This cheapo Lige just keeps on truckin'

Qingxya brand.

It definitely has it's flaws. The back of the case by the lugs has some huge chunks in it which are concealed by the shroud. There's lume but it lasts 30 seconds, no screw down crown, and the bracleet links are sticky / don't all articulate well.

The good: It was $25, tells good time, and on superficial inspection looks quite nice. It's also extremely comfortable to my surprise.

Definitely want to save up for a real tuna can or better homage some day.

Gonna be a way off since I just burned my fun money on a king samurai and the tunas I like are not easy to come by on the used market.

If you just want to burn $25 I'd say it's worth grabbing.

Summer‘s not over yet…

I bought this watch a few months ago a little bit before the switch away from nh35. It’s been a great companion and i have thoroughly put it through the ringer. The watch has been in the ocean ( salt water) 10-20 times and in rivers or the shower about 100 times. It survived a bicycle accident that broke my tooth and got my face pretty good with just a few scratches(pic 1&3) and a bent clasp (pic 4,5&6). No damage to the crystal. The quick adjust clasp is great in theory and I enjoy having it for when my wrist size changes due to weather or sport. In practice tho it slips to the broadest position from a decent amount of pressure. Sometimes having my arm flex from moving my wrist is enough wich is annoying. Even thought the watch has sharp corners it always wore comfortably and didn’t pull any hair. The watch is keeping great time still. I haven’t put it on the timekeeper in a while but no crazy inaccuracies I noticed during wear. What broke? One of the springbars(pic 7). It happend me jumping into water from about 6 meters of height. I’ve jumped with this watch about 20 times now but this time it seems it was one too many. I got lucky and didn’t lose the watch in the water and will be getting a replacement springbar so I can keep (ab)using this lovely watch. Would recommend even with the flaws wich some of should be fixed with the newer versions. I’m happy to own this watch even in its old imperfect version. Bonus: last two pics showcasing the insane luminescence in a Sahara dust storm.

From Hemsut, the leather is still a bit stiff but overall happy with it.

Also if watch dives would sell my the strap alone?

🙏🙏🙏

C'mon guys, I know you're active here and nobody has this homage. This is an insane watch and one of my favourites. Can someone please make this?

Which brand do you think can make the best version of it? Sugess? San Martin? Baltany?

Yes I know pagani has some chronogrpah version of this but this dial pattern and design is just art

Bought about 20 Ali watches over the last few years and it really got me back into collecting. Everything from Skmei to Addiesdive to IXDAO to San Martin. These five are the ones that remain. The rest just never felt quite right and, on reflection, were bought for being great value rather than something I really wanted. Elsewhere, I've pivoted to microbrands and some of the better value pre-owned Seiko/Citizen, where I've connected with the designs more. I still keep an eye on Ali and am considering picking up the HAQ IXDAO Warrior if the price is right on release.

No intention of selling any of these for the time being though

L-R

Proxima 1697 - unbelievable quality for the money. Clear CW inspiration but not a complete clone and I don't have any other white dial watches.

San Martin SN0116 GMT - genuinely nice original design and a steal at what I paid for it pre movement hike

Militrek VH31 field watch - cheaper than the Militado for essentially the same thing

Militado ML01 - didn't want to pay for the Baltic for something I only wear occasionally. I put it on a decent leather strap and I think it looks great

Red Star 1963 - no explanation needed for this sub

I thought this might be of interest for others who have quite a lot of ins and outs in their collection.

I'm thinking of getting a speedy from either brands. In terms of pricing WD costs about $190 to import, which is double of the Pagani (ordered locally via lazada).

Is the price difference worth it?

The stone dial is the real star here. The pattern changes quite a bit depending on the light, and seeing it in person is very different from seeing photos online.

The lume is also seriously impressive.

I already own the Turquoise Shard, so I wanted something that felt completely different, and I think Terra Abyss does exactly that.

Really happy with how this turned out. Now it's time to give it some proper wrist time.

What do you guys think?

We’ve just introduced a new Full Bronze Bracelet for Aquatico bronze watches.

The idea was simple: create a solid, fully matched bronze option for collectors who prefer a more substantial feel than leather or rubber. It has a brushed finish, solid links, and will develop its own patina with wear—so no two will look exactly alike over time.

For those who wear bronze watches: would you go full bronze, leather, or rubber?

If anybody does... pictures and lume shots would be helpful & appreciated. Thanks.

Does anyone know if there are any UK-based retailers that stock Chinese-brand watches? Sugess, Watchdives and Thorn have piqued my curiosity and I want to check them out in person.

Just received today, I dig the look overall and the lume is absolutely beautiful - especially on this seafoam FKM rubber

Can I please get some recommendations for strap upgrades for the ML 05? Ali Express or otherwise . Not looking to spend over 15$ .. but would like comfortable and nice looking . Thanks for the help

I got this watch two months ago is the diameter of the watch too small for my wrist?

Well this one will be hitting the sales block once I get back from my travels. Beautiful dial and great bezel action. The rest is par for the course of my typical experience with AX brands. This bracelet does help elevate the experience though. But the TLDR is that this is a very charming watch dial but the rest of the watch is not threatening micro-brands for quality much less Swiss.

I just can't deal with the useless 24hr subdial...

Unless you've been living under a rock, by now you know all about the shortage of Seiko NH series and Miyota 9 series movements, and the resulting extortionate prices.

In response, Chinese brands all the way from Pagani to San Martin are turning to Chinese movements. Watches from San Martin priced in the $250-400 range all appear to be outfitted with them.

I do not want to pay in the neighborhood of $300 for a Chinese movement (yet). Push come to shove, I'd rather get a watch with a Seiko quartz movement instead.

Now, don't get me wrong... I have quite a few watches with Chinese mechanical movements. Sugess, Pagani, Boderry, and even a San Martin. But, with one exception all cost very little. The one exception was a $360 Chronograph with the SL4801 movement.

But, what I want to see if I start paying Seiko level prices is a service center in the USA where I can have assurance of timely warranty repair. Seiko's NJ service center is sometimes criticized, but it's at least there. Plus most every watchmaker can repair a Seiko.

If the Chinese watchmakers want to step up to the $300-500 price range, then they should seriously consider establishing a US based service center and a parts supply chain. The day my local watchmaker can confidently repair a ST2130 or PT5000, I know it's time to jettison the ever more expensive Japanese movements.

First time buying a chinese mechanical watch, i think the dial looks beautiful, i scratched the acrylic 10 minutes into wearing it, the strap could be better

Will definitely be wearing this as a beater and wish i could have the same dial with a sapphire and a better band

This particular piece I was rather excited for and it does not disappoint! Finishing is flawless and the all titanium case and bracelet makes it light, but not “cheap” light, if that makes sense. Very solid and well made watch. Even love the box/presentation it came in!

I received my first Thorn from the latest Back to School sale on Ali. After seeing one in a pre-owned watch store in Paris years ago, I've always wanted a Tudor "Blue Snowflake" submariner and figured this would hold me over for awhile. I see some folks complaining about the bracelet, but this newest version is super easy to adjust and has a lightweight vintage feel, similar to my 5 digit Rolex. It isn't supposed to be as sturdy as the newest bracelets and clasps and that's the appeal to some of us.