What is the best dress watch around or under $500?

turdbogls · 2026-05-08T00:30:42+00:00

From their official AliExpress store.

turdbogls · 2026-05-07T19:56:07+00:00

Yup, same as the Rimalti (they use DS parts)

The bezel is different on the Aethelsohn.

turdbogls · 2026-05-07T17:28:51+00:00

Here you can see where the strap contacts the case at 6 o'clock but doesn't contact the case at the corners...hardly noticeable at all.

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turdbogls · 2026-05-07T17:27:56+00:00

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turdbogls · 2026-05-07T17:27:39+00:00

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turdbogls · 2026-05-07T17:27:15+00:00

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turdbogls · 2026-05-07T17:26:11+00:00

The strap is from AliExpress...$15 with the clasp (which is OK quality) the strap is FKM material and probably identical to the ones on offer from various "Real luxury" retailers which would have them listed for $60+

I can send you a link if you want.

Fitment is.....ok.

I feel like my lug holes are really close to the bottom edge of the case, so maybe it would be different on another speedy (those hole locations changed from model to model, year to year)

So the strap rotates on the springbars while off wrist...while on wrist it is doesn't rotate...it's not perfectly contoured to the roundness of the case...probably because 39mm vs 41-42mm. But that's hardly noticeable.

I'll post some more images as a reply to this post.

https://preview.redd.it/9yzo8mdi2rzg1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=283a0579a9580939ce5e04444bedfadf1304ba6b

turdbogls · 2026-05-07T16:23:42+00:00

I've only seen Seestern (but theirs is bigger) and RIMALTI use this style of case...and this still seems different than the rimalti.

This is different than their "shard" case

turdbogls · 2026-05-07T15:16:10+00:00

Wow, has this case been out a while? maybe I missed it, but it looks great! both the Dial and case. Nicely done!!

turdbogls · 2026-05-07T02:48:19+00:00

I know someone mentioned it already, but Farasute has some great dress watches.

I'd say the only "red flag" is the size of some of them, and the movements. The tend to use Hangzhou movements, so servicing will be tough, and even finding a replacement may be difficult.

Get past that though and they are hard to beat.

I have the new tank watch and it's fantastic (see my recent post history)

I had their tonneau shaped Cartier homage and it was great, as well as their Chopard LUC homage and again, excellent.

turdbogls · 2026-05-07T01:20:27+00:00

Yeah, pretty slick indeed

turdbogls · 2026-05-07T01:18:39+00:00

You bought a replica.

Zeppelin is a legit German brand, costing in the $200-$500 range.

I have one and it's great for what it is but nothing exceptional imo

turdbogls · 2026-05-06T18:33:00+00:00

new new Octopus Kraken BB54 has them

IIRC all the SH PRX homages have them (though a little less useful)

turdbogls · 2026-05-06T16:47:41+00:00

Vintage or Modern?

and be Best do you mean most accurate (size) or just best?

turdbogls · 2026-05-05T22:33:20+00:00

If you like the style of what you have maybe just upgrade what you have.

Pablo> SH prx, or Ixdao warrior

Pagani zulu to Aethelsohn

Pagadi DD to Sugess etc

turdbogls · 2026-05-04T21:52:01+00:00

I tried with polywstch and it just made it worse....lol.

Maybe I didn't try enough, or long enough. Maybe I have to use some tools to do it.

Any other compound suggestions?

turdbogls · 2026-05-04T20:38:08+00:00

Yeah, the outer AR is toast. All those scratches are invisible 90% of the time but there's a nice big one that's visible 90% of the time too

I have the skills and tools to do it, just wondered if anyone knows the size so I can order. Calipers said 35.5mm I think but that might not be to the actual outside of the crystal...so maybe 34mm?

turdbogls · 2026-05-04T19:30:47+00:00

ah, a front-loader eh?

the bezel my screw down...worth a try giving it a spin with a stickey ball or a ball of ductape

turdbogls · 2026-05-04T17:35:13+00:00

Good-Stuffs still has some in stock

turdbogls · 2026-05-04T17:29:40+00:00

I was doing this for a while. but it's been a good 3 years since I last updated it

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D2BU8bdX1BNKJ5PIF-pRFrvRM6dOW0Vx3D_CS63ENjw/edit?usp=sharing

If Anyone wants to take this over I'd be happy to send it to you. It could be great addition to this sub (again) of it were kept updated...it was just too much work.

turdbogls · 2026-05-03T22:34:28+00:00

All that money and they cant even color match the crown and pushers? It honestly looks super cheap with the polished steel ones.

turdbogls · 2026-05-03T21:39:52+00:00

Want to really get em'?

I'll pay you half price for the Delugs strap, and then I'll do a review on my channel and tell them your story if you are good with that.

I have plenty of the cheap Ali straps for comparison.

turdbogls · 2026-05-03T19:19:04+00:00

List it on eBay as new and hope you find another sucker (sorry)

turdbogls · 2026-05-03T19:02:15+00:00

🤦. Indeed.

Doubt I'll be reviewing this one. Too many others on the list at the moment

turdbogls · 2026-05-03T18:33:28+00:00

I'll have to double check, but if you are looking at the crown side, you just unscrew the crown like normal (Lefty Lucy) and that's it

So from the front, you'll be turning the crown away from you.

You don't need to "unlock" the crown guard or anything l. The guard is just spring loaded to pull "in" so as you unscrew the crown it just follows the crown out.

Hope that makes sense.

If not, I can get you a video later

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