What is your favorite Ali Express brand?
I know some wouldn't get caught looking at an Ali Express brand watch, let alone wear one. But I think it's undeniable that these AE brands offer incredible value, and are not much different than your favorite microbrands and should be enjoyed if the quality is up to par.
For me, Baltany is becoming more my style and have been really stepping their game up as of late. What do you guys think?
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Kevin Means
Newbie on a mission to get all I can out of this beautiful watch journey. My philosophy is that life is too short to not pay attention to the passing of time.
Sacramento
Member since
Last active: 11 hrs ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
😍
For me is the popular homages like Rolex, some Omegas or Seiko models go off my list.
These are homages that are not popular but I like:
Merkur was an aliexpress store but seems they went on their own.
All this are homages of more niche watches which I like vs the Rolex homage.
From AliExpress these are the winners:
This homage is fire
This pilot:
Also Beltany is killing it with their pilots. Shame Seiko is not even thinking about bringing a new Flighty.
Rmalti, San Martin, or Proxima.
I enjoy my Cronos and my Phylida. I would avoid Tandorio.
the seagull st36XX is an incredible movement for the money. shame it's massive, but I guess it was originally designed for a pocket watch.
I think San Martin's quality is undeniable, although I'm only interested in direct/obvious homages in rare, specific occasions. In any case, the couple of watches I've picked up from them hold up to brands charging infinitely more. As for Merkur, I happen to be wearing a favorite this morning, and the only complaint I have is that they sell models as "divers" that are only rated for 50m. But I think Baltany is the breakout brand at this point: Fantastic build quality, confidently updated retro designs, and highly competitive pricing.
I agree. Clearly, many watch components are made all over Asia. If there's a brand based there that's motivated to produce a watch to the level of quality (and cost) you find acceptable I don't see any reason not to buy watches directly from them.
For me is the popular homages like Rolex, some Omegas or Seiko models go off my list.
These are homages that are not popular but I like:
Merkur was an aliexpress store but seems they went on their own.
All this are homages of more niche watches which I like vs the Rolex homage.
From AliExpress these are the winners:
This homage is fire
This pilot:
Also Beltany is killing it with their pilots. Shame Seiko is not even thinking about bringing a new Flighty.
Dude! I didn't know about this brand! I love the Merkur Salmon dress watch. I gotta have it now.
For me is the popular homages like Rolex, some Omegas or Seiko models go off my list.
These are homages that are not popular but I like:
Merkur was an aliexpress store but seems they went on their own.
All this are homages of more niche watches which I like vs the Rolex homage.
From AliExpress these are the winners:
This homage is fire
This pilot:
Also Beltany is killing it with their pilots. Shame Seiko is not even thinking about bringing a new Flighty.
I just bought this Addies Dive. I would have gotten that Merkur instead. I'll just have to wait a bit.
I just bought this Addies Dive. I would have gotten that Merkur instead. I'll just have to wait a bit.
The watch is solid. I love the dial color.
I have liked the looks of Seagulls, Baltany, and San Martin, but have never pulled the trigger, what is the best Baltany for the money?
I have liked the looks of Seagulls, Baltany, and San Martin, but have never pulled the trigger, what is the best Baltany for the money?
Quartz Chrono... beautiful design. Very affordable @125.00 with Ali Express sale.
Well, I’ve already bought 4 seagull movement based watches (sugess, seekors, casiswn, seagull), one steel dive. The San Martin and baltany look excellent, but haven’t gone there. Ocean star looks good too, but haven’t bought any.
Pagani for the fun of it
....
These are my only examples I have experience with. San Martin, Sugess, and Pagani. I feel like the San Martin is probably the best quality overall. The Sugess next and Pagani in last. I feel pretty good about them all though.
I like Seagull, but I think Baltany is my favourite just because of the great quality you get relative to the price.