Skmei 1851Review
As with the Skmei 1998, which I previously reviewed, I purchased this watch for its looks, and my disappointment with the watch starts there. The accuracy of color representations in online photos is not something one can depend on. I expected the green frame around the display to be greener, and the band color to be a brighter shade of green as opposed to "olive." Also the case is painted in a high gloss black. I was expecting a more matte appearance. For reference, here is the watch on my wrist, and the online photo that caught my fancy.
So, a bit disappointed by its looks. 😕
The watch is a "copy" of the Casio G-Shock GM5600B (appearance only). It has a metal case (alloy), and a glass crystal. As for the watch's features, they are really basic: stop watch, alarm, and hour chime. No second time zone or countdown timer. The display features time in either 12/24 hour format, day of the week, month and date, but no year display. Yeah, NO YEAR DISPLAY! One thing it has in common with the previously reviewed Skmei 1998 is that it has non-functional features on the display. On the Skmei 1998, the round "dial" in the upper left of the display mimicked the analog watch display of the Casio Royale, but it was non-functioning. On this watch the indicators on the top left of the display, "PS," "LT," and "RCVD," have no functionality, but are meant to mimic those on the G-Shock solar model ("PS" = power saving indicator, "LT" = auto light indicator, and "RCVD" = radio signal update indicator). The Skmei watch has none of these features, but has indicators for them??? WTF? Crazy!
I have been wearing the watch now for a few hours, and of course I have been glancing at it pretty frequently. While I am a bit disappointed in its looks, as noted above, that disappointment has waned a bit. The quality of the display is quite good, as is the fit and finish, and it does have a very good back light. A bit more pop from the green, and less from the high gloss black, would have been nice. So, a marginal thumbs up for me, though, I am not giving it my recommendation. It's not that I dislike the watch, but with the benefit of hindsight, I wouldn't purchase the watch again.
Skmei 1851Review
Yes
No
- Good back light
- Fit and finish
- Display quality is good
- High gloss paint on case
- No year indicator on display
- Very basic features
- Non-functional ("fake") indicators on display
The faux PS, LT and RCVD indicators are off-putting enough to be a deal breaker. Conversely, the metal build quality and attention to aesthetics is an argument to overlook the former. I own a Metal Square and am giddy over its shine, heft and state-of-the-art module; but its magnetism for scratches and muffled alarms lowers its level of splendor to the point I might consider your SKMEI as an occasional stand-in.
The faux PS, LT and RCVD indicators are off-putting enough to be a deal breaker. Conversely, the metal build quality and attention to aesthetics is an argument to overlook the former. I own a Metal Square and am giddy over its shine, heft and state-of-the-art module; but its magnetism for scratches and muffled alarms lowers its level of splendor to the point I might consider your SKMEI as an occasional stand-in.
Both of my solar g shocks are way quieter than my battery powered ones, I believe that's par for the course, which is a bit of downside.
Both of my solar g shocks are way quieter than my battery powered ones, I believe that's par for the course, which is a bit of downside.
That could be it.
For my 2 cents worth, I don’t know why anyone buys these obvious fakes. It’s not like Casio G-Shocks are very expensive. Why not just buy a real one? Why give money to the Chinese companies that only exist because they copy, poorly, what someone else came up with?
Someone will invariably bring up homages and that we give money to the companies who make them, but this particular watch doesn’t strike me as an homage so much as an outright attempt to trick someone into buying what they think is a G-Shock, especially by adding the faux features Dariusll pointed out.
For my 2 cents worth, I don’t know why anyone buys these obvious fakes. It’s not like Casio G-Shocks are very expensive. Why not just buy a real one? Why give money to the Chinese companies that only exist because they copy, poorly, what someone else came up with?
Someone will invariably bring up homages and that we give money to the companies who make them, but this particular watch doesn’t strike me as an homage so much as an outright attempt to trick someone into buying what they think is a G-Shock, especially by adding the faux features Dariusll pointed out.
Actually, it was me that pointed out the faux features. I also well knew that I wasn't buying a G-Shock, so they didn't trick me. Whether there are some who are susceptible to being tricked, I don't know. I think most everyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows the Casio brand, and the G-Shock line. I don't think Skmei is fooling anybody. So, who is the audience for Skmei watches? Someone who wants the Casio look, but who can't afford a Casio? For most of us, a Casio is an affordable, cheap watch. That may not be the case for someone looking for a watch in Senegal, or Bangladesh. I'm just guessing. I purchased the watch for its looks, as I stated in my review. I like the look of the square G-Shock (I own one), but liked the color variation in this Skmei model. If there was a Casio equivalent, I would likely have gone for it instead. As for copying "poorly," while they made a stupid decision to include non-functional features, the quality of their watches is not terrible.
Actually, it was me that pointed out the faux features. I also well knew that I wasn't buying a G-Shock, so they didn't trick me. Whether there are some who are susceptible to being tricked, I don't know. I think most everyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows the Casio brand, and the G-Shock line. I don't think Skmei is fooling anybody. So, who is the audience for Skmei watches? Someone who wants the Casio look, but who can't afford a Casio? For most of us, a Casio is an affordable, cheap watch. That may not be the case for someone looking for a watch in Senegal, or Bangladesh. I'm just guessing. I purchased the watch for its looks, as I stated in my review. I like the look of the square G-Shock (I own one), but liked the color variation in this Skmei model. If there was a Casio equivalent, I would likely have gone for it instead. As for copying "poorly," while they made a stupid decision to include non-functional features, the quality of their watches is not terrible.
Fair enough and you're probably right about affordability in some other countries. As many color options Casio offers for some of their products, they do miss some opportunities, that's for sure.
Actually, it was me that pointed out the faux features. I also well knew that I wasn't buying a G-Shock, so they didn't trick me. Whether there are some who are susceptible to being tricked, I don't know. I think most everyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows the Casio brand, and the G-Shock line. I don't think Skmei is fooling anybody. So, who is the audience for Skmei watches? Someone who wants the Casio look, but who can't afford a Casio? For most of us, a Casio is an affordable, cheap watch. That may not be the case for someone looking for a watch in Senegal, or Bangladesh. I'm just guessing. I purchased the watch for its looks, as I stated in my review. I like the look of the square G-Shock (I own one), but liked the color variation in this Skmei model. If there was a Casio equivalent, I would likely have gone for it instead. As for copying "poorly," while they made a stupid decision to include non-functional features, the quality of their watches is not terrible.
With G-shocks, there is the added issue that so many of them are bloody large. I would be hesitant to buy a G-shock on-line, because of the real risk of it being (for me) unwearably large out of the box. That risk relativises their affordability.
Skmei makes a ton of original models, besides all those Casio clones. It's just that we rarely talk about them.