IXDAO just made their best watch ever! | Full Review | The Watcher
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- This just maybe the best finished watch on aliexpress, brought to us by IXDAO, clearly demonstrating their access to high end factories in China, definitely a brand we need to stick with - if you get past the name!
#ixdao #aliexpress #homagewatch #iwc #watches
Link below to IXDAO official store
s.click.aliexp...
Code for $15 off : LKFY285LTFWE
they also offer this without the name and with just a logo!
s.click.aliexp...
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Chinese watches are an incredible value! What you get for your money is amazing. People that still think Chinese watches are just cheap pieces of junk, don't know what they're talking about. Because of China, there has never been a better time to be an affordable watch collector. This watch is a perfect example of that.
Just to explain the name: IXDAO means "九纛“. "九“ is number 9 (that's why IX) and "纛“ pronouces as "Dao" in Chinese, which means the emblem flag of ancient empire.
Thank you!
Thank you for explaining that.
Thanks for explanation. Really cool meaning!
IX DAO is a translation of 九纛 (9 banners), itself an abbreviation of 九游白纛 (Nine White banners, a symbol of the might of Mongol Empire)
[pasta from another comment section]
Google Translate says the meaning is " 9 Banners". Awesome
I usually skip the bracelet and clasp. But this time I watched it all. Beautiful homage!
Shoot, really wished they made this in a 38-37mm.
Ah noo, dnt be one of those. Trust me it fits right for its size even on my smaller wrist!
With an integrated bracelet with a butterfly clasp they need to put some half links on the bracelet to get a good fit for everyone! Else a very nice watch .
Yeh perhaps, i didnt pick up on that because i found a perfect fit on my 6.5" wrist and usually my wrist is quite difficult to get a snug fit from normal bracelets. But totally valid point
Keep spreading the word. Half-links are so important on butterfly clasps. Also I think are a must for oyster style bracelets and I would dearly love them for some of my San Martins. They are not necessary for jubilee, beads of rice or even "engineer" bracelets, since the individual links are much shorter. I measured my San Martin oyster and it has 10mm link sections and I think the OTF microadjustment clasp gives exactly the same if not a little shorter, so I'm either with the link in, and adjusted all the way in, or link out, and adjusted all the way out. It's a bit frustrating because it renders the OTF adjustment clasp almost useless without half-links.
yes I have the same wrist size and got a perfect fit on my Tandorio with the same clasp, might be the average size in China...@@TheWatcherReviews
I got the SW200 version in the last mini sale. Was only a little more than the PT5000. The finishing is unbelievable. Rivals my Direnzo. Glad you picked up on the sharp under case. My only criticism, along with the small crown, is still functional but just a little small. But overall this is an amazing watch for the price. Have to say this is the best finished AliExpress watch I have bought and I have quiet a few San Martin’s and Sugess etc. Can get past the brand name with this level of craftsmanship.
The interesting thing is, that when a product is really really good you begin associate the name with quality and start to not care about how it sounds - no matter how odd it is. If you're older you would remember when Japanese company names were considered very strange, now names like Toyota, Honda, Seiko, Sony etc are synonymous with quality. It's all in our heads
Fair comment, at least this brand name actually means something. Not the usual pick an English language name for no reason.
@@Raggamuffin010 what does the name mean and are we pronouncing it correctly as IX.. DOW?
@@tikkathreebarrelsdao is correct but, can't find any translation for ix. Wonder if UTC watches would tell us on seller page
@@K_j_M if it's anything like XO sauce the 'x' is pronounced like 'z' I think
I don’t remember the last time you were this excited about a watch. When I first saw it, I thought it was overpriced, but judging from your review and the close up shots, this might be the bargain of the year. Thanks!
Best part is this, at *$300ish is 4,000% LESS than the IWC @ $12,000!!!* I just spent good time comparing this to the real IWC and besides the crown being a bit small (come on, make it at least 6mm) its *SO* close to the IWC in finishing, details, case back, dial, you name it that its scary. I am DEFINITELY picking this up in the next sale (11/11?)! Best I've seen in a long while. Thanks for the great review.
You're damn right, best thing in ages!
Have you compared the aqua color with the real one? Any difference or distortion? Thanks
@@tolamwayne - I haven't, sorry. I only had access to a white dial.
Just got mine today. Went with the SW200 version since it was on sale. The crown action is still pretty gritty and hard to screw which I hoped to avoid with the SW. My first impression is that it’s a pretty neat watch but what I noticed under direct lightning is that the polished sides on the bracelet links are quite inconsistent when looked very close. On mine, the largest link that connects to the case has one bevel quite wider than the other side. Hard to notice from a normal distance but it’s there. The case on the other hand seems pretty perfect. Love the AR on these. Overall pretty solid watch for the price.
Integrated bracelet watches really need an on the fly clasp, a butterfly clasp is just too much of a gamble for fit. Great review as always.
I get along just fine with a well done butterfly clasp, but that kind of clasp needs half-links unless the removable links are already quite short. If they provide half-links, I don't know what would stop me from buying one of these anymore.
Great review. It's good to see some more competition for San Martin at the higher end of the Ali express marker.
I wonder whether these Aliexpress brands are so affordable simply because they are still niche? They will not be able to compete with fashion quartz brands that people buy or are gifted. Im still trying hard to educate people that £150 - £250 isnt alot to pay for a quality automatic. But these people will never pay more than £70 from shops like Argos or H Samuel....
Supply and Demand. I have come from the big brands having owned Omega, Rolex, Breitling, Tudor, Heuer and JLC. In March I saw some RUclipsr talking up the San Martin SN0107 and there was a sale on, so on a whim I bought it, thinking I'd check it out then gift it to my nephew. Fast forward about 7 months and I now own 4 San Martins, 2 Steeldives, 1 Seestern, 1 Boderry and 1 Thorn. There are at least 2 other San Martins I can see myself getting, as well as this IXDAO. I have sold my Omega and Rolex. Am selling my Breitling, Tudor and Heuer (heritage reissue). I will keep the JLC, as my one token Swiss piece. But I'm basically all-in with the better Chinese brands, peppered with a very small selection of microbrands (Ginault, Christopher Ward, Zelos, Erebus).
8 months ago I wouldn't be seen dead wearing a Chinese watch. Now I own 9 haha. Once the mainstream catches on that the Chinese have turned the corner on quality, I think demand will shoot up, which will put upwards pressure on prices.
What drew me in was the ability to buy a Seiko engined Chinese watch pretty much direct from the factory, seems the best of both worlds. Now they have moved the game up with Swiss movements like the SW200, so probably £300 in the sale versus say a grand for CW with the same movement and crazy money for some of the Swiss brands.@@thegorn
Most AliX brands are very conservative when it comes to changing the Swiss design. What I like about San Martin is that they listen to feedback and are not afraid to change things up. Sometimes it doesn't work, but most times it's a great improvement. I would like to see them homage this, but with a bigger crown as you suggested, and also remove the crown guards altogether! The original Gerald Genta design didn't have crown guards, and I think it looks better without them. The crown guards look like such an afterthought. I reckon Genta would have a fit if he saw his design with crown guards slapped on. Please do this San Martin! :)
Also for a watch this good, I think it deserves the SW200 movement upgrade, since this one's a keeper.
Not my style of watch - but there's no denying its a fantastic quality, and a steal for the price - do yourself a favour and get the SW200 upgrade, I think if the style is one you like, you will be keeping the watch for a long time.
I'm looking forward to what comes next, theyve barely put a foot wrong so far - great watches at very good prices.
IXDAO are great news for us watch buyers. Someone to push San Martin on design, build quality, and value for money can only be a goof thing.
Brilliantly said
Pt5000 vs sw200 isn't a huge difference is it?
This looks unreal. I just worry about the no half link / micro adjust obviously.
Same here
I’m sold, terrific review! I’m also out of room for watches this year 😅 so I’ll have to wait a bit but thanks for bringing this to our attention!
Agree on the crown size, and finish, I just wish IX-DAO had made the case a little smaller, 38mm would have been perfect, maybe 37.
I got the natural MOP dial verson (logo only) during the 11-11 sale.... It doesn't disappoint at all! Most dialed in finishing on a watch I've ever owned. (The teal textured dial was a close runner up for me) I got a perfect fit too.... Would be good if they had some bigger or smaller links though.... To fit everyone. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks for another detailed review of a watch I have my eye on. I bought the Seestern S434, SeaQ homage in the August sale on your recommendation and it is as good as you said.
The only thing I'm a bit concerned about with this one is getting a good fit on my 16cm wrist with the butterfly clasp, everything else looks spot on. For those not keen on the IXDAO text I have found them on the Tactical Frog Watch Store with the option of a logo with no text.
Yeh ur right there is a logo only. Might link that too
This one contrasts well colour wise with the recipient. Well done.
I got mine a few weeks ago. Same color. Totally agree with your assessment. Crazy nice for the $, even with the small crown and rough action. With the stiffness the PT5000 wind, I do find it helps to just wind it10-15 turns rather than fully. The crown threads in with a little less resistance then. The movement is still winding whilst screwing it back in on this movement.
This is the review I was waiting for!
Since I saw this watch on Reddit, it's at the top of my wishlist.
Glad this is even better than I thought.
But I have to wait for Christmas, maybe there will be better options until now.
Thanks for this great and useful review, Zee.
Glad I could help!
Nice to see you've taken up the farming life mate! Lovely looking piece, well finished.
🤣 yeah just about bro, shud have planted a crop instead, no need for YT then 😂😂
@@TheWatcherReviews feel like that's what I need to fund my watch addiction 😂
@JasonTheWatchGuy from what I hear theres lots of warehouses by you which are perfect 😂
Would buy, if there was half links. Can’t risk not fitting the watch tbh
Thanks for the great review Zee. I just placed the order for my Gray dial. the teal looks absolutely stunning, but Gray will get more wrist time for sure. but this review has me hyped up. It looks stunning.
Yeah id be interested in seeing the gray. Are you going logo or text?
I wonder if it will still have the same definition. Il check ur review when u get it.
@@TheWatcherReviews I went for the logo version. I'm just hoping the gray isn't too full, but I have no gray in the collection, so why not? 🤷
Yeah fair enough
Amazing b-roll of an engineer riding a REALLY heavy truck!!!! 😂😂 Plus the critical question: Why the f@ck the original costs that much? (other than IWC want to push prices just to show they're up in "level"). Not a fan of this design, but guess those who like it, will jump on this asap, for (many) good reasons!
Cheers mate, be well. Nice to see outside shots, keep on. (would love to hear that horn btw...)😜
Bro this is why i didnt pay it much mind early on, not a fan of the design but the level of finishing here...damm
Lmao yeh my sons tractor. He wont be happy seeing me use it 🤣
It's because IWC believe that the economics of veblen goods applies to all watches designed by Gerald Genta. What's sad is that it's not even true to Genta's Ingenieur. He would have a fit if he the saw crown guards on it! They look like an afterthought, and I was so disappointed they had kept them on when they released this new piece to much fanfare.
Man, this with a working bezel, and im sold.
Brilliant reveiw mate, and the watch really is fantastic 👍👍
I like your little front end loader
Its a beast mate
That's what she said....
🤣🤣
Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but I really want to see a rotating bezel on this type of case. I'm a tool watch guy. They made a dressy style already, so why not making it a dressy diver too?
Because it has a butterfly clasp, and those rivets on the bezel is the whole point of this watch lol
Great review and a very sweet looking watch.
Hi Zee. Excellent review of what looks to be a superior watch.
Gee never saw this design before lol.
Like the dial & esp the framed date & colour matched date wheel. Agree about the stiffness of pt5000 winding; I have one 4 yrs old & is still as stiff as day one, just a characteristic I guess.
Yeah, build great thumb muscles.
Thanks for another fine vid! I like this brand.
I just want one.
Looks like the real thing.
That is a fantastic watch. For some reason though it's not shipping to Turkey. First time I've seen that on any watch I wanted. Maybe later it will appear. Tip for the sharp underside of the case. Tape the sides and use some 800 grade emery paper for a few minutes and it will be very smooth. I tried it on my Uranus Pagani chronograph and now it feels like silk.
Love the watch and the b rolls.
Totally agree with you about the crown. Watch is lovely otherwise.
This watch is probably a better look than the PRX and definitely finished better. Do you know if they will make a Dark blue .
I decided to order one after watching your video. I'm always worried the integrated bracelet won't be flexible and smooth around the wrist. I chose the newer option with the logo on dial instead of the brand name. Thanks for the video.
How has it been holding up?
Love the watch but the name on the dial..... I think i had thet letter lineup playing Scrabble one time😂.
Yeah its one of them witht the name. They took the & out now its even harder to say IX DAO
Thanks for the detailed review. Like you I really value a high standard of case finishing (which is why I'm always keeping my eye on what San Martin produces). It looked sharp from the pictures, but it's good to see that the finishing is just as good in-person. Already ordered one in blue with the newly released logo-only version. Had been looking for a nice integrated bracelet sports watch so this should fill that role nicely.
It fits better than prx 40mms and the like
How has the watch been holding up so far?
So the overall lug to lug is 48 am i right?
Hey 👋🏻, Ix&Dao are selling half links to the Engineer. On their website ☝🏻🤗
Is this dial more blue or teal? Trying to get a read on the color before i buy.. every picture or video i see the color looks different 🤔
Its a deep teal
Great review. Very detailed
The case very much looks lime the CW "The Twelve" I wonder if they make the CW.
Hey bro can you please add your wrist size in your description with your Ali link and other info you post on each video
Its in the video my man, wrist shot section. Il add it in description for u my guy 👊🏽
Good review and excellent camera work. I can live with the brand name but the use of the timeless on a watch makes me cringe. Otherwise , a very impressive watch.
Fair enough!
Amazing how you always bring to the channel watches i am interested in! I always watch your videos even though i don't comment as often as i used to. I really like this one, but the branding is a bit of-putting...
Yeh we must have similar taste!
Great video bro, do you think you’ll be able to do a comparison between this and the Specht & Söhne version?
I need to look into them
Great video - immediate subscription! Many thanks 🙏
Welcome aboard!
It is actually amazing and scary to see the progress CHINA makes in such short amount of time in all industries......
Perhaps I missed it, but I didn't hear any comments about sizing the bracelet. The clasp type is already a negative so this becomes a more important issue. Perhaps as with their other watches a V2 or V3 will be produced. I'll be waiting for that plus a really good sale!
I didn't experience any sizing issues to be honest and fit snugly to my 6.5" wrist. I think something inbetween may leave it open for half links to be added.
so it's a question of luck then??
@julianb1474 i really don't know, usually i think my wrist is difficult to get right, so if i had no issues then it should be fine. Hard to answer exactly without checking a variety of wrist sizes.
Now, how does the IWC cost 12,000$?
4 grand per letter
Crown dealbreaker for me
That finishing looks amazing! Question. What’s up with the tape on the bottom of the endlinks? 4:54
I left it on, they applied that tape to stop those links scratching prior to aseembly
@@TheWatcherReviews wow. That makes it even more impressive! Thanks for the awesome vid!
I wonder if you can change the strap to a leather one. Maybe a PRX style one would work?
I don't understand why they gave the underside a belly. The lugs looks to go upwards from the bottom. Weird design choice.
Your content is profoundly thought°provoking! ° "Believe in your abilities to navigate your journey."
Thanks, i thought that too
That's some watch!!
Is this the same case that the hrudland is using? They have the sw200 available for even less, around the 350 dollar mark, maybe even cheaper during the sale, and a MoP dial. You think it would have just as good of quality finishing?
I think there is a vh31 quartz models also being offered by a different company cant remember the name, a random brand selling for under 100, advertising it's high quality finish, think they have the same case finishing? Would be insane if it was.
Macro shots would be soooo much more crisp with all the plastic off the watch!
Theres no plastic on the watch, thats called shiney shiney
This is well nice bro. Think I commented on the unboxing but loads of my comments are disappearing from all my subbed channels
I'm going to move on my 5303 to buy this one. Was looking at the SM with the big flat plain bezel, forget the model but, it's nice... This one is it though
Are you keeping this or moving it on?
I might hold on incase any other brand come up that may need comparison. No matter how nice this is, i have minimal room for watches anymore. So majority of reveiw pieces i now sell. This one will be sold eventually as it owes me money so need that cash flow like a river
@@TheWatcherReviewswell, you have my email bro. When wanna sell, let me know and, if I'm still looking, I'll take it from ya
Drop me a mail, i cant remember if i have yours?
@@TheWatcherReviewswill do brah...
Thanks for the video. Looks great. Not my style. I hope the other brands on AE up their game a bit. Cheers!!!
Pulled the trigger on a white Sw200
I am not keen on the PT5000
and a special watch needs a swiss movement.
I have all IX & DAO
engineer, 5303 serica and Pelagos
all bought with Sw200
hope i have not wasted hundreds of pounds
You are a legend, let me know how the white is!
Great review. I’ve never bought a mechanical watch and I’m thinking of buying this for my first one. Would you recommend it ?
For sure
I ordered it !
Zee, which is this one homaging, can you say? I've never seen it before. Thanks in advance.
Iwc ingeniur
@@TheWatcherReviews thank you!
How does the finishing compare to more expensive brands such as Christopher ward?
The thing is CW is really well thought out and all aspects are done really well due to their end cost, this is finished as good with just the bottom of the case profile which is edgy and wasn't bevelled.
Trust me, San Martin will never make a bracelet that is not sharp, because they said they prefer sharp line visual effect over comfort.
And it doubles up as an outdoor survial tool for cutting shit up
@@TheWatcherReviews or peel potatoes when cooking outdoor and cutting the fishnets when entangled during diving😂
It may seem irrelevant to most but the random brand names of these Chinese watches. There are several times I would have ordered one if it wasn't for the unpronounceable or just plain dumb brand names like "mysterious code" or Pargne. I wish they'd just come up with a brand name, produce watches with consistent branding and logos that will eventually begin to gain some history and reputation.
I love the watch. I'm really put off by the odd jumble of letters that it uses as "branding".... Just a logo design would be good, or to get help from native English speakers.... "engineer" also feels pretty clunky as a name, But that's not a deal breaker. A simple 'automatic' would be better. Chinese characters instead of English though not my preference) would be better.... If they must brand it with a brand name and a model name. That might be the kind of thing that bugs me and I can't get out of my mind and I just see it every time I looked at the watch face. It does look like a really nice piece though! Thanks for the review
Theres a logo only version available too
Yeah. I see that now. Tempting watch.
Hard to justify the 11,700 for a different dial name
You going to be putting this one up for sale brother?
Yeah soon enough
Personally I can't get past the stupid names. I currently only have one aliX special, a Heimdallr, but only because they use the shark logo instead of their name.
I used to be exactly like you, I hated most of the names but what I've found, is as the years have gone by and I have gotten used to them, they all sound normal to me now. I don't even give them a second thought. Most names sound normal to us because we have heard them our whole life but if not and we were hearing them for the first time, they would sound weird too. I guarantee you, if you had never heard the word or knew anything about the brand and hype, Rolex would have sounded weird.
@@sinjinadams2862 I definitely get it, but I do think their sales would be better with just a good logo or better names.
Beautiful watch, but that brand name.... :(
Let's face it, we are language snobs. Everything doesn't have to cater to the English speaking people. There are a lot of language's on this planet not just English. We need to get over our biasis and not hate everything that doesn't sound right to an English speaking ear.
@@sinjinadams2862 actually I'm Hungarian, and it sounds really weirf to me :) like total nonsense
... I can deal with addiesdive, even Parnis 😆
My point is, okay it sounds a little weird now. Eventually after hearing it over and over for an extended period of time it will sound normal. Think of all the brands makes of companies and products from Japan and Germany and many other countries. All of those names/words sounded perfectly normal when you first heard them. I guarantee you there are many brand names that you have seen for years that you are still mispronouncing today.
@@sinjinadams2862 of course, here in Hungary especially :)
this model is exactly the REPLICA from IWC Ingenieur 2023.. just changes the name to the brand.. it's ridiculous IMHO.. 100% exact copy from the model.. just my 2 single cents!
No way? How come we didnt see that!
@@TheWatcherReviews go to any IWC boutique and try the watch yourself while wearing the so called "homage" there.. And looks what will happen after that.. Keep me posted.. Hehe
@NurulShahrilMdIsa what do you mean man? I had no idea this is a homage to the IWC u say? Wow. Exact replica too? Wow this watch must be good then.
And if i did that, what will happen to me man?
@@TheWatcherReviews you have the homage.. That's why I'm asking you sir to try to get their reaction on the homage watches nowadays..
Ah ok, you want me to go to IWC boutique and show them this watch?
Cool, where is it?
As mentioned by a helpful subscriber, this also comes with a logo only design if IXDAO isn't your cup of tea
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmTLeRd
You've just cost me money again!😅
🤣
Execution yes, design no, zero for design as it is an exact copy of a well known high end watch. As beautiful and well done as it is, brand name and the fact it is a clomage makes it feel like flea market replica to me. Hard pass.
They won't but it would have been nice to see a dial with just their logo and not name. Also the 'Engineer' type mimicking the 'Ingenieur' just makes it look like a cheap knockoff. Like having 'Waytona' or 'Hubmariner'. Quality looks great though but these things make it a no for me.
They have just a logo version
@@TheWatcherReviews Appreciate the reply. I didn't see that. I like their logo and would definitely pay another $10 to have just that. I am turned off so many really interesting watches on AE by the brand names.
I definitely don't hear that excitment in your voice often, this is serious business going on with this watch
I went to the linked website. That's way too much money for a Chinese watch. Poor customer service. No factory authorized service centers in my Country. I can get a Swiss Tissot or Hamilton for the same money.
This is an advertisement. You should be paid for it.
Try telling them that, but when i sell the watch, eventually it makes up for it, bud.
Copy shyt lol
WTF???? a complete rip off copy of new IWC Ingenier
Hi! What do you think? Hruodland have a similar finishing?
Havent seen it, but try and see close ups, looks for polished highlights along case and crown guards
Unfortunately, I didn't see the difference from the photo. :(But according to reviews, it seems that IXDAO is better. But I like the Hruodland logo better@@TheWatcherReviews
Disappointed the center links arent polished