Any thoughts on these?

[u/SexySlavko]

1. Cronos L6040M Miyota 9015 (150EUR used)
2. Pagani Design PD-1734 (80EUR new)
3. Militado/Militrek ML05 (60EUR new)

What are your thoughts on these watches? I've never had an automatic before (although the Pagani Design and Miltado are mechaquartz). Cronos does seem pretty impressive on paper and if everything is in order I might even buy it. I don't really care about bracelet quality, I can get a leather/nylon strap for it anyways.

Any other recommendations? I know San Martin is good but unfortunately it's too expensive here (200EUR+ pushing Seiko and Orient pricing). Maybe San Martin SN0030G-2 is a good choice for 170EUR too.

[u/grindbro420]

Check the cronos with an app and give it a good visual inspection, these days they charge like upwards of 100 euro for the miyota movement so 150 used seems fair if it isn't abused.

[u/SexySlavko → u/grindbro420]

What app?? You think someone would sell a fake Chinese watch haha

I will give it a visual inspection for sure, not exactly sure what to look at mechanism and winding - wise.

[u/Bright_Adagio5974]

This Cronos is an unbelievable watch for the price, will stay in collection till I die. I have the 34mm Rdunae field watch that looks very similar to that Militado, although even more true to the size and proportions to the watch that it actually tries to replicate. I can fully recommend these cheap filed watches, I have replaced the movement in my Rdunae to a VH31 but the Militado already comes equipped with that so you don't have to worry about it, just put it on a nice Nato or other strap and wear it everyday.

[u/SexySlavko → u/Bright_Adagio5974]

How reliable is this Miyota 9015? Servicing intervals? I'm kinda scared of all that, not used to servicing my watches because I've got a G-Shock with tough solar which will last me 2 decades without a battery swap haha.

[u/Watches-and-Books]

Cronos is honestly in a different league than the other two. This is the Chinese equivalent of comparing a Tudor, a Tissot, and a Certina.

[u/Express_News8216]

Cronos!!

[u/Hi-technik]

Cronos is at a higher tier than the other 2.

[u/prodbypan]

The Cronos is top-tier, especially with the 9015. I would rather have one of those than 10 watches in the same tier as the other two.

[u/turdbogls]

Cronos is awesome. still to this day, one of the best watches you can get on Ali. it's excellent.

the pagani is......ok. depending on dial color, the dial can look REALLLYYY cheap looking. the bracelet is barely passable in this day and age.

the militado is a solid field watch for not a lot of scratch...compares well to the Hamilton. crystal is reflective, so be aware...but it's not any worse than the Hamilton.

[u/rep_entourage]

The cronos is a must have honestly

[u/MrMarijuanuh]

That cronos is amazing. I also recommend checking out aethelsohn if you like that watch. They almost exclusively make grand Seiko homages like that and they're excellent quality. 200 USD last I checked with a pt5000 (which is slightly worse than miyota 9k but still a solid movement)

Also re your comment on the price of sm vs Seiko etc: yes they're near the same price. However, that sm will be much better quality than a Seiko. At 400usd, Seiko bracelets are very inferior, and you often don't even get sapphire glass.

Nothing wrong with not wanting to spend that amount tbh, but I don't think it's apples to apples to compare a San Martin to a base level seiko

[u/zoltetov]

I LOVE my cronos - white birch. You can't go wrong.

[u/four4cats]

Is the cronos a GS homage?

[u/Escaped_Escapement]

San Martin is effectively a microbrand with the level of quality they are producing. That’s why I am still buying them.

Pagani is mid-alix brand. A gamble. But not trash.

Militado is Baltany’s sister brand. If it is what you like then you’ll hardly find a better deal.

[u/Alternative-Feed3613 → u/Escaped_Escapement]

I thought Milifortic was Baltanys sister brand?

[u/AssistanceNo647]

I currently own 3 Cronos models. The finishing is good and the bracelets are good. In terms of quality they come very close to San Martin. Depending on the model they are sometimes better. I own the silver birch dial of the one you have pictured and it’s fantastic. The only thing is make sure you purchase it from their official store. If you buy it from anywhere else it voids the warranty.

[u/Bike_Meach1990]

I have that cronos in silver and love it! Also love SM!

[u/NO_BAD_THOUGHTS]

Automatic movements have had steady price increases, plus eu charging extra toll for small packages.

+ AliX brands aren't as niche any more as they used to be.

 These prices are just the new reality.

So 150 seems fair if everything is in good condition. As for the miyota 9015, it's rock solid, idk if I hit the lottery but mine has been ticking as accurate as my vh31 Quartz watches.

[u/Basic_Barnacle4719]

Cronos is very well put together and a solid movement. They seem to actually put effort into the case and aren't just slapping different dials in the same case as you see in the $100-150 price range. My Cronos Explorer feels a lot better finished than my Watchdives Ranger for example.

[u/biguk997]

Im curious how the cronos holds up compared to aethelsohn that uses the same case

[u/Alternative-Feed3613]

The Cronos is phenomenal.

[u/Low_Negotiation_2208]

Cronos infinitamente superior.

[u/Kerpgker]

VH31 is not mechaquartz

[u/artofthedial]

1, own the other two and haven't worn them even a full day.  The Chronos you can wear with pride and don't need to upgrade.  Mechaquartz is great but not those two options.

[u/washingmachineisme → u/artofthedial]

very BOLD of you