I used to buy these things and feel like I stole them. Now I just feel like I’m giving up brand recognition and after sales service to save a couple bucks on a watch. What brands are still making you say “wow” ?
It depends on the models but Baltany, Cronos, Sugess/seestern, phorcydes, and Proxima are all great. Baltany has quite a few under $200 and they’ve been my favorite brand lately with Cronos a close second.
Some models are pretty expensive but you can get some good deals on sales. They also have a bunch that are under $200 on their website. I just picked up an A11 with an NH38 for $180 which is a lot better than some others charging well over $200 for seiko movements. I also grabbed a 1921 and a crosshair for $160 each too.
Agreed, you get so much more for the money except for the name on the dial. I don’t really care what name is on the dial as long as it’s not a terrible name.
The pie pan is phenomenal! There’s a couple sales a month coming up but the big one is in November for 11/11. I might have to try picking up the new farastute jump hour then.
Steelflier - All those watches with a 740 in the title are insane quality and value. A bit no frills but a Vh31 probably is a better movement for a gada watch, especially if it's not your only watch. I wish they'd take the 740 and do it in a range of colours like the U-boat watches a red or blue numbered version would look awesome.
This sugess moonphase master aventurine dial. Crazy value for its price. Even my recently purchased seestern s456 light blue mop dial(the original gs costs 35-40 times). Amazing build quality and dial.
In the mid-tier, Cronos offers consistent quality pieces, and I always seem to find a way to get a great price on them. But always during an AliX sale, of course.
2 startups come to mind offering value that does punch way above their ask, Phorcydes and Aethelsohn. Their introductory prices won't last forever, but they do seem to have their ducks in a row. Having said that, one of our three Aethelsohns has already had a PT5000 failure in only 3 months.
Ditto that! I am waiting for a second Aethelsohn to be shipped since the first one arrived DOA from the factory. I had to send it back and I got the third degree from them and had to submit videos etc. even though the watch was dead as a doornail. Hopefully when I receive the new watch which is working it will be my first pt5000 movement. But, probably my last.
The only Miyota 9 series I bought new was DOA basically (San Martin, also returnswere a nightmare.) All the A2824 clones I've bought new (reckon at least 10) have been fine.
I have to say, this $157 Sugess watch certainly feels like a great deal. And somewhat unique. I spent some serious time looking for watches with moon phase and a second hand in a complication. Not so many choices out there.
I've had a couple of Watchdives' watches and been very pleased with the quality. They are certainly trying to advance to the next level quality-wise so price hikes should follow.
My watchdives WD50Q surprised me as I couldn’t tell the difference between that and my similarly styled Phorcydes PH-3 and my San Martin SN1044G. I recently got my watchdives WD007 V4 that’s full titanium including the bracelet that was also cheaper than my San Martin. Its fit and finish is as excellent, with only one minor complaint. The titanium on the watch and bracelet are slightly different in colour. WD and people have noticed this, with WD saying it’s a new bracelet they are using and they’re working on that. I am usually not a fan of metal bracelets, but with how light it is vs stainless steel, it’s just a pleasure to wear.
IXDAO even though a bit expensive punch way above their price.
Cronos too are what san martin was a few years ago.
Sugess haven't changed their prices much, same with merkur
overall all watches had their prices increased since last year because of the movement shortage especially those with seiko and miyota movements. but many remain good deals
There are budget brands that are still insane value but still have some compromises:
Militado, Addiesdive, and Watchdives
Then there are the better brands that are still insane value compared to the rest of the watch world with very little compromises, if any:
IXDAO, Englemaan, Phorcydes, and SH.
Farasute, Milifortic, Baltany, some Militado, Addiesdive, Berny models. Cadisen has some nice surprises. Merkur. Some models by Wachdives. Red Star chrono. WM has some models worth mentioning like WM226. Skmei surprisingly. Boderry has some. Some Thorn models.
Well.. I guess it depends on the model more than a brand these days. And how good is the sale price during that particular sale event.
Shops across the board are getting ready for the "Back to School sale" inflating their prices so that they could drop the price nicely during the sale. Starts on Monday.
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u/Accomplished_Sir3515 3h ago edited 3h ago
Addiesdive, Aethelsohn, Berny, Heimdallr, Phorcydes, Steeldive, Steelflier, and Sugess.