IXDAO 6542 tribute Full review

[@EscapeWheel]

Sorry guys, I misspoke on the sale price, it is on sale for $291 USD

[@springbay1]

Great review! i definitely respect a brand that is not trying to hide, but rather embrace the fact that they are making a homage. That makes it much more likely that I will buy the product. Especially on a watch like this.

[@EscapeWheel]

Very true. They are proud of what they made, it shows. True "fans of the 6542"

[@H0kram]

Perfect fit for you. A little long for my wrist, it'd pretty much cover my entire wrist platform which I don't like much but as you said, the design is true to what they want to achieve here. And thank you for giving us the first review of this watch on youtube!

[@kweidenthaler]

I am normally not a big fan of close homages… but what they have done here with the branding on the dial, is rather genius… admitting and embracing that it is a homage from passionate fans… it makes the watch really appealing to me

[@adk7962]

Very nice. I think you’re one of the first to review this watch. Gary at I Like Watches just did a comparison between a Rolex GMT Master II and a SM Homage, and the finishings were disturbingly close (if not better by the SM in some cases). I don’t really like Rolex Homages, but since this is a vintage homage, it is firmly on my radar. Thanks for the great review!

[@EscapeWheel]

Yeah, these are the ones I think most should be OK with...a vintage one would be a safe queen and nothing else...this one we can actually wear and enjoy every day

[@frankdirscherl2345]

Love how crystal clear your videos are. Top notch 👌

[@konww002]

Thanks for the review. I’ve been waiting for this for a while now. FYI, my 16710 bidirectional bezel is also 60 clicks.

[@EscapeWheel]

Interesting... I'm guessing the original 6542 was the same, then 🤷

[@gnq_k]

I have the ixdao engineer and the quality is extremely good. Love this brand

[@EscapeWheel]

They are doing great things. 👍. The engineer is fantastic! So is this.

[@paulandrews7622]

That watch is beautiful. Excellent review, as always !!

[@EscapeWheel]

Thanks for watching!

[@charliealva4833]

I was hoping that someone would make a video for this new watch and yours came at the right moment. I considered buying the San Martín many times but it was just too expensive and too big. I didn’t like their patina so I would get the regular one but now, this Ixdao made it perfectly balanced. That patina is spot on, it adds a nice warmth and I just love it. Still on the expensive side for me but I will keep it in my list. Thanks again!

[@EscapeWheel]

Glad you found it! 😂. Thanks for watching and, if you ever do pull the trigger on this one, enjoy it.

[@andrewd7586]

Love it Steve!👍🏼 I’ve got their Serica homage & it’s fantastic. Faux lume is one of s the better ones I’ve seen.

[@edgarnoriega217]

Great review ! I just ordered mine I think this model holds more true to the original model than the san martin. Thanks for reviewing.

[@EscapeWheel]

Oh for sure. Glad I could help! Enjoy it! It's been dominating my wrist as of late

[@dunderhay9169]

This reminds me how much nicer the original vintage models are than the current ones. I think they went OTT on the fauxtina, it would have been nice to have an as new 6542 appearance and less text on the dial. Great review 👍

[@goldfools5445]

I bought the SanMartin version when it came out. I think this one is better. Better size and has a more vintage feel. I am not going to buy this as it’s too close to the one I have. I would swap it though.

[@EscapeWheel]

Exactly my thoughts...the SM one is a great watch, it was just too big. I hope you enjoy the SM, though. Thanks for watching.

[@PocketUau]

They have to make a BB54 homage with a glossy dial and white lume using this case and an NH38. This case is absolutely flawless, and an excellent way to finally have a good midsize submariner-styled homage watch on sale.

[@Laheyfinegoods]

This is the only watch I would expect and want an old school style pressed clasp like the original! And an option to upgrade to a rivet bracelet

[@wingi7722]

Great review! I love the 6542, always have. Love the red date and the sapphire bezel and the dial layout. The only thing I don't like is the size. 37.9mm is tiny! Would have liked to see it on your wrist (7.5 inches = same as mine). Small size = hard to read or enjoy by my eyes but I understand that they've kept the dimensions faithful to the original 6542 (which I always thought was 39mm).

[@EscapeWheel]

My wrist shots are in the review. Check the bookmarks 👍 If you like the style but want larger, check out my recent SN0005 REVIEW kzbin.info/www/bejne/sF7ToHh5YpiClcU

[@wingi7722]

@@EscapeWheel ooops sorry I must have been distracted, you actually have a whole segment on the wrist with comparisons with other straps. Well done - excellent review of a fine tribute to the 6542. I would like larger but the SN0005 doesn't have the Red Date. Sure wish that it did!

[@H0kram]

I wouldn't worry much if I were you, 48mm with straight lugs wears big, I got experience with it. I don't think I can pull off this one with my smaller wrist despite its diameter, but I wear no problem watches like the 1521 from Squale, 42 ish mm and 48,4mm lug to lug : but those are curved. Straight lugs is a significant change and it plays in your favor here, just like on his reviews, this looks great on his wrist honestly. Of course just my personnal opinion, hard earned money deserves to go into a watch you're comfortable with, especially since we can't try these on. I look at so many different wrist shots before making a call on a watch. And the red date on even numbers is fire indeed.

[@wingi7722]

@@H0kram Hey thank you for this! Some great pointers here! I will indeed consider these. I love the red date and especially the coffee coloured version.

[@whistlegrainofficial]

Thank you so much for this review! Just a few questions, does this watch have any sharp edges? From my view, looks like the lugs are very sharp and can cut something. Also, who is the jubilee, sharp edges in the middle? :)

[@EscapeWheel]

Bfofttom edge of the case is as sharp as it gets, but it's not any worse than most other brands. Never bothered me on wrist. Same goes for the jubilee. I wore this out for the entire day in Florida with zero comfort issues. I'm very happy in that regard. Crisp case lines, but still not "sharp"

[@commentjedi]

That does look really good! There used to be a 40mm SM homage of a 6542 with a Hangzhou, high-beat, gmt movement. It dropped to a price of $269 on a sale.....but I didn't get it. Now they have the NH34 version for a higher price, the old one is gone, and they replaced the rehaut with a deeper one. they must have re-engineered the case for NH34, but kinda ruined the beauty it had. This IX&DAO is the one to get, but still missing a non-fauxtina option.

[@EscapeWheel]

I had the new one a month or so ago...nice watch indeed, just too big. It was like 41mm and 14mm thick and near 50 lug to lug. I want that watch, just smaller....like this one Agree on the patina...I wish they would offer both patina AND white BGW9 lume.

[@gregtolley3455]

Ive been debating a Wise ad8 for a while just for the 904l i may go this route instead. I have 2 Ixdao already (5303 and new Ti Lorier look) and love both.

[@EscapeWheel]

Plenty of reasons to buy the AD8 but 904L wouldn't be at the top of my list, personally

[@eugenevedensky6071]

I think Ix and Dao are really doing some interesting things. If I didn't own a Lorier I would absolutely grab this piece.

[@EscapeWheel]

I've got that Lorier....very similar style and size. Both are awesome.

[@jamescavill3693]

It's actually "9" dao.

[@pickles632]

Colareb Firenze would look stellar on that!

[@EscapeWheel]

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about 👍

[@pickles632]

@@EscapeWheel It’s a cheap answer anyway! They look good on every watch! 😆🤘

[@jwags24]

I’d wonder how this compares to a WMT. The WMT is more expensive and is thicker. Would be an interesting comparison.

[@EscapeWheel]

I'd be curious as well, but I was trying to get one before this and the Lorier and I just couldn't bring myself to pay $600+ for one, plus they were hard to come by and I heard they were nothing special. 🤷. Love their patina version, though...it looks sooooo good. The method they use to patina needs to be adopted by everyone in favor of putting the faux patina lume on.

[@ccr6042]

Love it. As a non native english speaker, does "caller GMT" has any meaning or sub-meaning ?

[@EscapeWheel]

@@ccr6042 I always understood it as you make calls to other time zones, so you set the GMT hand to the other time zones to keep track, while traveler is for traveling between zones, so GMT hand is home zone and you set the hour hand to local

[@giloro85]

I almost bought the Davosa Quartz GMT. Will get this instead. Thanks!!

[@EscapeWheel]

Good call 👍

[@giloro85]

Forgot to ask if the watch comes with all the oddly cool/funny manual pamphlet thing.​@@EscapeWheel

[@EscapeWheel]

@@giloro85 yes it does 👍

[@giloro85]

@@EscapeWheel Thanx EscapeWheel!

[@kl-ly2xh]

amazing ! aliexpress designers are listening to watch fans. This watch is the perfect size/dimensions and design.

[@PINKFL0YD-s2h]

Thank you for your review. I can't wait to see the Longines homage review. It's one of my favourite skin divers! As for the 48mm lug to lug on the review... That's the perfect size and is nowhere near the edge of the wrist. The faux patina totally ruined the watch for me. It's awful and ruined a fantastic looking watch.

[@HitarouYotukai-ir6gr]

What's the name of the Longines homage? Thanks.

[@johnmonachelli5256]

Caller gmt right on the dial lol these guys are great sometimes

[@nedflanders3769]

If they dropped some of the dial text and put in a miyota 9075 I’d pay even more for it, within reason. 😊

[@friskjidjidoglu7415]

Would love to se a faux riveted bracelet option for this. 1:58 I mean, this is what an homage is. And I’m glad they did it 21:38 it means that the clasp is too big. It’s the wrong size for the bracelet there

[@nhoangtck6944]

Thanks for another great video! I bought the Hruodland F025 after watching your review 😊 tempted to buy this as well. Just wondering if it’s possible for you to measure the dial opening somehow? Given the watch size, I assume the dial diameter should be around 28.5mm. It’s the dial opening that I’m curious about - obviously for modding purposes 😉

[@EscapeWheel]

Sorry, I don't plan on opening this one up...outside of the crystal was 28.6mm...visually, the ID of the rehaut is around 26mm, which makes sense as the date window seems pretty far out on the dial compared to my other "standard" 28.5mm setups.

[@nhoangtck6944]

That should be enough for the estimation, thank you so much for the quick response!

[@bernardcarthy2365]

I like it on the tan strap

[@tapirdeaalex7104]

Please IXDAO, make this with just the logo, no “Ixdao”

[@justinmorris2077]

Yah the name is awful and ruins the watch

[@jamescavill3693]

It's actually "9"dao, the name.

[@waivc]

@@jamescavill3693 no need to point out, because it sounds even worse...

[@jamescavill3693]

@@waivc For you no need of caurse. For the sake of Mongolia, sure mention it.

[@jaesounglee7396]

@@waivc rofl

[@ВикторЧабарин]

Спасибо за обзор

[@eddiecochrain3573]

Thank you!

[@niyicodemus]

Please can you review their astra-pelagos mashup

[@large_crab]

Honestly the faux patina ruins this watch for me. Hope they come out with a V2 with just normal lume and I'll be all over it.

[@Unwoken_European]

I adore faux patina. It looks good on black. I also like golden hands on black dial.

[@planecrashcorner7283]

The endlinks are the killer for me. I'm a bracelet guy, I need me a good endlink! Maybe I'll get it and put on a cheap replacement from ebay or something

[@kennethg9277]

The lume is a great color. Makes the watch.

[@TheGrenadier97]

Faux patina? I call it beige.

[@alfredthegreat9543]

It's homaging a vintage watch so that's why the patina is as it is.

[@andysantosiii1971]

This is a nice homage to the Rolex “Pussy Galore” GMT Master.

[@EscapeWheel]

One of my favorite references. 🤣

[@ElimRem]

Weird how the second hand goes over the track.

[@teddyhenriquez5192]

3 things will stop me from buying this watch. That issue on the clasp and the letter homage on the dial and the polished back I wished the did it brushed just like the st maarten watches btw st maarten are still the best when it comes to overall quality and finishing!

[@EscapeWheel]

I e handled them all man...SM is the king of finishing but these are getting really close.

[@AleCardenasRealtor]

I would like more this watch if only had the logo without the letters

[@designated_hitter_EGA]

I can see the mods getting worked on already...like a dial swap out

[@0611930024838]

This one is more true to the original design but I think I like San Martin's more modernized version better, thank god I bought one of the albino dials with the Hangzhou before it was discontinued and resized for the NH34... I posted it on the subreddit a couple of months ago... its still a bit larger, 40mm (41 w/ bezel overhang) but with 48.5mm lugs....they need to put it on the SN004 case and make it 38/39mm like you commented on the post.....

[@Unwoken_European]

The size is wrong. 48mm lug to lug for 37mm? The standard is 46mm for 38mm. For 37mm it should be 44 or 45mm. The thickness should be 1mm less as well.

[@EscapeWheel]

Like I stated in the review, the diameter, lug width, and lug to lug are spot on to the original watch. Thickness is what they had to deal with for the NH34

[@kennethg9277]

Ahh yes, that bit in the bible, koran and torah where they define the exact dimensions every watch of 37mm width has to conform to 😂

[@ronb4115]

I have their Serica copy and it’s amazing. But anytime these Chinese manufacturers copy Rolex or other big brands I wish they would steal design elements and be closer to 65%-75% of the original. At least change the hands lol

[@EscapeWheel]

For the most part I agree. I give this one a pass because the original is unobtanium to everyone but the top 1%

[@jims4539]

Very nice looking watch but 51MM+ is just too much.

[@planecrashcorner7283]

They got a lot right with this. However, the endlinks and the "fan of" text need to be changed/deleted.

[@keving4187]

They're being a little too cheeky with it, watches can be fun but one in this style, especially a homage, should be more serious.

[@garyk8285]

This one will find me a wife for sure!

[@ladykoala208]

A 38mm with a 48mm lug to lug WHY? Nop, nice watch but I’ll pass. Either make a small watch or a big watch. Great review as always though Steve

[@EscapeWheel]

38x48 are the exact dimensions of the Rolex 6542, so that's why they did it.

[@modulo3664]

I know its 904L but thats pricey for a NH movement...would expect a Miyota 9000 series or better for that $

[@TheGoodWatch]

I do like the watch very much, right in my wheelhouse. But the silly dial is a real, real dealbreaker. Just the logo under 12 o’clock and GMT, Automatic and the water resistance above 6 o’clock would make it perfect for me.

[@EscapeWheel]

I get it. For me, it's so small and the rest of the watch is so nice, that I don't even notice the text.

[@HAL-xy3om]

Lol, a year of development? It's a very nice watch but horrible brand name. Good show!

[@ByteBanditBob]

too bad that it doesn't have female endlinks

[@csigouin1]

$291

[@EscapeWheel]

Yes, sorry. I misspoke

[@RicardoValdes-r6w]

The watch would have been much better made with brushed case sides. Polished case sides not..

[@justmeeagainn]

You can’t take a gratuity and then say you’re being objective. It’s a basic conflict of interest.

[@rickhammel9541]

too small, make it 41 to 42mm and you'd have a winner!!

[@EscapeWheel]

@@rickhammel9541 San Martin has one....SN0005 I believe. I reviewed it a little before this one. 41mm diameter, close to 50 lug to lug

[@rickhammel9541]

@@EscapeWheel thanks, I'll check it out!

[@hellper198]

This watch suffers from an abundance of unnecessary text.

[@agprime]

Just like all Rolex watches. Full of crap on the dial.

[@Julian_O91]

Safe the Money & buy the new BB58 GMT :)

[@EscapeWheel]

$300 vs $4600 🤔 And, in my opinion, this one looks better

[@crym3199]

these watches looks like an overpayment.

[@EscapeWheel]

How so?