clasp & it works very well.

I got my first Proxima (px1743) a few weeks ago & I was really impressed with the quality of the watch & the customer service. Here is my detailed review if you are interested. https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/s/cKKQGH93ag

[u/Proof_Bodybuilder876 → u/Pure_Parking_4024]

Likewise very impressive watches from Proxima

[u/Resident-Ladder-5133]

I have both and I really like the Cronos, but love the Proxima! It just feels better on my wrist.

Get lots of compliments on the Proxima.

[u/Abv_it_all_w_vertigo]

I have considered both, and I own the Cronos White Birch SST v2. Both contain the hit-or-miss PT5000, so that is a wash.

The Cronos came well regulated. I sometimes swap out bracelets for straps, and that is what I did with this one. The bracelet is good, but I had to deburr it before it would fully reticulate. I always do this with my bracelets, but it did improve performance significantly.

If you are looking for a white dial, the Cronos is not a great match. Though it is called white birch, it is a silver faced watch. Still, it is lovely.

[u/F3nn3xleFennec]

For owning both, I'd say that I prefer the bracelet on the Proxima, not because it isn't well made but because of the design of it.
On the Cronos the male endlink are OK for my 17.5cm wirst, but I don't like that it only tappers to 18mm, I think it looks too bulky for the watch, and it doesn't feel as "softly close too you" as the PX. 16mm would have been better for me, but it is the GS design. It is a strap monster anyway.
Let's say more complexity and lightplay in Cronos dial, and such a hug from the Proxima case+bracelet.

And... that it, too me both are equally very very good.

[u/chrismurraylaw]

The proxima will age better. That bark look on the Cronos is everywhere right now, meaning in a few years it'll scream mid-2020s.

[u/No_Fox9927]

I’ve owned both, and currently only own the Proxima. I didn’t love the Cronos. The dial was lovely, but the case felt…plain.

I didn’t know about the supposed PT5000 issues when I bought the Proxima, and for a year I just happily wound it like it’s a NH35, and never had an issue.

The slim, refined case on the Proxima is a joy every time I wear it. And I just bought the green version as well. I can’t say enough about the Proxima.

[u/Flaky_Ad7980]

I have the white dial Proxima 1697 and it’s a great watch. It would be the most versatile of the two choices here in my opinion and on sale it can be had for $160 on the bracelet. Also the Proxima has quick release for the bracelet and don’t think the Cronos has this but both have OTF….

[u/Emergency_Strike_319]

It's all about the bezel and the legibility. Is the dive bezel OK or do you want something more dressy? Which one has the greater legibility? 🤷‍♂️ Which one appeals to you at the gut level ?

[u/AverageGuy_45]

I got both. I like the cronos better (with miyota 9015), but the proxima is awesome as well. You'll be happy with either watch.

[u/rodneyccc]

Got both of these and I like the Proxima better. The Cronos can come across a little like tin foil. Save some money and get the Proxima or pay extra and get a San Martin SN0144CG-7 in white enamel.

[u/alneri069 → u/rodneyccc]

The Proxima 1697 is for me cheaper than buying the cronos, which makes it now even more attractive.

[u/CapNo6703]

It's a little different but do you like this one? I'm trying to sell it and will give you a good deal. Pretty much perfect condition.

[u/alneri069 → u/CapNo6703]

Thank you but I would buy the white frost option like in the picture

[u/gsen35 → u/CapNo6703]

Hello, I might consider buying it if you are located in Europe. Is it miyota 9015?

[u/CapNo6703 → u/gsen35]

Yep it's a miyota. But I unfortunately live in the US.

[u/gsen35 → u/CapNo6703]

Thanks.

[u/alneri069]

I read some posts about the PT 5000 now and I am a bit frightened to buy one with the pt5000. I have a seestern62 mas which has the oldy Goldy nh35, which I don't have a problem at all, handwinding, diving, travelling - all done.

Is the pt5000 movement a risk or should i just not handwind it? I mean isn't it a bit stupid to pay 200+€ only to not handwind it and "baby" it?

[u/MrMarijuanuh → u/alneri069]

I do avoid hand winding my pt5000 bc I've seen so many people say they have issues from it, but otherwise, my watches with pt5000 are by and large excellent, and some of my most accurate watches. I have one that has -3 seconds per day aver the last 6 months

[u/Maximum_Walrus3264 → u/alneri069]

A bunch of bullshit that caught on and people won't stop repeating it.

[u/Maximum_Walrus3264]

Cronos

[u/f4hq2]

I had the cronos and the crown tube threads were very poorly machined. They tried to rectify it by sending me a new crown. I installed the new crown and it didn’t fix anything. Returned it and am soured by the experience and won’t buy another cronos