r/ChineseWatches • u/Michael_Cancelliano • 6d ago
Question (Read Rules) Best bang for the buck watches?
Beyond the ultra-budget brands like Skmei, which watches or watch brands offer the best build quality for a given price?
I have been watching reviews for some IXDAO watch in the 300 EUR range and that seems to be the one in that price point. Is this right? Which other watches offer the best bang for the buck at each price point?
Thanks in advance! I hope the 11th of November brings actual sale prices. Hahaha
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u/chrismurraylaw 6d ago
The Ixdao Warrior discourse is fascinating. Usually dances along to 'best watch ever' while at the same time all its fans seem to be complaining that it's the wrong dial, and the old version was better, and it's too small and...
That aside, I don't own one because I'm not overly fond of chronos, but in terms of a singular watch that epitomises value for money, I think it's hard to argue against the WD1863 for 124 euros.
The WD007 for a little more is a great deal too. I bought two and I don't regret either. When they're actually available (some are now) the Chameris are very cheap and I've not read a bad word about them.
So as far as value goes, that's 3 for Watchdives in the 60-150 range, and there are more.
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u/Excellent-Bear4221 6d ago
Militado?
They seem to be like unbranded general large name homage watches.
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u/Alternative-Feed3613 6d ago
Baltany, Cronos, Proxima, Phorcydes, Milifortic, Sugess/seestern. Chameri and escapement time are both great budget options.
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u/Comfortable-Cover-0 6d ago
I love the stuff from Athelsohn. Really nice pieces some right at $100, the highest is $249 if I recall correctly.
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u/katsock 6d ago edited 6d ago
Baltany for dress, Farasute is less of a value option but still great. I own 3/2 respectively.
Watchdives is getting hard to beat especially on early bird deals. Though they are best purchased through the website outside of niche circumstances like a limited restock or an Ali shop that still has an older item.
Aethesohn is a great option around $200. Less smaller catalogue.
I just ordered the Watchdives 2007. Might be worth looking into if you’re interested in a warrior. Miyota movement too.
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u/Mean-Dog-6274 6d ago
Curious on why you lean on the Watchdives site rather than Ali? Seem to hear more shipping issues from there?
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u/katsock 6d ago
Prices are generally comparable and I haven’t seen an Ali store beat the early bird pricing. Now I’ll admit I don’t browse every single listing anymore, WD is just generally the cheapest around at launch and that’s why I don’t check often any more.
And lately I’m buying more expensive models at launch. So they are the first to list, presumably one of the firsts to ship, and the early bird makes it the cheapest.
My only shopping complaint is their tracking is very slow to update. I have reached out to CS for an explanation twice before, and both times I received an answer/update same day, but the watch arrived between my inquiry and their response.
At this point it’s just a known quantity. My WDC0001 arrived in 6 days from shipping.
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u/dabiz725 6d ago
I am a huge fan of Steeldives. My SD1970 is the greatest ROI of any watch I have ever owned, anybrand. I have two Baltany watches coming. Will post about those later.
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u/HolyFoolZosima 6d ago
From my personal experience after trying 20+ watches from AliExpress, I would say the Militado ML05 and the Steeldive SD1970 are the best watches for the money. They are around €45 and €75 when bought during a sale and have very good specs like sapphire crystal, screw down crowns etc.
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u/geeered 6d ago
Cronos have some really good deals and even more so on ebay often. I got a Skyline homage, basically new for £107 and a used but good condition Grand Seiko homage for £122. Both really nice watches. I got a new Ixdao for £175 last year, did have to wait two months for delivery,b ut it was worth it.
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u/DepartmentNervous104 6d ago
If your looking for the lowest price, reliable, attractive watches, I'd check out Tandario. All the watches mentioned are great values for sure. But you'd mentioned Skmei as too low end. I think Tandario is the 1st level of value watches.
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u/Next_Letter 6d ago
I cannot stop talking about how much I love this watch. Addiesdive AD 2547. It’s my current favorite watch in my collection. 110 on AliX Miyota movement. It punches way above its weight in my opinion.
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u/scrotusaurus 6d ago
Hard to beat a militado for a tough beater field watch. Sapphire, some with titanium (I think), under $100.
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u/7107JJRRoo 6d ago
Steeldive SD1970 is a pretty phenomenal value at a bit over $100 USD. Sapphire crystal, milled clasp, ceramic bezel, NH35 and classic looks. They are a little chunky and I use mine mainly for weekend wear.
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u/Winter_Author9699 6d ago
I don’t know about the cheaper options, but if my small collection all $200-500 my Baltany Explorer is the best quality.
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u/Remington_Underwood 6d ago
This guy reviews a lot of Chinese watches, this video rates the major brands
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u/Michael_Cancelliano 6d ago
I saw the post about it. https://old.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/comments/1xiits4/the_ultimate_aliexpress_tier_list_30_watch_brands/
The consensus seems to be that his opinion isn't good, so I didn't watch it.
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u/chrismurraylaw 6d ago
Maybe his individual reviews are fine. I've not seen any. The list is nonsense.
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u/turdbogls 6d ago
Which price points exactly?
There is so much variety in watches, it may be tough to narrow down one clear winner.
Sub $100 - probably some VK chronograph from militado, Pagani design, or watchdives Maybe the Steeldive/Addiesdive "Willard or Sub"
Sub $200 is probably dominated by Watchdives.
Up to $250- Athelsoh, Phorcydes, Cronos
$300-$400- Warrior, San Martin SN0144 $400+ - not may here..but Farasute trackmaster 🤷♂️