As the prices of "brand name" watches continue to climb into the clouds, and these "homages" are so amazing in quality, the "debate" about these really becomes valid. It's not as simple as it used to be like 5 years ago.
If I had money for the ‘real’ watch, I’d buy seven homages instead. The Swiss brands take off each other’s designs constantly but there aren’t many complaints. The Chinese watches are well made, continually improving and unbeatable value. What does it actually mean to be loyal to a brand anyhow? Half are just names that have been bought and sold multiple times.
Have to admit that it was kind of fun hearing your angst over this watch 😉. I like these “homages” a lot, and I use them more often as mod bases. I think anyone who gets super worked up about these homages should just lighten up a bit. This is just a fun hobby we should all enjoy and not take too seriously 👍.
No one that's a Doxa fan is going to mistakenly buy one of these. No one else has heard of Doxa or Seestern and many would think you'd taken leave of your senses if you bought the Swiss option. I have several ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200 movement watches, yes the smooth sweep is nice but that's the only advantage they have over Seiko's NH35A masterpiece. My V3 sub 300t runs at +3 SPD every time I wear it, and I've just got Seestern's Sub 600t which gains about a second within 3 hours of fully winding but is spot on again at 8am the next day. (Accuracies quoted are based on 24 hours continuous wear, and making sure that movement is fully wound. I use an online UTC clock as a reference) These are great watches, well made, they probably get Doxa some brand awareness. In China ideas aren't important, execution is. Seestern have nailed the execution (at least by V3 they have)
@@oktc68 I own several Swiss watches, Christopher Ward & Davosa, with SW-200 movements. Great movements, but they only have 38 hr power reserves & have a major flaw. If you overwind them, the teeth on a gear inside will grind off. For 2K, you’d think Doxa would put an upgraded movement in their watches.
@@oktc68 I own several SW200 watches as well. I love them all, but I need to limit winding them because I might strip out an important gear in the movement. This is the Achilles Heal of these movements.
Given the current dangers of wearing an expensive watch, there's something to be said for having a less expensive homage on your wrist. This one doesn't look bad at all.....and is a functional diver.
I could never wrap my head over the price of the D. in regard to the outdated design and technology applied, so I've purchased one of those Seestern lately, first time ever I'm buying a replica and I'm amazed by the value for the price.
This a great piece. In fact I liked it so much I bought two! I have the orange and the blue variant. Fantastic value for money at the tenth of the price of the Doxa. I can highly recommend Seestern.
A lot of diver watch guys love orange dials and at this price a lot of diver watch guys won't be able to ignore this. Thanks for the excellent overview.
I absolutely love my Seestern Orange dial. Gotten lots of compliments, and just like you said, it was around $200. Accurate, easy to read, and wears very comfortably. Also, the company seems to keep making improvements/changes as they go. I remember when they announced the other dials like pearl, etc. : )
I own the mother of pearl dial which has a great sunburst effect. I picked mine up a couple of months ago in the UK for £150. I own a couple of homage watches, like you said for the money they're great beater watches. Keep up the good work..
If you think, that most Swiss watch companies manufacture their watches in Switzerland, you’re wrong. China produces most steel goods and made everything so cheap, it’s often not feasible for western manufacturers. Plus more profit for them. And it’s easy to outmaneuver the „Swiss made“ condition.
Here's another analogy... A #'s matching 65 Shelby Cobra can set you back $500k+ to well over $1m. Not everyone has that in their bank account to spend at their leisure. Now, a 65 Shelby Cobra replica will set you back about $75k, give or take. Does this mean that the buyer of the Replica due to limited $$ resources is any less of an enthusiast than the one that bought the original?
Some of these Ali brands are building some good watches. Doesn’t bother me they are images. I scooped up the San Martin Bronze Willard. Love that thing, if Seiko made that watch, easy 2-3K for for it.
I bought this exact watch as well, but I did end up selling it. Turns out I don’t particularly like the Willard case shape (Sacrilege! 😳), but the San Martin quality was excellent. So much so that I bought 2 San Martin bronze Submariner homages to mod. Absolutely love the warm patina developing on both cases.
As it is becoming evident that “the other brand” is in fact mainly Chinese in manufacture, the Seestern becomes even more appealing. I am with you, Rob… I tied to make a case for the other, but their prices are just so exorbitant.
Don’t know if you’ve seen on their website but under the Sugess name they sell a… whatever you want to call it of a Zenith Chronomaster Revival using the Seagull movement, for $250 shipped really a very nice watch. Planning on one of these next.
You can’t knock them, they’re pretty good, actually very good watches. I’ve had a few homages and they’re fun. That’s it though. I’ve found I didn’t really take to wearing them and pined for the real thing. My take on them is if you want to know it you’d really want something like a Doxa and are worried about the sort of money it will cost for you to find out then buy one of these to see how you feel about it. Wear it for a few weeks and you’ll know wether to cough up the cash for the real deal.
Great review Rob. It seems to me that some hate on these types of watches because they are too concerned about what others would say if they bought one. True watch enthusiasts appreciate watches far beyond just the name that's on the dial and value-per-dollar is right at the top. That's why I love this hobby because I buy what "I" like and that's all that matters.
If Doxa isn’t careful, it will price itself out of the market. I’ve got an incoming Seestern in Tiffany Blue. The NH35 in these puppies, IMHO, are on par with the basic SW-200s in the Doxas, both solid movements, but nothing special.
Just ordered mine direct from them. Under $170. I don’t even care if it takes the full 3 weeks to arrive, its totally worth it for the value. I needed an orange dial diver in the collection and was going to go with a Monster until i saw this little beauty. Not to mention it also has BGW9 which none of my current watches have. Thanks for this Rob!
I don't blame you for being surprised. The rate of improvement with some Ali express brands over the last two years or so is absolutely insane. In terms of build quality brands like San Martin have become absolutely on par with let's say Oris for example. Sometimes they are trying out original designs of their own now, besides the usual homages.
The proper term is homage. It's looks are unmistakeable, but there are differences, including the name, and case shape is slightly different. Personally, I have no problem with them. I actually have a few I wear as beater watches. Unlike you, I can't bring myself to mow the lawn in my Oris! 😂
Both the current Doxa company and this SeeStern have nothing to do with the original Doxa watches. Both are made in China, this one with a Japanese movement the other with an ETA movement. All homages are just copies, but why pay €2k as opposed to €200 when neither are the real thing. I’ll take the SeeStern in this instance.
It is a good watch. I don't mind wearing the Seestern's homage. For those who don't have much money, why not? I think it is better than the Seiko Sport 5.
I’ve purchased two watches from AliExpress, a Cadisen with sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel and automatic miyota mvmt for £50 ! And bought myself the pagani “black bay” and I love it ! Just crazy value for the money !
I have 2 doxas yet missed the train on the synchron military. Gonna get the seestern version. I think theres a lumed dial option 😀 as well. I've seen plenty of doxa lovers on forums that enjoy the heck out of the homages especially the marinez Samui with the titanium cases and other dial variants like the Irish star .
It's doesn't matter that the watch is designed off another. The fact that people can't bring themselves to like them or think there's something nefarious to it all are just strange. You are literally getting a watch made to the highest quality and it's wait for It 200.... just embrace it and enjoy the fact you're not getting shafted ($1500) by the name of the brand.
I’m on the same boat, I recently discovered the world of watches available in Aliexpress, and after watching tons of videos, I was truly surprised about the build quality of some of those brands. For a beater, to explore designs, or just to have a really good watch for a reasonable price, they look amazing. I was looking for a timex or try my luck with a moonswatch, but now I’m always finding myself comparing what would I get for the same money. Most are obviously not original, but honestly that is not high on my priority list under 500 dollars
I bought Seestern Monster homage in Teal which is really more of an aqua color. Very nice. $175 last November. I’ve noticed they change their offerings somewhat frequently. So buy it soon if you see something you like. As someone else mentioned it’s a great way to try out some styles. I didn’t want to pay $1,000+ for a jade monster. When I saw Seestern’s Teal monster I grabbed one before they dropped the color. Just thought it’d be a fun summer/lake watch. Really like it.
Rob, Well i guess i ping pong between love and hate for Ali Express Watch company. In the 80's I had lots of Vostok watches even though the Russians used Swiss machinery from the 1950's to build crap quality homages. Since the 2010s I have bought many Chinese watches. Why? I am a watch addict. I need my hit. So yes I bought a Seestern, The first one had a broken movement and I sent it back for a refund, Instead they gave me a better one that works, is accurate and well built. I agree with you Rob, lets buy what appeals and enjoy it. For major brands drop your ridiculous prices and compete.
As far as i know doxa changed ownership a couple of times and the current ones are homages to the original ones too.. they just have the right to use the name.. it’s not like it’s made in the original doxa manufacture… if there was one ever..
Set the eta 2824-2 movement in the Doxa aside and the Seestern is actually a better watch. I personally have no problem with the Seiko NH35. The lower vph preserves components of the movement making it last longer between services.
I got the MOP dial because the 'other' brand don't do that and it looks original. There is a lot to like. Only gripe is there isn't enough real estate on the hour hand for lume, so that is first to go.
I bought the same exact watch and it is definitely a nice piece. I had to laugh because I think me and everyone else watching this video felt the same way to some degree. Rarely do you get more than you pay for and I think this watch is an exception with everything it offers.
I know what you're saying about these watches. I initially felt the same way. I'm not buying some cheap Chinese ripoff of a real watch! Then I got one in hand and realized, man, this is a really nice watch. It's not at all what I expected. My whole outlook changed. I actually just purchased this watch during the Ali Express Cyber Monday sale for $162 US dollars! Fantastic deal, fantastic watch!
I really like the Coral blue and may pick it up! My watch budget is very low so affordable watches really let me enjoy watches similar to the originals. I have a Matic diver with PT5000 it was $190 and I no longer want a Seamaster as I am totally happy with the Matic.
I bought one during the last AliExpress sale. It's awesome. I'll never be able to afford a real doxa and this one really scratches the itch nicely. I'm gonna get a yellow one next and eventually a blue. There so affordable they're like dam potato chips. I wish they didn't use that Sugess brand on their other line of watches cuz I would pick up their zenith Chrono homage, but that name 🤪 I hope they do a 200. I'll be all over them.
I look at these as a watch that is a current version of a watch that is no longer made by the company that originally made the watch. Doxa from the 60's does not exist today so even a gen Doxa is just a Doxa by Name. Even Synchron released the Synchron Military which looks just like the Doxa Army. Which is the gen? It might be a Seestern by name but in some way to me is even more close to the early models than Doxa's of today. For the price is is an unbelievable watch.
Wow. Just bought one. It even has inner AR coating. I have been wanting "the other brand" for years and could never justify the price. I own the Maranez brass one and love it so this is a great addition. Thanks for the video.
I've known about this brand (and this homage) for a year or so. It's one of the better quality homage brands for sure. When you compare the specs and quality relative to price with that other watch, there just isn't a contest. When you strip everything else away, that leaves you with brand logo, prestige and heritage. Many will say paying so much more money for these intangibles is worth it. But if you have the money to buy a luxury car like, say, a Ferrari, NOBODY is going to buy that thing if it doesn't have the specs to match and has a max speed of 60 mph... even if it has the Ferrari badge. So why in the watch world? 😉
You should check out the Heimdallr titanium SKX “homage”. I picked one up a while ago, full titanium case and bracelet, good lume. Made a video on it, and people say it’s the watch they wanted Seiko to make. And all for around 160-180.
Finally! You have joined the homage side. I’ve seen homages that blow originals out of the water. Maybe a part of your channel devoted to homage reviews that you like?
Watch manufacturers of "high end" watches have priced themselves out of the market for the average person. The rich will continue to buy them. Me..I'll take a replica, homage, copy...whatever....and NOT worry about it if it gets scratched. I buy them because I like the watch, NOT the name. Granted a high end watch is made with better materials etc...but at this day and age?...and at these prices?.....who cares.
Bought one a month ago, it's a really good watch but can't get my head round it being a copy so didn't bond with it - but selling it cheap to a younger chap who's just getting into watches so that's a win . Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻
If you look into the history of watches, most watches benefit from the design of other watches. All of them! Rolex, Omega, the whole lot. I say bravo to those companies who make quality watches at realistic prices.
Are we being taken for a ride by the big brands? Better lume than watches costing many times more, sapphire crystal and the like. I'll buy another Seiko! 😁
I have the orange dial version. The lume on mine is ok wish it was better especially on the hour hand. The only other gripe I have and this goes for all the homages that use an NH movement stop please use a better movement. At least up it to a Miyota 9 series please I’m sick of the NH movement.
