Review: Tasty and Cheap, Like a Street Taco
Many of you know my MO by this time. Generally speaking, I like to find watches that look good and are really inexpensive - and I'm not embarrassed about it. If I'm like this, perhaps some of you feel the same way, that's why I bother to do these reviews. So on we go.
While perusing a favorite site, AliExpress, I saw this Chronos and thought that it looked like a Citizen I'd admired in the past and thought I'd give it a go. I mean, look at the price! Why not?
The specs:
Case: 42mm
Lug Width: 22mm
Lug-to-Lug: 48mm
Thickness: 10.5mm
Crystal: Hardlex claimed
WR: 30m/3ATM/100ft
It arrived in a couple of weeks and this was attached. I have no idea what it means:
Anyway, I was very surprised with the quality for such an inexpensive watch. The case was matte black - perfectly evenly finished - and the orange on the matte black dial popped with excellent legibility. I'm a guy who likes shiny things and a bit of bling but this matte finish looks great! I like the hand style and the fact that the put a bit of orange only on the tip of the second hand. Speaking of which, the second hand is just a bit off and doesn't line up perfectly. Oh well, remember the price.
When I broke out the macro lens and looked at the resulting pictures, I saw plenty of dust, but you know what? You can't see it with the naked eye, so ignore the specks. The printing on the dial is much nicer than anticipated and again, with the naked eye it looks crisp and even.
The band is PU with leather layered on the underside and is a bit thick for my taste. I prefer a thinner band that wraps easily around the wrist. Perhaps in time it'll soften up, but for now it still wears fine, it's just not preferred. I like that they put the Chronos name on the clasp, albeit printed, so you know it'll wear away over time.
The quartz movement...well, not much to say about it, I have no idea what flavor it is, other than the claimed "Japan Movement," but I will say that if you're in a small room, like a small half bathroom (like a downstairs one under the stairs), you can hear it tick, but under normal circumstances you can't and don't let that put you off. (It's NOT like a Timex Weekender where you can hear it across the room as it sits on your dresser.) The crown is knurled and affords excellent purchase when setting the time or date. Really a pleasure to use, frankly.
I really like this watch. It looks cool, the finishes are nice and the price is dirt cheap. Keep in mind that my ratings are in the context of the price and value for the money. If you're looking for an inexpensive watch of this style, I definitely recommend this one, if you dig the orange-on-black like I do.
Cheers! 🍻
-Eric
Review: Tasty and Cheap, Like a Street Taco
Yes
No
- Inexpensive. Like really
- Looks great - matte finish is even throughout
- Excellent legibility
- Orange accent only at the tip of the second hand
- Knurled crown is super easy to use
- Second hand does not line up
- The band is too thick for my taste
~Father ~Christian ~Husband ~Gearhead ~Fisherman ~Ailurophile ~Woodworker ~Gun Collector ~Photographer ~Watch Collector ~Caribbean Traveler & Beachgoer ~IT Professional: MS-ISM, BA-COMM, SOC
Nice!
Cool review! You have any inexpensive recommendations in the 36-38mm range?
I’m glad you said taco…I would have said “Like my college girlfriend”.
How could you resist at that price? What material is the case? Looks a bit textured…
Nice post. I hope to see more reviews like this.
Mmmnnnn...tacos. There are a lot of us like you! One of my best budget finds was a $12 NaviForce that is actually a crackin' beater watch!
The phrase in the hang tag made me chuckle, but it’s an attractive watch and I am glad you like it. It have something of a tacticool look to it without being completely blacked out, so it is still very legible.
Especially when your stoned 🙂
Cool review! You have any inexpensive recommendations in the 36-38mm range?
Thanks!
Recommendations for a 36-38...you mean in general? Or one that looks like this?
How could you resist at that price? What material is the case? Looks a bit textured…
Exactly!
The case appears to be PVD-coated, and it's listed as stainless steel.
Nice post. I hope to see more reviews like this.
Thanks!
I do have more reviews of inexpensive watches, just investigate my profile and you'll see them. 👍
The phrase in the hang tag made me chuckle, but it’s an attractive watch and I am glad you like it. It have something of a tacticool look to it without being completely blacked out, so it is still very legible.
It is legible. I thought last night that I'd have to put on an "evening watch" for the low-light conditions in the living room, but I commented to my wife that because of the orange hands, the watch was very easily readable even in low light!
Especially when your stoned 🙂
9 bucks. Hard to imagine that someone can make a profit. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
Recommendations for a 36-38...you mean in general? Or one that looks like this?
Just generally any budget friendly 36-38mm watches. If you have any recs.
Just generally any budget friendly 36-38mm watches. If you have any recs.
Mine are generally 40+mm, but I'll keep an eye out.
As a certified horologist that owns Rolex, Omega, Breitling et al I’m shocked at the quality and value for dollar you can get by purchasing watches through AliExpress. No I don’t have a horse in the race and no I’m not proud to buy goods from China but time to be a realist. This elephant in the room ain’t going away and only going to get more shocking as people realize these watches are not cheap toss aways built to last a month. I’ve bought Cadisen, Alliesdive, Tandorio, Pagani Design and Heimdallr and Chronos is up next. I have never had a single issue and not once have a pulled a watch out of the packaging and thought “What a piece of junk” ever. The opposite. Bottom line with the watches available at under $200 on AliExpress you can get automatic, 316L, sapphire, hacking, hand winding, AR coating and Super LumaNova and that benefits we consumers. Sure some may show up in styrofoam and bubble wrap but you don’t wear that on your wrist.
As a certified horologist that owns Rolex, Omega, Breitling et al I’m shocked at the quality and value for dollar you can get by purchasing watches through AliExpress. No I don’t have a horse in the race and no I’m not proud to buy goods from China but time to be a realist. This elephant in the room ain’t going away and only going to get more shocking as people realize these watches are not cheap toss aways built to last a month. I’ve bought Cadisen, Alliesdive, Tandorio, Pagani Design and Heimdallr and Chronos is up next. I have never had a single issue and not once have a pulled a watch out of the packaging and thought “What a piece of junk” ever. The opposite. Bottom line with the watches available at under $200 on AliExpress you can get automatic, 316L, sapphire, hacking, hand winding, AR coating and Super LumaNova and that benefits we consumers. Sure some may show up in styrofoam and bubble wrap but you don’t wear that on your wrist.
You get it, Matthew. Clearly.
This is all a bit of fun for me, as I'm not normally a "cheap" guy and I like to spend money freely. But when it comes to watches, I like to see if I can get anything decent for the least amount of money. And I'm only this way with watches. That's not to say I wouldn't buy an expensive watch - and by expensive I mean four-figures (which to "normal" people would indeed be expensive, although I know there are real men of means here who would scoff at that price as being expensive) - and I plan on doing so when my wife and I go to Germany next year.
If you look at my profile you'll see other reviews I've done of inexpensive watches from China, and they're beautiful looking and constructed with precision and attention to detail. I have had two QC issues among all the ones I've purchased but the vendors were on-point and rectified the situations to my complete satisfaction.
Once China starts naming their products with decent brand names, I think they'll do even more business. They need to hire proper Englishmen or Americans to work with their marketing departments. BoboBird, RabbitGoo, and Parsnrpe are examples of how they're limiting themselves. Here's one that got it right: Specht & Söhne. That name sounds classy, like a fancy German brand.
I’m like you mate, I’ve been looking through cheap watches from TEMU and AliExpress. I just got this for about $30 through AliExpress and I really like it.