Fantastic $200 Rolex Alternative - AliExpress 11.11 Sale Starts Soon!

[@morgan.enfield]

I've had this (yes fantastic) watch for 2 months now and it's so much fun to wear that I'm finding it hard to give it up for another watch in my collection. I chose the navy blue model, which is a really dark blue, almost black depending on how bright it is where you are. When I adjusted the bracelet, several screws weren't fully screwed in, so it's advisable to check that all the screws are tight before wearing it. This model is a homage to the little known Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ‘Engine Turned Bezel’ Ref 15010-15210 which were 34mm and discontinued since 20 years now. Thanks to Octopus Kraken (don't bother the name) for having rescued from oblivion such a well-made homage to an endearing model that few people know about. The honeymoon continues, and so much the better.

[@WatchtheTime]

I often have that problem when adding a watch to my collection, as I don’t like my collection getting any bigger and am strict with myself on it not getting any larger. As for the watch, I really do think there is a market for watches like this given they are so hard to purchase. I hope you continue to enjoy your mate 👍👍

[@chinawristwatch]

Thank you for your evaluation of the brand. All your opinions and suggestions are important to us and I will listen to them.

[@dunderhay9169]

Great review, I bet they are kicking themselves for not checking that screw before sending it to you! As the owner of a similar original watch from the 90s, that looks the best homage I have seen so far, the bezel is so much nicer than the usual polished plain or fluted ones. The way it wears is part of the reason they have sold so well for fifty plus years.

[@WatchtheTime]

I agree, this is first experience with a bezel like this and it’s very, very nice indeed. Thanks for your continued support mate 👍👍

[@chinawristwatch]

Thank you. I appreciate the compliment

[@spikefcast1892]

I have the octopus explorer in enamel dark blue, just lovely , the best 1to1 explorer hommage

[@WatchtheTime]

I know the one, very nice watch mate - enjoy 👍👍

[@cedarcanoe]

Octopus Kraken is surprisingly good. Very very good in fact. Thanks Simon!

[@WatchtheTime]

Am glad you like it mate 👍👍

[@danielthegeek4582]

The six o’clock index look really wonky to me, unless it’s just the light? Edit. No, it’s not the light.. as soon as the lume shot was shown it became really apparent it’s completely pissed!

[@WatchtheTime]

In person I can’t say I noticed it tbh but on camera, it’s does look like it’s leaning to the left. Thanks for your feedback mate 👍👍

[@DinoB12]

I absolutely love mine in midnight blue. It is the smallest watch that I own and I have a 17 inch wrist. But man it doesn’t look small which really surprised me. It’s a wee bit smaller that my baby Alpinist but due to the lug width, it doesn’t wear that small and still has presence! Just over the weekend I purchased their homage to the explorer. I have the 39mm Explorer but I think it wears a tad too big so wanted to pick their version apart of that watch up since I really love this one. And like you I have enjoyed wearing this watch a lot. I just took a trip to Martha’s Vineyard and I brought this one, a Speedmaster and the Tudor Royal but this one got most of the wrist time.

[@simonwynne7651]

Great review in your usual engaging style. Always a pleasure to watch your reviews and this time with the added bonus of a striking watch.

[@WatchtheTime]

I appreciate your kind words mate and appreciate all your support - thank you 👍👍

[@gregtolley3455]

Just picked up a Geckota Airstream, my first 36mm watch, I'm in love. I also have an Octopus bronze big crown homage, please bring that one back.

[@WatchtheTime]

Ah nice one man. That is a piece I’ve been meaning to feature on the channel for a while, would you recommend it? 👍👍

[@PINKFL0YD-s2h]

This is going to be the next one I buy.

[@WatchtheTime]

Am glad I could bring it to your attention mate 👍👍

[@adk7962]

I think it’s brilliant. And I don’t know why, but I’ve never had an issue with their name or logo. This one and the Baltany you just reviewed are tied for possibly my next watch purchase. Their Murph Homage is probably one of the best homages of that watch out there. Thanks as always for the great review!

[@WatchtheTime]

I can see why you like both watch, as they are so well made and which ever one you opt for, I’m sure you’ll love it mate 👍👍

[@JonTheComputerDoctor]

Name does not bother me but I think it would be better with just the logo but regardless of that I think they have a winner for sure, on my list to buy.

[@WatchtheTime]

Logo only is always a good option mate. I’m pleased you like the watch and that I could in some way, help you to make an informed decision 👍👍

[@FullyLumed]

Looks great, it'd be good to see a 34mm version like the vintage air king.

[@WatchtheTime]

Fair enough mate 👍👍

[@DinoB12]

I absolutely love mine in midnight blue. It is the smallest watch that I own and I have a 17 inch wrist. But man it doesn’t look small which really surprised me. It’s a wee bit smaller that my baby Alpinist but due to the lug width, it doesn’t wear that small and still has presence!

[@WatchtheTime]

Ah nice one mate. It’s a beauty - enjoy 👍👍

[@violinmke]

With Canadian Exchange they want over $300 Canadian. It's above what I'll pay for Ali Express product. Thanks for showing it. Its nice.

[@WatchtheTime]

No problem mate - thanks for watching anyway 👍👍

[@stephenschroeder6567]

Thank you for this thorough review. I like everything except one glaring issue for me - the fluted(?) bezel. Is that the correct term? I would have initially called it reeded - like the edge of a coin. If that texture was not there this would be an instant buy. But as it is, it is a regrettable pass.

[@WatchtheTime]

It is indeed called an ‘engine turned’ bezel, which I found out just after filming the review, sods law aye. Thanks for watching mate 👍👍

[@stephenschroeder6567]

@@WatchtheTime Thank you for your reply and the information. I really like this watch but that bezel 😲 I wish this had a mirror polished bezel...or even a brushed finish - anything but fluted. (Insert heavy sigh here.)

[@daynevickers1079]

I love the look of this watch, however, I have had a very different experience from yours with the PT5000 movement. I have four watches with it, and 3 of them (yes, including an Octopus 'Pelagos' titanium watch and two San Martins) have had issues, from crowns that completely disengage to very gritty operation. Completely inexcusable. Therefore, as much as I love the looks of this, I would much prefer that they use a VH31 quartz (or similar with date complication). If they did, the watch 'could be' ; thinner, lighter, much more dependable, and last but not least? LESS EXPENSIVE! So I'm making an appeal to 'cheap' watch manufacturers. Give us a quartz 'sweeping' hand movement option. Build it and we will BUY!

[@WatchtheTime]

I’m sorry to hear about your experiences mate and funnily enough, you’re not the first person to say something like this about the PT5000 movement, would seem I’ve just been lucky so far. As for your recommendation, I think you’re bang on and they would sell like hot cakes 👍👍

[@costa7060]

Don't wind the pt5000 One or two winds to get it moving it will be fine. Like the original movement the ETA it has a design flaw. People wind them and then complain it fails. Winding it will kill it with 2 months.

[@daynevickers1079]

@@costa7060 Thanks for the advice, I was unaware of that design flaw.

[@KABBARANKS]

Very nice - looking watch. I love that bezel. However, at 36mm it's a pass from me.

[@WatchtheTime]

No problem at all mate - many thanks for watching anyway 👍👍

[@Dave062YT]

Nice.I know what you mean about a cyclops as my eyes get older they become more appealing .

[@WatchtheTime]

That’s a good point you make mate. Thanks for watching and I hope you’re well 👍👍

[@ericarghirudis3462]

I'm so pleased for you that you love the watch and so many ' pukkas ' . it makes me smile. I love it too , but didn't buy it yet. as my wrist is 7.25 inch 36mm watches is pushing the limits so can you tell us the dial ( or crystal ) diameter ? also you mention reflections, is the AR ok or you wish it was better? thanks again. I'll probably watch this vid a few more times

[@WatchtheTime]

Am glad you like it mate and I can fully understand why. As for the dial diameter, unfortunately I no longer have the watch but am sure the store or their instagram would help you, links in the description 👍👍

[@finster444k]

Actually, not bad.

[@WatchtheTime]

I’m glad you like it mate 👍👍

[@caktaylor]

A similar thing happened to me with San Martin bracelet screws. I've also had watches fall off my wrist because the screws came undone. And, I had a bent screw in an RZE watch that was incredibly difficult to remove. Needless to say, I much prefer split pins. They may not look "premium," but they are easy to get in and out, and they stay in place.

[@WatchtheTime]

I hear you and I sometimes feel the same tbh but, there is something about a screw link bracelet that just looks premium and offer ease (often) is sizing 👍👍

[@Dylan-xp6pk]

Split pins for me 👍

[@JonTheComputerDoctor]

Thread locker problem solved.

[@caktaylor]

@@JonTheComputerDoctor Yeah. Real premium.

[@JonTheComputerDoctor]

@@caktaylor Not sure what you mean as a training Watch repairer and maker this is common practice take a look at a Rolex bracelet.

[@buijs1967]

V2 with a "on the fly" ajustable clasp, longer minute hand and better logo i will consider it.

[@WatchtheTime]

No problem - good recommendations 👍👍

[@AckoMunze]

I have to side with Jody on this one...As cool and beautiful the watch is (and other cool watches they make), brand name is horribly stupid! Octopus alone or Kraken alone and then sure, not too bad...but together, just plain ridiculous. Shame. Oh, and as always, nice review!

[@WatchtheTime]

I hear you mate and I like Jody but in terms of brand names, Erebus hasn’t been massively well received either, so you can see how subjective these things can sometimes be 👍👍

[@ccooper8785]

If that was available with a quartz option then that would be it for me, collection complete 😳😱 So, wow, I dodged a bullet there. That was a close one lads 😥

[@WatchtheTime]

No problem at all. I understand that some people prefer quartz. Thanks for watching anyway 👍👍

[@travis3430]

It's a really nice watch. Call me weird but I wouldn't mind Octopus Kraken branding on a dive watch but I think the branding is out of place on more of a dress watch 🤔. Some Chinese branding are hit & miss as we all know... Tandorio sounds like a curry (but you can buy them watches without the branding I think.

[@edwardsjohnpaul]

"Octopus Kraken" makes me think "Dog Wolf" or "Whale Dolphin", it doesn't make a lot of sense.

[@travis3430]

@@edwardsjohnpaul a Kraken is from greek mythology I think...in the early days of sailing, people were terrified of giant sized octopus grabbing the boat & dragging it to the depths 🤣...that's why in my view the branding is more at home on a dive watch.

[@WatchtheTime]

I get that mate and you make a good point. Thanks for your honest feedback and for watching 👍👍

[@edwardsjohnpaul]

@@travis3430 sure, but I'm still not gonna name my field watch "horse Pegasus" :)

[@paulclark147]

The bezel is a copy of the old Rolex Air King 34. I have been thinking about getting an Air King just because I love the bezel so much. This watch is nice and is a good size at 36. The bezel looks amazing 👏 Not sure about the name / branding of the watch but its a few grand cheaper than the Rolex so I might get one for the occasional wear...

[@WatchtheTime]

The bezel is very nice, as is the watch tbh and a good alternative to the watch you mentioned and probably many others. Thanks for watching 👍👍

[@smgeraldo]

Too small! Pity, it looks real good. Bump it up to 40mm and I would strongly consider it!👍

[@WatchtheTime]

Sorry to hear that mate - thanks for watching anyway 👍👍

[@denisdaly1708]

Looks great

[@WatchtheTime]

I’m glad you like it mate 👍👍

[@cliffordrichardc]

Fantastic

[@WatchtheTime]

I’m glad you like it mate 👍👍

[@guidine7]

This should be at least 41mm

[@WatchtheTime]

Perhaps but given it’s a homage of a vintage watch, it’s definitely true to the size of the watch it’s homaging, or at least close enough 👍👍

[@adrianfernandonoya5196]

Nice watch but my wallet cant buy it.

[@WatchtheTime]

No problem mate. As always, thanks for your continued support 👍👍

[@kobusvanrensburg4092]

Octopus.. Nah it looks great but it might as well be called jellyfish or barnacle.

[@stevejamieson1613]

I could never wear a watch called “Octopus” no matter how refined it is. Call it an “Octavia” or something similar and I’d wear it.

[@WatchtheTime]

No problem mate - many thanks for your honesty and also for watching 👍👍

[@mauricesoulis1590]

Think of it as a 007 homage- Octopussy😂

[@WatchtheTime]

@mauricesoulis1590 🤣🤣👍👍

[@tonydilucente2342]

I could not agree more with you on this. Just a TERRIBLE name, a total turn-off.

[@mauricesoulis1590]

@@tonydilucente2342ya the names I think r better is “mysterious code or feelnever” 😂😂😂😂

[@JohnDudley-l7x]

Octopus,eyes don'ts due date 😡

[@WatchtheTime]

I’m not sure I know what you mean mate, sorry…

[@lawrence-ec5dm]

A very nice watch.but I think the name might put people off.

[@WatchtheTime]

It might do mate but the watch itself is definitely a winner IMO 👍👍

[@scatterbrain9490]

👍

[@WatchtheTime]

👍👍

[@alfredthegreat9543]

Old eyes need a cyclops....trust me I know 😁

[@WatchtheTime]

I hear mate 🤣🤣👍👍

[@EricZ726]

Ya. All good. But. The Rolex copies are just getting old.

[@WatchtheTime]

Even of vintage stuff that you’d struggle to get a decent condition one of?

[@EricZ726]

@@WatchtheTime true. Good point. 👍

[@WatchtheTime]

Very kind of you sir 👍👍