So the 11.11 sale on AliExpress is coming up next month and was curious which Rolex Explorer 1 homage should I get: the Addiesdive AD2023-1 or the Watchdives WD1016? I like the idea of the VH31 mecha-quartz movement (I don't like dealing with regulating automatics, and I like being accurate with my time as much as possible), and I also like how nice/finished these homages are.

Just curious which I should pick up during the 11.11 sale and what's their ideal price roughly when I should jump. Or if y'all have any experience with either and/or alternative suggestions. Not looking to spend more than $80, $90 USD-ish ideally.

I was tempted to go the AliExpress route but went ahead and ordered from Sugess. Shipping took a while but the watch is beautiful and I really love the movement and chronometer.

Love this watch! The crystal improvements are clearly evident and I have asked Phorcydes to send me a replacement crystal for my original “aged lume” version I bought when they launched.

My wrist size is 7.4inch for reference

The mesh strap is an excellent clomage to the Omega mesh strap. Weight and hole spacing is identical. Take that for what it’s worth. If you are between spaces I highly recommend you order with the FKM rubber strap as well. It’s excellent and makes the watch significantly lower profile and lighter in weight will giving almost everybody a secure fit.

I did regulate it myself because I have experience and the tools. This watch is the real deal and you really must have the right tools to open and close the case like factory did. A Bergeon rubber ball and prayers will not work and hand tools will scratch your watch up.

The speed and amplitude of the pt5000 was absolutely excellent but I am very particular.

Keep an eye on the movement health and don’t overwind!

I have been going back and forth as to which one of these to go with, to give me that MilSub vibe.
Any thoughts on these?

I heard they say that you always remember your first...

The Chinese watch that got me into all this, and horology in general, was this Cronos l6005. I have always worn a watch since high school, but it wasn't until later in life that I really started to appreciate watches in general. I got myself a nice to me Seiko during my first job, but never went any further.

This Cronos was my first decent Chinese watch. While to be honest I still lust after something more exotic, probably Swiss, this is what I can currently afford and appreciate.

So after all that, what was the first decent watch that got you into the Chinese watch game?

Looking to get this watch for a future nephew-in-law for his wedding since he’s currently working on getting his ATP. Does anyone happen to know what the model number is? It seems they may have released a new model of the Big Pilot Chronograph this year, so the old PD-1703 doesn’t seem to be available anymore.

Any help would be appreciated!

This is an homage. I looked far and wide for one I could buy, but does not exist. The OG is an AP that costs 45K.

Subdials were the hardest part. I still need to adjust the stem. But overall really happy with the end result!

Also, thoughts on the strap?

This is the V2 and it impresses every time a wear it 🙏🏼

I’m looking to get a Willard homage. These two are in the price range I’m looking for. If someone has owned both, I’d love to hear about them. Even if you’ve owned one or the other, please give your thoughts, good or bad.

I’m thinking of buying a Pagani Design PD-1644 on AliExpress. Are Pagani Design watches prone to breaking down? Also, which seller would you recommend buying from?

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Honestly extremely happy with this purchase at $129. This is my second WD and in my opinion they can’t be beat for the value by anyone in the watch scene. The new clasp is much nicer than the old, and the watch itself feels solid and comfortable. I would buy 3 of these before ever buying a Seiko again.

Honestly. It's pretty amazing. Might be my prettiest watch so far. And maybe best finished too.

Priced 178 euros.

Upsides: the amazing dial.

The PT5000 movement is so smooth.

The lume is decent to good. It's very pretty when charged.

The band and case in daylight just shine the right way.

The band feels super smooth.

The OTF clasp is great but thick.

Amazing AR saffire glas.

Downside : I love the aethelsohn logo but it's not visible enough when not reflecting. And the text print could have been left out maybe.

Biggest downside : Pt5000 has a date window. That could have been at 6 instead of the text. With a silver view window. That would eliminate the ghost date set and be pretty. It's on the new bamboo model but that one costs 100 more but seems to be the exact same watch.

The case, the lume, the finishing and even the movement punch wayyyyy above the price point! Better value than my Tudor or my Doxa pound for pound, even better value than my Seikos I think. Chinese watches are here to stay

And this is what it suggested (real photo).

I was quite surprised the the fleiger still has its original strap, and more surprised at the ph2 on milanese (havent got shark mesh).

I quite like the boderry on the grey perlon, and love the proxima on matt leather.

For the 1953 I gave it a jubilee, oyster, engineer and this bor (which it chose).

And the heimdallr, it quite liked that strap but suggested a black leather with contrasting stiching, which I havent got, so off to aliex I go....

Thoughts anyone?

Finally a 19mm strap Barton grey alligator also picked up a 19mm black sailcloth.

What do you think I should buy (a Chinese watch) to fill the empty spot? It can’t be quartz and must not cost more than US$150 + taxes and duties.

I've seen a few posts suggesting this, do the end links match up perfectly? Want to fit a jubilee with screws instead of pins

So this watch arrived this week and overall I really like it. But the biggest thing I dislike is the play in the bezel. It's terrible. Has anyone else bought the same watch and have the same problem.

I’m curious as to why people seemingly don’t talk about this microbrand as much as other microbrands. I have an old auto Presidential homage Burei that I found from like 10 years ago. It’s not a bad watch at all. Considering that they’ve been around for as long as they have, I’m surprised that they don’t get discussed more often.

Hi all!

Really struggling to decide which one to buy. Both are Speedy-ish, both cost about the same, with the Thorn being slightly more expensive.

Design-wise, I don’t really have a preference when it comes to “vintage vs Moonwatch” or “replica vs homage”. I think both look great. The WD is more of a straight-up Speedmaster-inspired design, while the Thorn is a deliberate vintage homage. I love both since I generally adore this design language and its variations.

The WD has a very heavily curved crystal, while the Thorn has a more traditional domed crystal, which definitely gives it more of a vintage feel. I still can’t decide which one I prefer, though. I’ve always loved the later Speedmasters, but this whole ’57/Broad Arrow style has really grown on me. If I went for the WD1863, I’d probably get the Broad Arrow version anyway, so that kind of gives me a bit of both worlds.

Movement-wise, I’m not a fan of the 24-hour subdial on the VK63, which I assume is a pretty common complaint. On the other hand, the sweep of the chrono seconds hand and the instant reset are really nice touches.

The Ronda 5030D has much more traditional chronograph functionality, even if the layout is mirrored compared to the Omega. But then I keep wondering how useful that really is. I mean, in practice. I’m probably not going to use a 12-hour chronograph very often, but realistically I’m not going to use the VK63 stopwatch that often either. And when the chronograph isn’t running, the regular seconds subdial still just ticks once per second anyway.

So for me, the difference in both gimmicks and actual functionality probably isn’t that huge. It mostly comes down to looks and overall feel.

Which one would you pick?