Best new Aliexpress brand? RMALTI RM001 GMT Full review - Featuring the Seiko NH34 GMT

[@dazzlerjohnwatchman8215]

James, a very balanced review. You have more patience than me. I must say the price of Ali Express has increased and the quality seems to have not improved. My last Ali Express watch ended up in requiring a full refund after it seized up! Scratched hands, poor Customer Service, annoying beat error. Seems instead of a positive experience you have bought into a world of pain. I have been buying only known brands on sale here locally and online and microbrands that are not located in China. I must say I feel happier about it. Thank you for your honesty.

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks John. It is an interesting journey that I’m on. I struggle to not buy more. Hahahaha

[@jazzman5598]

Fine review James! Thanks!

[@WATCHingJames]

Thank you

[@dpns2ster]

Good review James. I agree the dials from RMALTI are pretty special for the price. Like you, I was a bit nervous about cost, and the bran as a relative unkown, so opted for the 3 hander nonGMT with a similar Seiko vibe, but chose the wood grain effect on a colour matched leather strap which looks actually looks really amazing in grey with all the textures on the dial and facets on the indices and hands. I asked them to colour match the date wheel and they agreed. All in $260 AUD and now my favourite dress watch. That model has no lume but honestly with so much going on, I don't even miss it. It'd probably spoil the dressiness. The faceted indices catch light at so many angles its legible 99% of the time that I'd ever be looking at my watch. Since I bought it they have rather exploded with different models and their Ali page is a bit of a mess with options and different prices for similar if not the same watch. They were however accommodating with the date wheel. I'd like the turquoise linen dial on the bracelet but prices gone up a bit.

[@WATCHingJames]

That’s great. Sounds like a fantastic watch.

[@tonyalbrecht7169]

Very good review James. I think the beat error has something to do with the scratch. Perhaps the watch fell during assembly 🤔

[@WATCHingJames]

That is very possible

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing

[@pzwolski]

Thanks for uploading 😘

[@elmoelms2743]

Morning James, excellent review. I’ve seen this watch pop up a few times on other channels and it’s always nice to hear other people’s opinions on it. Shame about the scratch on the hand I wonder if San Martin would have resolved it better? Apart from that it is a nice looking watch

[@WATCHingJames]

It is actually really nice. The scratch is disappointing but can only be seen when the light hits it at a certain angle. So I can live with it.

[@brianmsahin]

Thanks for the review James. It's a watch I'm interested in but the name is a factor. I watched this on TV with my wife who came up with a couple of ideas. We all know the RIMALTI idea, but she thought of an easier solution. Just put a dot in and it would look like a name R. MALTI, or change R to A. AMALTI. On the GMT hand, (women are often better than us regarding colour matching!) she thought a yellow GMT hand is the perfect match with the grey dial. Anyway another fantastic and honest review!

[@WATCHingJames]

The yellow would definitely pop and a update to the name would not hurt at all.

[@tarasmathers7423]

Brother James, sorry that I've been MIA as of late. I've been working a lot lately.....duty calls. Great review BTW. As you know, I have this exact same dial, on the "Birch style" variation that I own. It really does look linen. Even through my 40X loupe. I will say that w/ my variation, the movement has an almost identical beat error (possibly just coincidence), and that the spring bars are not the greatest, and if you have better quality ones lying around, you may want to consider changing them out. Be forewarned though, I found the bracelet to be quite a big pain in the ass to remount. I even had to partially drill out the one lug hole so that the spring-bar would seat correctly. Other than that, it's my absolute favorite watch. Grand Seiko is my favorite brand, and it really scratched the itch for me. Best wishes to you "down-under." Cheers my friend

[@WATCHingJames]

Welcome back. 😁 It is a great watch. The dial is stunning and I love the size. It does make me want the GS even more. Maybe one day.

[@tarasmathers7423]

@@WATCHingJames Brother James, when you contacted RMALTI's customer service, how did go about the process exactly, if you don't mind me asking???

[@ladykoala208]

You are far nicer than I would have been James. A scratch on a dial, a hand or a misaligned bezel should have been an instant replacement at their cost in my view. Thank you for bringing it to our attention, I had 2 on their watches on my cart, now they will be gone. I’ll stick to Baltany, San Martin, Seestern or Proxima

[@WATCHingJames]

It was disappointing.

[@watchsixto]

That is a nice GMT from Rmalti I haven't had one might have to get one in the future

[@WATCHingJames]

It is a lovely watch

[@tomcruz3774]

Just joined a team with members in different timezones. I think I'll be getting this watch to "help with work" haha

[@WATCHingJames]

Any excuse to buy a cool watch. 👍

[@pdmotors5027]

This has to be one of the cheapest Seiko powered GMT’s around. Initially really fancied a Microbrand version, but I keep coming back to the original Seiko 5 GMT, but purchased minus VAT and Customs duty, then it’s really interesting. As good as this watch and all the Microbrand versions are, I really love the look of the Seiko 5 version. Nice review.

[@WATCHingJames]

I really like it too. I’m sure I’ll end up getting one.

[@vonkruel]

I'm glad you did get some money back (in addition to the replacement hands?). I hope you can find someone you trust (ideally in your own town) to service watches for you. I'd be happy to replace the hands for you & fix the beat error, but I'm in Canada so it probably won't make sense. Based on the amplitude, your NH34 is healthy though (as a new one should be). Overall it looks like a nice enough watch, but "RMALTI" as a brand name is pretty rough. I think I'd rather have a sterile dial! I'm not really keen on GMTs either ; it's just not a function that I have much use for (either an office or a traveller GMT). Nonetheless, thanks for sharing your experience with this watch and this seller.

[@WATCHingJames]

Thank you. Yes. Canada is a bit of a trek to get to. Hahaha Thanks for WATCHing

[@sinjinadams2862]

I've never spent over $250 US on any AliExpress watch. There are quite a few watches now that are in that $300-$400 price range. There are a couple I am considering but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

[@WATCHingJames]

I think I’ll be getting a couple that are more expensive in the upcoming sale.

[@dixonstreetdrummer1846]

For me, Steeldive seems to be the best on Ali express for the money. I also have a few Pagani Designs, but Steeldive have really won in build quality and the lume they put on is amazing

[@WATCHingJames]

Steeldive are one of the best affordable watches on AliExpress. But they are so good for the money that I think they are one of the best for the money period.

[@jarowinti9274]

You can personalize the logo. Put your name and you don't have to be worried about the name ... I did it and the watch looks beautiful with my name on it !!!

[@WATCHingJames]

That is a great idea.

[@pzwolski]

RMALTI naming convention is so similiar to Richard Mille brand. It is hard to google what you are looking for.

[@WATCHingJames]

It is an odd choice. But it’s ok. I’ve seen a lot worse.

[@josepmariaaguascaribot9239]

With a SEA GULL movement can be an excellent new of the chinese industry.

[@WATCHingJames]

We all do love seagull. Great watches and movements.

[@darrenjones2070]

Once you see the flaw it's hard to overlook or see past the flaw. That would bother me until it got fixed. Sorry about the somewhat unsatisfactory experience.

[@WATCHingJames]

It is disappointing. But that aside it is a really nice watch.

[@scatterbrain9490]

Sorry for delay, was out of town all weekend lol

[@WATCHingJames]

👍👍👍

[@markukus5660]

San Martin or Cronos is the better choice!

[@WATCHingJames]

SM definitely is better quality. Not by a large amount. But definitely better. But the dial on this one is better than any SM I have experienced.

[@naomiredpath4351]

👍

[@WATCHingJames]

👍

[@coldude2559]

Nice watch..but..$420 bucks!!tell them they're dreaming! Maybe $320....

[@WATCHingJames]

It is a little expensive. But it is very nice.

[@cosmodoc]

Reminds me of a certain Christopher Ward…

[@WATCHingJames]

It has vey strong GS looks to it

[@cosmodoc]

@@WATCHingJames that as well

[@WATCHingJames]

👍

[@NathanChisholm041]

It's interesting but a bit to much. For another $100 I can get a Houtman Murchison with a SW-200. Cheers mate.

[@WATCHingJames]

Definitely get the Houtman. I’m a huge fan.