*Get up to 55% (50+5%) off Eskter wallets with my code: BENSWC by going to* partner.ekster.com/BENSWATCHCLUBNEW Which result from this test surprised you the most? For me, it was the fact that some of these clones look so clean under macro!
You should make this a series, Ben! Taking iconic expensive watches and putting budget options to the test with side by side comparisons. Could be interesting to see how clones of other brands or iconic watches compare…
The cronos is not based off Chrono-, its more of the opposite. Chrono prefix is based off the titan Kronos/Cronus/Cronos from mythology, who was the God/Titan of time
Octopus Kraken is in dire nee of a complete branding overhaul. They need to lose the name entirely... or at a minimum, get it off of the dial. I would say that they could just stick with the logo, as it's a major improvement over their old one... but then it would just look like an anus sitting at the top of the dial. Have you seen the anus? Once you do, it can never be unseen...
Considering how damn good the lume is, I personally see Addiesdive watches (with quartz movements) more as the better alternatives to some low-ish end Casio stuff, rather than a true luxury replacement. Classic designs, above average finishing, waterproofing has never failed and they just keep running.
I really enjoy these types of videos, Ben, and would love to see more comparisons between AliExpress homage watches and the original luxury timepieces that inspire them. For future content, it would be great to explore homages to iconic models like the Black Bay 54/58, Rolex Submariner, and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, among others.
Thanks for the great review. There are so many Octopus Kraken watches that I love but just can't pull the trigger because of the name / logo. I've had my eye on an Oris Homage that looks beautiful as well, so much so that I've reached out to them to see if I could buy with a sterile dial but to no avail. I'd buy in a heartbeat if they offered a sterile dial option. Your video, at the least, confirms they appear to make a pretty solid watch in general.
In 2020, I bought myself a Rolex OP for my 60th. But since then, I've also bought five watches from Cronos. The quality is quite stunning, and certainly on par with San Martin, which I also have. Cronos don't seem to have such a high profile as other brands, but I would highly recommend them.
Thanks for this, the Explorer is a huge favorite of mine! While the Baltany has been teasing my interest for a while it’s hard to square the clone/homage route. Currently have the Seiko 5 Dress KX and the Vaer S3 Tradition and while not homages of the Rolex they still both have a great Explorer feel to them while still having their own identity.
I want to see this series for every single Rolex model. Currently I love the San Martin Ghost (submariner homage) and my Cronos GMT Pepsi dark bezel (Pepsi GMT), and a Sugess Daytona Le Mans edition. If there are other good homages I would like to see them go head to head.
I’m really keen to get a Rolex Explorer, but before I take the plunge I might get one of these, to see if I REALLY want one. See how much I wear it and like the look of it. Kind of like a free trial!
Hey Ben! Great comparison! Really great! I just wanted to draw your attention to the 36mm Addiesdive AD 2023-AC. It is an automatic version of the one you have shown here, featuring the PT5000 movement!!! A great little buzzer 🙂 Thanks again for your great work
Great idea and great video, the only thing I'd like to see is both the original and replica side-to side at the same time while you describe each model's exterior and finish.
Man, octopus keeps doing this. I had the Fifty Fathoms homage from them and it was amazing. Though I messed it up trying to fix the broken movement after a drop (shock absorption was nonexistent, this one looks much better). I wish they stopped putting the name and just kept the logo on their dials though.
One of the selling points is that a co-axial escapement doesn't need as much servicing, but you can replace an entire seiko movement several times for less than one Omega service fee lol
Thanks for the excellent comparison. I personally have some rules that I follow when purchasing a 1:1 “homage” watch, but it’s hard to argue against one of the higher end Chinese Brands like Cronos and San Martin when it comes to finishing and craftsmanship. And with San Martin now coming out with original designs, they are starting to become undeniable. Thanks again!
@ For me, the watch has to be discontinued. For example one of my favorite watches I own is a Seestern Homage of a 62mas. I know Seiko reissued it but for me that’s fair game. No Homage of Micro Brands and if I buy a Homage of a modern watch, it has be at least ten times more expensive than the Homage. I know these are silly rules, but everyone has to draw the line somewhere, but that’s where I personally draw the line (s).
I own the Baltany in 39mm. I liked the explorer look but would never spend the money for a Rolex. I also didn't want an exact clone so I went for their chocolate brown sunburst dial which looks amazing. The quality of the watch is fantastic, keeps fantastic time, the bracelet is comfortable and far exceeds my expectations for the £200 I paid. The sapphire crystal is so clear and the indices are very well applied and the lume is great. Baltany specialise from what I can tell in vintage homages of watches that can be difficult to find, and they do it so well that I may get a few more of their watches. They also have a UK website which means they avoid import duty and customer service should be pretty good. All in all I love my watch and can recommend it if you like the explorer look but don't want to spend a fortune.
Fun video. I bought a Bliger 36mm, NH35, sterile dial four years ago. It still looks good, including the case, and it's unbelievably accurate: 2-3 seconds slow a day. Luck of the draw there, I'm sure.Took a while to get used to the sterile dial, but now I love it. It's my daily (not dress watch) wear. Ben's 5x to 10x enlargements might show imperfections, but a 1x it looks great. Just got a "nice watch" comment a week ago. The vast majority of people don't know it's an homage to a Rolex design, or care. Only watch elitists do. I have a 1501 Date and a 1680 Sub and have received not one comment on either. I agree with Ben though, If lasting lume is your thing, then this one is not for you.
watching as I purchased the Baltany in the 11/11 sale. Did i make the right choice ??? I'll find out shortly ;) I did get the brown sunburst dial though.
Thanks for this prefect video, for watch lovers. I had 3 Rolex, now going on chinese one as I don’t like to be rape by swiss people, so bought a baltany with vintage lume and round glass, absolute excellent quality xplorer, next will be the cronos.
Great video. But just for fun I'd like to see how the Chinese do against Swiss or other hommages, specifically the quality of the steel (is it really 316L?) and the lume.
I have had the Cronos in my cart for months, but I am always conflicted about buying an homage, especially a Rolex homage. They do look really good, though. Great video.
A homage watch might last decades and save some money in the short-term but it will never be the real deal. Whereas a real one simply is, and that is a great feeling to get from a long-term purchase. I bought a CWC for 3x the price of a MWC copycat, and I would again, because it is high quality with no cut corners.
Interesting video. Very usefull. So, nothing beats the Cronos Watches of course, nether San Martin. PT 5000 it's a great movmt, better than my Swiss watches, and The design, the shine, the dimensons don't have rivals. Of course talking about watches around 250 €. Baltany as stunning to, but I don't have anyone yet. The cronos submariner fade blue for example, is the must beautifull watch in my colection, whit Fortis a lot of Hamiltons, Seikos, Rolex, Midos, Glycine, Ventus, Pagani, Watch Dives, San Martin, all automatics and divers. The majority of homeges are garbage whith the NH 35. And the finishes are realy realy bad. The majority of the San Martin watches don't have the correct design, horrible dials, no shine no date I never by. The 37mm dive watches are so ridiculous. Who needs a sport dive watch with a 37mm???? Not even my wife uses them. Thanks a lot fir the revue.
Nice review! I avoid the 904L Rolex uses since it's less biocompatible and not surgical grade stainless and 904L causes more skin reactions than surgical grade/316L. Plus 904L scratches a bit more easily than 316L. So I would go with one of the homages if I wanted an explorer looking watch.
Rolex is not COSC certified. They have their own thing chronometer thing, cause their brand is so strobg they dont see a need to pay a third part (COSC). They are probably as accurate as COSC though
Markus, all Rolex movements are cosc certified before final assembly. They take their cosc movements, then regulate them in house further then assembled. Then the fully cased watch is tested to be a superlative chronometer running at -2 +2 in 7 positions. 2 more then cosc , 1 more then metas or grand Seiko mechanical.
I would not, under any circumstance, dare to wear a watch from a brand call Octopus Kraken hahaha I guess the English speaking market is not their target audience
To be honest if you want a Rolex then you're better off getting a clone or homage to begin with, because anybody who sees a watch branded Rolex just assumes it's a fake anyway, regardless of whether it is or isn't.
@@bulj Isn't that the only reason to buy Rolex? There are plenty of other top end and classier Swiss watches if you really want to spend 5 figures on a watch.
@@davidparker.2227 the only rolex I'd consider would be a Milgauss for the magnetic resistance... but at that point I'd just buy a cheap casio because quartz doesn't care about magnets anyway lmao
@@slaphead90this is ridiculous. Rolex is perhaps the most robust luxury watch at their price range with the absolute tightest QC and almost completely fully integrated, rather than so many “Swiss” brands which are really just Chinese.
Took apart a fake Rolex recently using a Chinese movement that was VERY, VERY inferior to a simple Seiko NH35A. You won't see me talking shit about Seiko's NH movements anymore after I went through that shit, so respect to some of these brands for actually committing to the watch trifecta (good case, good glass, good movement).
I definetly woudn't want to wear something that looks like Rolex in 2024, fake or not... not worth the fear of getting robbed or machettied, the world is crazy Fun video though, Ben
I had the addiesdive one as shown in the video with a quartz mouvement. The battery ran out after 3 months. I was disappointed. Then I got the call from Rolex for the Explorer 36 and it was a relief. Sold the addiesdive soon after.
Interesting to see what you can get 'on the cheap'. Not my cup of tea. While not homages, there are plenty of tool/GADA watches available for slightly over the most expensive, used, to around what you spent for all of them that would be worth someone saving a little and getting something far better. When you get a chance, review the Hanhart Preventor HD12 as a one and done.
*Get up to 55% (50+5%) off Eskter wallets with my code: BENSWC by going to* partner.ekster.com/BENSWATCHCLUBNEW
Which result from this test surprised you the most? For me, it was the fact that some of these clones look so clean under macro!
You should make this a series, Ben! Taking iconic expensive watches and putting budget options to the test with side by side comparisons. Could be interesting to see how clones of other brands or iconic watches compare…
This is the best, most objective and valuable video you've ever produced.
The cronos is not based off Chrono-, its more of the opposite. Chrono prefix is based off the titan Kronos/Cronus/Cronos from mythology, who was the God/Titan of time
Exactly, much easier a quick word look up than a baseless complain
Octopus Kraken is in dire nee of a complete branding overhaul. They need to lose the name entirely... or at a minimum, get it off of the dial. I would say that they could just stick with the logo, as it's a major improvement over their old one... but then it would just look like an anus sitting at the top of the dial. Have you seen the anus? Once you do, it can never be unseen...
Great video, it’s a shame you didn’t have the Watchdives Explorer homage, VH31 movement 36mm looks beautiful. Watchdives are on fire at the moment.
Considering how damn good the lume is, I personally see Addiesdive watches (with quartz movements) more as the better alternatives to some low-ish end Casio stuff, rather than a true luxury replacement. Classic designs, above average finishing, waterproofing has never failed and they just keep running.
Those "Chinese vs Swiss" type of videos are so addictive
Please do some more!
I really enjoy these types of videos, Ben, and would love to see more comparisons between AliExpress homage watches and the original luxury timepieces that inspire them. For future content, it would be great to explore homages to iconic models like the Black Bay 54/58, Rolex Submariner, and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, among others.
Thanks for the great review. There are so many Octopus Kraken watches that I love but just can't pull the trigger because of the name / logo. I've had my eye on an Oris Homage that looks beautiful as well, so much so that I've reached out to them to see if I could buy with a sterile dial but to no avail. I'd buy in a heartbeat if they offered a sterile dial option. Your video, at the least, confirms they appear to make a pretty solid watch in general.
This type of videos could become new series in the channel. Huge potential ❤
Pagani all day long for me!
Great content Ben.
I have a few Cronos models,excellent build quality and value for money.
Both Cronos and Octopus Kraken are excellent brands, I've owned several watches from each and never had a bad example.
Great work Ben, spot on pitch and pace. I'd value seeing the same produced for the Explorer II.
In 2020, I bought myself a Rolex OP for my 60th.
But since then, I've also bought five watches from Cronos. The quality is quite stunning, and certainly on par with San Martin, which I also have.
Cronos don't seem to have such a high profile as other brands, but I would highly recommend them.
Great execution on this type of video. Really enjoyable, would like to seem more.
Finnaly "The Homages Watch War" we waiting for.
Thanks for this vid. I love the Explorer and there are so many choices.
Octopus Kraken...can never get past the name. So close.
Thanks for this, the Explorer is a huge favorite of mine! While the Baltany has been teasing my interest for a while it’s hard to square the clone/homage route. Currently have the Seiko 5 Dress KX and the Vaer S3 Tradition and while not homages of the Rolex they still both have a great Explorer feel to them while still having their own identity.
Truly great video! Pls make more like this 👏👏🙏🙏
What a great review. It's the Cronos Explorer for me. I like the brand and would probably get it with the pt5000. Thanks for sharing
I want to see this series for every single Rolex model. Currently I love the San Martin Ghost (submariner homage) and my Cronos GMT Pepsi dark bezel (Pepsi GMT), and a Sugess Daytona Le Mans edition. If there are other good homages I would like to see them go head to head.
This is great Ben. Thanks for doing this on your own dime and not sponsored.
I’m really keen to get a Rolex Explorer, but before I take the plunge I might get one of these, to see if I REALLY want one. See how much I wear it and like the look of it. Kind of like a free trial!
Hey Ben! Great comparison! Really great!
I just wanted to draw your attention to the 36mm Addiesdive AD 2023-AC. It is an automatic version of the one you have shown here, featuring the PT5000 movement!!! A great little buzzer 🙂
Thanks again for your great work
Great idea and great video, the only thing I'd like to see is both the original and replica side-to side at the same time while you describe each model's exterior and finish.
Ben you’ve GOT to do another fashion watch review like the Armani/Hilfiger video!
I bought the Addiesdive 2023, the mecaquartz, and I am not disappointed in any way!
i've always wondered how these homages compare to the real thing, thanks for the video
Great comparisons and review Ben.
Long live AliExpress cheapos!!!
👍🇬🇧😉
I quite like the san Martin logo
Man, octopus keeps doing this. I had the Fifty Fathoms homage from them and it was amazing. Though I messed it up trying to fix the broken movement after a drop (shock absorption was nonexistent, this one looks much better). I wish they stopped putting the name and just kept the logo on their dials though.
I once considered getting an Omega. Then I saw what it costs to repair them and never considered it again. Ridiculous.
One of the selling points is that a co-axial escapement doesn't need as much servicing, but you can replace an entire seiko movement several times for less than one Omega service fee lol
happy Octopus Kraken 36mm owner here
Awesome video!
Thanks for the excellent comparison. I personally have some rules that I follow when purchasing a 1:1 “homage” watch, but it’s hard to argue against one of the higher end Chinese Brands like Cronos and San Martin when it comes to finishing and craftsmanship. And with San Martin now coming out with original designs, they are starting to become undeniable. Thanks again!
What are the rules?
@ For me, the watch has to be discontinued. For example one of my favorite watches I own is a Seestern Homage of a 62mas. I know Seiko reissued it but for me that’s fair game. No Homage of Micro Brands and if I buy a Homage of a modern watch, it has be at least ten times more expensive than the Homage. I know these are silly rules, but everyone has to draw the line somewhere, but that’s where I personally draw the line (s).
Fantastic video!! More like this please :)
Would habe been interesting if you had seen how well they were running. The cronos i had was at +3 seconds a day.
Would have been good to have compared timekeeping with a timegrapher or app.
Nice work! How about the SKX for the next round? Or maybe the Rolex Submariner
Super interesting video, Ben!
I own the Baltany in 39mm. I liked the explorer look but would never spend the money for a Rolex. I also didn't want an exact clone so I went for their chocolate brown sunburst dial which looks amazing. The quality of the watch is fantastic, keeps fantastic time, the bracelet is comfortable and far exceeds my expectations for the £200 I paid. The sapphire crystal is so clear and the indices are very well applied and the lume is great. Baltany specialise from what I can tell in vintage homages of watches that can be difficult to find, and they do it so well that I may get a few more of their watches. They also have a UK website which means they avoid import duty and customer service should be pretty good. All in all I love my watch and can recommend it if you like the explorer look but don't want to spend a fortune.
Fun video. I bought a Bliger 36mm, NH35, sterile dial four years ago. It still looks good, including the case, and it's unbelievably accurate: 2-3 seconds slow a day. Luck of the draw there, I'm sure.Took a while to get used to the sterile dial, but now I love it. It's my daily (not dress watch) wear. Ben's 5x to 10x enlargements might show imperfections, but a 1x it looks great. Just got a "nice watch" comment a week ago. The vast majority of people don't know it's an homage to a Rolex design, or care. Only watch elitists do. I have a 1501 Date and a 1680 Sub and have received not one comment on either. I agree with Ben though, If lasting lume is your thing, then this one is not for you.
watching as I purchased the Baltany in the 11/11 sale. Did i make the right choice ??? I'll find out shortly ;)
I did get the brown sunburst dial though.
I have the brown sunburst and it is lovely.
Cronos makes the best "homages". Their "Sub" homage is realy good too.
Cronos for me in two colors and they're very accurate.
Cronos was the ancient Greek god of time. It’s spelt correctly and is probably one of the coolest and more imaginative names for AliExpress
Thanks for this prefect video, for watch lovers. I had 3 Rolex, now going on chinese one as I don’t like to be rape by swiss people, so bought a baltany with vintage lume and round glass, absolute excellent quality xplorer, next will be the cronos.
great video, the octopus is wild 🐙🐙🐙🐙
Hi Ben! Would like to recommend the casio watch collaboration watch with A. P. C. Wanna know your review to it hehe thanks!!
Fantastic video.
No watchdives Explorer homage?
great video!
Great video
Great video. But just for fun I'd like to see how the Chinese do against Swiss or other hommages, specifically the quality of the steel (is it really 316L?) and the lume.
I have had the Cronos in my cart for months, but I am always conflicted about buying an homage, especially a Rolex homage. They do look really good, though. Great video.
"The only thing worse than a fake Rolex is a real one"
-Jeremy Clarkson
A homage watch might last decades and save some money in the short-term but it will never be the real deal. Whereas a real one simply is, and that is a great feeling to get from a long-term purchase. I bought a CWC for 3x the price of a MWC copycat, and I would again, because it is high quality with no cut corners.
Instead of a homage... i rather get a quartz Tissot Gentleman or PR100. Solid choices and not hommage per se
Great video, I'd personal buy a homage over a clone with my own money.
Great vid!!! 🙏👍😊
Cronos is looking very good.
FYI cronos is the greek titan of time. That is what the name comes from...
Tisell should be closest I think
Interesting video. Very usefull. So, nothing beats the Cronos Watches of course, nether San Martin. PT 5000 it's a great movmt, better than my Swiss watches, and The design, the shine, the dimensons don't have rivals. Of course talking about watches around 250 €. Baltany as stunning to, but I don't have anyone yet. The cronos submariner fade blue for example, is the must beautifull watch in my colection, whit Fortis a lot of Hamiltons, Seikos, Rolex, Midos, Glycine, Ventus, Pagani, Watch Dives, San Martin, all automatics and divers. The majority of homeges are garbage whith the NH 35. And the finishes are realy realy bad. The majority of the San Martin watches don't have the correct design, horrible dials, no shine no date I never by. The 37mm dive watches are so ridiculous. Who needs a sport dive watch with a 37mm???? Not even my wife uses them. Thanks a lot fir the revue.
Interesting review, we’ll done…
👍👍👍
Where's the Watchdives? :)
Nice review! I avoid the 904L Rolex uses since it's less biocompatible and not surgical grade stainless and 904L causes more skin reactions than surgical grade/316L. Plus 904L scratches a bit more easily than 316L. So I would go with one of the homages if I wanted an explorer looking watch.
cronos best imo
Rolex is not COSC certified. They have their own thing chronometer thing, cause their brand is so strobg they dont see a need to pay a third part (COSC). They are probably as accurate as COSC though
Markus, all Rolex movements are cosc certified before final assembly. They take their cosc movements, then regulate them in house further then assembled. Then the fully cased watch is tested to be a superlative chronometer running at -2 +2 in 7 positions. 2 more then cosc , 1 more then metas or grand Seiko mechanical.
Everybody copies everyone else, just look at Ford and Aston Martin.
I would not, under any circumstance, dare to wear a watch from a brand call Octopus Kraken hahaha
I guess the English speaking market is not their target audience
To be honest if you want a Rolex then you're better off getting a clone or homage to begin with, because anybody who sees a watch branded Rolex just assumes it's a fake anyway, regardless of whether it is or isn't.
This would assume that you're buying rolex just to flex
@@bulj
Nobody in the entire galaxy is buying a rolex for their amazing utility and versatility.
@@bulj Isn't that the only reason to buy Rolex? There are plenty of other top end and classier Swiss watches if you really want to spend 5 figures on a watch.
@@davidparker.2227 the only rolex I'd consider would be a Milgauss for the magnetic resistance... but at that point I'd just buy a cheap casio because quartz doesn't care about magnets anyway lmao
@@slaphead90this is ridiculous. Rolex is perhaps the most robust luxury watch at their price range with the absolute tightest QC and almost completely fully integrated, rather than so many “Swiss” brands which are really just Chinese.
Cronos is the correct word based on the Greek God of time.
I respect a Casio F-91 one hundred times more than any of these because it's legitimate.
Took apart a fake Rolex recently using a Chinese movement that was VERY, VERY inferior to a simple Seiko NH35A.
You won't see me talking shit about Seiko's NH movements anymore after I went through that shit, so respect to some of these brands for actually committing to the watch trifecta (good case, good glass, good movement).
Rolex explorer is beyond bland and dull. I would never pay the asking price for one.
It’s my perfect watch and will be picking one up next year after 2 or 3 more fun watches first
I definetly woudn't want to wear something that looks like Rolex in 2024, fake or not... not worth the fear of getting robbed or machettied, the world is crazy
Fun video though, Ben
I had the addiesdive one as shown in the video with a quartz mouvement. The battery ran out after 3 months. I was disappointed. Then I got the call from Rolex for the Explorer 36 and it was a relief. Sold the addiesdive soon after.
Interesting to see what you can get 'on the cheap'. Not my cup of tea. While not homages, there are plenty of tool/GADA watches available for slightly over the most expensive, used, to around what you spent for all of them that would be worth someone saving a little and getting something far better. When you get a chance, review the Hanhart Preventor HD12 as a one and done.
10 mins ago posted. early
Look very cheap? They are cheap
Meh, just go with the Traska Summiteer.
My $42 Cadisen homage is one of my favorite watches! Knowing how little I paid for it makes me enjoy it even more!
Smiths Everest. Accept no substitutes lol.