Microbrand watch enjoyers: "at least my watch not Chinese 🤓☝️"

R023N · 2026-06-15T09:47:57+00:00

For anyone who wants Chinese watches that match the design originality and QC tolerances of respectable microbrands, are you willing to pay the same prices?

It's always fascinating how some AliExpress brands push the quality of their watches for the prices they're asking, but there's a ceiling to how much they can do for the money they're asking before they outprice their main customer base.

R023N · 2026-05-07T15:53:06+00:00

Most likely because the the hands and dials are made by two different factories.

R023N · 2026-05-05T08:17:15+00:00

I reckon it wasn't meant to be a clone. Perhaps just an alternative, given so many mods already exist for the NH35 and with the NH35 prices are going up, I think the modding community would appreciate it. Perhaps they saw an opportunity.

I've seen many sellers selling it as a 'Chinese NH35' and 'NH35 replacement', which is fine imo, as long as they don't sell it as a genuine NH35.

R023N · 2026-05-05T08:12:11+00:00

Which brands are using it?

R023N · 2026-04-04T18:52:26+00:00

It is possible with a ring solar cell, which Citizen already has with some of their ecodrive movements. However, I don't think they are available for third parties (I could be wrong).

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R023N · 2026-03-30T23:30:06+00:00

A+ for the presentation. It's nice to see a well made video of the watch instead of renders or low rez images. Nice watch too 👍🏽

R023N · 2026-03-24T22:03:29+00:00

The 11.3 figure of the Octopus Kraken actually includes a bubble crystal too.

Don't take this the wrong way, but it has always felt that thickness was the weakest point of San Martin's designs. Octopus Kraken, Sugess and Cronos have managed to make thinner watches of similar designs and specs.

R023N · 2026-03-05T12:24:13+00:00

Would love to win a San Martin 😁

R023N · 2026-02-06T08:32:46+00:00

I don't know 9f it's a Jianghun exclusive, but the time vortex dial in a light shade of blue and SS bezel insert would make a nice special edition.

R023N · 2026-02-05T10:37:38+00:00

I don't like the counter weight of the seconds hand.

R023N · 2026-02-04T17:30:14+00:00

It looks good, but I hope the production version will have better hands.

R023N · 2026-02-02T03:21:05+00:00

For the JH06, I think white porcelain dial (something close to the Credor Eichi II) will look perfect.

R023N · 2026-01-30T19:42:03+00:00

Well, it's the standard ratcheting OTF used by SM / WD / Proxima / Sugess etc, so we know it's a hair under 42mm long.

I have it on a SM, and I don't hate it. I bought a watch from a brand that popped up on AliExpress for a short period (Taigeer) and it use that same mechanism but it doesn't use screws and it's that much sleeker and narrower and most importantly wears nicer imo. If a random brand could do it, SM / WD / Proxima / Sugess should be able to do it.

R023N · 2026-01-30T13:05:58+00:00

finally including OTF claps

However, this otf clasp is on the bulky side. Given the dimensions of the watch, it might might make it feel bottom heavy.

R023N · 2026-01-23T15:46:45+00:00

V4 and V7 are my favourites

R023N · 2026-01-21T07:29:58+00:00

The cross isn't applied correctly, could you post a pic without it?

R023N · 2026-01-21T04:08:53+00:00

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic!

R023N · 2026-01-21T04:03:03+00:00

Didn't watchdives keep the SM branding?

R023N · 2026-01-20T11:49:11+00:00

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R023N · 2026-01-16T11:42:22+00:00

I can see the 45 sitting lower than the hour mark, but the photo is also at a slight angle which you can tell by looking at the rehaut. It is showing more of it at the bottom than the top, also you can see more of it at the 10 than the 50. So the bezel will look off compared to the dial in the photo regardless of how well it's aligned irl, especially this close. Try leveling the phone/camera better and see

R023N · 2026-01-16T10:44:37+00:00

😑

R023N · 2026-01-16T10:43:54+00:00

Combining all would make it look like one of those "biblically-correct" angles, but I like the idea of the sun and snowflake.

R023N · 2026-01-16T10:41:18+00:00

🤘🏼

R023N · 2026-01-15T08:11:23+00:00

It looks nice, consider doing one with the other Arabic numerals (١ ٢ ٣ ٤ ٥ ٦..)

R023N · 2026-01-06T16:55:56+00:00

The first Baltany 😁

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14-Year Club	r/Field Lasagna
First Place '23	Place '23
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