Chinese micro brands

Steeldive has some great models. Pagani is another one with some good homages. Stay away from Lige. Horrible quality. I got a steeldive 1953(Submariner homage) and I love it. Screw down crown, sapphire crystal, "300m" for about $80. You can't beat that. I use it as one of my beater watches lol.

Do they all do clones or is there any that have their own spin?

I'm sure they have a few models that are their own design. But mostly all homages. Might have to do some looking around their stores on aliexpress. You can catch them at a great sale.

Appreciate this info my dude.

#sanmartin has a lot of good homage watches. They recently started doing original pieces as well. Their Year of the Dragon GMT watch looks amazing.

Hmm this one is nice, do you own any?

Not yet but they do have designs I like. I'm saving for a more expensive watch at the moment.

Steeldive, Corgeut are two I have bought and are well above average in quality 👍🏻

Tactical Frog FXD.

Is it an homage? Yes

Is it Tactical? Yes.

Does it have a frog on the dial? Yes.

Bwahahahaha 😝😈

Maybe not what you are looking for but . . .

Atelier Wen is probably one of the more notable Chinese brands that are doing interesting things. . . .I do think there is a learning curve here though as the expectation is that Chinese watches are going to be cheap and these watches are competing at the 3 - 4k price pt. I haven't handled one, but it seems like they have a growing reputation and a lot of respect from collectors and watch media folks. Def riffing on Genta design philosophy and the integrated bracelet train, but so is every other company. That said, they are nice looking with those guilloche dials . . . that actually are hand turned.

https://atelierwen.com/

Baltany has some nice designs that aren't complete homages, and they are similar to San Martin in quality.

Tandorio and Berny offer good quality and great value, but they do straight homages.

San martin makes some of their own stuff. Mostly homages though.

Definitely CIGA Design, since they’ve actually won at GPHG in ‘22 with the Blue Planet

I heard good things about atelierwen.

Guilloché dial that do not cost a bomb.

Something to be said about the original. Different priorities for each person, but I get what you're saying.

I appreciate this review!! That's some good info. I'll look into them

I appreciate these links my fellow cruncher!!

Sweet and simple thank you

That's a spicy watch. Imma have to give that brand a chance on my look through

Hmmm never heard of em. I'll add em to the list

Thank you for this!!

Appreciate the pic w the review!! That's a nice watch

I got the OP in the mail, and didn't like the manual wind at zero about it is all. Gifted it away...

Hmmm this is noted. Thank you for the honesty. Need to look into WHY I want see

I will say this milgauss homage is my only PD watch but man they have reviews to back it up. Strange quality for money. I see profiles on this app where one day they'll post a citizens tsuyosa or Seiko Presage esque timepieces and then also be posting their PD watches... And I will attest that their quality is great. Essentially most of their work is homage watches, speedmasters, explorers, etc. my milgauss was like 90 bucks and it wears like 300. Although I do find their name a bit tacky, which is part of the reason why my only watch from them. Is this homage milgauss that doesn't say it. It only has their logo

I'll have to check em out 😸

Understood. I might should prolly do the same

Hmmm all good points. So you would buy another or recommend them then?

I used to turn up my nose at these sort of watches. Then I wore this. I absolutely love it . I was 100% wrong.

Bolderry Assymetry Chronograph. I ordered one, took 4 weeks to deliver. When it came I couldn't stop looking at the Seagull movement from the back. Nice looking watch...I got black.....