CRONOS L6005 versus L6015 - the best submariner alternative?

Hey guys,
Today we have a head to head comparison of the CRONOS L6005 versus the L6015, to date or not to date, the result goes against my natural preferences and there are many things to like about these and several key aspects that need improvement!!
cheers
TB
#cronos #cronoswatch #watchreview #watch #watches #wristwatch #wristwatches #divewatch #submariner #clone #homage #homagewatch #starbucks #cronosl6005 #cronosl6015

[@mr.eswatchreviews]

Sorry I'm late usually on the first one here but that packaging is actually a huge upgrade they used to use the thin plastic case

[@thetimebombardier]

yup that box and presentation is much better, but that ratcheting clasp...

[@mr.eswatchreviews]

@@thetimebombardier actually don't pull down on it so hard be more gentle it does not come all the way down it drops to a 45 degree angle basically it's not like the cheap one that I sent you these should be more Rolex like and if not then they are going backwards then as the one I gave away earlier this year it worked great but with these brands sometimes it is hard to get repetitive goodness nice comparison between the 2 models I am surprised that the nh35a version is noticeably different in the quality but I guess the cheaper price is not just because of the movement.

[@1SaG]

Re the clasp: My bracelet was kinda squeaky when I received the watch (date-version, PT), so I followed some online advice and put a bit of baby oil on the parts I thought caused the squeaking. Worked like a charm and a tiny drop inside the clasp also made the quick-adjust mechanism work much smoother. I guess it's still on there (or the metal's been broken in now) because it still works great to this day. I bought my date version with the PT5000 about 10 months ago and I'm still very much astonished by that watch. Quality-wise... it's probably up there with San Martin. I can't compare apples to apples because my only SM is a BB GMT clone, but overall I'd say that the Cronos can trade blows with SM. Thing is: Including shipping and import and all that, I paid around EUR 300 for the San Martin but only 170 for the Cronos (on sale) - but it just doesn't feel like a cheaper product. Plus the SM only comes with a 3Hz Seiko NH34 while the Cronos has a (from what I understand) good quality clone of the 4Hz ETA 2824. Which does make a difference when you handle both watches because the Cronos' action when adjusting the time feels more "premium" and precise. The SM is a bit of a pain to adjust precisely, because the crown feels too light when you're adjusting. The PT5000 feels pretty much exactly like all the SW200s/ETA2824s I've ever handled. Accuracy: Mine ran pretty fast when I got it (+15 to 20s/d). My watch-maker slowed it down a bit but the movement didn't "hold" that regulation and went back from +2 or 3 s/d to +10s/d about a week or two later. Now however it's slowed down on its own somehow (movement is "broken in", perhaps?) and with daily wear and 8 hours or so on the night-stand, I'm getting near 0s/d accuracy. Well... for the time being ... :D What I did notice is that the movement doesn't seem to like running on an empty(-ish) main spring. When it's not fully or nearly fully wound, it'll slow down quite considerably. Could be a PT5000 thing or an issue with this PT5000 because none of my SW200/300 or ETA 2824/2892 movements ever behaved in this manner AFAIK. Still: This is a great product and not just for the price but it would still be a great product if it had a Swiss Made label on the dial and would cost 500 or 600. It wears very comfortably and even works on my skinny 17cm wrist. Finish is at least as good as on my San Martin or my Steinharts and the adjustable clasp is very handy to have. Only real niggles I have is that the lume on the hands fades before the one on the indices and that the bezel action is a little too light. Other than that: If you're looking for a high quality modern-Sub homage, you probably needn't look much further than the Cronos.

[@thetimebombardier]

gdday 1SaG thanks bud and welcome to the channel, interesting to hear you mention the steinharts as I was thinking of doing a comparison with steineys this cronos and the steeldives to try and pick a winner!! my clasp is still crap but I really like wearing the watch, something about it works for me, which surprises me!! I like the pt movement also, find it very dependable :)

[@1SaG]

@@thetimebombardier I hear you.. from what I can tell by looking at my own Cronos and at reviews of the same model, they seem to lack a bit of overall consistency when it comes to production/finish. Meaning they'll change/improve stuff quite often (without communicating most of it), so you can't know for sure what your example will be like. One example for this: My date version has the same problem as your non-date one re the lume on the indices and hands: The hands' white matches the white on the bezel insert, but the indices are slightly off-white. Not sure it's as pronounced on mine as on your non-date, but it's definitely there. Your date-version OTOH looks perfect in that regard, so they either have a problem with QC or they've fixed that problem at some point between when I bought mine and when you bought yours. Oh well... I guess that's why these things are a couple of hundred bucks/Euros and not a couple of thousand... :) Re the Steinharts: That's a totally viable comparison, IMO - and the result isn't a forgone conclusion. There are areas where SM/Cronos, I think, are simply better than Steinhart.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@1SaG thanks dude that's very interesting and this is why i appreciate the youtube platform allowing people to share insights into watches and stuff, i'm so glad i got both versions of the cronos as it showed me clearly the issues with these watches but as you say the price does have a bearing here, i reckon these guys all buy from the same supplier and they are all made in the same warehouses 😅😅

[@1SaG]

@@thetimebombardier That's my theory as well. SM do have a few videos up on their YT-channel showing their "factory", but most of what they show is final assembly/regulation - I've no doubt that most of the components for all these brands come from the same factory/factories. Heck, given how lax the whole "Swiss Made" rules are, I bet lots of Swiss brands buy at least some of their components from China as well.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@1SaG yup very true dude 😅 the whole swiss thing is also just slightly dodgy 😅

[@wristopia4101]

This is exactly why you need to hold/wear a watch. It's the putting on and taking off everyday that's so important. It's why a Genuine is such a good watch to own/wear. I would probably keep the date version too, but had you not had both to compare in your hand, would you be happy with the no date? Agree that ghost date movements are disappointing ; )

[@thetimebombardier]

hahaha the million second question... I think the ratcheting clasp being so pants would have put me off if I'd only had the one, but having the two together and seeing how much better one is over the other kinda pushed me into a corner LOL

[@petrolbokehlicious]

Just one tiny observation: the NH35 version is actually called L6015, not L6105. I was looking for reviews about the L6015 and didn't find yours until I searched for L6005, which is the PT5000/SW200 version. Also, that 9 grams of difference must be basically the weight difference between the movements used, as the NH35 has a plastic surround, whereas the PT5000 is fully metallic. Great video BTW. Cheers!

[@thetimebombardier]

hey thanks Petrol and dang I just checked what I'd done here and yeah errrr not proud of my work LMAO... thanks for being so decent about it and I've updated it and yeah enough said...!!! welcome to the chaos channel!!

[@georgecostanza2695]

The water resist is legit. Beyond the Press channel tested a Cronos L6009 (with 2000m factory rating) to 2900m before it failed… then started up again after the pressure was released.

[@thetimebombardier]

Wow thanks George that's some proper testing, will check it out now!!

[@stavros_katsopr]

Hey! Is this 4K? (mean subs! 720p60 is fine for me😋🤘) But it's also almost 30mins talking Subs, unfortunately not submarines.... Cheers mate, be well. PS Watch out "diving" into Ali can be vast!

[@thetimebombardier]

Haha yeah the 4k subs slipped past me 😅 amazing suppport and i'll get a giveaway done to celebrate 🎉🎉

[@averyprivategentleman]

Look like the 'Kermit or Cermit' look a like or jobby? Great value for money, no date for me I'm afraid. Great delivery 'D' puts the majors to shame. The prose and parlance needs to be appreciated. The maths are simple with these watches it allows everyone to play in the ground without FOMO or pressure. For the uninitiated there needs to be clarity as to who Ali Express are etc. Nice touch though. VBW Anthony (AVPG).

[@thetimebombardier]

thank you sir!! and yes the now date is my go to option and just wish it was built better, however, I'm quite liking the starbucks kermit colourway!! cheers

[@hitsugayat10]

Ordered my no date version with pt5000 movement from AliExpress and can't wait for its arrival. I like the 'kermit' look but it is hard to find a homage to that with the closest being a steinhart ocean one 39. Instead of paying 500 for it, might as well get this although in maxi case design, it should be well worth the money. It is gonna be my first Cronos too. Thanks for the review as this version's review is pretty rare on youtube

[@thetimebombardier]

@@hitsugayat10 thanks Hitsu and welcome to the channel dude, this was my first cronos also and i was really impressed, way better than paganis and as you say way cheaper than the steinies!! Let us know what you think when you get it on wrist 😎👍

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

Hello! I have a couplet questions for you: 1. After having this piece for a while, how does it wear and look? The only thing holding me back slightly is the thicker “super case” style lugs which I dislike. Is it that noticeable or does it look better in person? 2. What is in your opinion the best Submariner homage? Thanks and a great video!

[@thetimebombardier]

Hi Narek thanks again and I've been wearing it quite a lot as it looks very good, and the lugs I haven't noticed anything od about them :) Not sure about the best sub homage but it sounds like a great topic for a future video LOL

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

@@thetimebombardier Hey, thanks for replying. Sounds good, I will be looking into the Cronos, thanks!

[@TheSerbianG]

I just received it myself! I got the Cronos L6005 date with PT5000 Smurf Blue version to round out my collection. The colour is beautiful. I have also recently got San Martin SN0017 Hulk Sub (NH35), Sugess Black Dial Sub (ST2130). As a Submariner homage, the bezel action on the Sugess feels closest to the original-smooth, effortless, and with a softer feel than the San Martin. That said, I actually enjoy the bezel on the San Martin as well, even though it’s different. The Cronos, however, has my least favorite bezel action-it’s too soft for my liking. Cronos feels cheaper than the other two. The shorter rehaut on the Sugess is noticeable and makes for a more comfortable fit. The Cronos and Sugess share a similar bracelet and clasp, both of which I find very comfortable but Sugess has a better clasp and feels more expensive and doesn't squeak. The San Martin, by contrast, has a thicker bracelet and a different clasp that still feels great. Ultimately, while each watch has its appeal, the Sugess stands out for its balance of quality, comfort, and refinement. It’s my top choice, with San Martin in second and Cronos in third. I also have Cronos Pepsi GMT (dark bezel) and Sugess Daytona Le Mans (my favourite but squeaky winding) and those are more comfortable than the 3 above. That said, I love them all!

[@thetimebombardier]

@@TheSerbianG thanks bud and yeah would be good to a side by side of all three brands!!

[@M123OCT]

I have no problem trusting Cronos regarding water resistance. Haven't you seen them pressure-testing them, also on KZbin? For the money, super quality.

[@thetimebombardier]

cheers OCT, nope had not seen that, thanks for flagging it up, checking now!

[@M123OCT]

@@thetimebombardier kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJSZooOZZb2dl8Usi=Bh4Q2kZw4ePP7o8F

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

Hello again! How does the case shape, size, a proportion (especially lug thickness and size) compare to the original supercase submariner 116610ln? cheers.

[@thetimebombardier]

cheers Narek I don't have one of the subbies to hand to compare sorry dude!

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

@@thetimebombardier no worries, thank you! How accurate has your pt5000 been running since you got it? I got mine 2 weeks ago and it’s consistently running 10 seconds fast per day. I don’t know if I should send it back, have it regulated, or if it’s normal. I called a local watchmaker and he said +10sec is dangerous and will break the movement and I have to pay $120

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

@@thetimebombardier Also, I noticed that when the crown is unscrewed on my l6005 there are no visible rubber gaskets or o rings. Do you think it holds true to the acclaimed 200m watery goodness? Cheers

[@thetimebombardier]

@@Ott0vonBismarck yikes that's spendy for regulation of a movement!! I wear mine in rotation so not been checking the accuracy but will bung it on the meter today to check 👍

[@thetimebombardier]

@@Ott0vonBismarck nope, think i've commented on this several times in my rants 🤣 they claim many things but no testing methods defined but i think most people who buy these are not that fusses 👍

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

Hello. Are there any differences between the custom whoop azz racing and the Cronos? obviously apart from, color, logo. I want to know if the case dimensions are the same, made in same factory, etc.. thanks

[@thetimebombardier]

Yup the whoop azz is smaller and the crown is weaker but cost a fraction of the cronos 😋👍

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

@@thetimebombardier thanks!

[@JanneNilsson-o3b]

Hi there, About your review of Cronos L6005 pt5000 . Is it possible to get a serious as possible seller rekommended that delivers to Sweden? Best regards Janne

[@thetimebombardier]

Hey Janne, I bought these directly from aliexpress and I guess they would deliver to sweden but you'd need to check, or watchdives might sell them also :) cheers

[@Pal-us9uv]

They deliver to Norway. So they probably deliver to Sweden aswell. ❤🇸🇪

[@wristopia4101]

Definitely the no date for me. Not a cyclops fan at the best of times haha.

[@thetimebombardier]

cheers bud and yes that is my default position also... however, LOL seems these are two different watches!!!

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

Hello. I received my l6005 with date and Pt5000 yesterday. I noticed it is a bit fast, ran +3 sec after like 4 hours of setting the watch. Is this normal? Should I expect more deviation? Should I regulate it? I can visibly tell the second hand is moving faster than one second. Thanks

[@sinjinadams2862]

@narekbekzatyan5057 The rated accuracy by the manufacturer is +/- 12 seconds a day. See how accurate it is after 24 hrs and then you'll have a better indication of how well it's running. Make sure the watch is fully wound though. Probably about 20-30 turns.

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

@@sinjinadams2862 sounds good, I want to avoid hand winding tho. I have heard the hand winding mechanism can break easily on these movements .

[@sinjinadams2862]

@narekbekzatyan5057 I completely agree. I never wind my PT5000's or ETA based movements. If you want to check the accuracy though, the watch needs to be fully wound so for this one time you will need to do it. Just wind it very gently. After that, I would never wind it.

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

@@sinjinadams2862 alright I’ll give it a try. Especially since it is screw down crown i never really feel like winding it. Do you own this watch? If so how do you like it?

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

Ok so update after 24 hours of keeping track of the accuracy: I tracked it yesterday at 5pm and it was running +3 sec fast. I checked today at 5:00pm again and it was running +9sec fast. So it gained 6 seconds in one day. Honestly this is not looking good and on top of the apparent winding issues I am kind of regretting not getting the NH35 version. Might have to take this to a watchmaker and get it regulated, serviced, etc.. or I might just ignore the inaccuracy Although it does bother me

[@jemandthemystery]

Weirdly, I have the no date in all dark blue with NH35 mechanism. Zero issues. None that match your version. Hmm. Not sure if you got a "Monday morning" watch.

[@thetimebombardier]

hey Jermand thanks man and yeah i think the version control out of their factories is a little loose and they're more into mass than micro details but they make good pieces :)

[@jemandthemystery]

@ Yes. My experience at least, has been very positive. Mind you, I consider these kind of watches (including the OG Rolexes themselves) more as male jewellery/fashion than the sports/adventure image they are selling. My wife though, appreciates me wearing s stylish, masculine watch like this with nice clothes when we go out together. Outside of those situations, I generally prefer my G-Shock squares. :-) With Atomic synced time keeping, solar cell battery, a stack of usable functions and genuine durability they run rings around any sports/tool watch from any brand at any price. But hey, “horses for courses” as they say.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@jemandthemystery yup I hear all of that and agree totally, if you check out my other reviews you'll so those themes reflected :) and yes gshocks for the everyday and then something a little smarter for those other moments!!

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

How do these watches compare to the San Martin sn019 or sn017?? I want the cronos because of the no date option and glidelock as well as the fulll lumed bezel but if the San Martin Is objectively better quality I will go for it. Please advise, thank you.

[@thetimebombardier]

Hi Narek sorry dude not seen the SM in person yet 👍😎

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

@@thetimebombardier no worries, thank you. would you recommend the l6005 no date as the best sub homage?

[@thetimebombardier]

@@Ott0vonBismarck normally i would go for the nodate version but in this case everything about the date version is better made, very strange considering it's supposed to be the same brand 😅😅 not sure i would say this is the best sub clone but it's fun to wear and i do want to see the steeldive version to see if being so cheap it's any good 👍👍

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

@@thetimebombardier sounds good, the cyclops has been growing on me. What do you think is the best sub clone ? Thanks !

[@fabhe9547]

@@Ott0vonBismarck i have the SM Sn019G in Black and Green, and i think its the size that matters here. The SM is incredibly well made, but bigger, diameter is 41,5 and the the clasp is 20mm wide. (21-18mm band). The SM sn019g watch is noticeably larger. The cronos has exactly the same dimensions as the Rolex and a gliedlock clasp.

[@garylangford6755]

From the video it looks like the indicies on the 6005 is whiter than the indicies on the 6015. Did you notice that in real life too?

[@thetimebombardier]

@@garylangford6755 hey Gary sorry dude sold that one on and just kept the other as I liked more about it 😎👍

[@guyo68]

I hate to do this to you, but I think you may have been better off going with Steeldive. I have so far bought three of their Sub homages (the SD1953) in different colorways (classic black, the Starbucks/Cermit you're presenting here, and the Hulk), and have run into absolutely none of the issues that scared you off (crown action is absolutely solid and winding is smooth on all three, just as an example). Pluses over the Cronos: fully lumed bezel (and Steeldive's lume kicks some serious ass), 300 meters of - in your words - "watery goodness" (compared with Cronos' 200), NH35 movement (which I'd trust over the PT5000 in the cyclopsed Cronos any day) and - perhaps most notably - PRICE (I paid just over 50 USD, or 40 GBP on average for each of my Steeldives, the last of which came in at just over 38 GBP. The Cronos is waaay overpriced by comparison, IMHO). Downsides compared to the Cronos: the bracelet, while solid and having no noticeable jangle to it whatsoever, features absolutely zero taper, which I find unfortunate (its links are also connected via push pins rather than screws), and the clasp, while super solid (AND has that side button action you seem to prefer, topped off with a security latch) - is styled nothing like the original it's homaging, and comes off looking a bit generic to me. The only "issues" I've run into: one of the watches arrived with the bezel (and dial!) microscopically misaligned, with a smaller-than-one-second tilt to the left (my OCD was triggered and I quickly had it replaced with an absolutely perfect sample - thank goodness for AliExpress FREE RETURNS), and the NH35, while running negligibly fast on two of my Steeldives, has been losing 8 to 9 seconds daily (8 to 9 seconds isn't bad, per se, but I'm triggered by watches losing, rather than gaining time. Makes it more bothersome to adjust them over time). All in all - I think Steeldive is KILLING it with these watches, and can only heartily recommend them. Having said all that - I wish you smooth sailing with your Cronos subs. Enjoy!

[@thetimebombardier]

thanks Guy really appreciate the detailed comment and this is why I have the channel as it's your kind of comment that informs and guides other watch nutters, thank you again!! I'm also big enough to eat some humble pie so yup will get one of the steeldives in for comparison as it would make a nice follow up review having had the cronos on wrist for a month or so!! can I ask which colour way you reckon is best on the steeldives? cheers and welcome to the channel 😎😎

[@guyo68]

@@thetimebombardier, I've been subbed for a while now, and love your content (with fun attitude and an amusingly rich vocabulary to boot!). "Eat some humble pie" made me ROFL. As for recommended colorway - let's go by elimination: I don't much like the blue (just too "in your face" for me), the grey is unique (but also kind of meh), and the Starbucks/Cermit you already have with the Chronos, so not much point getting that now, I guess. That pretty much leaves the black (which is REALLY well done, IMHO, with ever-so-slightly golden lumed indices giving it a somewhat vintage feel, and a jet-black dial that makes it super classy and dressy to me) and the Hulk (which I can't seem to get off my wrist recently). Please... don't get 'em both or my conscience will never let me live it down! (Oh, who am I kidding...? You're probably/most definitely gonna get both LOL). Have fun!

[@mr.eswatchreviews]

Proud of my whoop azz racing watch

[@thetimebombardier]

it's unique and it runs very well!!

[@peterlandbo2726]

Submariner alternative???? Is a Dacia a BMW M5 alternative?

[@thetimebombardier]

@@peterlandbo2726 haha the Duster is super popular 😅 but yes fair point and welcome to the channel dude 😎

[@migracing8232]

Maybe you're referring to the brand name not actually the product

[@sinjinadams2862]

Cronos is without a doubt the best Rolex Submariner homage. I own two of the no date versions. One with the NH35 and one with the PT5000. I also own a number of other Cronos watches. The Deep Sea homage being one of my favorites.

[@thetimebombardier]

Cheers Sinjin good to hear that feedback, the deepsea does look nice, despite it's faults i do like the date version of this one also, think i'm surprised i like it that much 😅😎👍 welcome to tje channel mate!

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

Which one is more reliable and better performance long term, the nh35 or pt500?

[@sinjinadams2862]

Well, that may be a little hard to say. I haven't owned a PT5000 long enough to know. The reliability of this movement over time I think is still a question. My preference though is definitely the NH35.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@sinjinadams2862 both movements have been around a while and are fairly solid and dependable and the nh35 is easy to maintain, there is a suggestion that many manufacturers on ali might be using copies of the nh35 and not a genuine one, need to get the casebacks off to check 😎😎👍

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

@@sinjinadams2862 how do you like your cronos so far? How has the glidelock clasp been working? any issues? I am going back and forth between the cronos and San Martin sno17 or sno19. I also can't decide between no date vs date cronos. Do you have the full lume bezel? and what site did you order it off of? Thanks!

[@omoniyikaye]

DO YOU CALL TESCO CORNFLAKES FAKE JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE THEIR BRAND OF CORN FLAKES? I WILL RATHER BUY ACCURIST, INVICTA, STEEL DIVE, PAGANI, ADDIEDIVE, TANDORIO. AND OTHERS THAN TO BUY REPLICAS OF EXPENSIVE BRANDS. MY WATCH COLLECTION HAVE GROWN SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THESE WATCHES AT LOW BUDGET PRICES.

[@thetimebombardier]

Hey Omoni thanks dude and yes I'd call those cornflakes fake 😅😅 and they are replicas right? They have nothing original about them but yes they do make buying them a lot more accessible for most of us, myself included 😎👍

[@omoniyikaye]

@@thetimebombardier Feel you.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@omoniyikaye cheers dude and welcome to the channel 😎

[@Bama_Law]

mine came thru amazon,instead of the pictured female end links came with male. bezel just ever so off. bummer. but it has stopped running twice and takes a knock to get running again. my guess no oil. bezel action great. bracelet squeeked until oiled....then fine. over all well made rolex copy. but for price a base sea-gull 2824 clone wouldve been better than PT5000.NH35 is like $30-35 on ebay and base sea-gull is $60. no reason for the PT 5000. I also got blue and two days later black was in stock...lmao cant win. prolly will return it and get black. Mine came in the watch dives old san martin plastic pelican case and was not, NOT plastic wrapped. my guess freakin Amazon just resold the damn thing thinking 'well this works fine'......nope. idiots.

[@thetimebombardier]

hey Chris thanks and welcome to the channel bud, sounds like you have had a fun journey with these LOL!!! it's such damned lottery with these things and yes I think your amazon summary explains it perfectly, I've just done a comparison video with a steeldive version of the same watch and the pt5000 still outshines the nh35 but I'm still not sure these nh35s are not clones themselves...!!!

[@joanc120]

"ratchet" (the microadjustment)... the sign of a watch conneisseur...

[@thetimebombardier]

that's what they it call on their product listing :D let me know if you want me to send you the link,

[@thetimebombardier]

Apparently most watch connesseurs refer to the small holes on either side of the clasps as the microadjustments 🤪