Does This Controversial Brand Deserve Your Money?
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- Опубликовано: 7 мар 2024
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Thanks Gary! I love your watch. I'd love it even more if it was $500 cheaper and had like an SW200 or an ETA2824 in it though. And those endlinks.... OUCH! Cheers, Jody
Anytime a brand tries to Jedi mind trick you into thinking the problems you see are supposed to be there, well.....I digress.
Exactly!
What about youtube hosts that Jedi mind trick you into thinking their way while slowly eroding your free will and sense of being?? Well...I digress.
Or do you believe everything you see SENSATIONALIZED and Steered at you. Jody is a master of illusion. He could easily sway lemmings another way. But thats no good for ratings...
Eh its hard to come back from "it's your fault, not mine". But I also guess not everyone can be Elshan from Zelos🤷♂️
He is the customer service benchmark! But then, he can afford to be, he drives a Ferrari!
@@JustOneMoreWatch I think it's not about being able to afford or not-it's just that, as a Ferrari driver, he most certainly experienced one of the worst customer services on the planet and being a decent bloke as he is, he probably swore not to do that to his customers.
@@JustOneMoreWatchowning a Ferrari has nothing to do with it. Maybe just maybe he runs a quality honest business that has allowed him to own a Ferrari.
For that money I’ll look for a Rado Captain Cook
Good call especially when you can get one for less than £1600 (which is a special edition with two extra straps and a carry pouch)
Not a bad call
I bought a Captain Cook 37mm a few years back and the moving horse logo jammed. They had it back and changed the whole face under warranty. Every time I wear it it puts a big smile on my face. Love it.
LMAO. The Rado CC costs 1000 $ more than the Serica. Subsidiarily, the CC owns a basic ETA based caliber, non COSC, and has no anti-magnetic protection.
Where can you find one at this price ?@@richardshaw1968
Ironically, some of the AliExpress Serica lookalikes were even offered with ETA movements.
The problem with copies (homages) is that you don't know if the movement is a real ETA or Sellita...
I have one. Its just okay. Anyone thinking it even approaches the Serica in detail and quality is kidding themselves. Anyone want to buy a used iPose in white? Dead mint. Lets watch the offers roll in... If I offered up my Serica, Id have several offers close to what I paid quite quickly, Im sure.
@@ccr6042 And dont even think those watches are getting anything other than bargain basement versions that arent up in the line. Lets assume they are using what they say, There are several levels to purchase. All but one swiss movement Ive gotten from San Marin have frozen up on me. Badly lubricated, etc.. Ive been told by them to basically fuck off. Failed inside of a year.
@@ccr6042I'm pretty sure it's legit SW200/2824, but most likely the lowest grades. The 2824 they use don't even have the nickel plating on the copper alloy plates.
@@jamesw5763lol sure bud. 😂
Sorry, I could never buy from a brand owned by folks with absolutely no integrity. Sorry guys, you showed us your true colors.
Jody has no integrity, Yet you bow to his every word?
@@jamesw5763 whatever tool…. Keep scrolling.
@@jamesw5763 How much did they pay you to write all these comments? You've written so many comments in a blatant attempt to defend a company that has been caught for questionable practices that the comments start to look like jokes. If anything, I'm even less likely to look at anything from them and would rather put the money into more respectable watches _because_ of your comments.
Thanks for reviewing my watch Jody! Expected some spicy comments and not dissapointed 😂 I wanted this watch and colourway for a long time and when they released it with the new COSC movement, I couldn't resist. I get that people will say "you could have brought xxx brand for the same price" but I don't buy brands, I buy designs I like that I find interesting and that really grab me. Still coming to terms with the cost of the bloody endlinks though....
10$ end links in a 110$ box.
Regarding the end links mate, P. T Barnum's expression instantly comes to mind: "there's a sucker born every minute" 😁
I simply can't bring myself to take it off the uniquely stunning mesh bracelet, hence I have no need for the costly end-links.
@@speedyfreak9266 that mesh looks like it would wear like a fabric. Almost soft?
@@martinsaunders7925 It does! -- And while the fixed clasp can be a bit "fiddly" to put on at first, you quickly get used to it...and as a bonus it acts the same as an "on-the-fly adjustment clasp as well!
Hol up, let me get this straight: a brand with zero track record releases a $1k+ watch with a faulty movement, tries to gaslight their customers with a feature-not-bug type excuse when the customers rightfully complain, finally caves in and swaps the faulty movement...for a marginally better movement from the same manufacturer (the fact they also try to conceal!), AND they jack the price up?
No offense, but one's gotta be a massive chump to willingly bankroll these absolute grifters by buying their watches.
Serica has also received significant coverage and boost from big online blog and review sites. Im sure this has helped mask any after purchase issues.
Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see any evidence they tried to hide the manufacturer of the new movement. It was at least obvious to me it was the same when I saw the release announcement and I don't think I was being clever.
My friend, you are entirely missing the « French flair » part of the SERICA brand 😂
Sounds like a bit of French arrogance 👀🤗
@@wonderwatch2239 yes, that’s precisely what SERICA is all about
Thinking the Aliexpress copies have killed this.....
Because for a bit they were actually a better watch😂
Actually a better watch too
Agreed.
How would I find such a beast?
Which pagani design is this? The design looks good
I have an Aragon diver watch with this M100 movement. The movement is attractive, accurate, and robust enough. However I have had problems with two Sellita 200 powered watches, a Glycine and a very expensive Alpina. So keep an open mind.
Wouldn't go anywhere near this brand given the disaster of the previous batch. The were bang out of order gaslighting their customers into believing their watches weren't broke and in fact it was a "feature". Go spend your money on a brand that fully deserves it, there are so many out there.
Yema 2.0
So true. Lying to customers?!? Not a good look. Even Aliexpress would not stoop that low. In fact, the ali watch fixed the movement issue two years ago!
@@eggsII 😂😂. Agreed. My experience with Yema’s customer service was absolute trash.
Exactly. That fact along with the end links SCHEME tells yous everything you need to know about the kind of people the brand has for leaders. All those issues and sh*t lume for that price??? Shameful and disgusting frankly.
@@flaviofelix99👍
120€ for the endlinks is downright robbery. For decent non OEM Rolex ones you pay ~40€ (the ones by GM).
But I have to admit the Serica Endlinks really do look nice, with all those polished facettes.
Thanks Jody. Top review as usual. I agree,great looking watch. A little expensive for what you get.
The Tandorio homage of the Ix & Dao homage of the Serica 5303 is looking pretty good. 🤣
Not when you see it in the flesh.
It’s horrible. I have both the IX&Dao and the Tandoorio. The first one is great the second is not.
Phony Rolex by a different name? Go nuts. Rationalizing rip-offs of a micro? Get F#*ked.
I have the Tandorio (silver dial) on an IX&DAO bracelet, and it certainly looks the part at a glance. The case and bezel on mine are nicely finished, it's mainly the dial that lets it down upon closer inspection (and the tiny hands of course). Can't really pin point what it is that looks off, it just looks unrefined compared to the IX&DAO and the Serica. But the IX&DAO bracelet makes a huge difference for the overall look. Super comfortable as well.
Having watched a comparison with the AliExpress version I realised the Serica dial is tiny, now I've seen it, it is a deal breaker. The homage looks better and is £1000+ cheaper.
Company lies to paying customers about their faulty movements. Refuses to address warranty to fix issues. Charges extra to cover up a poor lug design. Increases prices when the aliexpress choice is better with an optional eta movement! Delusional.
I’m happy with my sub-$300 Homage with all the looks (including that amazing mesh bracelet) and a Selita movement.
What watch is this please?
@@trailrunnermike IX & Dao Ipose 5303. The V3 is around $300 now for the SW200 movement
That price is a joke.
I bought a new Longines Spirit this week from an AD for £1350 (it was a snap sale at -£1000 & I got a first time buyer online discount of 10%)
Any plans to review the updated 4512 field watch from Serica?
This design has become so iconic that even the homages have homages. I'd buy one in a heartbeat - if I could afford it.
Who makes their homages? San martin? Actually looking for them
IXDAO makes the best homage of the serica.
Great follow-up. I'd love to see a review of the Aliexpress IXDAO IPOSE watch that homages this, with a more standard ETA or Selita. Could be an interesting discussion of the ethics of homaging a microbrand.
How much!?!?!?!?
Legibility is not only related with dial size. The most important factors are: hands shapes, (especially how hour and minute hands look like), indexes shapes, colour of the dial, hands and indexes (proper contrast).
People don't know movements, just names
Very fair point.
Exactly. You judge a movement by how well it performs on a Timegrapher, on a wrist in daily wear, how resistant it is to shock, magnetism, and wear, and how long it holds its initial timing characteristics. Watchmakers judge it by those properties and how easy it is to service. The name doesn’t matter as long as the movement delivers.
Exactly. If Stepan Sarpaneva chooses this movement for his SUF watches, it's probably OK!
Just now seeing the new studio. Nice! Love the new sign.
Good video. The way the crown sits away from the case when it’s screwed makes it appear flimsy. I would hate to catch it on something. Keep up the good work.
The crown sticks out like a sore thumb😂 it’s so bad😅
Whatever. IX/DAO offer it with a Sellita and it looks the business.
And it’s 75% cheaper 😂. I’d be going for the IX/DAO
You should try and review the wonderful nivada Antarctic
Looks great! I have the IXDAO homage, and it's a pretty fantastic watch (aside from the lack of originality).
3:41 - Apart from the IPOSE IX & Dao homage of course... Which arguably was better than the original 😉
12:20 - 😲😲😲
Completely nuts !! It is amazing to see all those companies, coming from nowhere, with an unknown movement, ready to sell those stuff at crazy prices. The micro-brand bubble !!
Please, what is the brand of that lovely cream tropic? Thank you!
Those end links are evil genius indeed but genius none the less. Has any other manufacturer come up with this solution in the past? I have grown accustom to accepting the case gap when swapping out a watch bracelet for a strap. Too tight (and sensible) to even consider forking out that kind of money though 😅
Looks really nice, but I think a lorier Neptune scratches the same itch (stylistically) for a more reasonable price
I like the Serica field watch,but they are expensive.
I never would have thought "this is not a bug, its a feature!" oneliner with mecha watches.
Wish Vertex had them sort of end links for sale as it's quite gappy on the leather/rubber strap
I've always had good luck with Soprod movements. Wearing one today as a matter of fact (Soprod P024 in a Nivada Grenchen SA). That said, this Serica looks nice but the price is nuts.
Great review, and the gap caused by leather and rubber is what makes natos my strap if choice! Still, they are taking the piss with that price, would expect to pay that much for a whole bracelet not 2 bits of metal!!
I have the Soprod P024 Automatic in my Nivada 369 Antarctic and it’s fantastic. I think it’s a good movement manufacturer. Nivada would not use them if they sucked
C125 in my Lorier and it's been a treat
A fool and his money are soon parted…
I have two of the antarctics. One ran very well, the other was about 45 seconds a day fast. Took it to a shop and had it regulated. Other than that, gorgeous watches
The majority of the skindivers used to be straight between the lugs, to avoid that problem without any extra charge.
Stunning watch, love those end links too but I thought about £600.
i heard that the movements or the older ones were not lubricated?
The price is really a bit steep. The watch looks quite original, but it is not the only original looking watch one can get up to that amount of cash. But of course if you are exactly into that look, go for it. One thing that I don't like aesthetically is that the crown looks like it is not screwed in with that big gap, I would be afraid to accidentally damage the stem. Thanks for the entertaining review!
The dial is a little cluttered for me. The movement sounds good - but they’ve not got a lot of brand cache at that price.
Thx for this review. I have the first series and am lucky enough, not to have met the described defects, which indeed are not acceptable for the price. The watch is amongst my favorites, it is indeed gorgeous (tastes...), and the bezel is the smoothest I ever owned, spinning silently. I like the clasp upgrade on the new version. However the move to a COSC version, with this price increase makes it dead for me. IMO they're not renowned enough for such a price tag. I wonder if they fixed the bracelet fixation on this one, for it was next to impossible to remove on the first one.
Watching this wearing my Serica 8315. Love this watch. Looking forward to seeing their upcoming dress model
Same. Literally wearing my Desert Red 8315 with the expensive end links as I type this. 😂. Absolutely love this watch. Certainly not trying to sound like an apologist but I really don't understand all the vitriol in the comments.
@@brandonbaxter5219 I’ll be ordering the end links soon! Worth every penny. To me. That’s what matters!
$1,600 oh hell no
🤣🤣🤣
Thats second hand BB territory
Love the look.. Now just get San Martin or the like to Xerox it with a better movement and lower price...
New serica 6190, deserves a review. Would love your talk on this
a good looking watch, but yeah, that price is painful. Also, I'm not a fan of the bezel colors. The rest of the watch is legible, but the white gets lost in the light blue.
I’m not sure I like the “hanging Johnson” as a 12:00 marker. Omega uses something similar in my Speedmaster Professional, but at least it’s watching me shave, not watching me shine my shoes.
I have been burned twice with Serica. Both my 4512 and 5303 had similar crown/stem problems. I think a move away from Soprod would be the best thing for their brand as their designs are incredible. I really love the new GMT watch but I would be silly to think I'd have a different experience after my first two purchases were turkeys.
So much for the idea that Swiss watches can justify their very large price premium because they are "superior". This Swiss watch came with a faulty movement and a large misspelling on the box! When I first saw them misspell carry, I thought that it was a typical Chinese company using a dictionary. I was amazed that a Swiss company did that.
Strangely I think those lug to lug covers is the nicest part.
Might as well buy the IX&DAO
The CEO told me he’d cover the cost of servicing issues of my Serica, he ghosted me after that. I sold it immediately. This was all after a 6month+ delay with limited communication from the brand
Ooftie! That is poor.
There must be something about the Soprod M100, I was just looking the other day at the Aragon Hercules which also uses that movement. And at least was cheaper.
Interesting situation.
Soprod make some really good movement's my tribus GMT has a cosc soprod C125 and it hasn't missed a beat since I've had it and it's fantastic to wind it's a quality movement which is the newer M100 -C10 it's rock solid 😁👍
I got similar endlinks from AliX to fit an oysterflex-style band to my Hamilton Khaki King, they really finish the look. They really are just two tiny pieces of moulded steel, 120 euros is taking the piss.
Given that they have already tried to gaslight customers and pass off obvious defects as "design features", they could offer a 5 year warranty, and I still wouldn't have any faith in their products. That combined with the cost makes it a hard pass for me.
I love the look of the 5303, but that kind of price tag? Are they completely insane? That's most of the way to a used Omega Speedmaster, any of a number of used Tag Heuer watches, a host of Hamilton, Oris, Bulova and so on... and those are known quantities. I'd infinitely rather take my $1600 to one I know rather than one with a history of telling customers "It's not the movement that's wrong, you're an idiot for thinking it is".
its a blue dial, but thanks for this review!! always spot on
Are those end links white gold?
Unobtanium
I have a question. What is the best watch brand and why is it g shock?
Nothing like a loaded question mate! Love it.
Great one, but Casio is the brand name, mate!
God Tier
@jroobz how to turn a question into a rhetorical one :)
At that price and given the companies previous gas-lighting efforts I'd be looking for a homage, no way it's worth the $$$ at least to me. Thanks for the great (and honest) review Jody
no, i bought the new field watch and it runs 15 min fast. customer service wont email me back.
I’ve had one of these and mine was just gorgeous and also operational!!! 😅
If you like it, and you have the money, why not. There is nothing else that looks like this.
I believe I’ll stick with my Longines HydroConquest for a little less $$$. It’s been a bullet proof tank. About 4 seconds fast in a 24 hour period, so very easy to adjust every morning.
I was a little taken aback by your comment "nothing like this" since there most definitely are. I have one. Could not stand getting the fiddly clasp adjusted just right - it took so long each time I changed my bracelet. I think a comparison review is in order.
What watch do you have that is like this one?
@@knight0924 see comment below from @HonestWatchReviewsHWR and multiple others
Thank you Jody for this great review. I have been wanting to buy this exact color since it first came out. Probably the most beautiful combination of blue I have seen on any watch. That said, like many in the comment section, I too find it difficult to trust a brand that created the "feature not bug" fiasco.
The IX&DAO is a great alternative, but the size and proportions of the Serica is just that much better than the copy, and the more I look at it, the mote I find the original dial design not working for the larger dial dimensions of the copy. However, I would like to bring to your attention the latest version of the IX&DAO 5303 copy with a california dial in a stunning looking grey pallete. The designer Frank is actually a doctor of Chinese origin who works in Australia. I would love to see you potentially reaching out to him and get that watch in for a review.
Cheers.
Hard pass. They wouldn't admit their mistake, which is a complete deal breaker. Let's not get started with the price.
Yes I like the mod ones very much, but I would never shell out that amount of money for a modified one, but if I get a modified one for free, I would be very happy to share it with all of my colleges at my work place in the biggest company at Kista, in Stockholm in Sweden.
'Tis beautiful....and even more so in the black dial/black bezel version. But if I had $1500+ dollars US to spend, I think my attention would be diverted elsewhere. (Or, more likely, I'd find myself a couple of $800 watches instead. 😅)
I have one of the early ones of this Serica with the Soprod movement - never had an issue. Perhaps not as smooth as some. But then I’ve had more issues with other better known movements. The design of Serica is stunning. Great finishing as well!
Agreed on all points - my crown issue was pro-actively fixed free of charge by Serica via a 3rd party local watchmaker shortly after purchase, upon request. The replacement was timely and effortless, and it has been flawless ever since. I couldn't be happier with my experience and the design of the timepiece. As an aside, the Soprod is one of the most accurate movements in my collection.
Nice piece anytime it gets up around 1500 i start thinking just throw in another 15 and get the tudor
For $1500 I’ll just go find something else. Plenty of others I’d rather have for that price. Thanks for the review!
I bought a watch with a Sellita SW200 in it and it had the same problem even though I have two other watches with the same movement with no issues. The problem is not the movement it’s the crown stem. Once adjusted to the right length the problem is solved.
I’ve got a Serica and I love It
This is a micro brand flex, especially with those lug warmers.
Yep. I cancelled my order in 2022...even went to Paris to pick it up. (Cheaper to fly from UK than pay taxes and delivery) Never went back.
It's a looker. It's a slim movement. Nice. Different
Beautiful watch, perfect specs, movement isn’t broken, but the price…..I recoiled in horror when the price was mentioned
Love the Serica, beautiful watch. Little pricey, but imo worth it, but get that’s not justified to everyone
I can not overlook the cap between the unsigned crown and the case. It's a beautiful watch, but that cap!
It is a stunner, and I’m glad they sorted out the movement. Their stubbornness is almost awe inspiring. Although I am a great believer of second chances. Thanks to you and Gary!
I’ve lost the original bracelet of my 5303 on vacation, I’m devastated since then, does anybody knows where I can find it (Serica doesn’t have them in they’re website), or any other good watch strap for it I should consider ?
Contacting Serica through their website may help. They may agree to sell you a replacement bracelet even though it’s not listed. Otherwise, this type of bracelet is known as a ‘Milanese’ bracelet. They can be found at many places online.
That movement sounds interesting. Not the running the mill ETA clone most people would expect. But the price is still a bit rich in my opinion. 😢
That crown looks, like it needs at least another full rotation to be fully screwed in. That gap and the huge crown in general takes away a good portion of the good looks.
I really don't understand the minute markers on the bezel between 45 am 60 minutes. Shouldn't they be from 1 to 15 minutes?
Yes
Tandorio 'homage' 😂 nh35 with IX & DAO IPOSE strap all the way babyyyyy!! 😁👍.
Admittedly did it when the original farce was ongoing ( trusty nh35) . Found it aesthetically pleasing but wanted one that worked. Wear it regularly. Enjoy looking at it and no-one else has ever noticed it.... or any of my other watches to be fair.
Reminds me of a Vostok
“They didn’t send me a Christmas card” 😂
Since it was pointed out the inner child in me can't unnotice the 12 o'clock marker...worse than the Citizen "pants". Not that i could afford one anyway though.
It does look like the rado captain Cook, not sure if that makes it a homage?
NOT with that... thing... at 12!
😂
Ahhh shit, it does look like a little dong😂 wtf
Haha... nice one Jody. Cheers.
I think it's a gorgeous watch, and if it's really a COSC watch it's fairly priced. Seiko makes the SPB range that's similarly priced and is not even close to COSC.