PSA- AliExpress 11.11 sale today - Grab a cheap watch!

[FreeLitres]

Just FYI, AliExpress are running their biggest sale of the year today. There are some huge discounts on watches.

Personally, I couldn't resist this faux retro San Martin for about £155 delivered after the additional discounts and codes.

[blue_haddock]

I've been waiting for this and looking at things i've had in my basket there doesnt actually seem to be much of a discount this year.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

This is on Temu at £91 and has the same Seiko NH35 movement. Good value? Looks nice.

[blue_haddock]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

This is on Temu at £91 and has the same Seiko NH35 movement. Good value? Looks nice.

On Aliexpress these are routinely about £50 but have been as low as £40 so it seems expensive.

Meant to be a good watch, not quite as good as the Helm its copying but not bad for the money.

[pablo36]

I have been spending a bit off time on the site looking at various watches. It is a mad site. Struggling to make sense of it tbh. Prices for same watches all over the place.

If anyone has some tips for a beginner would be grateful.

[wibble cb]

pablo36 said:

I have been spending a bit off time on the site looking at various watches. It is a mad site. Struggling to make sense of it tbh. Prices for same watches all over the place.

If anyone has some tips for a beginner would be grateful.

Shop carefully!

I have this in my basket, not pulled the trigger yet




It’s variously 30-45$ depending on the seller!

[Pebbles167]

wibble cb said:

Shop carefully!

I have this in my basket, not pulled the trigger yet




It’s variously 30-45$ depending on the seller!

That's a fake, wouldn't touch it. Not when there is genuinely decent stuff on there.

I grabbed a San Martin, their watches are usually pretty good.

[wibble cb]

I suspected as much, thanks!

[GravelBen]

Often the differences in price are more or less balanced out by different shipping costs - sometimes even the same seller will have the same item with different listings, one at a lower price with more expensive shipping and another with a higher price and free shipping.

[Pebbles167]

wibble cb said:

I suspected as much, thanks!

In general, if it's a western brand it'll be a fake. Occasionally they have legit models but it'll be a realistic retail price, in this case £500 is what I'd be expecting to pay for a Seiko Speedtiimer.

Navigating the world of Chinese watches takes some getting used to, but youtube videos help. You'll find decent brands making solid stuff to your tastes at an excellent price. You'll likely need to pay £300+ for a watch over here to get the materials and features of something made by the likes of Pagani Design costing 1/4 of that, though it'll perhaps be of a slightly lower quality finish.

Edited by Pebbles167 on Wednesday 13th November 05:06

[Ninjin]

Pebbles167 said:

wibble cb said:

I suspected as much, thanks!

In general, if it's a western brand it'll be a fake. Occasionally they have legit models but it'll be a realistic retail price, in this case £500 is what I'd be expecting to pay for a Seiko Speedtiimer.

Navigating the world of Chinese watches takes some getting used to, but youtube videos help. You'll find decent brands making solid stuff to your tastes at an excellent price. You'll likely need to pay £300+ for a watch over here to get the materials and features of something made by the likes of Pagani Design costing 1/4 of that, though it'll perhaps be of a slightly lower quality finish.

Edited by Pebbles167 on Wednesday 13th November 05:06

Genuine Seiko speedtimers in HK on the street after discount are around £300.

I've always found it crazy the prices of seiko RRP in the UK.

[blue_haddock]

I've managed to buy a steeldive Tuna and a mysterious code titanium flieger - with discounts both came to about £110 all in delivered.

[Pebbles167]

Ninjin said:

Genuine Seiko speedtimers in HK on the street after discount are around £300.

I've always found it crazy the prices of seiko RRP in the UK.

That's a good deal. They are far more expensive in Europe, the us and even Japan.

Still, anything worth multiple hundreds going for around £50 should always raise suspicions.

[pablo36]

Still looking. Thinking of either a pagani 1644 or 1701 or a steeldive 1953 or a San Martin sn0008. Really don't know what to go for. It's my first time looking at Chinese watches. Didn't like the San Martin initially as wasn't sure on gold face but now thinking it might be better quality for not a lot more cash.

[Pebbles167]

I think San Martin are hard to beat for finishing, though I've heard some reliability or QC issues occasionally, but that's Chinese watches (and some Japanese) in general.

Pagani or Merkur seem excellent for around £60.

[loskie]

pablo36 said:

I have been spending a bit off time on the site looking at various watches. It is a mad site. Struggling to make sense of it tbh. Prices for same watches all over the place.

If anyone has some tips for a beginner would be grateful.

A beginner's watch? Like this you mean?