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Non Tool Forum => Watch it! => Topic started by: dks on September 06, 2016, 09:26:20 PM

Title: Really low cost watches review
Post by: dks on September 06, 2016, 09:26:20 PM
Sometimes a watch costing under 1 Euro is good enough, though you may want to splash out and pay 3, 5 or even 15 Euro for something special.

I have commented on these watches before, but here they are all together. The prices are what I remember paying or what they are selling for now in the various sites.

All have been worn for at least a few days and used in a regular manner, possibly harder than I would use a more expensive watch. Some are available under various brand names.

These watches manage to look interesting, feel special and most are pretty accurate.

They were all photographed consequtively and none has been set for several months, so you can see that most are showing the same time (some may have been on winter time)

I will try to post them in order of price, showing what you get as you go up in price (some are up to 50 times more expensive than others!!, like comparing a 1000 Euro car with a 50000 one)

Gemius Army, under 1 Euro to my door
(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/jladks/toys/toys020/IMG_4714.jpg)
Best value watch ever. Painted metal case that can be scratched (not easily), SS back, glass lens. 
I got the most comments on a watches good looks whilst wearing that. Survived a lot of wear with minimal damage.
Accurate - makes all other watches appear too expensive. Shows you how much an accurate watch really costs.

Soki. Soki makes various watches and is more commonly known for its diver look automatic for about 10 Euro.
(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/jladks/toys/toys020/IMG_4698.jpg)
This sells for about 4 Euro
It looked very nice, has a field watch look, seen with many brands. Metal anodised ? case. SS backHard strap. Acrylic lens.
Accurate. Has date too.


Geneva. Geneva is the brand of many low cost watches.
(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/jladks/toys/toys020/IMG_4716.jpg)
About 2 to 4 Euro for most.
Gold coloured metal case.
Not very accurate. Definitely a low quality watch.

Skmei. They have several models for under 10 Euro. Lots of tough look electronic LCD models.
(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/jladks/toys/toys020/IMG_4713.jpg)
This is the most expensive model they make, at about 20 Euro.
The strap is OK. The finish is passable but not brilliant.
Accurate. They are selling lots of their cheap models. Decent enough, though it could have been a lot cheaper.

Megir. Megir is definitely a step above the previous brands. I would dare to compare them to someone like Casio.
 They can be found from around 8Euro, up to 80 for their automatics.
I have 2, one was 7 Euro the other, shown here, around 20, with date, 24 hour indication and a working chronometer.
(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/jladks/toys/toys020/IMG_4712.jpg)
Good value for money. They claim to use Japanese quartz movements. Interesting models, not many original. Accurate. They come with nice straps, some feeling more expensive than the watch. A good way to get a variety of solid interesting watches.

Weide. A proper make, speSmurfpillsing in LED - Analogue combination watches.
Prices are from 15 to 50 Euro.
This was I think around 15
(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/jladks/toys/toys020/IMG_4707.jpg)
I wore this one a lot. Accurate (the analogue watch more than the LED one) rotating bezel, tough, not brilliant metal band. Working alarm and stopwatch. Bright LED - no lume.
Not a huge variety of models. On par with Megir. A proper buy.

DZ09 smart watch. About 20 euro.
(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/jladks/toys/toys020/IMG_4693.jpg)
More functionality than the cheaper models, working, nice touch screen, works very well, looks good, can be used as a phone with a sim card. (my other, 7 Euro, smart watch is definitely a lower end model)
I got many comments on how nice it looks.
Really rubbish camera and cheap back cover.... A good model if you want to see if a smart watch is for you.

Jaragar automatics.
(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/jladks/toys/toys020/IMG_4710.jpg)
From about 10 Euro to about 30.
Good attention to detail on the face, look expensive, work well for the price. Can be handwound too. They seem to be using two basic movements. The case is not brilliantly finished in the hidden parts. display back and open heart (in some models). Not the best power reserve or autowinding - you need to handwind the lower end movement or it may stop through the night.
Accurate enough. Not the best straps. a good solid, interesting choice in automatics.

Sunroad.
(http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=58981.0;attach=247646)
A cheap way to get a solid, working ABC watch. Uses a Swiss pressure sensor. About 25 Euro.
The actual watch is not very accurate - you will notice it after a month.



[zoid edit for missing pic]
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: kirk13 on September 07, 2016, 09:02:22 AM
Oh,well done dks! I thought I was a low roller on watches,with my £15 Casios and Timex!
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: dks on September 07, 2016, 09:57:49 AM
I dream of the day when I will be able to get a job in London, like you City people, and afford a Casio.....
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: jcs0001 on September 07, 2016, 05:44:26 PM
dks

Nice commentary and photos.  I haven't seen most of these before and some of the "field watches" look very nice.  I tend to find used seiko automatics in our area for good prices - my last was $7.50 Can. at the flea market and I quite like it.  I don't think it was used much and with a change of strap it is quite satisfactory.

John.
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: dks on September 07, 2016, 05:58:18 PM
It is very hard to get any cheap used watches from known brands.

They will either be broken or the sellers will ask for stupid amounts of money.

Even eBay is not what it used to be 5, 10 years ago.
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: styx on September 07, 2016, 06:08:23 PM
thanks for this. finally watches i can afford
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: dks on September 07, 2016, 06:21:32 PM
glad to be of service
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: ToolJoe on September 08, 2016, 10:55:25 PM
File me in the ranks of cheapo Timex and Casio. Rockin a F-91W on a velcro strap all day everyday  :multi:
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: dks on November 06, 2016, 05:04:41 PM
I got another Geneva a few weeks ago, as the watch cost less than the strap.

It works well so far (gave it as a present and it is worn regularly) ,looks good.
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: Noa Isumi on November 15, 2016, 02:27:09 AM
Gemius Army-- At less than 2usd I keep one in each of my first aid kits with the crown pulled, that way I can restart it to log time from treatment.
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: space cowboy on January 17, 2017, 08:12:00 PM
Just got my Gemius Army watch to the USA in 15 days.! Woohoo..! It keeps excellent time & looks great. The nylon band is very comfortable & not at all scratchy.
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: dks on January 17, 2017, 08:32:37 PM
Just got my Gemius Army watch to the USA in 15 days.! Woohoo..! It keeps excellent time & looks great. The nylon band is very comfortable & not at all scratchy.
the only issue is that the metal ring reinforcements in the holes of the strap may fall off. I tighten them up using pliers.
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: space cowboy on January 17, 2017, 09:26:06 PM
Thanks for the heads up...! I will keep an eye on them but they look pretty tight already.
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: ironraven on January 18, 2017, 05:10:51 AM
$20 Casio is my go to.

I've owned a couple of pricey watches. The worst was my Luminox, high school graduation gift- O-ring failed on it's own, got moisture inside and by the time I noticed the condensation, the guts were corroded. So when I kill one of these cheapies, I feel annoyed, but not sad.

The last Casio I killed trying to change the battery on. Tried to pry the battery out and half it's guts came with it. I probably applied too much brute force and not enough brain power though.
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: cody6268 on March 12, 2017, 12:46:58 AM
My favorite cheap watch is an old $15 Armitron digital I bought back when I was in Scouts.   It still works, though I needs a new battery.
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: ToolJoe on March 12, 2017, 01:04:44 AM
That square Jaragar automatic looks like the Steve McQueen tag hauer watch but at a thousandth of the price!
Title: Re: Really low cost watches review
Post by: Zed on March 12, 2017, 01:18:43 AM
That square Jaragar automatic looks like the Steve McQueen tag hauer watch but at a thousandth of the price!

It's a copy of tags newer version Monaco, I've got the black dialed version,changed the strap,acually a nice watch but a bit too much going on on the face for me but impressive looking  :tu: