So, this just arrived...
In my searches for modestly sized GMT watches, I came across a good deal on this little guy and couldn't resist.
This is the Addiesdive AD2035, a Tudor Black Bay Pro homage (which is itself a Rolex Explorer II homage).
I've been looking to add an analog GMT to my collection. I'm moving cross-country soon and wanted an everyday watch I could use keep to keep track of the time zones of friends and family back home.
So, I went off scouring the net for options and learning along the way. This came up on my radar partly because of its size (38.5mm diameter and 48mm lug to lug - big watch territory for me, but still wearable) and partly because of its movement.
I know this will sound downright sacrilegious to some of you, but the quartz-heads will get it - I wasn't keen on adding another mechanical to my collection. I'm delighted that the Seiko NH34 has ushered in the age of the affordable GMT, but I'd honestly rather have quartz.
Enter the Addiesdive AD2035, using the Swiss quartz Ronda 515.24H. Great specs for the sub $100 price point. Wears like a mid-sized diver. Everything you would expect in fact, apart from a sapphire crystal. Yup. This one is using mineral glass. But, Addiesdive has generously given that mineral glass an AR coating.
Other than that, what you is see is what you get for a $100 quartz GMT these days. 316L stainless steel case, domed crystal, etched screwdown back, signed screwdown crown, 200m WR, long-lasting lume, steel bracelet with solid female endlinks, milled and signed clasp with micro-adjust - the whole bit. It's mind blowing. The value proposition in Chinese timepieces right now is bananas.
That's the other thing. Since my acquisition of the infamous $13 Dirty Dozen watch (which I've just decided I will nickname the Dirty Baker's Dozen), I've wanted to explore more Chinese brands. This ticks the box for Addiesdive. If I like it enough I may add an auto GMT, the new SN0116 from San Martin, now in root beer.
I've also recently become aware of the Speedbird 36mm GMT. Things seem very cloak and dagger about it.
So that's it for now. Just opened this Addiesdive up. I'll report back.
Jack of all trades, master of fun. Casio fan, 80s kid, polymath, all-around nerd. Beware: I use watches for their intended purpose. 😱
I have auto Addiesdive, pleased with them.
You know, people gripe about it, but I've never had a problem with mineral glass and I've never scratched a mineral glass crystal. My G Shocks have mineral glass and I'm not worried about them either.
That said I know someone who's clumsy, always bumping into things, never knows where their limbs are - and their daily driver with mineral crystal is scratched to hell. So I figure that's who's generally worried about mineral and hardlex.
The crystal on this one has a subtle dome and is nice and clear. You can see the AR a bit and it seems to do its job.
The finishing of the whole watch looks really nice so far.
I have a few Addiesdive and love them have not failed me. For the value for me hard to beat.
Very nice, swiss quartz, great price, win win. Congratulations Rei.
Agree with assessment that some Chinese stuff out there is mind-blowing. Great choice for a practical real-world use watch. There’s always features/details to add to geek out over. But not all watches have to have them. Sometimes you want to wear something practical and affordable just to keep you on schedule. 🤝
Agree with assessment that some Chinese stuff out there is mind-blowing. Great choice for a practical real-world use watch. There’s always features/details to add to geek out over. But not all watches have to have them. Sometimes you want to wear something practical and affordable just to keep you on schedule. 🤝
Absolutely. Been wearing this today and to my eye the level of fit and finishing is easily on par with a $500 watch. Seiko isn't even giving up sapphire at that price these days. And for me, the quartz movement is perfect. No fuss, no muss.
The top their Chinese brands really are delivering all the watch one could need quality-wise. There's no reason this watch shouldn't outlast me. And at this price, it's a sweet spot for a lot of people. They're doing what Timex did for the working person's watch in the mid 20th century.
At a certain point, brands are just using more expensive materials and difficult (but unnecessary) techniques to justify the price. Many of those watches are works of art, but they definitely exceed the amount of watch needed.
I was able to get this IWC clone for less than $50.00 on sale last year. Crazy value & one of my most worn watches.
I was able to get this IWC clone for less than $50.00 on sale last year. Crazy value & one of my most worn watches.
Nice! It really is an insane value. These watches have no business being this good.
I have a feeling that in retrospect, the watch industry will call the last five years and the next five years the Chinese Crisis. A lot of brands had better pull up their socks if they want to stay competitive.