Addiesdive 1000M Diver Review for the LOLs

I've spoken about the commoditisation of the wristwatch previously. By commoditisation (commodification?) I mean the availability of well-manufacturered timepieces, with (surprisingly) high specifications, that are readily available to consumers, and are priced lower than what has gone before.

Take the case of #seiko, which, in the space of about four decades [1] synthesised top of the line engineering and mass-production processes to bring wrist watches to the masses and start to make inroads to the professional dive watch market [2].

Contrast this with the rise of #chinese manufacturers and further commoditisation which, thanks to #aliexpress, which now produce quality engineered, high spec pieces, often exceeding those available from "traditional" manufacturers, at ridiculously low prices, available to your door in days. All of which has happened in about 10 years [3].

Enter the #addiesdive MY-H6.

Lol.

The obvious inspiration/homage/ripoff for the MY-H6 is the Helios Puck:

Hodinkee discusses it here.

Addiesdive is arguably the third ranked manufacturer among our AliExpress favourites behind #sanmartin (No. 1) ad #steeldive (No. 2). Yet, it has created a spec monster in the MY-H6:

• 21 Jewel Seiko cal. NH35 running at 3Hz/26,000-odd beats per hour with 42 hour power reserve

• Brushed 316L stainless steel case

• 7mm Signed, screw-down crown

• Screw case back

• 120-click mono-directional bezel with ceramic insert

• C3 Swiss Luminova on hands, indices, and bezel

• Domed #sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating

• Rated to 100 Bar (1000M) water resistance [4], and

• The absolute worst stainless steel bracelet with pressed clasp ever conceived let alone manufactured by a human being...

First impression: It's big, and is not done any favours by the bracelet in terms of size and heft:

• Diameter: 46mm

• Lug to lug: 46mm

• Thickness: 13.8mm (plus a double pass NATO if you are like me)

• Lug width: 22mm

• Weight: 106g (without bracelet).

Chunky! However, the 46mm x 46mm measurements help in terms of wearability (notwithstanding you usually want an oblong - longer than it is wider - kind of measurement) but it is heavy and takes some time to get used to wearing. As a result, you have to wear it high and tight on the wrist. Lett it flap around and you are likely to do yourself an injury.

The height of the case also provides a unique separability advantage, at least for me. I occasionally end up pressing a watch's crown into the top of my hand when typing and leave myself with a little red mark that takes a while to go away. No issue here. I have to bend my hand all the way back before it even makes contact with the crown. This may have to do with the additional height provided by the double pass #nato I have it on as well.

Lugs and Bracelet: Oh dear. The bracelet is horrible. Sharp-edged, only three holes for micro adjust (although it does have a half-link) and so many hairs breing pulled! The hidden lugs are a cool look though (no need to hunt around for appropriately curved solid end-links if you swap out the original for a better 3rd party alternative). However, the hidden lugs are not fun for adding a NATO strap, or a leather strap, although I think you are treading thin aesthetic I've if you are putting this on a leather strap. The space between springbar and case is such that you really have to press a NATO in there and despite being listed as 22mm, either NATO manufacturers have been lying to me, or you could afford to go down to a 20mm.

I had originally planned to use a spare #boderry single pass #zulu with the thinking that the titanium buckle and tangs matched the look of the watch while cutting down on the height but it was just too think.

Lugs playing hide and seek.

For now, a 22mm #invicta NATO will do since it is the only thing that will fit. But only just. I would err on the side of caution if choosing a $2 AliExpress special if looking for a nylon strap. I fear the weight will make short work of it.

Finally, back to thinking about commoditisation - I have seen this on AliExpress for anywhere up to AUD$200, though much closer to AUD$100 during the Anniversary sale last week. I was able to hunt around and ended up picking this one up for AUD$80 with free shipping (of course) with having to pay for the goddamn aweful bracelet the only sour taste about the whole transaction.

Overall, if you can pick one of these up on sale and/or with coupons and coins, you won't be disappointed...once you have swapped it onto a new bracelet or strap.

---

[1] The actual amount of time might be up to debate, but for argument's sake let's say the #laurel was released in 1924, and the #sportsmatic 5 line was available globally and at an affordable price by the early 1960s.

[2] cf. the #62mas.

[3] Again, times and your opinions may vary. But let's say that AliExpress was started in 2010 and it took 3-4 years for it to enter the non-Chinese zeitgeist. 10 years later in 2024 here we are.

[4] Everyone likes to be sceptical about the water resistance of Chinese watches - fair enough. I can't remember if I have ever actually got any of my Steeldives or Addiesdive pieces wet. I tend to work on the principle that a CHinese watch rated to 200M will probably survive conditions of a Seiko rated to 100M, so I'm pretty confident the MY-H6 will handle anything I throw at it since there is just no way I'm going anywhere close to 1000M under the sea 🌊🐠🐡🐳🦀.