Merkur Red 12 - For $99 - But is it worth it?

Thank you to Merkur for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts on this new Red 12 release.
If you are interested in one I'll leave a link direct to their website:
www.merkurwatch.com/
Or if you prefer to buy on Aliexpress:
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFG...
Thank you so much for WATCHing my video and I hope that you check out all my other content.
I release 3 videos per week, all watch related, including reviews, first impressions and general watch related topics.
I try very hard to diversify my content. Featuring known watch brands, microbrands, Aliexpress. Some I have purchased new, others second hand.
The majority of the watches that I feature I have purchased. I buy them to enjoy, wear, have in my collection. I then also feature them on this channel.
Being a smaller channel it is challenging to cover the cost of all the watches that I buy and partly because of this I have become an affiliate member with a number of companies including Aliexpress and Ashford.com.
If you are looking for watches from well known brands then it is worth checking out:
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and
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As an affiliate member I may leave affiliate links in the descriptions of videos. These links will direct you to the watches that I’ve experienced, reviewed and would certainly recommend. If you choose to use those links I will earn a very small commission.
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Below are affiliate links for my absolute favourite watches on Aliexpress. Each of them I have owned and had positive experiences with the stores that they are linked to.
Hruodland Turbine Pilot (The best watch on Aliexpress…… yes I said it):
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San Martin SN004-G (my favorite San Martin Watch):
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San Martin SN0121G (The best San Martin Watch)
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Berny AM038M (The best super affordable mechanical watch):
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Tactical Frog H5 (Simply stunning):
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Escapement Time Type-B Flieger H0292 (Incredible. So well made and a joy to wear):
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Gustav Becker (This one surprised me how much I love it):
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Baltany 1921 (incredibly well made and a percent part of my collection)
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFw...
Cronos L6015M (the best subby homage)
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Merkur Skin diver (just incredible)
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Steeldive 1970 (because everyone should have one)
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My favourite engineered bracelet (I use mine all the time):
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Super affordable Leather Strap
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[@dunderhay9169]

Another great looking watch from Merkur ruined by that movement. I emailed the company suggesting they swap to the vh31, after my movement went like that one, Don't waste your time trying to regulate it, I did, and stripped cleaned and oiled it=80 seconds difference dial up v dial down 🤣

[@WATCHingJames]

It’s a shame. But I’m still enjoying it. 😁

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing

[@BobMarley-pm1xb]

Nope. Thanks for taking that one off the market so one of us doesn’t get stuck! Fine review!

[@WATCHingJames]

Hahahahaha. You’re welcome

[@christopherhilton2539]

I like the look of the watch but not buying with that movement in it. Charge a few dollars more and put in a decent movement and I an in. Great review James.

[@WATCHingJames]

I completely agree. At this price a nh35 would be an easy choice.

[@paulelliott5600]

I really like it.....a mullet watch, Black band = business Coloured band = party

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks Paul

[@BosworthMcG]

I have the Pierre Paulin salmon sector dial and for the money it’s a lovely watch. The movement is fine and runs well and the dial is very pretty, particularly in the sunlight. I think these original Merkur designs are a nice way to add some playful variety to your collection at a low cost.

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing

[@thebaldwatchcollector]

I love these minimal Merkur watches and the price is amazing

[@WATCHingJames]

They are making some great looking watches.

[@jims4539]

Demagnetize. I have several Chinese watches that were highly magnetized on arrival. After a trip across the demagnetizer they ran much better.

[@danspanos]

I was going to suggest the same thing. It HAS to be magnetized! Good call!

[@WATCHingJames]

I am definitely going to give that a go.

[@WATCHingJames]

Did not work 😢

[@davidcooper8621]

Enjoyable review of an attractive watch. Unfortunately, my dealings with them have been hit and miss. I have a Military Style watch I bought from them and I am very happy with it. However, when I placed an order for the Pierre Paulin St17 Automatic Watch Salmon Dial I received little communication, then it was ready for dispatch, then a problem with customs there end and finally my order was cancelled and I was issued with a refund. I have read comments where people have had similar experiences with the company.

[@bfair6284]

Was it the jumping hour you were talking about at the 11.11 sale last year?

[@WATCHingJames]

That is disappointing to hear.

[@robertstrickland9371]

Good looking watch, nice vintagey looking face, thats interesting to look at. Real shame about the movement timegrapher figures, dont expect brilliant accuracy at this price, but this is way out. Was really interested in this watch especially at the low price, but put off by its inaccuracy. Cheers James graat video as ever.

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing

[@jamesrosenkrantz180]

Thank you for the laugh about the NATO strap… “which I, uh, don’t foresee myself using.”

[@WATCHingJames]

Hahahaha. That one’s not for me.

[@Subcomandante73]

Levee means lifted? Maybe they were referring to the beat error? :)

[@WATCHingJames]

Hahahaha maybe.

[@paulkukula6541]

I like the look of the watch,but seems a tad too expensive with that movement. Ok to put on & go out for dinner if you like the look. The accuracy won’t matter that much.

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing

[@stevejamieson1613]

Not keeping acceptable time out of the box is a dealbreaker for me. Most of those cheaper Chinese movements can’t be worked on or at least don’t like being worked on. For $150 I could pick up an Escapement Time that would have an NH31.

[@WATCHingJames]

I know it is disappointing.

[@nischalsheodayal]

Stunning piece ❤

[@WATCHingJames]

It has a great look

[@ColinLack]

Merkur really do make some beautiful watches. By the way random question but I figured I'd let it rip. If you were to get a watch to celebrate a BIG milestone on KZbin what would it be and why?

[@WATCHingJames]

I’m already thinking about that. I know that 10K subscribers is not too far away. Thinking about something interesting and fun. Possibly an older Montblanc Nicolas Riessec.

[@ColinLack]

@@WATCHingJames Now THAT is an interesting piece! What’s the story behind it? I’m about to cross a big milestone personally and am debating what to get to commemorate the occasion. Steinhart Ocean One 39mm Batman ceramic on a jubilee or the Christopher Ward 36mm GMT that just released in the Dragonfly colourway.

[@jameseisen9371]

Looks nice, beat all over the place, 2mins out!

[@WATCHingJames]

I’m going to see if it is magnetised. But not great figures out of the box

[@naomiredpath4351]

👍

[@WATCHingJames]

👍

[@johannesjongbloed5443]

Looks like it needs degaussing, before being placed on the timegrapher. Magnetism can really throw all mechanical watches way out.

[@WATCHingJames]

I tried. It was not the issue unfortunately

[@robh.2400]

Nice looking watch. But budget watches are usually a roll of the dice in some way. My Merkur happens to run pretty well, about +8 spd. But if you order enough Ali Express watches, you're likely to get a sketchy movement, or QC issue of some sort before too long.

[@WATCHingJames]

That is true. Overall I’ve been lucky with the ones I’ve had. This one unfortunately is not running how I would like it.

[@jonathancoyle249]

You’d think that Merkur would double check the movement performance before sending it to a KZbin reviewer! Unless of course, they are all like this….

[@WATCHingJames]

It does not surprise me. They just send one out. Positive or negative reviews bring attention to the brand.

[@felo6035]

Beautiful little watch, but would rather it have any Japanese mecha-quartz instead of these Chinese movements which with very few exceptions do not run all that well.

[@WATCHingJames]

I think you may be right.

[@felo6035]

​@@WATCHingJames👍🙌

[@BCallum]

Thanks for the review. Looks like it is magnetized. Got a demag? Cheers!!!

[@WATCHingJames]

I’m going to check to see if it has been magnetised

[@scatterbrain9490]

🧐

[@WATCHingJames]

👍

[@scottlauren3145]

13.6mm thick? My goodness....

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing

[@BobMarley-pm1xb]

Geeeeze, save your hundred bucks and buy a San Martin or Baltany, or……ANYTHING else. Two and a half minutes a day fast??? Oh no….Fine review James.

[@WATCHingJames]

I was not impressed. It was a shame.

[@brinx8634]

Degauss.

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing