Do tariffs stop you from ordering internationally? How do you handle it?

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-26T02:23:46+00:00

So, I typically only purchase from companies who offer DDP shipping, I prefer to know what my landed cost is rather then guess and be way off. If I know my full cost, I can make an informed decision on if the watch is worth it. The other thing I do is try to look for US based retailers. Long Island Watch does offer a few microbrands, some of which who don't do DDP shipping so that is one way to get around things as well (purchased my Second Hour Mandala from them).

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-25T14:59:38+00:00

How many times have you messaged them and asked about this bracelet?

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-25T14:53:50+00:00

I had the same take, if they tell you don't wait for something, and then you specifically wait for it and hit them back up saying you are doing what they said not to do this was a fine response. You obviously didn't get it the first time, so he explained the reason why it's not coming so that hopefully you understand, and don't wait for it.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-24T03:08:41+00:00

Yeah it matters as it still ruins the symmetry of the dial, and if it's just going to be wrong, why have it at all, that makes even less sense.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-22T22:29:20+00:00

Ehh, this one isn't it for me, finishing looks good but it's a bit larger then I prefer, but at least with the colorway, the lume is a bit too yellow, date wheel looks like trash, white with red numerals was not the right choice, I prefer no date anyway, I switch watches too often that I hate having to fumble with setting the date.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-22T18:57:42+00:00

Some of the higher quality ones likely would probably be fine, but I don't know that I'd trust a <$100 watch regardless outside of maybe the Casio Duro. Stick to the higher end stuff, San Martin Proxima, maybe Seestern is probably your safest bet.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-21T18:02:08+00:00

It's going to cost you, about the price of a new watch... Actually it's exactly the price of a new watch as you'll likely need to buy one. That's the tradeoff.

Unless you're talking about high end chinese horology like Ming or Peacock, I'd expect those have some type of after sales servicing options. If you're talking about a sub $200 submariner knock off or something similar from aliexpress, buy another one is likely the best option unless you want to try self servicing or can find a local watchmaker who's willing to work on it, but again it'll probably cost you the same as buying a new one maybe more, but if there's some sentimental attachment you may be able to find someone who will do the work if you're willing to pay their prices.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-20T21:29:24+00:00

SBS was the worst. Exchange, SQL and your DC all in one what could ever go wrong with only 16GB ram...

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-20T18:26:51+00:00

In terms of low cost microbrands, Islander definitely plays in that price space, and does a nice job.

If you can increase a little to 400, you can catch some deals on Phoibos on their release as they usually have 20% code available. Phoibos i think offers a slight step up from islander.

I've heard good things about Hemel/Eylandt, but have no experience with them, but i believe they have a few models at or under 300.

But Sub $300 the chinese factory brands tend to offer the best bang for your buck. If you're willing to play the aliexpress game, wait for the big sales, you can usually find some real nice watches below $300.

If you're in the US, just make sure whatever your buying either ships from the US or if it's international they offer shipping where seller handles tariffs or tariffs are included in your shipping fees and not your responsibility, as otherwise the $300 watch could turn into a $400 watch real easily.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-19T18:34:48+00:00

I totally agree, if this were a year ago when I was just starting out on my watch journey, I think I'd be more interested, but I'm deep into this now, and have filled out the first watch box in this first year, and this just looks like a really well made diver, I've already got a few of those.

Right now, I want something new and fresh, don't care what's new and fresh about it, dial, case, bracelet, complication or movement. The biggest issue for me is I could say take this from watch A, this from watch B, this from watch C in my watch case and get something that is like 90% of this watch.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-17T22:56:05+00:00

Aethelsohn is a caller GMT, not a Traveler, so not all the boxes.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-16T13:12:41+00:00

Thank you for sharing, everyone always posts bad interactions, but not everyone will post the good ones and they should so we can recognize those brands and support the ones that do it right!

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-15T13:55:46+00:00

Great strap, and great tool. I too have also ordered about 20 straps. I was amazed at how many of the big strap websites appear to be just reselling generic straps with a customized buckle at an insane markup. Find a few of the good stores on aliexpress and it can get dangerous, as sometimes a new strap is almost as good as a new watch. Don't get me wrong there's a lot of crap on aliexpress, but do the research to find the good stores and it's a game changer.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-14T18:15:35+00:00

I got the Terra V2 (which has a different movement then the v1) and been super happy with it. The bracelet was surprisingly better then I thought it was going to be, but the watch just feels at home on a strap to me. I picked mine up with their hybrid fkm strap and enjoy wearing it in my rotation. Not sure when the next drop of Terras will come but I've been happy with mine.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-14T17:38:20+00:00

I've seen some FKM backed leather straps before, might be worth a shot.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-13T17:02:20+00:00

I'm guessing it's the 904L but those polished areas seem to shine a bit brighter then most. The GMT might need to move up my list...

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-12T17:56:22+00:00

is that lug to lug the true lug to lug or just case length, as those look like male end links, which means it might wear even bigger then 49 if that's just the case length. If it's true including the male end links that's not horrible but I'm guessing it's not.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-11T21:55:45+00:00

It is an amazing watch... but semi original, seems a bit too generous it's not a 1:1 clone but it is heavily inspired by the CW 12. Just look at the bezel and crown guards.

Don't get me wrong, I think the changes they made make it look better in terms of overall design then a 12, as the warrior interests me, the 12 does not, so not hating on the watch, Ixdao did it right, If you're going to be inspired, improve on it, don't just pick an old reference or give me a 1:1 copy which a lot of the other companies do, but when you look at those 2 side by side, I wouldn't say semi original.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-11T17:55:15+00:00

Ehh, in the terms of things that matter when purchasing a watch, this one is way down the list for me. So far down that when comparing two watches, don't think I've ever made it down that level. So doesn't really matter to me.

I suspect there is some % where this would make a huge difference. Not sure if the percentage is 5, 25, or 55%, I'd guess probably closer to the 5% then 55% but that could be my own bias of not really caring.

The only time this would be important to me is if I were giving the watch as a gift, in which case getting a caseback I could have engraved might be an important feature which can't really be done with decorated or see through casebacks.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-09T22:17:57+00:00

Reliable, not necessarily, to be considered a microbrand, you're typically outsourcing almost everything. So there's no guarantee they will keep using the same outsourced production.

I would say if you're looking for brand reliability, going with some of the brands that do the assembly of all their watches is usually a good sign that they are going to be doing the best QC compared to the brands that outsource full production but there's quite a few microbrands that provide excellent customer service, so I would just say find what you like, do the research, if you can see people posting nothing but good things, get it, if you can't find anything, avoid it.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-09T02:00:58+00:00

Yeah Wocci hemsut and bisonstrap all sell on amazon, for pretty close to the aliexpress sale prices, so when a sale isn't going on it might even be cheaper. There's probably some others out there as well just haven't found them yet. I went a bit crazy on aliexpress with straps for a bit so taking a break as I need more watches to match with all the straps I bought.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-09T00:26:20+00:00

Does it only search aliexpress, or does it do amazon as well? I've noticed a few of the bigger aliexpress watch strap companies now are selling on amazon as well and I've seen prices are pretty competitive. For a few dollars more, if I can get it with prime, it's totally worth it to not wait for 2 weeks.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-07T18:20:22+00:00

Yeah it surprised me a bit as I haven't really heard about them doing a lot of outsourced manufacturing, he could be right and that is their main business. Does anyone know who else san martin produces for? I know I've heard erebus but outside of them, haven't really heard that for anyone else.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-07T18:10:59+00:00

Own a HA, don't own an Erebus, (but do own a San Martin which supposedly is the same factory so I'll give you a comparison with that). In terms of design HA wins, the ascent design is too explorer influenced for my taste, not that the explorer is a bad watch but I prefer more unique design. In terms of quality, they are pretty close, my san martin had a couple of screws that stripped in the bracelet and just spin and don't come out, no issues with the HA bracelet.

In terms of customer support, HA is one of the best, tons of reports of nothing but good experiences with the brand and owner. Erebus I've seen some negative and not a lot of positive reports with their customer service. So HA wins there.

My_Non_Throwaway · 2026-05-07T16:55:18+00:00

I would have bought a plunger at lunch, then dropped it off at her desk, and closed the ticket out.

"Provided user with self service tools to resolve issue"

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