How Some Microbrands Are Ripping You Off!!

Hello friends, I was shocked to find out that some microbrand companies are simply rebranding aliexpress watches and selling them to you for a lot more $$ Hopefully this doesn't happen to anyone else out there like my friend who got ripped off!
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[@felo6035]

Thank you Chris. As I noted before, there's a huge difference between sourcing parts from China (pick your supplier) to create your own watch, even a homage, VS using an existing watch and merely adding your logo (minor mods included) - this is wrong. I'm very disappointed.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I’m very sorry that this happened to you friend…..live and learn and move on!

[@AnCar88]

If this is you Rafael, sorry you had this experience. I was saying to Chris that we all make silly watch purchases sometimes. But we learn from them and that makes us better watch enthusiasts.

[@felo6035]

​@MirrlyonTime That's all we can do. Need to do a little more research next time.

[@felo6035]

​@@AnCar88 Thank you. It is frustrating and disappointing more than anything else. Part of learning as we get deeper into this hobby....

[@AnCar88]

@@felo6035 That's exactly right. You got burned this time, but next time you won't because you'll know better.

[@johnswatchjoint]

You made the right decision Chris. This is just plain WRONG. Good on you. I would have done the same. It has to be called out for what it is...shameless!

[@bluecollarwatches7048]

I’ve actually thought about making my own brand as a joke, it’s easy to do and you can just drop ship them and not even not have to worry about anything. This is why I’m always suspicious of micro brands, quite easy to do with with AliExpress and drop shipping. Example tandoori I can easily have them make a dial for me and slap a name on there, 100% support your calling this brand out and the shame of this is that this guy doesn’t seem to care. Oh he probably can’t send you a label as it was drop shipped.

[@Trapvision3D]

I appreciate you releasing this information.

[@dunderhay9169]

Well done for calling this out. A lot of these Chinese companies do drop shipping and I can't blame them. This guy is doing what those minimalist/fashion brands do, the ones Ben's Watch Club sent up with his Spaghetti Scametti brand. Amongst AliExpress brands there seems to be a lot of parts sharing. A case made to order for a Microbrand say, then seems available to other Chinese brands and they all do a slightly different version.

[@WatchtheTime]

Fair play for making the video Chris and speaking your truth 👍👍

[@gz7587]

Keep in mind that all these chinese copycat brands, stole and copied designs of other companies and threw their own logo on it. Their next step is to offer their stolen design products in bulk to others individuals to start their own "brand". I think it's a bit hypocritical to be a pagani "design" fanboy and then blast this guy that had an exact same type of company make their product for him with his own branding.

[@karlsenula9495]

Other brands NOT doing the same thing: Stratton, Dan Henry, Zelos, Helm, Phoibos, Christopher Ward, Brew, Baltic Etc. Etc. Many many many more ... even San Martin and Pagani are trying to come out with original designs. Even Invicta has original designs. If you want to do homage watches ... that is fine (in my opinion nothing wrong with that many brands do it) ... just don't label them as 'original' micro-brands.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Not sure that he is labeling them this way, but his IG does say designed in the USA, the examples I showed are blatant drop shipping though, and a poor IG friend got ripped off and felt I needed to do the video

[@karlsenula9495]

@@MirrlyonTime... fair reply.

[@coreydavis7810]

I think that it is a given that many aliexpress brands are contract manufacturers for anyone who wants to submit a wholesale-qty order with whatever logo one wishes to print on the dial. I can easily rattle off several brands in the U.S. and U.K. who are doing the same, and am shocked that there is anyone surprised or offended. By and large, we are talking about the same inexpensive (albeit pretty decent quality) watches being produced in the same China facility -- logos and colors and websites and shipping warehouses are the only things that change. Certainly this is not news. I've bought watches from upstart rebadging companies at a premium to the identical less expensive aliexpress variants simply because I like the logo better or preferred paying more for in-country shipping. I was never under the impression that my private-label $300 watch was otherwise any different than the factory direct branded variant I could have bought for only $150 if I liked the factory logo or shipping experience or etc. Same exact watch of course. I don't see the issue.

[@WristWatching]

Kudos for shedding light on this, Chris. It seems like the brand owner doesn't really get it. I mean, I understand that rebadging watches is fair game, but be transparent about it and don't charge excessively more if there weren't any other spec bumps involved in the process. Pointing the blame at other microbrands and the community at large isn't the way to do it.

[@gz7587]

Very common throughout countless industries. Chinese companies produce products for someone, then offer it out so that people throw their own logo on it. Companies offer this service with the intent that people do exactly that.

[@supplementalhorsey4510]

Actually that Wayne Gretzky watch looks pretty good on you. Sometimes a watch can look comically small/big in close-up wrist shots, but wear just fine in the context of looking at a full person. 👍

[@karlsenula9495]

Companies like Daniel Wellington, Filippo Loretti etc. Were infamous for doing this ... and then paying youtube influencers to promote them (in one infamous instance an influencer said it was in his opinion better than a Rolex).

[@MirrlyonTime]

Haha I plan on doing a parody of alpha male at some point :)

[@OFD]

Great video. Thanks for sharing this information 😎👊

[@sinjinadams2862]

I'm not sure if I completely agree with your take here. Is this company giving some added value with their watch. Better QC, better warranty, faster shipping, better customer service, better return policy. Customers may be willing to pay more for some of these things if this is the case.

[@AnCar88]

Chris, you have to give credit to the owner. He was right. If someone is interested in any of his watches, they should just buy direct from China :) Props to you for making this video.

[@James20013]

I’ve seen lots of brands do this. They use the exact same rendering but they use a different logo on it.

[@sabeaniebaby]

Way to confront the company directly, and I'm pleasantly surprised they gave an honest answer. How refreshing. 11 months ago I purchased an orange pilot watch from a microbrand. Shortly thereafter I saw a KZbin video of an Addies pilot watch with the exact same measurements, movement, specs ... the only real difference was the dial colour. Now, I wouldn't have bought the Addies watch in their colour. And had I bought it but changed the dial colour, well, first of all, I wouldn't know how to do that, and it would have cost me a pretty penny for someone else to do so. So I still love my watch. And this microbrand still makes some changes to their watches ... but I don't think it justifies their prices. Thankfully, I got mine on sale.

[@AleCardenasRealtor]

I thought that was what the world market was all about these days, you buy cheap in China, you sell high price in your home country after a good marketing campaign.

[@Subjective_JoshNelson]

Not defending LT, as I get the point of this video; however Ali express companies sell non-logo watches with wholesale discounts for, probably, this exact purpose. I'm not sure what the huge deal is here? Isn't LT just taking what Ali companies are doing to the next step? I'd be it is not inexpensive to take the watches apart and print on the dial, too. Aren't Rolex, AP, IWC et al. ripping people off with their marketing, for watches that probably cost $600 max to manufacture? LT is marking something up, glossifying it and selling at a profit...

[@famimame]

lol this online marketing from this microbrand hardly cost anything to justify the price. Not at all comparable to the amount actually marketing that Rolex, AP, IWC are doing.

[@dannymaclea4762]

There once was a man with two hot dog stands on opposite sides of the street selling the exact same hot dogs. One stand he sold them for 5 dollars and the other he sold them for 10 dollars. Someone asked him one day why they were different prices when they were the identical hot dogs? His answer was simple. Some people like to pay 5 dollars for a hot dog and some people like to pay 10 dollars for a hot dog. Food for thought. I do agree with you however. Buyer beware!

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Great comparison Except the other brand he's talking about looks much better IMO. This guy doesn't have a clue how marketing works. Some people like Nike some people like Adidas buy what you like is my motto

[@RipsawJoe]

Hey Chris , I totally agree with all your comments on this issue To the owner of this micro brand , Dude you are basically committing fraud here !! Thanks again for sharing Chris 👏👏

[@KillingTimeWithNorman]

Great follow up video. This is just seedy. And the Gretzky watch looks amazing! Love the vintage size, I was staring at it the whole video hehe

[@LaithFaouri]

Thank you for the video. I'm glad to see people like you doing this to protect other people.

[@Trapvision3D]

No integrity at all. What he fails to realize is that a great number of collectors will support and stand behind a brand he or she feels is worth it. It's unfortunate that this company decided to cut corners and give us nothing to be enthusiastic about!

[@stuart150]

It's dropshipping, pure and simple....

[@bogrot69]

You're not wrong Chris. While I have no doubt this company isn't the only one doing this, I have many watches made by popular Microbrands in my collection. Straton, Helm Zelos Oceaan Crawler to name a few and they are all original designs. Some companies are up front about their watches being made in Chinese factories to help cut costs but they still came up with their own designs, pay for prototypes etc. It's common knowlege that just getting to the prototype stage is very expensive. Personally, I don't consider those who are just rebranding generic Chinese watches to be true Microobrands.

[@motorbikeray]

@bogrot69 wrote, "Personally, I don't consider those who are just rebranding generic Chinese watches to be true Microobrands." I agree.

[@bogrot69]

@@motorbikeray Opportunists would be a more polite term I suppose 😁

[@WATCHingJames]

That does not surprise me at all. I think this does happen. Not the microbrands we normally think about. But others do exist.

[@candide1772]

It's the microbrand MVMT! This is simply drop-shipping like MVMT.

[@chickenporkadob0]

he's ripping off a ripped off design so it just comes in circle

[@WatchAddictionReviews]

Have owned a couple, great solid watches and great owner - Id rather pay more for good QC and being able to send my watch back within a day and not spend $50 to send it back to China and wait 4 weeks, just my two cents. You get what you pay for

[@AnCar88]

You get what you paid for, especially when you are talking about paid reviews right?

[@David-nx2vm]

I’m not defending the microbrand, just asking the question - do we know for sure the addiesdive came out first? There’s always a possibility the factory flipped his design with a different logo. And, do they both have the same movements, crystal types, AR coating, caseback, bracelet/clasp, and other specs that could affect the cost?

[@MirrlyonTime]

Good questions. Yes the addies dive came out first. This is a rebrand with some minor tweaks like the milled clasp instead of pressed, but the design is one of addies dives, that said not sure if it is an original design by addies dive certainly the numerals on the dial are not original but on a dive watch, not sure if another brand has done this.

[@SpaceG95]

I was waiting for this one 👍🏾

[@grahamliggat7193]

Agree that this is drop shipping and not great. Other comments suggest that looking at the Addies sale price is misleading but I don’t think that’s right there’s always a sale on or just around the corner and there are additional discounts for volumes. The “micro brand” owner clearly thinks he’s being a smart entrepreneur but I don’t think it’s really a micro brand as it hasn’t got its own thing going on at all. It’s just drop shipping but he’s making a buck selling his “cachet” to those who fall for it. Well worth calling this out as it’s so blatant and the big takeaway is your point “do your research” but also to flag it and spread the word in the community when you spot it. Be sad if this were to proliferate but if it’s not lucrative hopefully it will be limited.

[@nathan4977]

He's kinda not wrong though. Plenty of brands do this...Scurfa, Baltic, spinnaker, Vaer, just to name some that seem obvious. Now I've had people refer to this as more of a catalog watch in the way there produced. And if that's not for you then that's fine...but to be fair I'm honestly surprised he was willing to be transparent about Addiesdive manufacturing. To have him address that then say he's ripping people off? Plus he has dial options for the very watch you reviewed that I can't seem to find anywhere on ali. Seems a bit of a low blow. Just my 2 cents

[@bogrot69]

The nerve of this guy trying to prevent people from getting screwed. 🤣

[@aaronmichael1022]

It sounds like they're just copying the MVMT model and hoping for the same result.

[@SpaceG95]

As Wing Liang tells this guy to hold his beer🤣🤣🤣

[@adk7962]

For me the most egregious aspect is that brand is clearly targeting people who don’t know much about watches and are gullible enough to pay $400 for an Addiesdive. It’s one thing if you have plenty of money, but I really feel for the people who actually saved up to buy what they considered to be a “luxury” watch. Thanks for the heads up. All I can say is karma is a you know what…

[@gillyharwood]

I disagree if there saving up $400 for a watch they would go to a store and do there homework.

[@adk7962]

@@gillyharwood That’s a good point. But I don’t think this watch is available in stores to look at.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@gillyharwood yes and fortunately for those that find my video on this brand their “homework” will lead them to move on and not buy this particular watch, but by the addies dive instead since it’s the exact same, unless they want to spend an extra 200 dollars for a different logo. If the consumer wants a modified logo they can buy this watch direct from alibaba and pay for their own logo to be put on the watch in the customization step, and still save money over this one.

[@siddhant46s54]

The recent big ripoff i recently discovered is the company Nomadic and their watch the Nomadic marai which is a bigger ripoff than the one you’ve mentioned in the video. Now the Nomadic marai is just a rebranded San martin SN008 but with a different logo and handset( hour,minute and second hand) and sprinkled with a bit of a story with their brand being inspired by Belfast ship yard and docks having some yellow and that being the inspiration for the yellow second hand. The San martin sn008 sells for approximately 350$ and the Nomadic marai goes for 1000 to 1100 dollars, shocking!

[@missioncontrolhq]

Wow is this true? I have been on the verge of getting one of these for a few weeks now! I wonder if their new watch (the Turas) is the same?

[@MirrlyonTime]

Wow!

[@famimame]

over the Christmas I saw ads of microbrand watch with car sport-rim design selling for hundreds of dollar that is just another $40 Aliexpress rebrand

[@favoritethings3065]

Great video. I’m wondering if perhaps the Microbrand company offers a better warranty, return policy or maybe more regulation for that higher price??? Plus, I think not all Microbrands are on the same level….ie. Lorier, Traska and Dan Henry are different than Pagani Designs for example.

[@MirrlyonTime]

How this particular microbrand justifies the straight drop shipping/rebranding of the watch. I’ll pin the comment of the person who bought the watches that inspired me to make this video. His point sums it all up for me

[@juniorjohnson5961]

This guy obviously doesn't know what he's talking about I agree with the owners of the outher Microbrand most of the companies use the same factory's. I personally like the outher brand better the Addie's looks like a toy with that silly logo.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@juniorjohnson5961 companies using the same factories is not the same thing as companies switching logos and keeping the watch the same. And those that do need to be called out as well, if you can’t see the difference you are the one that doesn’t know what he is talking about

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@juniorjohnson5961 furthermore look at the companies Instagram page and take note of the designed in the USA description 🤦

[@Shri_V]

This is a very useful video, thanks for making it!

[@Trapvision3D]

That guy is delusional! We're collectors out here and he has no idea!!!!

[@joelrussell]

Good investigative video. However, I feel that you are using the term "Microbrand" incorrectly. I did not catch the name of this brand that you are exposing, but if it is in the same league as Pagani designs, then it's not a Microbrand. Is it claiming to be a Microbrand?

[@MirrlyonTime]

Yes, indeed, it is claiming to be a micro brand, and in the examples I provided, is simply taking an existing addies dive watch and replacing the logo along with other minor tweaks like a different handset, or a mild clasp that is being manufactured by addies dive so you are correct. This is definitely not a legit micro brand.

[@jamessaund]

The owner's case doesn't make any logical sense. So basically, everyone can see exactly what that watch of that design is worth, being made in that factory, and being sold by Addiesdive. That is the price that should be paid. If this dude is going to use this factory to make his watches, at least put in the effort to work with the factory to make it a different design that's more his own, or at least know the designs that they are being churned out by the factory for other brands. I'll admit it does get a bit blurry when talking about costs, because the microbrand owner could indeed have a more unique design made, and hypothetically if a Chinese brand made that design, they could indeed sell it for cheaper than what the microbrand owner could afford to do. So i get that, but man, doing this is a REALLY bad look. that's why i say, literal costings aside, don't slap your brand name on something that is being made in the same factory and is essentially the same as what a chinese brand is selling for a quarter of the price. It just looks really bad, and surely the owner can see that part of it or there is something really wrong with him/her

[@paulkukula6541]

Great call.

[@HRM.H]

Microbrands that dont specify where they source each part are a no-go for me. Too many fake "swiss made" watches.

[@bogrot69]

The crown was made by a guy whose sister's best friend dated a guy in high school who carved their initials in a tree with his Swiss Army Knife 🤣

[@tonydilucente2342]

I think you should mention the brand. I'd like to avoid it.

[@MirrlyonTime]

La Touraine

[@Dirtywesterner]

the monterey watch company looks like it's doing some rebranding on steel dives

[@BCallum]

Never had a bad experience with a microbrand. Its my preference. Thats brutal.

[@gregtolley3455]

It's time we have the discussion on whether at least top shelf ali watches are legit microbrands.

[@karlsenula9495]

This is why we watch youtubers to know which micro-brands are legit and which are simply rebranding Aliexpress mass produced watches ... at a significant mark up/profit.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

This guy doesn't have a clue how the Microbrand companies work this video shows his ignorance.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@juniorjohnson5961 I’ve worked with about a dozen microbrand companies and yes I do know how they work, and this was the first one to take an existing aliexpress watch from a brand, change logos and some other minor tweaks like handset and clasp, and then turn around and sell the watch for 200 dollars more. So let’s discuss what this guy skipped: - designing his own dial - getting a prototype made - tweaking the prototype to satisfy his design and asthetic elements of the time piece - ordering a batch of watches This guy is not a microbrand owner, he is an aliexpress rebrander and almost everyone can see that from this video. If he did the above steps he could legitimately charge 409 usd which was his original asking price but he didn’t because he isn’t a microbrand. Perhaps go and learn more about this yourself

[@alz2203]

Karl, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you own one? I own two and they’re the best value for money I’ve seen in a while. They’re not Aliexpress.

[@nicholashritz6770]

I'm fairly sure I bought a microbrand homage watch that I could have bought with different branding from Aliexpress for a hundred dollars less. Lesson learned.

[@paulelliott7493]

Wow!...quite honestly i have never noticed your channel before, but the tag line caught my attention. I have to say, what the "micro brand" owner is doing is slimy indeed, and a discredit to the industry as a whole, it is disgusting. On a positive note though, you got yourself a new subsciber for putting this out there, i commend you for doing it.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Thanks Paul! Mostly positive feedback on this video, still can’t believe what some are saying to justify this blatant dropshipping of existing aliexpress watches. Thanks for tuning in and subscribing!

[@ccampbell1117]

Interesting because you can order Berny watches for about £20 extra with your own logo/ name on the face and the movement on automatic watches . I’ve seen another brand offer this too but I see this as a way of personalising a watch from them That you particularly like . There are so many “ brands “ out there that are rebadged Addiesdive , Tandorio or similar . One that I came across recently was Dwayne Campbell , yes honestly, but these were priced at the same level as mid tier Ali Express watches and I’d rather have the reassurance that I’d bought say an Addiesdive. There are a lot of chancers out there. Maybe Dwayne Campbell are real AE manufacturers ?

[@MirrlyonTime]

Yes, you can order these very watches that he is selling using the Alibaba app and the last thing before your order is the customization of the watch in other words, the logo, and the print that you want on the watch

[@MirrlyonTime]

Also, I almost got myself a watch from Tandoorio that you mentioned and the cost to put my logo on one of their watches was US$25

[@younusimam-thesalamproject6340]

Wow. They gaslit you and demonstrated zero accountability

[@sivanstar]

microbrand owners have alot of pride in their designs and they pay thousands of dollars for prototypes. there are original design microbrand watches (case, dial, hands, bracelet) for as low as 200$! this guy is not paying for prototypes, just a tiny extra for his logo. and when you buy in large quantities you get a big discount. i understand that pricing a watch is 3 times the cost of making for marketing etc. it would be intresting to contact addiesdive or the factory and get an assesment for lets say 100 watches. that way we can know how much he really makes. essentially this is no diff than selling a fake rolex. hey dude! if youre selling watches in order to make money and ripp people off in the process, you need to find something else to do with your life bc karma is a B****!

[@bogrot69]

Absolutely. There are factories in China that do excellent work and some Micros use them to keep their costs down but they still go through the process you described, submitting their designs, getting a prototype made up. It's definitely not cheap or easy to launch your own brand.

[@rappers5719]

Well done Mr M.

[@mell3109]

The pilot looks similar but not the same dial

[@MirrlyonTime]

It’s definitely an addies dive sourced dial I’m sure it’s the same one

[@enmovimiento3766]

LaTourine?

[@Matthew-wn8oq]

Yeah that's disgusting! I love microbrands but I buy my watches from a watch lover that designs and builds and regulates all his watches. Most micro brands are the same , they are born from individuals that have a major passion for watches. I love my DuFrane watches!!!!!! 😊 That guy that is selling those addiesdive watches is a scumbag all there is to it.

[@twitchyjambo]

Shocking 🫣

[@franzb69]

many companies in different industries do this all the time. they rebrand stuff from china and mark them up by a loooooot.

[@bitterboar]

I wouldn’t even call that a micro brand. I’d just call that an “homage brand”. But either way, yeah, it’s just Aliexpress stuff. And to your point, there are many micro brands that do get their materials and labor in China, but have original designs, like Foster, Erebus, Straton, Lorier, and Monta to name a few.

[@MirrlyonTime]

My point exactly. The owners justification and others on the comment section here as well that a lot of other microbrands do the same thing, well call them out too if that's the case. Big difference in creating your own design and using chinese manufacturing vs taking an existing chinese branded watch and putting your logo on it, and then charging 200 dollars plus more for the watch.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Erebus looks very similar to Helm even the logo. Jody has done the same as this brand & everyone thinks it fine.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@juniorjohnson5961 I don’t think everyone thinks it’s fine, I’ve seen the comments on some of the reviewers videos that point out exactly that.

[@bitterboar]

@@juniorjohnson5961 I do agree that it is similar to Helm. But it also takes some from Tudor Pelagos. It does have enough of its own cues though to make it stand out in my opinion… Erebus probably isn’t best example, but the others I listed I think are….

[@juniorjohnson5961]

@@bitterboar I'm just using it as an example I'm a fan of Jody every watch or very few have there own DNA

[@kahaniguruhindi]

But people have eyes and specific budget those who’re buying aliexpress watches. So what’s the issue? If I like a pilot watch for 100 dollars with keeping in mind all specs, it’s good to go. If one like a dive watch, go for it. Just make sure the pricing is justified for a Chinese watch. What’s the ripping off here

[@MirrlyonTime]

Pretty self explanatory the guy is selling the exact same watch (specs and all with minor differences) for 200 dollars more in one case, hundred more in the third example, same watch. That’s the issue

[@kahaniguruhindi]

@@MirrlyonTime Yes I have also seen that different sellers offers slightly different designs with all same for higher prices. As a buyer, everyone should buy a value for money watch and avoid falling for such scams. If I’m getting a 100 dollar watch with better specs and some reviews are good then I’ll go for it rather checking similar kind of watches with higher prices.

[@moddedtime]

So you've compared on sale Addies to his retail price. Ok. So we're not 100% apples to apples here. Plus he's got dial options...Addies has been selling basically at cost on Ali for some time... having worked with a few companies in the past I'd be surprised if his cost wasn't more than the $102 your discussing. And with the new customer discount I'm. Greated with on his website Id imagine youd never have to pay his retail prices. Some simple math would put this watch in at 220ish rn...does he even have money left to advertise? I fail to see how it's a rip off. He was willing to tell you who manufactured it...more than you get from a lot of other companies.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Only after someone caught onto this and mentioned that it was the same as the addies dive. It’s easy to find out costs, get the alibaba app and go to addies dive supplier and it’s all there.

[@moddedtime]

​@@MirrlyonTimeI'm well aware of what costs can be and if you spend any amount of time on Alibaba you'll run across the likes of watches from many brands we've come to know and love. It's a little cold to try and say this is a blatant rip off.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@moddedtime just my opinion m8, and thank you for sharing yours :)

[@YOutsider]

it feels like a rip off, but do your research.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I have and it’s a ripoff

[@alekhidell7068]

Merchants are free to sell their merchandise at any price of their choosing, just as buyers are free to pay that price or not. Virtually all watches today are sheer luxury pieces, whose value is less a function of utility than preference. In the modern world, watches are available at virtually any price, so if anyone feels “ripped off”, then it’s purely the fault of the buyer. So long as the product is not misrepresented, then there is no issue. I could price a 2010 Toyota Camry at $1 million, and if somebody wants to pay that much for that Camry, the buyer is then more than welcome to do so.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Totally agree 👍 This guy doesn't have a clue what he's talking about the other brand looks much better IMO

[@watchsixto]

So where is the link 😂 It is crazy that they did this it doesn't look bad, but since they are being shady

[@Trustno1jed]

I bought a Christopher Ward and sent it back because the band was the exact one from Ali express that cost $50. The case looks similar to other explorer type watches. I think it’s about $300 not$1000

[@MirrlyonTime]

Wow!

[@Trustno1jed]

@@MirrlyonTime and the rotor sounded like it had sand in it. Very disappointing.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@Trustno1jed wow, truly surprised I have one CW and I love it. But the rotors on the Selita movements can be grainy if they get overwound, which in a brand new one obviously should never happen

[@Trustno1jed]

@@MirrlyonTime I’m glad you like yours and had a good experience. Many people seem to have had similar experiences as you. I wish I would have had a better experience. Thanks.

[@davidtrezeguet1467]

which model?

[@andrewpaton8819]

Are you going to do a similar vlog about groceries? Supermarkets are forever buying from a manufacturer and putting their own brand label on things. Car manufacturers do the same Toyota Altteza and Lexus is200 anyone. People like buying different brands for many reasons even where they are basically the same item. So why complain or feel ripped off when watch brands do the same. Personally I’d rather buy something that’s 1 of 1000 than something that is 1 in 100’000. Because I know fewer people will wearing the micro branded watch, that in itself is worth a premium.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Ok, I hear ya, but this one, and the other examples in this video, are 1 in 100,000 then buy the one that’s exactly the same for hundreds less, and the grocery store don’t hide the fact about where the items are from.

[@Forwardever.]

Grocery store brands are usually cheaper than the name brand counterparts. Lexus also has a lot more features than a Toyota so that's a bad example.

[@ChitownRon]

Are you really that naïve about manufacturing? Check out who makes air-conditioning units who makes oil filters for cars and motorcycles who makes car batteries who makes windshield wipers.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I think you missed the point of the video friend. I’m aware that many things are sourced in China, that wasn’t the point of the video. Look at the pinned comment by the guy that got ripped off. It’s one thing to design your own watch, do a homage with some tweaks, get a prototype made (in China), it’s another thing entirely to advertise your products are designed in the USA and take an existing addies dive model and put your logo on it and charge a customer 200 dollars more. Are you really naive about what is going on here?

[@ChitownRon]

@@MirrlyonTime he didn’t get ripped off let’s say you buy a Timex from somebody and then you find out it’s not a Timex it’s a Acme brand that’s getting ripped off counterfeiting

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@ChitownRon then in that case I would be angry that I got ripped off. My friend summarizes it well in the pinned comment. He thought he was buying a legit designed in the USA watch from a us microbrand. Imagine his shock when I discovered that he could have bought the same watch for 100 USD not 409 USD (with 25 percent off likely). Manufacturing isn’t the issue here

[@scatterbrain9490]

Micro scam🧐

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Your wrong ! The owner is right most Microbrands are using the same factory's in China. The logo on Addie's is awful I don't know anyone who would buy that watch with that logo . The outher brand i would it looks much better imo. I see no point in this video buy what you like is my thoughts . How long have you been a watch enthusiast & KZbinr. ?

[@MirrlyonTime]

Just over three years and if you think that simply switching out a logo and other minor tweaks and charging hundreds more for the same watch is ok, then buy that one. Furthermore, most microbrands doing the same thing is not justification for doing a wrong thing. And I don’t see most Microbrands doing this. Read the pinned comment from the person that actually bought the microbrand watches when he learned what the company really did, which was switch out the logo and charge him a min of 200 dollars more for watch.

[@PheasantPluckersMate]

So let me get this straight, it’s a ‘rip off’ because one watch is the same as another watch, but costs more, and neither of which are original designs? We have been seeing this happen for years, (MVMT, Daniel Wellington anyone). I understand the need to build your channel Chris, but taking the tone that this practice is so heinous is too much. The company in question could go to greater lengths to individualist their watches, but I’m sure it’s just one guy trying to make a go of it. Unlikely he’s another Anthony Farrer.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

This guy doesn't have a clue how the Microbrand companies work most of them do use the same factory's I like the looks of the outher brand much better. What a waist of a video it just shows his ignorance.

[@AnCar88]

I think people are quite confused. What is a rip off is not the idea of sourcing your watch from China or even using parts that already exist in the factory's manufacturing catalogues. What is a rip off is taking an existing watch, doing very little changes to it, charging triple for it and labeling your product as designed in the US.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

The company i think is the worst at this is Yema .​@@AnCar88

[@AnCar88]

​@@juniorjohnson5961 how exactly? yema are making a lot of stuff based on their vintage models. plus, they even have an in house series of calibers.

[@PheasantPluckersMate]

@@AnCar88 - fair point - if the company are making fraudulent claims on their website, then no question, that’s dirty pool.

[@gillyharwood]

Looking at the responses I think the owner would be quiet happy that there are many in favour of his brand. Its tough enough to launch a watch brand without a rant because your friend paid more. I do think there would have been a complaint if the price was virtually the same . I think you need to do more homework about what other brands are getting up to. Lets be honest your not an expert just someone with an opinion. Its very tiresome coming across such videos. This screams buyers remorse. I wonder if this was not your if friend if you would have a made such a video .. I think not . Unfortunately your video is coming across very unprofessional.

[@MirrlyonTime]

If other brands do the same thing that doesn’t justify what’s being done. I’ve presented the evidence clear enough to show that all this brand is doing is buying an existing addies dive watch putting their logo on it, and selling it for hundreds more. If my friend didn’t have this watch I would not have made the video, that’s correct. I didn’t buy this watch the owner of the watch company sent it to me and my viewers caught the connection to addies dive. The owner then tried to justify his actions by saying that most Microbrands do this, which they do not. Yes they source their materials from China but most Microbrands do not drop ship and rebrand an existing watch and claim it’s their own and those that do need to be called out like this one. And based on the number of comments in this particular video to state that there are many in favour of this brand compared to those who are not means you are the one that needs to do more “homework”

[@gillyharwood]

@@MirrlyonTime I have my opinion and you have yours ... trashing a brand to gain more clicks on youtube isn't the way to go.

[@AnCar88]

@@gillyharwood Have you considered the benefit to potential customers? If you were in the market for a watch that looks like this and came across this company's website, don't you think it would be nice to know there is a different company that has been making the same watch for years at a third of the price? I am genuinely confused. Isn't this one of the benefits of having access to reviews? Or would you like all review content to just tell you how awesome a product is, regardless of how it actually is?

[@mCblue79]

I disagree. If I bought one of these watches and came across the EXACT SAME one with an Addiesdive logo for HALF the price I'd be mightily pissed off. Makes me think you have some connection to the microbrand in question. Thanks for posting this informative and honest video mate 👍😊

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@mCblue79 I would feel the same, and the only reason I did the video was the microbrand owners response to me questioning him. I offered to return the watch to him at my cost, and he said to me that 90 plus percent of microbrands do this. He is wrong. 90 percent of Microbrands may use Chinese factories to source their cases, bracelets, etc, but I do know 90 percent def don’t do what this guy is doing which is taking an aliexpress watch and changing the logo and some other minor changes and calling it their own.

[@timgenter1264]

It's hilarious that you are bashing this company because they are ripping off AddiesDive and Pagani.....WHO ONLY RIP OFF OTHER COMPANIES FOR THEIR DESIGNS!. Give me a break.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Wouldn’t be bashing this company if they didn’t claim their watches were their designs drop shipping them and charging people hundreds more

[@christianmiranda8571]

​@@MirrlyonTime, totally agree with You!!!

[@curtisbrown7991]

The rip off is a monetary statement, not design Tim. Chill big guy!

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@curtisbrown7991 yes and no Curtis a lot of microbrands make their own designs and then source material from China, which makes sense. But just rebranding a watch like this, it’s just wrong imo