The Best Grab - And - Go Watch on AliExpress? Addiesdive AD2023-1. Full review.
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- Опубликовано: 11 фев 2025
- Chinese Homage watches are getting cheaper and cheaper. At under £100 are we getting real quality? The Addiesdive AD2023-1 is only £89 and comes with a brilliant Seiko VH31 sweeping quartz movement.
Is it the best grab and go watch on AliExpress for the money?
Take a look at my review and see what you think.
The Addiesdive AD2023-1 is a little gem.
You can buy the watch direct from my affiliate links below. Of course you will not pay any extra but you will be helping to support the channel going forward. Thank you for your support.
Link to Addiesdive AD2023-1 below:
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I recently picked up a watch with a vh31 movement and it takes a really close inspection when compared to an nh35 movement to tell the difference. It's the best of both worlds regarding the movement and I'm happy to see more AliExpress brands taking advantage of that movement.
I agree. Not everyone likes automatic and most don't like quartz as the secs hand usually misses the markers.
I wish more watches would use this movement. It's such a great idea. It's still sweeping, but it's accurate and you don't need to service it. And it cuts down on the size of the watch.
I agree with you ☺️
Totally agree, I hope more companies start using mechaquartz, or better yet solar quartz like Vaer is doing. The ubiquity of cheap inaccurate mechanical movements is too dominant.
Fantastic review, John! This really is a killer value. I’ve been finding myself wearing my quartz pieces more often lately, the convenience is a nice change of pace. I’d snap this up in a heartbeat if I’m looking for a quartz GADA piece.
P.S. congratulations on 2k subs! 🎉
Thank you...caught me by surprise. Wish I had found this watch for the competition haha 😂
@@johnswatchjoint you found your contender for next year 🤣
Addies dive make some fantastic pieces for the money, it’s crazy. This is sharp, but a tad too small preference wise for me,
And John! You are killing it on RUclips! 2k subs in less than a year wow m8 way to go that’s amazing.
I have a friend that commented on my addies dive pilot vid that aliexpress is destroying microbrands, something I agree with. How can micros compete with some of these watches?
Hi Buddy...Yeah just hit 2000 subs this afternoon...one of my subscribers informed me! It is a contentious issue and one where I get what everyone is saying BUT, in business I believe whatever works out best for the customer is king.
Business are their to make money...and we both know they do not care about their customers. Look at me with my Google pixel! It took me 5 weeks and numerous calls, emails, 2 weeks without a phone and finally the threat of involving the Ombudsman to get a replacement for a phone that cost £400 and began failing after 4 months. That is what I am talking about.
If microbrands make great designs at reasonable prices people will still buy but most people wear relatively cheap watches. If Chinese watches re-ignite the passion for mechanical watches over smart ones then I am all for it. TBH I believe the real danger to traditional watches in general is smart watches and not Chinese specials.
Catch you soon...off to do another vid !
@@johnswatchjoint I hear ya John good take, I do think it is far more difficult for micro brands to offer an 89 pound watch with those specs because I imagine for most it costs that much or more just to manufacture the piece let alone the material costs. Which is why most microbrands are priced between 250-500 USD. Unless they find a way to cut manufacturing costs (these Chinese brands, most own the factory where they are being made and make other brands pieces as well) they will never be able to put out a spec’d out watch like this one. Not saying one is right and the other is wrong but that’s the reality, making it tuff for micros. They have to lean into other things such as customer service to make the jump in price worthwhile something that Marc at long island watch has been able to do
@@MirrlyonTime You are right...and Marc does well seeing in relative bulk with good prices and top notch customer care. That's why I bought my Bayport new from him :)
I love the look of this watch. Not a san Martin but for the price it's worth it. Love the movement myself, only quartz movement I like other than grand seiko.
I hope you are getting along with your phone. Good quality picture.
Thanks for the review. Be safe.😊
Cheers Dre...all good :)
I was eyeing their Pilot Watch. Now I’m more inclined to buy it. I’m genuinely surprised at how great the watch is. I think as San Martin starts to creep upmarket, brands like Addiesdive are filling that role SM used to fill.
Also, have to respect a man who still drives a manual transmission. And a 6 speed no less so it must be pretty sporty also. Thanks as always for the great review!
Thanks AD... and thank you so much for your kind email. :)
@@Soul_of_a_Robot Yeah. As I was posting I was thinking, I don’t think anyone makes a five speed manual anymore. It just shows how old I am I guess.
I bought the addiesdive pilot about two years ago and it's one of my favorite watches in my collection. It has a timeless look, comfortable on wrist, and it's an absolute strap monster. If you don't mind look underneath the hood it's not difficult to calibrate either. I'm a huge fan of addiesdive now.
If I didn't already have a good VH31 quartz watch, I'd get this. Maybe at the next sale. Great review, exceptional lume that I know Addiesdive is great at.
Cheers Bensy. Thank you for your support!
That's they great thing abut the vh31, it's so cheap the manufacturers can spend more of their budget on other areas of the watch.
Nice review! I’d love this in a sunburst blue or other interesting dial options.
As you said, the VH31 is great for me. I appreciate how exact it is and the mechanical feel 😊
Like yourself, I have bought one of these. I am absolutely delighted with it and if they did a version with the indices from the AD2112 then my watch collection would be complete (having early and late versions of 3.6.9 dials). For the price it cannot be matched let alone beaten.
I surprised myself in buying this watch as I had previously wasted £160 buying the AD2112. It is the most inconsistently inaccurate watch I have ever owned. It was then that I discovered the huge downside in buying direct from China.
I would recommend the AD2023-1 to everyone. It is fantastically accurate, looks stunning and has a very sensibly sized case.
Hopefully the fad for oversized watches is fading. Hopefully the fad for auto movements will fade as well.
The micro adjust holes on the clasp were not properly drilled on mine but this was easily sorted using a smoothing broach to slightly open them up.
For anyone worried about the white ring around the crystal do not worry as it does not look like that in real life.
Thank you for sharing. Much appreciated 👍
Addiesdive has been putting out some great pieces lately, hard to resist !
They have and they only popped up onto radar very recently. :)
@@johnswatchjoint Just got it, fantastic watch ! I just wonder how to pop the caseback, no apparent holes to pry it...
What a very nice looking watch. It looks to have nice fit and finishing. I have a 7 inch wrist and for some reason anything less than a 39mm diameter looks small. Most of my watches are 40 to 42mm in size. I might just be used to seeing the bigger size. But i really like the look of this watch. Great review. Definitely something to think about.
Thanks for sharing!
I'm the same. 7 and a half inch wrist. 41 to 43 works best for me. This is a very nice watch at a great price. Just a tad too small for me, unfortunately. 😔
I have a few of their subbie homages which they also refer to as a deep sea hunter! My wrist is nearly nine inches, I might need to get two… wow female end links, so refreshing. Great work on the review
Thank you my friend x
Bit of a game changer for an EX homage fitting a Quartz movement.
I like what they have done but I think it needs to ditch the Deepseahunter text as hardly deep sea.
Added to the list of must have.
At my age I don't even notice that text anymore and my mates can't make it out either haha! BTW you can't buy this one from me as it is my new beater...sold the Pulsar!
@@johnswatchjoint Darn it but I do have the Thorn at last on the wayl, even a Watch bracelet has taken an age to dispatch so what is going on I have no idea.
I agree the name is unweildy and doesn't look good in print, but "deep sea" is a relative tern.
The way I see it is, I actually do some diving and, to me, 100m is pretty deep. If I ever find myself deeper than 100m, it would be the result of a catastrophic accident and the only reason I'd need that watch is to mark the exact time of my death! 😉
It's a lovely watch. I have a 7-1/4" wrist and I ended up removing one link altogether, and moving one link from the bottom (6 o'clock) of the bracelet and adding it to the top of the bracelet to keep the watch and the clasp centered on my wrist. It really is a good looking piece and that sweep is just cool as hell.
Cool it is. For a budget watch it has something that others don't. I know what you mean :)
Hey, I have a similar 7” wrist size. Does it look a a tad too small on you? I’m asking since I read a few comments saying it felt a bit girlish for some people having 7” wrist and above.
My wrist size is 6.75 inches and for me it is perfect for me but I wear what I like. If someone says to me that my watch looks girlish...
1. They are not my friend
2. I don't care what they think
3. I still don't care what they think.
You wear what you like 🤗
@@karanbhambhani I'm 53yo and I lead a team of engineers. My "style" is more reserved sophistication than audacious bombast. The size works perfectly for me.
Outstanding value with that spec John! Wears very well, cracking lume also 😎
Yeah Rich, she is a little cracker :)
Great review & great looking watch! It definitely seems like a good grab& go watch. I don’t mind the 19mm lug with but wish the logo at the 12 wasn’t so cluttered.
Cheers Luis....Love your Van Halen monicker!
@@johnswatchjoint Thanks! Gotta love EVH. One of the greatest guitarist.
Excellent homage to the Rolex 1016 of the 60’s! 🔥
I'd like to buy two or three of those clasps, and put them on a few of my $500 or $600 Seikos, which have no half links and only 2 very closely spaced adjustment holes. Almost impossible to get a good fit, unless you have exactly the right wrist size.
Ordered one off the back of this review. Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh.
I'm sure you will enjoy wearing it. Thanks for watching.
I really like Addiesdive, they've turned out some nice watches. This one isn't my cup of tea nonetheless now I'm tempted 😁
Ah....the rabbit hole is is opened once more....;)
Just got one; Really nice watch for the price, EXCEPT for 2 things.
The engraving on the case back has a really rough texture, like coarse sandpaper, and the inside of the bracelet has a lot of uncomfortable sharp edges.
I attacked the caseback with a very fine flat file and fixed that problem, and I'm working the inside of the bracelet with wet-or-dry sandpaper, and making it smoother and more comfortable.
Love the Vh31 movement.
...I would have sent it back...not something experienced on my watch!
Deep sea hunter, WTF? I'd expect something totally different under this designation! 😬
Yep...their English translation is questionable to say the least...but it is a great watch!
Funny my Addiesdive Tuna also says Deepseahunter on the dial ... so I'm surprised they reused it.
Yeah but I get what you are saying - this is more an 'exploring' watch than dive watch.
@@karlsenula9495 Exactly! High mountain hunter would more fitting
Picture yourself in a submarine hunting a kraken or something 😅
Hi John, i saw the heads up to get this at a ridiculous price today, 02/09 with a discount shipped for £38.50, many thanks mate, regards Dave.
No Problem Dave. I was a Buyer for 20 years and I love to sniff out great quality at even better prices 😁
@johnswatchjoint Hi John, my Addiesdive explorer turned up today, just wanted to say thank you so much for your advice on this little beauty👍
My only regret is no applied markers and arabics. Still considering it though. Regards
Thanks
Thx for the review. Get going 🚀
Appreciate that
Even ignoring the homage aspect, that price for a mechaquartz is great value in and of itself. Unironically probably one of the best beater watches on the market short of a Gshock. Quartz durability, yet sweeping hand and cheap enough to replace while also being passable enough for a dressy occasion in a pinch.
Would make a brilliant first watch for someone who is interested in wearing one TBH as a result.
I'd shorten the name to 'Sea Hunter' though, (maybe even change it to something like 'Summit/Climber' given the homage) and while in the minority in that I like the AD logo, I don't like the name. Feel like the Steeldive brand they have is a better name.
That is almost perfect. I have a PD airking homage which has an identical case. The most wearable of all my watches.....
correct me if I'm wrong but PD hasn't any slim body like this one or SN021. I think PD is more like AD2112, which is visually thicker.
@@marc-albertjaquat6364true. The PD airking is 40mm aswell. I have it, and I will sell it asap. It gets no wristtime.
Is this the same watch that's currently on Ali for 37 quid? If so that sounds like amazing value
Absolutely. Grab it !!
So now that you’ve handled this one and the Watchdives explorer (or was it ranger that you have?), between the two of them, which one is better? WD one is more expensive and it only has mineral, while this one is sapphire, but I feel like the lume is worse? Which one would you recommend? Is WD better finished?
It depends on your view of Mineral Vs Sapphire and your perception of the respective logos. Both are very good watches that I would happily recommend. Some don't like Addie's logo and some don't like WD s logo. I don't mind mineral . Personally I would have either but for me the WD is the least offensive .
@@johnswatchjoint honestly, I think both logos are fine. Dial is small enough that from distance logo won’t be very discernible. 😀 but which one is better finished, has better bracelet, etc? I definitely would prefer a sapphire, but not at the expense of everything else, like lume, finishing, etc.
The Lume on both is excellent but the finishing on the Watchdives is superior, not that the Addie's is bad.
@@johnswatchjoint gotcha, thanks!🙏 I think you helped me make my mind. 🤘
Im normally not a quartz guy, but I couldn't pass up the $49 price during the summer sale. I'm waiting on delivery now, but I see it's $79 today. If the band is like the Jubilee on my other Addiesdive auto, 15 minutes with an emery board will take care of those sharp edges on the clasp and milled bars. Otherwise, their bands are as good as anything that comes on a $500 Seiko.
I'm really impressed with my AD2018 by them. Hope this one doesn't disappoint.
You won't have any issues with that bracelet. It is a fantastic watch for the sale price...or even at its full price ;)
Amazingly, it was only 35 USD, tax included!! during the singles day sale. Total no brainer
The logo looks a bit complicated and over-sized. Other than that it is a nice looking watch, looks more expensive than it actually is. Nice review.
Unfortunately this is the trend with Chinese manufactured watches. Poor branding spoils otherwise excellent watches.
Can you swap out the bubble crystal for a flat sapphire crystal or will it hit the hands?
...that's a strange question and one that I cannot answer buddy. Best ask the supplier ?
Are the end links solid? Thank you!
Yes the whole last 3 mins show the back of the watch.
Definitely a big fan of the vh31 movement, wish more watches used it as an alternative
Totally agree :)
well done , that`s nice
Looks like a nice watch for the price, but the whole "deep sea diver" theme is a little strange.
It's an Explorer homage after all, and the explorer never had anything to do with diving. More about mountain climbing.
You are right but the overall aesthetic is gorgeous and the price is great :)
Gorgeous watch except for the logo
This watch could have been so much cooler without the "DEEPSEAHUNTER" on the dial. That name would be ok for a dive watch, for an explorer watch I struggle with it.
It is rather a shame but when it's on your wrist it does not matter...and no-one can tell anyway ;)
Ciao io ho preso questo modello col pt5000
;)
Mmm deep sea hunter ?!
In very small writing under the pinion...who cares? At my age I can't even see it. Brilliant watch for the money.
You drink Buckfast lad ?
...not in 40 years... Veiled insult I suppose? 🧐
@@johnswatchjoint Not at all. Loved the video, gonna pick one of these up. Buckfast is a right of passage. 👍😎
I thought I had another troll. The last couple of days have been pretty crap with idiots lol. I remember the days in Coatbridge very well when I used to travel down and team up with my cousin and his mates. Great times...going to gigs at the Edinburgh Playhouse. First gig ever? Def Leppard 1983 just before they got massive....and their drummer has two arms. Aye great days indeed 👌🤗
That's a dive watch? Really?
Is this a high beat quartz? Can't tell if the second's is ticking or sweeping
Yeah as per the video and specs Seiko VH31 sweeping quartz.