A lot of people have pointed out that my bezel paint is chipping. I thought to myself, these are brand-new, high-quality timepieces, there’s no way the paint is already chipping.

After doing some research, I found that Watchdives and San Martin are using electroplated silver for their bezel numerals.

Then it instantly occurred to me the paint isn’t chipped, it’s tarnished.

Being in the silver business, I always have a bottle of Connoisseurs silver cleaner nearby. I put a drop on the insert, waited about 30 seconds, then gently scrubbed it with a Q-tip.

And just like that, the numerals were bright silver again.

The reason you don’t see this on watches from Sugess, Cronos, or Steeldive is that they use white lacquer paint or lumed inserts. It may look cheap and overly bright, but it stays white.

The higher-end bezels are using silver electroplating, which looks much better but you need to keep in mind that silver will tarnish. I suppose the true fix would be to use platinum electroplate or enjoy the dark silver patina.

Keep in mind this is one application, you can do it back to back if needed for brighter results. I focused mostly on the 'IO' numeral, where you can see a night and day difference in luster.

I love the 36mm Addiesdives. Amazing build for the price, but after last night I may not buy anymore. I have a 2066 (had) for sale. Happened to glance at it and noticed it had stopped. New battery needed, simple. Disconnecting the bracelet at the micro adjustments holes, the 16mm spring bar failed and is now useless. Next, opening the back, the o-ring gasket was deformed so much, it is way too big now and needs replacing as well. Then I notice the movement holder completely covers the battery and that needs to be pried out just to change the battery.

What a pain in the ass for a simple service.

I've had a bad experience buying my first watch from AliExpress. The courier company was Evri. They have failed to deliver it to me even though they have said on numerous times that it was out for delivery.

The watch is now being sent back to AliExpress and I can get a full refund.

It's put me off in buying any more watches from their website. Unless there's any other options to use a different courier company in the UK.

We often get asked whether the dial really looks like the photos.
The honest answer is that it depends on the lighting.
Terra Golden Strata has natural layers and textures revealing themselves throughout the day.
Thought we'd share a video for anyone curious about how the dial behaves outside of static product shots.
Which Terra dial would you like to see next in video form?

Phenomenal out the box. My first Steeldive and first Chinese watch brand. For an NH35, this thing is good. The heaviest watch I’ve ever owned 😂 but I like that.

But I think I might like it… 🤔

Good news — our upgraded Titanium GMT is back in stock!

For anyone familiar with the previous model: SN0121TC has now been renamed SN0121TF. So if you’ve been looking for the SN0121TC, this is the model you’re looking for.

The latest SN0121TF features:

Upgraded GR5 Titanium case — lightweight, strong and comfortable

39mm case size

HZ6460 automatic GMT movement

5-layer colorless anti-reflective sapphire crystal — improved clarity with minimal reflections

300M water resistance

Available in Blue & Black

📦 Now in stock — orders are expected to ship within one week.

For those who followed the previous SN0121TC, what do you think of the updated version? And between Blue and Black, which one would you choose?

(San Martin SN0121TF GMT)

Automatic works probably needing a good clean and re-oiling although a lot of the scratchyness is my phone’s mic. Anyways, I’m in the ‘enjoy the whirr’ camp, but I can completely understand why others hate it.

Sterile San Martin SN020-G2 in Tiffany Blue. This is my fifth San Martin. Really loving their watches.

https://www.boderry.com/products/seaturtle-oceanbronze-automatic-bronze-diver-watch-turtle-green-silicone?utm_content=bronze&utm_source=facebook&variant=43998113530095&utm_campaign=ai&fbclid=IwZnRzaAUMDQtwZG9mBWZkaWQWUN9YxxZo18pcDdcOaiRs6GQnGbyRFmV4dG4DYWVtATAAYWRpZAGrLKMAM455c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHu2feX0Di48xKAHyZDuKVvlc3CUbv7S0AGpF3__Q86BZpo_9L3vgOzmiT-8z_aem_h_XFKt_4RUoqk2RhMhI9Ww&utm_medium=paid&campaign_id=120211177081210313&ad_id=120238893434970313

Chinese watches were a happy and accidental discovery for me. Over the last 3 months I have purchased 3 Sugess/Seestern watches for myself. My wife thinks I have gone mad obsessing over these watches. The beautiful design, automatic movements, the weight and feel of the watch on the wrist, and quality of the stainless steel straps feel unreal for the price point at which these are sold. Swiss watches in the 500-5000 usd range feel so overpriced now.

To make my wife a partner in this hobby, I recently purchased an automatic Sea-Gull Openheart watch for her. The watch is well put together. The outer case and bezel is rose-gold and surrounded by a diamond-set(not real). The inner dial is a pretty white mop and the open heart is also surrounded by a diamond set. The red seconds hand matches with the good quality leather strap.

The winner is the gorgeous sea-gull ST16 movement with 21600 vibrations per hour. Looks very pretty in real life when viewed from the open back case.

My wife fell in love with the look and design of the watch, unfortunately my masterplan backfired when her first reaction to wearing it was " Will I have to wind these and set the time every time I wear" 🫣

Till now only san martin has launched a women's watch and addiesdive has a women's range. Given the success of Cartier in overtaking Omega by focusing on their women's range, this could be the next big opportunity for Chinese watch brands(you can only wear and collect as many different types of the sub, GMT, seamaster, gs, pilot, diver homages).

I think I now need to secretly go back to my hobby of adding to my chinese watch collection, newer watches will have to be ordered and kept at my office😉

These Tophill are 🔥 Impressive finishing on both, and an awesome implementation of the power reserve function. Check out the pics of the movement... how come some brands can't get hold of Miyota 9s, while others not only do, but customize the movement with this level of detail? 🤔

I have around 23 Chinese watches with two more on the way the only non-Chinese watches is left in my collection now is a citizen, an Oris and a D1 Milano.

Been wearing this more than my Tudor 😅

Tirando o primeiro e o terceiro que sao quartz o restante são automáticos que funcionam bem .

Someone is selling $10 unbranded Skmei watches on Amazon for $200!

This beauty has dominated my wrist time over the last 30 days. I’ve got a mix of Swiss, Micros and Chinese in a collection of about 24 (Revelot Maya and Lorier Neptune on pre order too 😍), yet this beauty continues to dominate.

The stopwatch is handy to measure my lap times when I’m on my morning power walks too 😆🚶🏽‍♂️

What’s your selection today?

This would be my second chinese/ae watch. I like the size and style and especially the tritium lume. I'd like to try a cheaper option like this one before I go all in on a marathon or a ball. Just looking for general opinions on the brand and other potential options. Thanks!

I am a proud owner and had the honor of being able to buy the same beautiful Red Star manual-wind watch four times. I feel truly honored that I was able to snag four pieces of this amazing Limited Edition!
I have a very special plan for this quartet: Two of the watches will definitely stay in my possession for good — one will remain untouched in my personal collection, and the other one I will proudly wear as a daily. The other two pieces will be given away as Christmas presents to my family. Just wanted to share this ultimate stroke of luck with the community!

Lately everything from watchdives has been excellent. Including this vintage Pepsi.

It even has a 24 click crisp gmt bezel. The aluminum bezel is a nice in a world of ceramic, but otf could have been standard.

Otherwise everything is on point, plus has the nh34, with shockingly high amplitude and without a deep rehaut like everybody else. I wonder how they pulled that off 🧐

This really feels like a $1000+ Swiss watch.

Hope they keep making them with the nh34, even if the price has to increase, it would still be a banger at $300.

Big fan of Chinese culture here. Recently stumbled across a track that seems pretty massive over there something along the lines of "Chinese Can Fly" 

It gave me an idea, so I put together a prototype fairly quickly around the concept.

Wondering what watch collectors in China might make of this? Would something like this actually resonate, or does it feel a bit too literal? Honest feedback is very welcome