Are Chinese watches worth it?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มี.ค. 2021
- In this episode of #TalkingTimepieces we look at a couple of #Chinese-made #watches and compare them to some Swiss #timepieces, to see if they compare favorably or not. Among the #watches we compare are a hand-wound #chronograph, the #Seagull 1963 with a #columnwheel, and a #TeefTiger #tourbillon.
#seagull1963 #seagullwatch - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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Swiss: "Its about accurancy!"
Seiko: "We did it better."
Swiss: "Its about complications!"
China: "We did it cheaper."
Swiss: "Its about finishing!"
Germans: "NEIN!"
😂😆😅😎
I'll still take the swiss any day twice on sunday.
Swiss: "... it's about the grift"
😂🤣
Excellent, you made my day :-D
I'm wearing the Seagull 1963 today😊. Im so glad i was able to pick one up recently. This is my second Chinese made watch. My first is a bronze case Baltany. Both are fantastic. I just purchased them last month. I'm new to watch collecting only starting this year.
I absolutely love my 1963, outstanding for the price and a really interesting piece for my small collection, along with an Amphibia of course! Two must haves 😀
Well said, I agree completely!
Acrylic or sapphire? I think acrylic looks better but sapphire performs better. I just got a sapphire and it's incomming
Does the movement on the Vostok is repairable or only replacement movements ?
Sea-gull watches and movements are the gems. I have 3 Sea-gull watches with St5 hand wound movements from the 1980s plus a new 1963 and a Sea-gull Ocean Star diver, all great.
海鸥手表要买st2130的 是最稳定的一款机芯
Why should I buy a Chinese counterfeit movement in a watch that cost $14 to make but sells for $300? I can buy a quality Swiss for roughly the same price and know it will still be running 20 years from now.
Thanks for this video.
I have a Chinese tourbillon ,it works well and looks good,great value
Great video!!! I appreciate your efforts in making this video. I agree with you 💯 about chinese and asian watches in general.
Excellent video on this topic. I’ve had almost everything from the expensive high end brands, but these Chinese watches are amazing quality. I have 20 of them myself so I can attest to their quality.
They are challenging the Swiss in interesting ways, that's for sure!
🤣🤣
I'm starting a watch collection with Chinese watches (just for fun), like you said, they're very affordable and mechanics are very good. I'll order this sea gull and a Vostok too (Russian)... Thanks for the video, it confirms what I was thinking about all these Chinese watches. They're worth the money, and work very well.
It's a great way to get a feel for what you like in a watch before spending money you don't want to risk.
@@TalkingTimepieces Wow !!! The Sea gull watches are incredible, I just found this model on Aliexpress : m182sk (it's a skeleton model) . 28800 b/h with the ST2153 movement. Beautiful bottom. I love it ! Thank you again for opening my eyes on these watches. I will place an order for the 1963 model as well.
@@lebon2002be
Will the shilling end there? 🤣
thank you i didnt know the reef tiger ,i think its a fantastic watch
Subscribed & become a sudden fan after watching this accurate descriptive analysis of a affordable timepiece. Not really interested in ones objective critical analysis but have to give a huge thumbs up to your informative detailed content.
Thanks!
I've only seen this one video. I don't find shilling to be very informative. China watches are garbage.
Nice video. Just getting started with my watch collection. Where'd your watch box?
Got it on Amazon
A lot of people keep forgetting, you're buying a watch for like a tenth of its price, of course its not gonna be as good as the original
2:49 - 2:57
You said everything. Roll credits.
Thanks!
For cheap everyday watch you can take anywhere without fear of damaging its perfect.
Glad you made this video. I have a number of Chinese movements which are as reliable and accurate as any of my Omegas and other fine watches I own.
Glad it was helpful!
🤣🤣
That’s a great vid thanks 🙏
My favorite watch is a Chinese torbillon watch
(That I own)
The tourbillions tend to be of a much higher quality than the standard movements, as you'd expect. The tolerances are very fine and the materials used are of a higher quality.
Greetings Gentlemen,
Does the movement on the Vostok is repairable or only replacement movements ?
I believe the movement can be serviced, but I've never tried.
Nice job on the comparison . I've always tried to stay away from Chinese watches, who knows things might change.
There are some gems out there!
Its kinda funny that people ask why China make crappy stuff. like, well, how can I start with this. cuz you guys paid us really low to make a whole lot stuff.... you get what you paid for. iphone and a lot of hightech commodities are also made in china but you gotta pay premium price. also for these watches. some of them are cheap, but you get what you paid for. we chinese are factories not charity.
We never imagined that one day there will be factories mass producing tourbillon with affordable price. but hey, now at least, you get sub 1000 dollar tourbillons. Thats what we chinese do. I am proud of my country :)
This channel must have more subscribers. A good watch channel.
Thanks, please tell your friends!
Unfortunately it takes time, half a million subscribers doesn’t happen overnight.
Most Chinese watches are absolutely worth it.. I got two of them, they tell time just fine. they look okay too, only problem, the straps are often too short for a normal wrist... we need 29 cm , not 24, adult watches please! Had too buy me NATO straps for two watches now..
I am very familiar with the headphone world. From the Sennheisers to the grados. The Chinese have been making audio stuff better and better every year, and I can say without a doubt that they make now some of the best gear bang for buck in the world. From high end to consumer audio. Now, the chinese watch world is still in diapers. San Martin is out there in terms of quality of manufacturing and materials, not yet own design, but competing with any microbrand you can think off. It's a matter of time...
Dude, just check out Behrens! Also a brand from China, but very very nice (also very very expensive..)
I have Chinese watches with Swiss movements 😅
Tengo un REFF TIGER dial negro exelente reloj saludos desde Panamá 🇵🇦
A lot of Swiss watches under 10k source more than 50% to Chinese vendors. You can legally label a watch as Swiss made even if only a portion of it is actually made in Switzerland
You need more than 60% value in the watch to be called Swiss. So there may be more than half parts-wise, the work and value-add has to be done in Switzerland.
I have a Seagull 63 and love it. Also a number of Pagani Design. If you look carefully I think they are of good value.
Agreed!
Good quality mechanics(movements) has, imho, as much to do with long-term accuracy and serviceability as it does with the ability to make a cheap version of an expensive watch. As another commenter mentioned, QC in Chinese watches is still very variable, and tourbillons are very delicate watches. Some Chinese watches are not even oiled properly, which is a crucial issue. They have the potential to be good watches, but the Swiss and some other countries have much higher standards(at this time) in these areas, which is really just about good engineering.
Chinese watches are garbage.
Chinese are making some great watches for the money thats because they gained the know how from manufacturing watches for name brand watches so they have the machinery and know how to make fine timepieces
I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a Chinese tourbillion I think u just convince me to get one
I own quite a few Chinese made watches. I have only been collecting them for a year. Prior to that, I wanted nothing to do with them, I thought they were all cheap pieces of junk. After seeing one though and being blown away by the quality and price, I started buying them. Of the ones that arrived without any problems, they are all running well and working properly. My concern though, is that I have not owned them long enough to know how well they will last over time. Most of these watch brands are very young and have not been producing watches over the last ten or twenty years to have any kind of history with reliability. So at the moment I have a very high opinion of Chinese watches but I may not in the future as the watches start to age.
They are a good value for the price, even if they only last a decade or so.
I have a number of Chinese movements I have owned for years and they have not given me any problems. Actually makes me wonder why I go out and spend several thousand on 1 watch.
When I compare Chinese Seagull vs Russian Vostok, Vostok movement there is not much of a change for the past 40~50 years, a robust watch, but with Seagull I see a lot of major improvements either in dial and movement for the past 10 years. For the same price I go with Seagull instead of Vostok. I believe Seagull is comparable to Japanese Orient in quality.
Agreed, but the Vostok is tough.
Orient is a Seiko substitute.
@@bafattvahetere Orient is owned by Seiko
In my experience, I have Swiss pieces as well, there are very good but haven’t the history and marketing behind. For example I have an automatic GMT Carnival 1986. It is a very decent and elegant piece.
The Swiss still make great pieces, it's just that the world is catching up.
How do you find the accuracy of the Carnival watch these days? Is it a daily wear?
@@richardmclean5913 hello
I use this watch in my work. It’s precision is not different to my old automatic Swiss watch . Then must adjust about a month. It is faster about a couple of minutes by default .
If I want better precision I use my quartz chrono. But each have it’s charme
China should hire this guy to be their ambassador 🤣
I've seen videos that say high end Chinese counterfeits of Rolexes, Omegas, etc. are almost identical to the real things and it takes an expert to identify them. Why don't the counterfeit manufacturers just make their own high quality watches at the Swiss level and sell them at a reasonable cost?
I often wonder that myself, but greddy people can use stolen image to make money.
Honestly China is interesting to look at, their business model is so different that they can just throw ideas at the wall every month without having to worry about selling watches for thousands to 'high end collectors'. Even within China some are built much better than others, they're even cloning themselves now - it's a bit of a minefield. Only buy from sellers who have a video of their stock, because the renders are often different to the finished items.
Agreed
While your watch contains the Sea-Gull ST1901 chronograph movement, it is not one of the Sea-Gull produced reissue models. The ST1901 is the modern, improved version of the Sea-Gull ST301, which was the improved Venus 175. In 1963, Tianjin Watch Factory, bought all the rights and production machinery of the Swiss, Venus 17x line of calibers, to power their Project D304 chronograph, ordered for the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF). The ST19 series of chronograph calibers, increased the jewel count to 21, from the ST3's 19 jewels, and the Venus 175's 17 jewels. The ST19 also increased the beat rate to 21,600, from the previous 18,000 vph rate of both previous caliber families.
The finishing on an actual Sea-Gull 819.17.1963, would be a bit better than the cheaper, knock-off version you own. FYI - This version of the 1963, was not the final, production version made for the PLAAF. The first Sea-Gull brand, D304 Reissue, which copied the final version, had a silver white dial, with silver markers and Dauphine hands.
That should be referred to as an "original" Seagull 1963, IMO. This model of watch is more of a type than a brand, especially considering the government origin of the design. I already gave that watch to my cleaning lady, so it isn't even in my possession anymore. The issue is moot anyway, nothing about that piece invalidates anything I said about the value of Chinese watches.
@@TalkingTimepieces Some people call it the prototype, or "Thomas" version.
My point was that the Sea-Gull factory made, and branded Reissues, are made in a clean, modern facility, and generally have better finishing and QC. They were produced in three, limited edition runs, and cost two to four times as much as the homages. None of the branded 1963s had display backs.
FYI - Some cheap quartz versions have recently hit the market, but they are absolute junk, w/Sunon PE60 movements. Their listings claim stainless steel cases, but buyers have been receiving 43mm, alloy-cased garbage.
Maybe one should have at least an one example of each in a collection! On the one hand, support the Swiss industry, on the other, recognise the efforts of the Chinese.
海鸥手表要买st2130机芯的
I'll echo what some others have, I think the biggest downside is quality control. You can have two of the same watch, and there are vast differences in performance and finishing. Of course also there are LOTS more "junk" coming from China than elsewhere, but if you are a semi-educated watch buyer, you can reduce the risk of buying that junk. But QC can always bite you in the rear. As someone who can only afford very inexpensive watches, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed the episode!
Have you heard of ABIU ??
No, do you have a link?
La incertidumbre con los relojes chinos es que dicen que no lubrican bien los movimientos que le ponen poco o casi nada de aceite ya que es caro
There is one really annoying issue with Chinese watches - poor quality control. And I'm not saying about mushroom or low level brands only. Even in genuine Sea-Gull you could find some small defects that are unacceptable in true-swiss brands. Nevertheless, Chinese watches become better every year and have great value overall.
Well, people have been bitching about seiko quality control. So I have many sea gulls and if you get above 150$ range they make some great pieces. So like any brand or person; you’ll find something wrong with them.
Chinese movements have definitely come on in quality. At best, the finish is good,,,not great...just good. At worst, the movements are appalling and the materials used and quality control are the worst I've seen on any watch. The tourbillions are of an entirely different standard, but I understand that the factories almost sell them at a loss.
How much could you possibly complain about quality control in, say, a column wheel chronograph for $160 or a dress watches for $100? Look at the price first then tamper expectations accordingly. Comparing them to $500+ pieces is just silly.
@@sawgames8623 ...the build is really terrible. I've got a box full of Chinese watches that have failed in all sorts of ways and with no access to parts. If the thing isn't fit for purpose, then even $10 is too much.
@@binkyboobosh1 and what Chinese watches were they? I have an HKED 1963 and some Sea-Gull watches as well, yes, in the cheaper $100-200 range. None have failed me and I have not been able to pick out a QC issue visually. Sounds like our stories are anecdotal and you shouldn't generalize based on yours alone.
Also, who are you to ask for great finishing in the $100-200 price range? What will $100-200 get you from Swiss manufacturers, a bracelet link?
The movements are appalling? Have you seen the ST1901? It's stunning. I have also built watches with Sea-Gull ST2130s and they're not appalling, that's just ignorant and insulting of you to say. If you don't have any idea how PRICING works, then stay in your lane.
By 2025 you will have a Chinese homage of Rolex watches but with a Seagull Grand Seiko style movement.
probably, I want to see a decent calendar, annual or perpetual
I agree with everything you said in the show. I have Vostoc and I have Chinese watches. I enjoy both. Yes, Russia and China sell a lot of total garbage. Once you sort it out you can find nice watches to buy. There is not much residual value with economy watches. As long as you know this they are fun and worth collecting.
Exactly, and shouldn't collecting be fun too?
Hi, I'm romanian and it is known that we don't get along with russian goverments that made us a lot of harmfull things, but when it comes to watches: russian watches, especially old one, are the best watches in the world and very cheap! PS: I, myself, love russian people because they are very joyfull and very friendly!
@@sorinichim4737 watches are beautiful, no politics, no religion, no race. Everyone can enjoy them.
@@sorinichim4737 100% I own many Russian watches,. and as a watch technician I do enjoy their reliability and I believe they are made very logically(well, most of them)!
@@TalkingTimepieces Nowadays we can! Even vintage or antique pocket watches can be had at a fraction of what they used to cost(don't need to be rich ie. certain race or social position to own them).
Issue with chinese luxury items is that you just can't rely on any brand or name. Because of huge variations in quality, and the fact that you have no chance of returning the piece or getting it repaired, in case you recieve junk. They just have no real ethics behind their export market. Quality control is the duty of the importer.
That being said there is an open market in the US and Europe to import these chinese watches and re-sell them after a proper cleaning, service and finishing.
All valid points.
You get what you pay for. Want more quality control? Pay for it. Not a difficult concept. To call "them" ethically bankrupt in one broad stroke is pretty bigoted of you.
swiss watches are over finished to the point that its done that way to justify the insane high prices of their watches. The swiss finishing of the movement being polished and decorated isn't efficient to the customer the movement will still need servicing after 5 years. Why spend $100k on a AP royaloak offshore if your not a millionaire when you could get a chinese homage for $50 they'll both look the same and we don't need a watch to tell the time its jewellery these days we have phones. As long as a watch looks stylish that's all i care about.
You can’t go wrong with the Swiss and Japanese watches. Chinese,well…. It’s a toss coin! 😳😜😅😂
As a Chinese I must say China cannot even forge 316L steel, the metal used in the movements is also much softer. The seagull hairspring is outsourced from 🇫🇮 because China does not have the technology to manufacture hairspring.
316 steel it's not rocket science dude.
@@andrewlim7751 i have personally tested 316L steel from China and Japan, the difference is night and day.
@@yunlongwu8071
What did you sourced from china, is it from legit source?
You do know that fake Rolex of less than usd50 also "claim" of 316L steel right? 😁
I was horrified to see plastic parts painted to look like metal in a genuine seagull and they had the the cheek to sell it for over £400! Id rather of bought a seiko presage for the same if not cheaper! If you buy chinese youll buy twice!
By extension of the opening comment, 90% of peoples opinions are crap. More people think the Reef Tiger is more expensive than the Seiko spring drive because their opinions are crap.
And you are entitled to your opinion as well.
Chinese manufacturing is catching up and in some rare cases, surpassing Swiss manufacturing. I predict Chinese brands along with Casio and Seiko will end up destroying the Swiss brands.
The Swiss companies just aren't relevant to the young, and they are not willing to make watches for the everyday consumer, these days. More and more people want cheap in price, high tech disposable watches and NONE of the Swiss brands are willing to do cheap and disposable.
Anything of quality is better than something designed to be disposable.
Answer is no.
Don't buy Chinese movement, can only last you 1/2 years of use. I prefer to use Japanese seiko movement.
To each their own.
Esa relojera negra que tiene haga un vídeo
I don't like disposable watches and I don't think Chinese watches are servicable by regular Western watchmakers?
Yes, most are serviceable, they are mechanical devices. Parts are the issue behind most repair issues, and you can get anything for these watches online.
It is usually about Yankee racism...., a country that builds "cars" like Americans do, (clunkers), should be more humle maybe???
Out of focus shots and shaking images are not what I want to watch.
Don't
feel free to hate on the Chinese, China has the most Gold in the world. the Watch world has gone down since Corona19, Gold will never fold.
Why doesn't anyone talk about what happens when you take your 10 year old Chinese watch to the guy that works on your Swiss timepieces?
My guy laughed and slammed it down on his desk. It started running again.
That was in 2019.
That's never happened to me. That happens with fake watches, but these have their own brand. Don't conflate fakes with legitimate watches, please.
@@TalkingTimepieces Sir, you have no idea what I have. I didn't mention brands on purpose.
Also, I will say as I please.
You some kinda' watch snob?
@@kurtschlarb9762 actually you are acting like the watch snob. No respectable jeweler would act like that with any watch, so your anecdote comes across as asinine. You are the one pissing on Chinese watches, that's snobby behavior.
@@TalkingTimepieces Yeah, I get it.
"I know you are but what am I?" I'm runner, you're glue."
Accuse me of what you are.
You know?
Ain't worth it. Good luck.
@@kurtschlarb9762 no, you just don't have an intelligent answer. I'm done with you anyway. Go watch something else.
NO
Nothing Chinese is worth it.
Who made your computer? Your smartphone? Your TV?
You are nothing worth either.
@@bartobruintjes7056 “you’re not worth anything either” c’mon man, try harder 😂😂😂
Hi alex can I pick your horology brain on pocket watches or if you dont know you might know someone who does know in your field.the watch in the film few dollars more does anyone know the actual maker of the watch they used in the film.was it specially created for the film or did they just used the makers stock pocket watch and put picture in case.apologies to ask but I've looked on net and just keep getting the official battery pocket watch come up it good replica but I would prefer a mechanical pw instead just wandered if the watch was a English pw or American pw since that what was used in that time period thanks if you know or dont know .
I found a replica online: techcrunch.com/2011/05/04/replica-of-pocket-watch-from-for-a-few-dollars-more/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGyH-sxH2LDun5z0gQLfXGLJHW436LRQv3PCGVrlV3WNbkgwejARNfn-CeBM5QBAD8kLL9wmiBZJZPMWHLTfUPQZopYEk_j8XeaTejWPwmQCOUADS36PRqPBdDXuq_sSEZvHxWnOravvh39M_mWDtEAhVZSXn8td311gTm8N_a-F
Thanks but that the first one looks nothing like the film one there is a far better one out there but the watch is battery op and costs atleast 200 dollars.its nice but could be better and cheaper so I've bought cheapo pw from china with working small dial second hand and the hour hands separate and I'm gonna bodge it into a double hunter case and for the music part greeting card recording piece in one the the lids.thanks for getting back to me quickly marvin.if I manage to do it ile send you a link with it working hopefully.if I dont balls it up which is likely.