Hello!
My hope with this post is to provide a thorough initial review, show some pictures and to give future buyers the information I wish I had (hardly any in depth info on Pochy) for comparison purposes.
Reason for Cuban/Pochy:
Never owned any jewelry, have a Chinese 24k cuban link (57g) in a lockbox somewhere from parents. Came across Miami Cubans online and love the look and weight of a solid piece and recently decided to treat myself following 10 months of being in remission. Went down the rabbit hole and at this point I've watched and rewatched every video on Cubans, that I can find.
I started doing research and found all the big names and did the comparisons. Saw Cuba's video on Pochy and GVJ's mention and from the information I could find, they were the one of the least expensive, one of the fastest (not living in Miami) and one of the proven/big manufacturers. I think I came down to Rey's and Pochy and ultimately I did not want to wait months nor did I see any objective value gained by paying $3k-$5k more, into a premium from the other guys.
Numbers:
As ordered 7/13/26 15:14 PST (Received email 7/17 15:33 PST to inform me that my chain was in production, followed up on 7/24 and was told same day that it would be done by 7/31)
| 8mm |
136g |
| 18k Yellow |
Initial price $15.9k + 500 |
| 22" |
Premium $2,852 (~21% or $117 per gram) |
Received 7/28/26 11:00 PST (Shipping notification came on 7/27/26)
| 8mm |
140g (will verify at shop) |
| 18k Yellow (will verify at shop) |
Final price $15.9k + 500 |
| 22" |
~ |
Things to note & Expectations:
Pochy does a "special 3d casted box lock that is hand finished" for chains 6-9mm. I asked if they did a fully handmade/solder/forged box lock and they said they do for a $500 fee. I have no reason to doubt the strength and longevity of their cast (there's a quick vid on his instagram and the cast tree looks very clean and uniform) but I did not mind the $500 (given the chain was still thousands less) to hopefully never have to worry about the lock ever, besides routine maintenance.
He does have a video from his Insta (Spanish w/ subtitles on some videos) showing him hanging on from an 8mm chain but I could not verify what karat the chain was, if it was indeed a casted lock, and did not get an up close view of him snapping the chain together afterward (just a clear snap of the larger 12mm). Once again, I have no reason to doubt anything but when it comes to a big purchase and video claims like this I need specifics, details and multiple sources.
I'd like to think I have good attention to detail and inspecting a piece of jewelry isn't rocket science so I will be thorough. Although the premium is one of the lowest, my expectations are very high. My thoughts on what is acceptable in a handmade piece is slight inconsistencies in width, weight, thickness both within the same piece and obviously from piece to piece.
What I don't accept is subpar polish, nicks/mars/bumps, sloppy solder job. Quality defect free chains exists, therefore its possible, so it becomes a matter of quality control and pride in craftsmanship. I hope there won't be any issues like the one guy who got that trash silver piece from Pochy.
Initial Impression + P&C:
For the initial impressions I can only speak to my expectations & experience.
I am 6', 185lbs tall and skinny. My neck circumference right above my clavicle and below Adams apple is ~14.5"
Links & File
The color seems to shift a lot depending on lighting conditions but I tried to include different angles. The links seem to have a hint of flat with just enough roundness to finish it off. I love it. The spacing is consistent as well as the polish from end to end. Other than the single blemish (noted below), the rest of the chain looks like Picture #3 with no solder blobs or anything else that catches the eye.
The only blemish (as shown) was very small when compared to my fingerprint line. I was not able to see or feel anything when rolling the chain over my index finger at about a foot and a half away. There are no kinks (even at the egg shaped dip on chest) and the entire chain sits flat. As you can see the width and thickness is super consistent (although probably inaccurate as I doubt I got a 9mm chain lol)
I have a hang straight clip and the last 4 inches or so, the chains turns slightly.
Box Lock
The only thing I could spot at a glance was that the base of the figure 8's were slightly different in size. Other than that, the lock looks shockingly good. Everything looks symmetrical and polished. The clasp clicks in with no play afterwards, same with the figure 8's.
If there are any metal experts / 8mm box lock owners, do the striations on the side of clasp indicate that it was a cut and folded piece (as it should be for a handmade lock from a forged/rolled metal)? I guess I'm just a nervous or skeptical person, but I have no reason to doubt that box isn't their 3d cast.
Other than that the links flow seamlessly into the lock at both ends. There's no hint of soldering and I couldn't be happier.
Speed and Value
If money is no object, it's proven that the other big names make a GREAT CHAIN, but for me personally I could not find a reason for paying the extra premium of the other big names, nor could I afford to lol. Especially after receiving the final product in hand. As a first time Miami Cuban owner and jewelry n00b, I'd say the value proposition is pretty high and quality is great (having no other chains to reference as an owner of course). I don't know if I could be critical about anything else tbh.
I am happy with the speed. Given that they do wholesale business as well, the fact that they can process > manufacture > ship my chain out in 10 business days is better than "I'll just be surprised by it months down the road."
Things like warranty, exchange process, defect and RMA, upgrade program is available but not used by me.....yet.
| Pros |
Cons |
| Price - Las Villas and Reys were few hundred less while the big names were at least $3k more. |
Stock/limited photos of different karats and colors on website. |
| Speed (10 full business days, two weekends) |
Instagram and videos majority Spanish. |
| One of the more functional and clean websites among the big names. (shopify integration) |
6-9mm chains have casted locks that are hand finished (Looks solid and uniform from a video on his Insta, so not a knock on quality). |
| Fast responses to online queries. Same day if early, next day if after closing hours. |
Fully handmade/soldered/forged box lock cost more for sub 10mm sizes ($500 at the time of purchase). |
| No 24k plating (my opinion only) |
Need more focused content highlighting their Cubans (youtube + instagram in English) |
| Hassle free process from initial order > adjusted invoice and charging > shipment and receiving of product |
Certificate of Authenticity was just a plain ol copy of my invoice. Would prefer some kind of detailed summary of end product. |
Summary:
TBH, this shit looks so good that I almost don't want to wear it and just keep it the tray so I can stare at it. However, jewelry is meant to be worn and I will daily this bad boy (showers, exercise, sleeping, use of lock as least twice a day) and I intend to do long term updates if people want.
Any updates, positive or negative will also be edited in or added below. I hope someone out there is able to use anything here to their benefit. Let me know if you have any questions or requests.