Proxima PX1697 vs. Seestern S435 - Chinese Dive Watch Showdown

[@nkhoury1]

Very nice comparison. I am always interested in the Chinese homage comparisons. Comparing homage brands that are reproducing a particular design to compare the benefits

[@wiseguygazette]

Thank you for watching! I am glad you enjoyed

[@ccampbell1117]

Interesting comparison , I have the Seestern so I’m biased ( maybe ) but basically you look at the dial rather a lot and having to peer through a slightly milky blue crystal would be the game changer for me .

[@ryan850r]

Great video. You have very good conversational style and the way you went through the categories made it a pleasure to follow. These are also two divers i really enjoy (I have the rose gold s435) and would definitely pick up the proxima once they come out with a standard black and white (i have a cward already so that dampens the desire for one as well).

[@wiseguygazette]

Thank you, I really appreciate that feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed! The rose gold s435 is an absolute beauty. The proxima could be a fun beater for when you don't want to damage the CW. But you have already scratched that itch, so maybe something different would be better. Thanks for watching!

[@ryan850r]

@@wiseguygazette I think the scoring system works well in this format with 2 watches because it is a comparison vs raw scoring (without a baseline, it becomes hard to judge in those cases).

[@wiseguygazette]

@@ryan850r That was my logic as well. If I do any reviews of a single watch, I will likely just discuss each category rather than scoring them. As you said, it is not as useful without a baseline for comparison.

[@CoolWatchesOnly]

An observation, the issue with the hand winding problem ain't exclusive to the clone movements. It's actually inherent in the original ETA movement. Even the Sellita and other Swiss copies suffer from it. There's even one, can't quite recall which, that supposedly improved on that aspect, but it still tends to fail.

[@wiseguygazette]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the 2824-2 is the improved version. I honestly didn't know it still fails. I guess just a lousy design, but easy enough to avoid.

[@CoolWatchesOnly]

@@wiseguygazette Sure, the ETA caliber 2824-2 is a true icon in the watch world. It’s been around since 1982 and is widely respected. Interestingly, it was inspired by the original Eterna caliber 1427. The “2” in its name signifies the second generation of this movement. Now, about those clones: Several manufacturers have tried to replicate the 2824-2, like Sellita, Seagull, Hangzhou etc.

[@roo2dee2]

3:40 The pinion cap on the Proxima is a very nice touch.

[@wiseguygazette]

Very good point, I forgot to mention that. Great attention to detail.

[@darrylhalim436]

Hey man, great review! Very thorough and detailed. I have Proxima in white and owned the previous version of Seestern (S434). The proxima is probably the best fit watch I have right now, it's crazy how good it is for the money. I'm hoping to get the new model for the Seestern in blue, we'll see. Subscribed and keep up the good work!!

[@wiseguygazette]

Thanks for watching! Yes the Proxima fits so well for a diver, such a nicely shaped case and dimensions. The S435 in blue is stunning with the sunburst. The subtle changes in the case shape make it wear very nicely.

[@villagranvicent]

I have the S435 and it is stunning 🔥🔥 looks way more expensive than it actually is

[@NCSheriff7]

Im from germany and Seestern is the best chinese brandname for me :D its fits to a diver.

[@wiseguygazette]

@@NCSheriff7 yes I really like the name! They should use the starfish logo more too

[@CoolWatchesOnly]

can't have enough of that SeaQ design, I'm planning on getting the gold one too eventually

[@wiseguygazette]

Such a stunning design. Which one do you currently have? Gold is definitely awesome

[@CoolWatchesOnly]

@@wiseguygazette I have the 434v2 and 435 both on steel and blue

[@wiseguygazette]

@@CoolWatchesOnly that's awesome the blue 435 is on my radar

[@CoolWatchesOnly]

@@wiseguygazette You won't regret it, it is super dark blue almost black, the sunburst is super fine too, looks awesome, and under sunlight is a stunner

[@caiosimoes3133]

Thats exactly the 2 watchs I'm in doubt right now. I prefeer the dial on the Seestern, but the case design on proxima is just excellent. Proxima is not selling this black version anymore though, and the white one doesn't appeal at all to me. I have until 11.11 to decide, but hopefully I will get my mind around which one way before that. I'm not a collector, I just whant one good and reliable watch to use. If you had to choose only 1 of them, whats your chooice?

[@wiseguygazette]

I think there are some sellers that still have the black proxima, and there is also another black version with the date at 3 and pure white instead of fautina. I think if I had to keep one, it would be the proxima. The seestern has a lot of little things that are better like the crystal and dial quality. But the case of the proxima is really nice and a standout in the Chinese market.

[@caiosimoes3133]

@@wiseguygazette couldn't find a seller with the black version to sale nor the version with the date on 3. Do you know the date on 3 code? I found a skeleton version date on 3, is that one that you were referring to?

[@gilbertoflores7397]

​@@caiosimoes3133 reach out to Proxima, ask if they'd be able to make you one with the black dial. Or maybe swap out the white dial for something you do like or would prefer. I think they're watches are made/assembled to order, which is how they can offer so many different configurations. I've done it in the past, I selected the case I wanted, a dial from a different watch and the hands too. They didn't charge me extra, just sent me a private listing to the watch I wanted on their store and I ordered it. That's why I'll always say Proxima has the best customer service. Other brands won't, unless they offer tons of configurations and option (makes me suspect they assembly the orders as they come in, and would be more willing to make you a watch wirh your preferred options). To this day that Proxima is one of my best expectations with Ali.

[@sgc-zc8hg]

Kudos, man, you do excellent reviews 👏

[@wiseguygazette]

@@sgc-zc8hg thank you man I really appreciate it! Thanks for watching

[@gavinhogg843]

What about the lume between the two?Which is best.

[@travis3430]

My 2 next watches on a head to head!! Going go for the white dial Proxima though 💪👍

[@wiseguygazette]

Hell of a combo! The white Proxima is a good call.

[@jamiechambers5248]

SEESTERN stomped.the Comp 💯

[@marcellusf.4821]

Great Job 👍. Well Done. I go for the seestern.

[@niyicodemus]

Do you know if the proxima 1703 has the same blue, unclear crystal?

[@wiseguygazette]

I cannot be 100% sure, but I think so. I am pretty sure all the Proxima models that use this case have the same crystal. I asked if they can make a custom watch with clear AR (they do custom builds) and they said it is not possible. So I think there is no clear AR option that fits the case, or at least in their stock.

[@niyicodemus]

@@wiseguygazette that’s unfortunate. I have the 1697 and almost returned it because of the crystal when I got it. Before then, the only other Chinese watch I had was a San Martin and the crystal quality of the Proxima was far inferior to my eyes. The watch itself has many other great features as you’ve highlighted and has grown on me immensely but I won’t be buying another Proxima watch for now.

[@wiseguygazette]

@@niyicodemus I thought I was being picky, so it is reassuring to hear you thought the same. It's a shame because everything else is executed so well. But the crystal is definitely less clear than San Martin, Seestern etc

[@MichaelWilliams-mo1vv]

Out of curiosity what watch are you wearing here?

[@wiseguygazette]

@@MichaelWilliams-mo1vv it's the San Martin sn0138, great watch!

[@ytrezazerty1]

My Proxima px1697 (white) has micro-adjust and logo on the crown..

[@calvinlimgo]

You didn't talk about the lume???

[@wiseguygazette]

That's my bad. I am not a big lume guy, but I will include a test in future videos. Bottom line, Proxima lume is very good, while Seestern is fantastic.

[@calvinlimgo]

@wiseguygazette thanks, coz I'm really considering getting the seestern, so I've been looking at reviews, and lume is one of my consideration

[@wiseguygazette]

@calvinlimgo yeah the lume is great, and the watch is overall great, you'd love it

[@gregtolley3455]

The Proxima is a much less obvious rip so gets my vote.

[@iron883cd]

WHY????? THEY NOT EVEN LOOK ALIKE, WTFFFFFFFFFF???