Come follow me on WatchCrunch.com - a new discussion platform for watch nerds: bit.ly/BWCWatchCrunch1 Thanks to WatchCrunch.com for sponsoring this video. 🛒 WATCHES FEATURED (Non-Affiliate Product Links) Formex Field Automatic ➡ bit.ly/FormexField Formex Essence 39 Automatic ➡ bit.ly/FormexEssence39 Lorus Titanium Watch ➡ geni.us/lorusrg877cx9 Thanks to Formex for loaning the Field for this review. Formex maintained no creative control over this content.
they don't discount for real, they use typical trading strategy of overinflating in order to deceive potential buyer into thinking they get a good deal....
Ben, you've nailed this video. I rarely watch your videos fully, but today's video is different. It's like a piece of great journalism. Unbiased, informative, well produced. Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words and the super thanks Alex, I think you're the first person to ever give us a super thanks on RU-vid! I'll photo this comment, so I remember it. I'm glad Ben's Watch Club is of use to some folk out there!
I'm a Swiss person and I think "Stührling" isn't even a Swiss name. I never heard of it, online phone books don't find a single entry for that name, and a quick search in databases for historical documents, library catalogs etc. also yields nothing. Honestly, I think the supposedly Swiss origins are bogus.
It just shows how easy it is to get scammed when you're not into watches but you wanna buy something. Thankfully, there are channels like this one that explain what's what :) Keep up the good work!
I bought a Stuhrling skeleton watch (similar to the one you feature here) back in 2012, and the winding rotor fell off inside the case after about 8 months. It did hand-wind, so I actually still wore it a few times after that, but I quickly soured on the brand pretty thoroughly. In fact, my experience with Stuhrling dimmed my interest in mechanical watches generally for several years, until I got some experience with more reputable brands.
I had almost the exact experience with mechanicals! Did you get yours from a Woot! deal by any chance? This was back before they got bought out by Amazon
Same, I bought one of these as I was just getting into watches in high school around the same time and really wanted a skeletonized watch. Luckily, immediately out of the packaging I was disappointed with how cheap and plastic it felt (it honestly felt more like cheap plastic than a MoonSwatch… which is made of plastic) and immediately returned it to Amazon. I eventually saved up a bit more and got a Bulova skeletonized watch, and while in hindsight the design was a bit garish for my current taste, it actually felt like a proper watch and held up a hell of a lot better until I sold a few years after
@@illyth63 Thank you guys. I just wondered who in the world would even buy such thing. It's probably the case of "I don't know anything about watches, but this one SHINY!"
@@damyr def was the case, and it did rope me into the hobby, which like Ben said is at least the silver lining with these. In my own defense, the one I got was significantly prettier than the skeletonized one in the video 🤓
sterling job as usual, Ben i really appreciate the attention to detail and it seems to me you are still improving the quality of production with each new vlog
Love the new format of the videos Ben! Especially the timestamps are super useful. While I do appreciate the investigative journalism job done on this video, it seems a shame to me to grace these watches with a 20-minute video. I’d love to see such in-depth coverage of watches we might actually want to buy😅 Peace!
Sturhling was actually my first dress watch I got as an adult (it was a gift from my sister). Cheap (the model I had currently is $25 on Amazon US), fancy looking, and the domed crystal makes it look nice. Great for young, broke students who need a wrist accessory (I got many compliments on my watch- long after the battery had died and I was essentially just wearing a broken watch). Like I said though, the battery died only after 3 years, the strap was really big (I had to poke my own hole in the original strap). But, I’ll look fondly back on it because it introduced me to watches and this channel and I’m very happy now with my Orient Bambino. I wouldn’t recommend any sturlings now (except that $25 one bc… it’s $25 and it looks nice) now that I know Timex and Casio offer better options. Great video Ben!
Great to see that it ignited your interest and paved the way to a genuinely good quality mechanical watch! Seiko and Orient would always be my recommendations for anyone wanting to buy their first mechanical watch.
Wow - great investigative journalism, Ben. You are absolutely right. I used to see ads in paper magazines about 15 years ago that would advertise Stührling as luxury watches, but just with a bit of common sense you could see right through all the nonsense they published! Good job mate for uncovering the truth!
I have the Stuhrling skeleton watch that you showed in this video. I bought it on black Friday. Similar massive discount from 600 down to 80 or so and all was good initially. Then it started to slow down and I'd be out my 15 20 mins a day, then the power reserve got worse and worse until where it is now... You need to constantly wind it to work and the timing is all over the place. A lesson learned and I keep it in my watch box to remind myself.... Stick to the brands people like you recommend!
For someone who never had any mechanical watch before and never saw the appeal of spending so much money for a watch, the sthurling was not bad, as least to be able to see what a mechanical watch was. Most of the time i was used to garmin watches because im a tech guy and i considered they provided much more functionality than just time. But im glad i watch your video, i learned a lot.
I have a Stührling that I bought a few years ago. Its accurate and works. Didn't pay a ton for it and I'm happy with it for a everyday wearer. But I'm not a watch nerd. My nicest watches are a Longines that was my great grandads and a Tissot rock watch I received from my wife on our wedding day 36 years ago.
@@canuck81 I agree. The one thing I do dislike about my Stührling is it seems to eat through it's Battery in around a years time. I got tired of it and bought a Casio Edifice EF-316D-1AVEF to replace it. Similar looks, and a much better watch in terms of comfort and reliability.
Sturhling is fine. A friend who almost exclusively buys high end watches was wearing a Sturhling yesterday at lunch. It was… fine. He’s had it for years, paid full retail of $250 (purchased in an exotic location / impulse buy), worn it here and there. He said it’s been… fine. Oddly, I couldn’t figure out the material of the band. Looked great, a black steel. But I swear it felt plastic. But it looked great. Very unusual. It was skeletonized, which I think everyone has at least one, but it’s not my thing at all. He said if you don’t wear it and wind it then set it down, it will loose a minute or two in one day. But, if worn, keeps great time. After examining in person it seems… fine.
Well done... It's nice to see someone do some research before speaking. I love this video... I had already seen this brand on Amazon and some models caught my attention, but after seeing this I think I will ignore them. Congrats Ben.
Thanks Ben! Your review is packed with useful information, not only on these Stührling watches but also on how to assess certain watch types before making a buying decision.
That clasp... is absolutely identical to one of the bracelet on "Vostok" watches (except it is signed "Vostok"), and in interviews even Vostok(!) representatives emphasize that everything is made in-house except the bracelet, which is outsorced from China :)
I'm really impressed by the effort you put into these videos, like the digging you did to find out what cheap crap they use for a movement. Made for an entertaining video, even if the product is as bad a deal as I expected
Thank you for this excellent piece of watch journalism! You're one of the only watch reviewers that I trust these days; you always call it like you see it. Keep it up!
You really drew back the curtain on this fashion brand. Nice job sticking to the facts. Stuhrling used to be a big home shopping brand about 15 years ago. Of course, home shopping hosts and brand representatives are excellent salespeople. They can easily make you believe you’re getting into something special and worthwhile with these low hanging fruit. 4 easy “Value Pays” make it even more enticing. I know this, because I bought what they were selling early on in my watch collecting journey. Stuhrling is a great way to at least get a compelling mechanical on your wrist for the first time, but it’s a brand that most new collectors eventually move on from. At least that’s my story. I’m so glad I didn’t buy the amount of Stuhrlings that I once wanted from home shopping… I’d have a watch box full of regret. Lol.
The movement in the Skeleton watch which you've shown in the video is exactly identical to a cheap 15$ watch i have. Except the design of the front plastic. Yes you're right it is the same movement which i have in my 15$ watch.
While I would not have purchased it myself. I received a quartz Sthurling some years ago for Christmas. It has a unique look and has held up well ( though I have many watches so it doesn’t get tons of wrist time.)
Hey thank you for this video, you have shone a light on a brand that has Im sure many new and aspiring watch collectors are intrigued about. I was bitten by the horology bug about 4 years ago, and Stührling was one of the first brands I looked into, especially the automatic variations. Problem was, there was very title of formation about this brand online and next to zero reviews of their watches from (competent) reviewers. Product reviews consisted of your basic “looks great, my husband loves it” reviews that are utterly useless to a new watch collector. Again, thank you for the informative in depth review.
My Sturhling is easily over 20 years old and my mother got it from QVC when she got me an Invicta. The odd looking Invicta has actually appreciated while the Sturhling is what it is and I haven’t worn either for over two decades.
You do the best low cost watch reviews on RU-vid Ben. I've seen these for sale in Asian shopping malls and always (wrongly) assumed they were low end Swiss. Stick to Citizen, Casio, Orient or Seiko discount watches. Keep up the great work Ben.
Hey Ben, I got one of the Sturling Original Skeleton watches for Christmas from my partner 7 years ago. The ticking is a little less on this one, so not as bad as you had. After 2 years the second indicator fell off and the watch was not usable anymore. Wrote to the company and explained what the issue was. They provided me with an RMA number and took the watch back. Waited a few weeks and heard that they couldn't fix it, but would send out a new replacement. So far customer service has been decent. This new one has been with me for 5 years, has done quite a lot better and the internals have been fine. But the face of the watch does have a big scratch in it right now. It's only noticeable at a certain angle but it's there. All in all the customer service has been fine, the price was decent (80 Euro's) and it still gets worn every day. But the next watch I buy for myself will be a Seiko or something with a little more quality. Hope this helps some people who are looking at it, and what it's like to live with one for the past 7 years.
My dad gave me a Stührling watch for my birthday back in 2007-2008, and when I took it out of the box, all of the hands had already fallen off and were loose inside the watch. Needless to say, we immediately returned it, and I haven't bought another one since.
I’m wearing one right now. I like it. I’ll see how much it holds up. I just bought one like 2 weeks ago. Everything is working. The automatic hand wasn’t moving and then it started moving. It’s a good everyday watch. I wear it everyday.
Subscribed!! I love your unbiased honesty. You sir, will, save someone with not a lot of money to spend, dissapointment, by buying something hyped up by a company one might believe they can rely upon. Sometimes we might take written words as fact whilst reading, and become duped into making a purchase. It happens all too often unfortunately. I personally, am a fan of citizen (i have a few, but my favourite is my eco drive, red arrows titanium). G-shock, i have an all black mudmaster, casio edifIce are also my goto watches. I am not a rich man, but when i see a watch i like, overtime at work, (or even more overtime) ensures i can save and buy or do the pay in 3 option many retailers offer. Buying a watch is sometimes down to personal taste, often it's down to affordability, i'll never afford a rolex, omega or breitling. But i am proud of what i have. I'm 53 now and still have watches from my youth people might snigger at, i don't care, its relative to life and where you are financially. Ben, keep being YOU, and i for one thank you for doing evrything, you do, for ALL of us watching. Take care sir, respect to you. Marcus. UK.
Imo, the most distinctive part of an automatic calibre is the rotor screw and bearing. I could tell the movement in that skeleton was a TJ movement straight away, because of the design of the screw and the fact that the bearings aren't exposed (like in most Japanese/Russian/Swiss movements). Also when comparing movements, look at where the rubies are, that's also an easy way to look too.
Love the skits at beginning of videos and sprinkled throughout. They’re a great break from the typical “professional” feel you get from other Watch channels. Feels like bros joking around. Cheers.
Another great slice ! Love your videos Ben this one was needed in my opinion so thank you!! As a European close to Germany I can say that the Stührling brand does sound familiar. I think part of it is due to the name of a certain grade/alloy of silver, Sterling (stamped silver), which in many europeans brains are stored as a "quality" word, a word connected strongly to value and quality - atleast thats my 2 cents on the name and its rise to popularity.
Alright, my brother has this exact watch, he's had it for 6 years, daily wear, the case is now more pure brass than chrome, but the watch is still running:D I give you my word! No servicing, no nothing. He's been given a Festina automatic skeleton as a present recently and that sealed the Sewor's fate, but it sure surprised everyone!
I bought 2 watches in the Ali express 11/11 sale. Both very inexpensive but unusual in their layout. They both arrived in less than a week. I got a Naviforce NF9124 with cream dial for less than £15 and a Pagani Design PD-3306 for about £26. Both much better than I expected and probably better than those Stührling watches.
Thanks Ben for another great review. I'm really glad you've done this one as I have been (naively?) contemplating buying a Sturhling "original" Thankfully though, I've been procrastinating enough that I haven't wasted my money 💰
I bought a quartz GMT in December 2021 and it’s still running. It has the blue-black bezel and looks a lot like a R*lex. I think it was worth the $100.
I am that fool. Back about 2 1/2 years ago when I was just starting this hobby (I was unaware of the RU-vid watch channels) I actually bought the depth master professional (automatic) from Amazon for just over £300. When the thing arrived it didn't work. I returned it and the replacement's stem fell out. I returned that, never to repeat that experience. I'm much more discerning now. I learned a lesson at the start of my journey which is nice.
Hey Ben, I've been a fan ever since your review of the Boldr Venture. Ig you're going to consider going down the microbrand route again I'd recommend checking outhe Vaer DS4? It's a sub £300 solar dive watch with crazy specs and finishing for the price! - Paul
My first automatic was an Ingersoll. It made me research and only then find out about "real" brands. I own about 50 watches now and still got the Ingersoll. I maybe selling it eventually but fearing the used market prices ;)
I have a Sturhling. I also have a Rolex Daydate (inherited) for you fanbois. The Sturhling tells time correctly, looks nice and is ok. Most watches in general are discounted. That's always been the pricing strategy and its frankly disingenuous to say otherwise. Also, if any company has been around for 20 years there must at least be a decent reason.
I have 2 Sturhling brand watches, an automatic skeleton one that I've had for about 10 years, and a quartz that's sort of a homage to a daytona style which I've had for about 2 years....I get compliments on both and both work well....my only complaint is that the small dials on the daytona copy have black hands and black backing so they're hard to see and also it has no lume at all.
For me best buy on Amazon is invicta pro diver mechanical, I paid about 80 quid 1.5 ago and since then it’s been my everyday watch in construction. Cutting ,hammering, showering every day, cleaning from dust with brush and toothpaste and still going strong with good accuracy 💪🏻
A bit late to the party, but I would love if you could do a video about common quartz movements and what makes one "better" than another. With mechanical and automatic movements, it makes sense why a more expensive movement would be better. But if the technology at the heart of each quartz movement is fundamentally the same, and to my knowledge it is, then I don't see a lot of room for performance gains at higher prices. There are exceptions like Citizen's Calibre 0100 Eco Drive movement, and obviously more feature-rich quartz movements will be more expensive than more basic ones, but beyond that, what separates a Miyota from a Ronda from an ETA from a Timex from a Seiko?
I got the Stuhrling Original Automatic Auqua Diver blue and orange diver "swiss". I've never had any issues with mine but got mine from ebay for a nice deal. I have no complaints as seen fom other comments. Maybe I was lucky.
@@e28forever30 yes they send parts to Switzerland or switch out swiss parts so they can call it swiss made or at least label it swiss. A lot of watch companies do this I have learned, even bigger brands. Im not trying to clain this watch is amazing, I'm just saying ive had no problems or complaints with the one I own.
I bought about 4 years ago Stürhling pepsi gmt quartz. First year it somehow lost about 10 minutes sometimes. Last 2 years it is still working without lacking anything with same battery strangely. I paid 95 eurous in german amazon. I think it is good looking watch with a bit of bling. I own luxury watches too, but this nice too.
Damn good insightful vid, thanks Ben. Your “reliable as a Lancia pushed off a cliff” was hilarious. 100m is not a divers watch and I’d have a Casio any day over that rubbish.
Great research, Ben! Nice vid. Suggestion: Don't just scratch their glasses, scratch the case too. Cut the lugs with saw. Open them up, for the science sake! I am tired of telling people not to buy Stuhrling and other similar crap, instead of Casio. I just need to show them your videos :D
Amazons cheap luxury watches are a guilty pleasure of mine. Some are half decent and fun if you don’t take them too seriously, some are fun just because. I once bought a luxury pocket watch with that exact mechanical movement (in gold tone no less) for a whopping 12 euros. It still ticks happily, be it according to its own time. It hangs next to my bathroom mirror as a reminder that everything is relative, even time. But to be honest it survived a fall on the tiled floor and rather steamy conditions quite well. If only I could open the case without the use of a hammer or nutcracker to regulate the movement.
@@chrisrose3915 Mine now runs minus 2 minutes every 24 hours, if I wind it at all. It used to run better. What I liked is that mine came without a rotor because pocket watch. It really offered a nice view in the mechanism. That is the only reason why I got it, to see it running.
I mean the Miyota 2115, 2035, 2025 and so on are great movements. Extremely cheap, extremely disposable, yet also extremely reliable and accurate. Just avoid them in watches for more than 70 bucks or so, not cause they are bad, but due to the audacity of using a 3$ movement.
Im perfectly fine with buying a cheap, low quality watch. I have several. Its the charging premium rates for what should be cheap watches that annoy me. If they want to charge Tissot and Certina prices, they should atleast TRY to outdo the average $20 chinese generic e-bay watch..
I have the Stuhrling Winchester courtesy of my spousal unit as a Christmas gift from 3 yrs ago. It's one of my least worn watches primarily because it looks ridiculous on my birdy wrist (well, I think it looks ridiculous). Within half a year of very minimal use it refused to hand wind, so I contacted their customer service (during early pandemic, mind you), and they actually fixed the thing(!) Now I just leave it alone because it's out of warranty and truth be told, I dragged it out of the watch box for Ben's review (BTW, this is the ONLY review I've found for this model watch, not that I've looked all that hard...). Everything Ben said about this model "Original" is true, but, since it's a gift from someone pretty special, it's not going anywhere anytime soon. I *have* asked said spousal unit to never buy me a watch ever again, though. :)
I bought one similar to the winchester in 2011 because it looked nice for $75, and since im a Citizen fan, used to ecodrive , didnt really wear ir … i gave it away and im told the hands have just fell off…. Still for the money and the looks I dont think it was a terrible deal…
Why would anyone pay 125 USD for that Stuhrling Diver? At this precise moment one can get a Diver from Orient (FAA02001B9) for the equivalent of 129 USD. And that one is a truly reliable and well built automatic watch, with full 316L SS build.
Excellent deep dive into the sleazy side of the watch industry. You were thorough & more than fair. Hope this video & ones like it keeps newbs like me out of the swamp.
Hi excellent video. I bought a Stuhrling skeleton special reserve 1 year ago to make a review (positive one) on my freshly born watch channel. I liked it, I weare it, it works very well, nothing fell off (yet). I guess there is a market out there for these cheaper products that look good and feel good at wrist. Big difference when I wear my Tissot Gentlman or my RADO...but still why not? Take care.
As usual, there tends to be a large discrepancy between what watch enthusiasts and everyday folks want (and expect; most of your excellent points are comparative) from a watch, and Sturhling seems caught in that gap, too. I was gifted one of these nearly a decade ago, and at the time I absolutely loved it. As I became more of a snob, it lost its allure. I wonder what a Sturhling that didn't attempt to split that difference would look like -- on either end of the spectrum.
Buy a Casio Protek 😁😁 Okey, not fancy or good-looking. But it's super good and reliant, I have one with the solar panel thing. It's been with me throw Siberian winter, to the Amazonas, and more, and been on my arm every day at hard work, and lots of action hobbies for 6 years I think. Cost around 800$ if I don't remember wrong. It's been very good, but I had to change my wristband a year ago.
I joined the watch community in 2019 and over the COVID years I've lapse and I was seriously considering dipping down to the cheap level of watches. Cheap watches are ok as long as you're getting quality. Thank you Ben for bringing me back and at least checking my cheapness!!!!!
Some great cheaper watches are Sugess, San Martin, Steeldive, and even Pagani makes a few that are nice for the price. Don’t know if you’ve ever heard of them but just wanted to throw it out there for you.
