I bought one of those "Celebration" watches
To celebrate surviving the Scavenger Hunt that @DeeperBlue and @Aurelian entertained us so brilliantly with for over a month, there was really no other watch which would do.
Called the "AKNIGHT Watch Men Analog Quartz Movement Watches for Men Elegant Design 30M Waterproof Watch Fashion Business Classic Unisex" on AliExpress, it's currently on sale at just over £14 (or £17.29 once they've added on the tax).
Obviously I was never going to buy the Rolex which this watch "homages" because both sizes of it are no good to me, and it's pretty much impossible to get one anyway because of all the Rolex AD games.
At 38.5mm in diameter, this watch is the sweet spot for the size I prefer, and although the brushed stainless steel bracelet doesn't really match the polished chrome-plated case, it does have solid end links and might be useful for something else. I have a lot of 20mm leather straps, so I'm sure I'll find something more suitable in one of my shoeboxes full of them.
I had a hell of a time trying to get AliExpress to accept my payment this weekend because their site update wiped my address. If you find the page popping up a window with nothing but the word "default" in it and your PayPal not connecting, the solution is to update your shipping address. It took me ages to work that out, so I'm sharing it with you in case you experience the same problem. I checked my orders and my PayPal after numerous failed attempts to pay, and fortunately, I don't have 2 dozen silicon Swatch straps, and the same amount of AKnight watches on their way.
Anyway, it was quite a nice Sunday weather-wise today.
I'm pretty much done with collecting now, but I've certainly got a good variety of affordable watches. As an occasional YouTuber, I'm a comedian not an influencer. Skmei is the new Casio!
I love it. I certainly wouldn't pay more than $20 for a watch that looks like that no matter who put their name on it. At $17 it's a fun goof. At crown prices it's an own goal. IMO
38.5mm is the sweetspot💯
Cool!! Tempted to commemorate the Hunt but can’t decide … or I’ll just buy the whole Baltic Hermatique collection or a Seiko 62mas..sje093 or the new alpanist spb409 or Oris Atalier … argh decisions decision lol
Cool!! Tempted to commemorate the Hunt but can’t decide … or I’ll just buy the whole Baltic Hermatique collection or a Seiko 62mas..sje093 or the new alpanist spb409 or Oris Atalier … argh decisions decision lol
Also thinking about using the Scavanger Hunt win for an excuse to pick something up. Just don’t know what to go for. 😆
How does it compare to other homage brands like Pagani or Benyar?
I haven't got it yet, but I imagine it to be the same quality as a Benyar or the Pagani Design I'm wearing today, i.e. the chrome-plated "Mocktail Time". So, basically, good Sekonda quality as far as the plating is concerned and not TPW level (which wears off by rubbing).
I saw a Skmei that is a PRX clone with Zinc Alloy body, do you know that would wear off or develop some kind of Patina? I didn't know that some watch cases were made other than steel, precious metals or brass and I've never owned a TPW watch (Atleast I don't think since I am unsure what that means) 😅
Plenty wrist shots when it gets in!
It'll wear off eventually leaving a copper colour. It will take many years with normal wear and tear, but if you scratch it, you can't polish it out.
TPW is a brand of watches on AliExpress known for being very good for the money but also very frugal when it comes to the density of their chrome-plating. If you take a cotton duster or even the corner of your t-shirt and rub a TPW watch too hard, the silver will come off leaving the copper colour.
Crazy, thanks for the feedback, I'll be sure to stay away from Zinc Alloy watches as well as TPW.
congratulations Dean!