Insane Value NEW Brand! WATCHNATION Takes On AliExpress….With CESTRIAN!

[@daveindevon5240]

What a pleasant surprise! A UK company providing good looking watches with AliExpress specs and prices, and no 20%VAT to be added to the price. The only thing I would change is the font used for the brand name. A cursive font would suit the name better. Fantastic job bringing this brand to our notice Gary.

[@ILikeWatches2]

Good feedback, let’s hope they watch the video

[@gerardbooth40]

Spot on. Such a shame about that font for the brand name. Far too heavy-handed for a sport/dress watch.

[@LexAngel]

I have to agree on the font. Needs to be more classic. Also the resin crown is naff. An engraved logo would have been classier (and cheaper to produce).

[@tomcarey3457]

Agree on the font as well. Otherwise looks great

[@grahamwallace]

The Masters Series looks like incredible value. My only gripe is that I’d prefer just the shield logo on the dial without the name Cestrian (don’t like the font). Seems like a perfect daily wear.

[@trogpo]

Wow (8:26), the finishing on the hands and indexes is bunkers for the price.

[@lukemcevoy2385]

Let's hope they jump on the NH34 and produce some GMTs

[@ChristyOFaghan]

'Cestrian' is the name given to a resident of Chester, which is where WatchNation opened their first boutique.

[@Chris-du3jc]

They are both pretty impressive for the money, especially as I just ordered a NH36 and a few bits and bobs for an in-progress SKX013 mod that cost more than the champagne watch!

[@ILikeWatches2]

wow....modding isn't a cheap hobby either!

[@AlexanderB.]

The specifications of these original design watches are quite considerable given the price and they don't look bad at all! Under macro, the bezel markings of the diver looked nice and clean, as well as the handset of the champagne dial watch. Mineral crystal for the case back is OK, as are still more scratch resistant than solid steel case backs, that's how I look at them. These are good offerings, perhaps for a first timepiece for someone beginning to collect watches.

[@wharfstaff]

Very pleased with my Dive Series. It was losing 20 sec per day, I downloaded Watch Accuracy Meter app and found out that if placed face down, the watch would gain 10 sec/day. So at night I place it face down by the bed and it is keeping time +/- 3 secs/day.

[@grahamliggat7193]

Gary thanks for the very prompt heads up on these. Great at the price point and I agree with some of the comments re improvements (text, size, etc.). Now what I’d really like to see is a Cestrian GMT with the NH34 … G

[@aNtraXxTUBE]

Thanks again Gary for bringing new brands to my attention! These are some great looking pieces!

[@John-P]

For the specs. and the price, this watch is hard to ignore, I really like the Master Series with the champagne dial not to keen on the red font on dial and only two micro adjusts but otherwise spot on.

[@WatchWitt]

I saw Adrian’s video of the diver on Somewhere in Time, too…these look fabulous! I’m with you, while I like the diver, the sport watch is more my style…especially that champagne dial!!! What an awesome debut from this brand, either way, though. Great specs and price and the build quality and finishing looks great!

[@dunderhay9169]

Good find 👍 the sports watch is all anyone needs in a daily watch with a nicely proportioned case and sensible size, at the price it is great value. As others have said, the brand name on the dial is a little heavy handed, but not a deal breaker.

[@demetrisgrigas4810]

Excellent choice with the orange dial. That shampagne dial looks outstanding!thought it would look good because of the photo on the website but it looks better on your video, much much better!

[@karlsenula9495]

I agree love a champagne dial ... just got the champagne dial (although I think they are calling it beige now) Hamilton Khaki King for Christmas and loving it. Nice new brand I like the niche they are trying to fill with specs and price but not Aliexpress. Champagne dial and that model from Cestrian is my favorite.

[@aaronbiddulph1442]

These look fantastic for the price. Especially from a uk store! I’ll definitely be taking a look. Thank you Gary👍🏼

[@BAF605]

Eddie Platts at Timefactor;s has been producing excellent watches for over twenty years using overseas manufacturers (European at first, Far Eastern latterly). I'm glad to see another company follow the same route. There is every opportunity for British entrepreneurs to go this route. Well done Watch Nation. Been a customer for a while. They often have good deals on Seiko/Hamilton watches. Cestrian aren't perfect but what a good attempt for the money.

[@lukemcevoy2385]

Yep. Got myself the p40... Nothing else like it

[@jaer.6540]

Word is he's a dick tho, from multiple people. The ordering process is super annoying also

[@lukemcevoy2385]

@@jaer.6540 I Never had any issues with him. The store opens, he sells out, the store closes. Happens every month. Just join the queue. This ain't Amazon

[@jaer.6540]

@@lukemcevoy2385 I emailed him a question and he never responded, that's all the interaction I had. Posters on WUS have talked about his poor customer service/bad attitude. 🤷

[@BAF605]

@@jaer.6540 He makes great watches. The ordering is as it is. I'm not trying to make friends with him so don't care about what people say about him.

[@mr22guy]

I really like the case shapes, you called it familiar but it looks original to me. I'd have really liked to see smaller sizes - those sizes are so easy to find already. Both of these in 38 or 38.5mm if I could have my way.

[@CanadianBeachcomber]

Looking at the website and showing my wife the different coloured dials; as you do at Sunday brunch.

[@ILikeWatches2]

Lol

[@maninthestreet01]

I bought the grey (more like black) sunburst dial Master Series watch back at the end of November, when it was first available. I paid only £106.25, making it even more of a bargain.

[@rodiow369]

Hi Gary, just subscribed, great review ,I have had the 300m dive series silver/white dial version for a few weeks now, when it arrived it ran a bit slow but after a tinker have got it to plus 5 sec's a day, I am very pleased with the watch I put it on a good black leather as not a big fan of bracelets, I think if the master series was screw-down crown I would have gone for one of them but still love the one I bought, cheers!

[@ILikeWatches2]

Awesome on both fronts….the watch and the sub! Thank you!

[@philspencelayh5464]

Great timing, I discovered this brand a couple of days ago and already a review. I agree about the sports watch being the better one, might have been better as 38mm though.

[@RavenWindrunner]

Wish they used all BGW9 for these, I'm finding whatever C3 type lumen they used to be very green which just looks off when matched with the dials. The website sort of render shots makes the contrast look even worse.

[@christopherpalmer6984]

Great video. So good, I have just ordered the champagne dial.

[@ILikeWatches2]

Awesome!

[@mazzochi2028]

Diver is probably a bit on the large side for my skinny wrist, but the Master looks spot on. Especially as I see you can get it in blue!

[@jazaulakh238]

‘Crestrian’ I’ve heard of it before if I remember correctly this name was given from a person from Chester. Beautiful watch looks smart.

[@S-Ltd1000]

Spotted these on Amazon earlier and didn't realise Watchnation were behind the brand. Decent company to deal with so hope they do well with the watches.

[@AdAce21]

that champagne dial is VERY nice (the sunburst gray one on the website also looks quite nice). Would love to see those master series watches a mil or 2 smaller. It looks oversized, especially compared to your GS. Thanks for sharing this brand with us!

[@RobinhoodarrowsRHA]

Great first effort/s. Id say theyre 90%+ there and with a few tweaks theyll be onto a winner/s Whats impressed me with certain brands is their willingness to listen to customers and review. Lets hope Cestrian are one such company

[@the_9ent]

What a nice surprise to see a UK company produce these. I hope they consider bringing out smaller versions 👍

[@Subcomandante73]

Not UK produced surely. These are chinese clones sold by a UK website?

[@ILikeWatches2]

Almost certainly some elements made in China given even Swiss Made watches have cases, bracelets and many other components made in China...but a clone?

[@the_9ent]

@@Subcomandante73 Clones? Clones of what?

[@ILikeWatches2]

Did I misread their comment or did they amend it....I thought he said they were made in China....I agree, not sure they are a clone of anything

[@Subcomandante73]

@@ILikeWatches2 Didn't Watch Nation do a similar tie-in a few years ago to create the Rotary Super 7? Those were good value watches, but the Cestrian is even cheaper.

[@ollyw2897]

Both look amazing for the price. Love the champagne dial. I don’t think the orange elements work though. Doesn’t fit the style of watch. And the logo/branding is a bit big.

[@ILikeWatches2]

It's not the most refined watch I agree....I was genuinely surprised to see a champagne sunburst dial option though

[@ollyw2897]

@@ILikeWatches2 definitely a brand to keep an eye on! 👍🏻

[@chrispekel5709]

I think it's cool, it's different

[@jehsi-]

The first one looks exactly like the Seiko 5 sports SRPD

[@tobytayles1]

These are awesome for the price well done Cestrian

[@stevemoon2136]

I can literally taste that orange dial through my screen. Zesty!

[@chrisphillips554]

Doesn’t look too bad for the price and none the worse for the UK input as Watchnation customer service very good in my experience

[@williamsipe1151]

With that bezel alignment I'd say they're going head to head with seiko.

[@TheDesius]

Very impressive! I immediately ordered one. Also it says the black master series has a glossy black dial. You don't see that often in cheaper watches, mostly it will be sunburst black or matt black

[@ILikeWatches2]

I missed that…well spotted

[@watchnation3992]

Thank you for the great video and feedback 👍👍

[@billgrisenthwaite3874]

always liked champagne dials but never got around to buying one ,my favourite is the orient bambino with a champagne dial

[@lindenhoch8396]

Very nice watches both! There's a bit of sour irony in that this brand comes out of the UK though...first, my shopping from Ali Express was cut off by import taxing. Then my shopping from the UK was cut off by Brexit. It's almost like we're not supposed to have niche watch trading here in the EU at all. What used to be market protection is now market protectionism.

[@ILikeWatches2]

That what trade agreements are I giess

[@thebusinessfirm9862]

Beautiful. Thanks for making this video mate. Regards from South Australia

[@rickcroucher]

I looked on Amazon (USA) and could not find this brand of watch. A shame because I like the champagne dial.

[@ILikeWatches2]

maybe sign into amazon.co.uk or look on Chrono24

[@hugov392]

Gary, do you know why champagne sunburst dials are harder to make? I would have thought it'd be the same as other sunburst (radial brushing, then lacquer over the top).

[@ILikeWatches2]

I’ll look into it

[@snacklofter]

A great find Gary!

[@AwkwardHorology]

I’ve seen this one on Amazon and they have a couple of different models. All looking good. One of there non-diver’s has a whiff of aqua terra about it!

[@davidsherrick898]

Hopefully they will listen and adjust to make improvements. I'm tempted to get one, but I'll wait until version two.

[@spicydragon3881]

Like you (and I suspect most) I prefer the 2nd watch. For the money it looks acceptably finished and built and I am really attracted to the shape of the hands. They look different from anything else I've seen and really suit the look of this watch. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is the name or at least the font they are using. Besides that, well done.

[@hgr.7857]

1🎯🎯% I like the unorthodox handset also, sort of a spade shaped hrs hand and skinny baton mins hand. Classy and ORIGINAL look on that beautiful champagne dial 💯

[@mattewj1268]

I think they have done a great job here. The diver is less well executed than the sports watch but I like them both. Not mad about the font used for Cestrian or the flat black printing

[@cheongkienchong7818]

Hi Gary, please take this as constructive feedback. I watch your videos every week without fail. Over the past months, your presentations seem joyless. Hope you still enjoy what you're doing.

[@ILikeWatches2]

I love it still, nothing has changed….I was excited for this video too…

[@D3ZG1978]

I have the field and master series and they are FANTASTIC for the price!

[@realeyesrealizereallies99]

Good to see some competition. Gary please review the Rmalti datejust 36 they have a champagne sunburst dial with a smooth bezel. I think that one could become a hit in our community.

[@marcjames3487]

Looking good, and with a Seiko movement costing about 65 US I think this market section has been open and available for a while so well done UK ! BTW Gary what's going on with the watches you were designing ?

[@ILikeWatches2]

It’s all still happening, the new prototypes are just taking longer than expected

[@Shri_V]

@@ILikeWatches2 Need an update video soon!

[@mohit_22]

Sad that you missed out the Field watch from Cestrian. I am kinda keen about it.

[@wafarris]

A video on the polished inner links of the bracelet would be great. I am not a fan of them either. The champagne dial looks to have a green hue to me on my monitor. Is it just me?

[@ILikeWatches2]

I’m not seeing it

[@scubaru100]

I love the watches... But absolutely hate the brand font

[@statlerwaldorf7130]

Interesting, I wonder where they are manufactured to enable that price point. Go on UK show 'em how it's done 🇬🇧

[@ILikeWatches2]

Considering many Swiss Made watches have many components made in China, I suspect these also have parts made in China, maybe even also assembled there...It's hard to compete with the economies of scale Chinese manufacturing has to offer, especially if you want to sell at these prices.

[@johnjones928]

They're very nice, particularly the Master Series. I'm pretty sure these are produced in China as they are using licenced NH35s like all the other Ali's brands. I wonder if they are being shipped as mostly complete pieces and finished in the UK to avoid the VAT?

[@khonjel_singh]

For me personally Aliexpress is still the way to go cause of shipping. But bring em on Cestrian.

[@brianmsahin]

Very nice watches indeed. Will definitely add that site to my list. There's also a new trade deal between the UK and Turkey so won't need to pay the 20% tax on Ali Express watches, just the shipping!!

[@ILikeWatches2]

You live in Turkey? Where, Istanbul?

[@brianmsahin]

@@ILikeWatches2 Yes, more than 15 years here. We spend the winter down south in Antalya where we have nice 20-25°c temperatures and summer in Istanbul when Antalya gets too hot for us! Istanbul can be in the 30's but Antalya temperatures can be in the mid 40's! An Irish fella like me can look like a lobster after 10 minutes!

[@tancreddehauteville764]

Trade deal does not mean you won't have to pay 20% VAT. You will still have to pay that.

[@brianmsahin]

@@tancreddehauteville764 I wasn't talking about VAT. That's pretty obvious. I was talking about the additional 20% customs tax we have to pay for goods from countries with no trade agreement.

[@can4515]

Selam kaç gün sürdü gelmesi :) ve küçük bir saat gibi görünüyor, büyüklüğüyle ilgili ne dersin?

[@stevenrobertson6656]

Can you tell me if the BGW9 lume dots are misaligned? Another review pointed out that they were slightly off to the right. May have been just that watch.

[@ILikeWatches2]

When seen under macro they aren’t perfect but day to day it’s going to be hard to notice I think

[@stevenrobertson6656]

@@ILikeWatches2 Yes, it's absolutely acceptable at the price point. Great looking watch at a very reasonable price.

[@karlsenula9495]

Since Cestrian means from Chester/Cheshire I was thinking maybe use the Cheshire coat of arms (in color on the dial it would look amazing) or even just the bundled sheaf of wheat from the coat of arms as the logo ... current logo is a bit meh in my opinion.

[@bluecollarwatches7048]

Very strong Seiko vibes off these watches.

[@andal7404]

All available on Amazon UK.

[@jacc88888]

What is the issue with polished centre links? A lot of people complain about them. Also why do you consider polished outer links as superior? Confused. Like the champagne dial watch!

[@davidstokes5444]

Had a few watches from WatchNation. Nice people and great service. Knocked out by the value of these watches. Thanks for the heads up Gary.

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

I actually like the chonky crown with resin cabuchon.

[@can4515]

Second one looks good on your wrist. Not big not small, good proportion. Your wrist size?

[@murph8411]

I wonder if they will keep increasing the price as they become better known given they have increased the price over the last couple of months already? Still at least you have some peace of mind when it comes to warranty given they aren’t sent from China with the warranty problems that can cause. No taxes on arrival or on return from repair or replacement if you can even get a Chinese seller to agree to warranty cover.

[@ronb4115]

Other reviewer says it’s 46mm L2L, can you confirm? Thanks!

[@can4515]

Waiting for the same answer:)

[@klmktmklm]

Hi, do you know what's the s/day rate and bit rate? Thanks 👍

[@sinjinadams2862]

Always nice to see a new brand. Not bad but this is an extremely saturated market and I don't see anything to really set it apart from the rest.

[@jorgeuribe7657]

Cool watch for a good price 👌

[@LexAngel]

I've got the orange Dive Series and it's bonkers for the money. Mine is perfectly aligned. I'm pretty sure it's made by Rotary. WatchNation did a Collab with them a couple of years ago with the £250 Rotary Super 7 Scuba. The chapter ring is identical as is the orange colour. The bracelet on the Rotary looks to be the same as the Cestrian Master Series, and the clasp is identical to the Rotary too, with different branding. The Cestrian is much better spec though. Very happy with it. Looking forward to what they come up with next.

[@cestrianwatches]

Our watches are not made by Rotary. Glad you're loving it thought!

[@LexAngel]

@@cestrianwatches Thanks for clarifying. Yes I love it. Absolute bargain for the quality.

[@a0r0a7]

I ordered the master series in green. Excellent piece and the specs and build are amazing for the money. The following day I ordered the diver green bezel and black dial based on how good the master series is. I also have the Rotary super 7 in orange. Whilst the Cestrian houses a Seiko rather than the Miyota that the Rotary houses the Rotary in my opinion is the better finished and built watch, it should be because it cost more. It also has a fully lumed bezel of which the Cestrian diver does not. The Rotary has the same specs with a even higher level of build. Many argue the Seiko NH is the better movement. I can honestly say out of the number of watches I own with each movement fitted the Miyota 8215 watches outperform the Seiko NH watches for accuracy, amplitude and beat error. OK the Seiko hacks and bi winds but that is not a deal breaker for me. However, these Cestrian watches are superb in spec, build and finishing for the money, very hard to think of anything that offers the same. Very well done Cestrian/ Watchnation.

[@coldude2559]

The crown is wayyy toooo big...

[@ILikeWatches2]

lol

[@michaeljurlin2381]

The name on top is a deal breaker for me, just doesn't look right

[@davepoole5582]

Ace show Gary and I love the diver

[@MrBasHolland]

I recently bought this watch with NH35 movement. I winded it on thursday morning 9:00 55 times. Wore it continously except for sleeping and cooking so thats minus 8 hours a day. It stopped running at 6:25 this morning.... Is this normal?? Im afraid when have to wind it too often the screw threads gonna wear of?.... How many times a week you have to wind it?...

[@ILikeWatches2]

You shouldn’t have to wind it if you are wearing it every day…go back to them if you think it’s not right

[@darrenjones2070]

Love your channel

[@lawrence-ec5dm]

Like the watches but not the name of font

[@darrenjones2070]

I like them both.

[@joeanthony3013]

Vfc ery impressive for the money - especially the champagne dial. Cheap enough for a beater watch, but doesn't look it...

[@prospect_joe9813]

That orange second hand looks so out of place on the masters series

[@ailestriker9888]

You've ruined my plans. I was planning to buy these for a week and here you are telling everyone. They'll be gone before I can get to the website

[@therealestatecuracao4441]

Great watches!!

[@Mike-In-O-Town]

When are these new watch makers going to learn to put a company logo on the dial, not print the entire name across the dial. Many of the Ali watches suffer from that fault.

[@magstheonlyone]

The watches look awesome but the name....

[@catburn3]

Nice - would look better without the band name on the face.

[@LTC_Tiger]

The watches look nice, but “Cestrian” sounds so….pedestrian…

[@maninthestreet01]

Just in case you were unaware, Cestrian means 'of, or from Chester', which just so happens to be the location of WatchNation.

[@neli5p]

First watch Looks like an Invicta! Second is lovely but I wouldn't buy due to the awful bold logo.

[@ScrapYardDog64]

I cannot get past the brand name, Cestrian? Also the bold print and font are all wrong, looks like it sold in a petrol station 15 quid! such a shame as they look great apart from the fore mentioned. Not for me.. nooo!

[@scatterbrain9490]

👍

[@robertwilson2205]

I don't think so

[@juniorjohnson5961]

No !

[@ILikeWatches2]

Lol…why not?

[@juniorjohnson5961]

@@ILikeWatches2 it's just a no Gary

[@BarnOwl61]

Buying anything from the UK, sorry, no no, no deal. But the watches are nice!

[@ILikeWatches2]

I’d love to know the reason…

[@BarnOwl61]

@I Like Watches 2 well, buying from the UK has become extremely expensive due to HM taxes. If you're from the EU that is.

[@ILikeWatches2]

isn't that the same for all items bought outside the EU?

[@BarnOwl61]

No, any product from the UK is made extra expensive by your majesty's new tax regime. The second unpleasant unknown is the delivery of the goods now. I'm not sure if they will arrive and when. No problem, I just spent my cash somewhere else.

[@maninthestreet01]

@@BarnOwl61 Surely import duties are set by the authorities of whatever country into which the watch is being imported, not the country from which it is exported?

[@musik4u343]

Not sure about this taking on ali express haha the diver is way to fat and weird...no taper to the bracelets...no screw found on other watch. Weird orange accents on the the champagne dial one which looms terrible haha Pagani alone os better thrn this brand. Its a big no for me

[@Olddirtytiger]

Yeah I think u and Adrian from somewhere in time has sold this brand to me ...wouldn't be the first time ...🫠🫠

[@ILikeWatches2]

lol....sorry....The price makes them hard to ignore...amazing that they offer these globally too