This quartz watch from Lige is the second of my daring design watches I got for cheap on AliExpress, the other was that Forsining.
To begin with, let's be clear that although I gave you the reference number, most listings of that watch do not contain it, so if you are trying to track it down better search for Lige and go by looks.
It is an unusual looking watch, and that is the main attraction. The trade-off is reduced legibility. Overall, the watch gives us three clocks in one:
On the specification vs reality front, the colour I received is a rather subdued dark blue, see main pic. In the catalogue it looked like this:
Other colour options for this watch are less mismatched.
The instruction booklet coming with this watch is the usual utterly useless booklet that tells you how a run-of-the-mill analogue watch with crown works. Fortunately, this one also comes with a separate little piece of paper that tells you in all the important languages of the world, i.e. Chinese and English, how the pushers manipulate the digital clock.
This watch has an alarm function, which is one of the main reasons I went for it. Unfortunately, this is just a daily alarm, there is no timer. One customer review on Ali bitterly complained that they could not switch the alarm off again. I reckon, they operated the digital clock by playing with the pushers, discarding that crucial piece of paper. You had to press two of the four pushers at once to achieve that - which you'll never figure out by yourself. Even knowing that, deactivating the alarm took me quite a while.
Another mismatch with reality is the watchband. Leather, it said - it is artificial leather. Width 22mm it said - it is 24mm at the lugs, tapering down to 22.5 at the buckle. Although quite plasticky, the band is much more comfortable than some of these cheap "genuine leather" band you'll get.
Dial size: 40mm the specs say. Well, the case is 40mm vertically, and 41mm horizontally. This doesn't sound too large, but the square shape still means that the thing feels like a dinner plate on your wrist.
Availability: apparently a popular model of Lige, multiple stores on Ali have it in a variety of colour options, mostly below £20. Check the images in customer reviews to see how the rendered images compare to photos.
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You took this watch more seriously then the people who "designed" it. Hopefully, you have saved someone from a late night impulse buy.
Junk, yes. More interesting than ANOTHER diver? Also, yes. 😀
Excellent review that properly analyzes design and functionality! I've seen these online and they're obviously gimmick but they do have a funky gadget appeal. I do like that fake engine-turned texture on the lower half too.
That they're able to cram three watches in there for the price is alarming. What's up with the gradation lump on the left?
Excellent review that properly analyzes design and functionality! I've seen these online and they're obviously gimmick but they do have a funky gadget appeal. I do like that fake engine-turned texture on the lower half too.
That they're able to cram three watches in there for the price is alarming. What's up with the gradation lump on the left?
That extra piece of metal seems to have no function. I have been told by someone that this is based on a watch that also had a cigarette lighter somewhere, and perhaps that is a remnant.