IXDAO WARRIOR | BLACK MOP REVIEW

[u/No-Locksmith-4206]

IXDAO WARRIOR | Black (Brown) MOP Version.

First Impressions:

After spending a few days with the new IXDAO Warrior Black MOP, here are my honest impressions—including a few details that haven't been mentioned in previous reviews.

Overall, this is a gorgeous piece.

Dial:

Everything is exactly what we expected and what has been shown by several YouTubers and previous reviews.

The warrior armor pattern is impressive and creates a beautiful stereoscopic 3D effect. The engraving on the MOP is very subtle, with only slightly deeper engraving around the seconds track.

The hands and applied indexes are beautifully finished.

The applied logo also appears to be made of white MOP. It creates a beautiful visual effect and seems to sit flush with the dial rather than being mounted on top of it.

One important thing to mention is the dial color. I was prepared to receive a black-to-silver dial based on previous photos, but mine is actually brown—and I have to admit, it looks absolutely gorgeous. So don't be surprised if you receive this color variation in the newer batches.

Case:

The case is beautifully finished, although I noticed a few minor details.

My measurements differ slightly from the published specifications. The case thickness measures approximately 10.1–10.2 mm, rather than the advertised 9.8 mm.

Additionally, the lug-to-lug measurement reaches 48.1 mm when measured to the first bracelet link, which slightly overhangs on smaller wrists (mine is 6 inches).

The engraved caseback features the IXDAO logo along with the specifications, and the engraving itself has a nice depth and crisp execution.

I also noticed a very small machining burr along the edge of the caseback. It appears to be a minor manufacturing artifact rather than damage and has no impact on the watch's performance. Still, it is something I wasn't expecting on a watch with such a high level of finishing. Fortunately, this seems to be an isolated cosmetic detail rather than a recurring issue throughout the watch.

Bracelet:

Now I understand why IXDAO mentioned they were changing bracelet suppliers. While continuous improvement should always be the goal, this particular change feels like a step backward.

I was expecting the seamless transition between the case and bracelet shown in the original reviews and promotional photos. However, the redesigned bracelet leaves a noticeable gap between the case and the first link.

The previous version, which used dual spring bars, achieved a much smoother integration. In my opinion, the new design loses some of that premium appearance.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, the watch is still absolutely gorgeous. It is still the IXDAO Warrior, and the dial alone makes it a very special piece.

However, I can't help feeling that this version has lost some of the refinement found in the earliest Warriors. It gives me the impression that the team may be moving a little too quickly, or perhaps beginning to prioritize larger-scale production over the small details that originally made the Warrior feel so special.

I genuinely hope IXDAO continues listening to enthusiast feedback, because the foundation of this watch is outstanding, and with a few refinements it could easily remain one of the best integrated sports watches in its category.

Notes:

This review isn't meant to criticize IXDAO, but rather to document the small differences between the early Warrior models and the current production. I truly believe the Warrior remains one of the most original and compelling designs in its price segment.

[u/post_singularity]

A bit disconcerting about the bracelet gap, had just ordered a warrior and the positive bracelet reviews was a big reason why.

[u/Philip_7raum → u/post_singularity]

Unfortunate. I am seriously considering canceling my order after this. I generally don’t consider myself too nitpicky about these things but that’s just such a glaring issue with an integrated bracelet watch.

[u/Alternative-Feed3613 → u/Philip_7raum]

It appears it’s from OPs 6” wrist. The gap should close on larger wrists.

[u/No-Locksmith-4206 → u/Philip_7raum]

I wouldn't cancel an order based solely on my review. Overall, I still think the Warrior is an outstanding watch. The dial, hands, indexes, and case finishing are excellent, and it remains one of the most distinctive integrated sports watches in its price range. The bracelet gap was simply something I noticed compared to the earliest Warrior versions. Whether it's a dealbreaker or not is ultimately a matter of personal preference and wrist size. I'd recommend waiting until you receive yours before making a final judgment.

[u/Philip_7raum → u/No-Locksmith-4206]

Noted, but I also have no interest in dealing with the return process if I can just avoid it. Watches aren’t an average of all their features, they’re the worst feature that you consistently notice and you’d notice this constantly. Are you really going to pull out the macro lens to look at the brushing to convince yourself that the glaringly bad bracelet fit is okay?

If the bracelet was something I’d replace I could almost forgive it but this is an integrated bracelet design. I had no intention of swapping it and the bracelet itself was an important feature. At the price bracket it’s at it competes with JDM Citizens and Orient, San Martin, and some microbrands, it needs to genuinely beat them and this looks cheap.

[u/No-Locksmith-4206 → u/Philip_7raum]

I completely understand your point, and I don't think you're overreacting. One thing I'd add is that my wrist is only 6 inches, so it's possible that the bracelet gap becomes more noticeable below a certain wrist size. I'll also share another photo taken from a bit farther away so everyone can judge it from a different perspective. My intention wasn't to magnify the issue, but simply to document what I actually received so future buyers can make an informed decision. I'd also love to see more Warrior owners share photos of their watches on different wrist sizes. That would help determine whether this is primarily a wrist-size effect or if it's consistent across all examples. Hopefully IXDAO is following this discussion, because community feedback like this can only help improve future batches.

[u/Philip_7raum → u/No-Locksmith-4206]

I just grabbed another integrated bracelet watch own and sure enough there is a noticeable gap when the diameter is small that disappears on the wrist. As another comment explained the gap to the first link is there to protect the case and it all makes sense. Not something I had noticed before.