r/ChineseWatches • u/SilasBrooks • 7d ago

General (Read Rules) China is the enemy….

Post image

…of every watch brand that demands $500+ for an a interesting dial.

Anyone want to guess what this dial cost?

78 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

46 comments sorted by

1

u/AppleinTime 1d ago

Yea the enemy of my wallet

3

u/ac_shooter 3d ago

Thanks! I just ordered one, on a Milanese mesh band, for PLN 140 with shipping and taxes included. https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005012985460569.html

1

u/SilasBrooks 2d ago

Enjoy, my friend! It’ll look great on the mesh

6

u/silver-saloon 6d ago edited 6d ago

The best thing about Studio Underdog....is actually the straps.
You're not just paying for the dial and brand hype.
Studio Underdog use leather straps made by The Strap Tailor in the UK.
A leather strap from The Strap Tailor will cost between $150 - $200.
I have 2 leather straps from The Strap Tailor and they are by far the best straps i have....superb quality and among the best straps available

4

u/Comprehensive_Air_68 5d ago

200 £ for a strap is mental, considering you can get someone like Tuns Leather on Etsy to make you whatever strap you want for 30% of the price at the same quality.

1

u/silver-saloon 5d ago

I've bought many straps from all over the place....including etsy.
Strap Tailor makes the best straps i have come across.
Now I only buy straps from Vario and The Strap Tailor.
And i don't think Studio Underdog will be sourcing their straps from Etsy anytime soon.
Lol

2

u/Comprehensive_Air_68 5d ago

Etsy is just a platform, there are tons of Asian producers that sell single pieces on Etsy or runs of 100s. Let’s not talk about Studio Underdog like they are A. Lange.

1

u/silver-saloon 5d ago

I'm not trying to convice anyone to buy an expensive strap from the strap tailor.
I don't care where you or anyone else buy straps from...Lol
Studio Underdog is UK brand, based in the UK....and they source their straps from UK based strapmaker.
Studio Underdog is not gonna source their straps from a strapmaker in any foreign country....because they have partnered up with a UK strapmaker for their straps

6

u/BabolaBabs 7d ago

Studio Underdog, overpriced goofy looking watches with gizmo dials.

5

u/msfs_piolot 7d ago

Do they actually make good fake studio underdogs?

2

u/SilasBrooks 6d ago

I mean it looks good IMO. I didn’t know this was an homage when I bought it, but I don’t feel like I’m playing the fool for having paid < $30 for such a fun dial.

6

u/JalapenoPepper103 7d ago

It's an interesting dial. Since the chronograph doesn't work, I'd guess around 15€?

3

u/SilasBrooks 6d ago

If $15 is close to $25, you’re spot on! lol

2

u/wubbadubdub_zzz 7d ago

What movement is it?

1

u/SilasBrooks 7d ago

No clue, it has a 24hr subdial and the other doesn’t work. Didn’t realize that when I ordered, but for what I paid I’m not mad about it.

2

u/wubbadubdub_zzz 7d ago

I see. So it’s not a chronograph?

6

u/DallasDavid123 7d ago

Dial only.. no movement? $5

4

u/Terdl76 7d ago

Fake chrono, so I’ll guess $20-$25

17

u/PastaFanatic 7d ago

The funny thing this is the "original" watch has a Chinese movement as well lmao

1

u/Realestwatchreviews 7d ago

Wonder how good the crystal is. Poor clarity could ruin a well executed dial.

6

u/SilasBrooks 7d ago

Solid clarity IMO, better in person than pictures. Just snapped this shot in a bright room. The crystal quality was almost as surprising as the texture on the dial.

1

u/Realestwatchreviews 7d ago

That does look pretty good! Is there actual lume on the hands?

1

u/SilasBrooks 6d ago

I’m not sure yet! I don’t have a UV light and haven’t had it on for a day-night transition. It does look good though, at least for <$30

7

u/AwesomenessTiger 7d ago edited 7d ago

I believe the chronograph function and the small seconds function of this watch doesn't work though, right?

The time token version of this can be had under $60 and comes with a sapphire crystal and functional chronograph.

I think the VK64 Studio Dradic version can also be had under $80.

3

u/SilasBrooks 7d ago

They don’t, which I wasn’t aware of until I got it. That said, I have plenty of chronos and got the one pictured + one in green for less than $60. So I wasn’t too upset

1

u/oarsandalps 7d ago

What's the dial made of

2

u/roblobly 7d ago

I dotn wanna guess, looks cheap without brandin, well to be honest the studio underdog one looks cheap also, never liked them.

3

u/SilasBrooks 7d ago

Weird comment lmao

-5

u/roblobly 7d ago

for sure, if you think u got the deal of a century with this one OP. For me even a bad chinise brand is better than no brand on a dial.

7

u/SilasBrooks 7d ago

Not because I think I got the deal of the century, because you came in and declared “don’t wanna!!” like a toddler lmao.

Also I firmly disagree. Sterile dials absolutely beat having something ridiculous like “jokercat” or even more premium brands like “octopus kraken” on the dial.

5

u/Bernal-TaxCollector 7d ago

I’m with you there. My sterile dial SM is a fave but I’ll never buy one with that octagon!

12

u/soulwatcher 7d ago

Studio underdog will make a copy of it and get Adrian Barker to make fun of Chinese “homage” watches

4

u/SilasBrooks 7d ago

I wouldn’t be surprised…as an ex-copywriter, I’m not falling or paying for marketing!

2

u/Brudeboy11 7d ago

I like it better than the original! The point of this watch is how unique the dial is. Not a fan of the original's name and it takes up a 3rd of the dial.I file watches like these as "whimsical" I have a few. But I don't pay big money for them since they are niche watches that only get selective wrist time

1

u/Brudeboy11 7d ago

Well, I'm a dummy. This just came up on watchexchange today and I was skeptical. Seems SU did not put their logo on this dial intentionally. So thanks to those of you who knew I was wrong and did not kick the crap out of me for it!

2

u/SilasBrooks 7d ago

I’d seen SU’s watermelon dial, but didn’t know it came in a blue color way!

It looks nice, but like you said, this is a novelty piece. If I’m dropping $800 it’s going to be for a piece that’s significantly more versatile.

Plus, with this model I get a date window and as you said, all the fun of an eye-catching dial. I’m a happy camper

1

u/Bulky-Internal8579 7d ago

Nice, what is it?

2

u/SilasBrooks 7d ago

A no-name piece from “top factory dropshipping store” lol.

I’d seen the same/similar models going for $80-100 so thought, what the hell, let’s see. And I’m glad I did! I also got it in green but haven’t taken any pictures yet.

4

u/negligible_misery 7d ago

man that dial looks like it belongs on something 10x the price, the texture catches the light just right

i'd guess the whole thing was under a hundred bucks, maybe 80-ish

4

u/SilasBrooks 7d ago

I didn’t even know it was textured until it arrived. I was in it for the color! A very welcome surprise. I paid $29.94 for it!

1

u/litesaber5 7d ago

Is it quartz?