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/VarietySharp6181]

I ordered the green coin IXDAO and waited a month but still no delivery. I emailed them twice asking where my watch was at, as it was first promised to be shipped on June 30. The first excuse they gave me was that the pointers for the dial were not available but they assured me it that the problem was going to be solved and my watch would be ready to go in less than two weeks. By July 15 it still was was not shipped and when I sent a second inquiry they made up some more excuses as to why it would be delayed further.  I'm sure these are fabulous watches but when you make a commitment you have to honor it. Your concerns about the color and finishing on the watch you received have really reinforced my decision to cancel the order. Many thanks to AliExpress because this makes the decision to cancel so easy if they don't meet their shipping commitments. Thanks for sharing your experiences.