Swiss quality for Chinese price?

[@TopTierTicker]

Wow! Baltany is my personal favourite AliExpress brand. This watch is the perfect example as to why. Fantastic video Dan!

[@watchmewithwatches]

Thanks Kieron!

[@adk7962]

Baltany is getting to the point where just the name alone lets you know, you’re most likely going to get a quality product. I think they are second to only San Martin amongst the AliExpress brands. Thanks as always!

[@Bob.martens]

I like Baltany more, purely subjective. There's just something about San Martin that makes the designs look a bit 'cheap', despite the undeniable quality. Agian: just my opinion.

[@adk7962]

@@Bob.martens I completely get what you’re saying. Baltany seems to have some “soul” behind their products. SM’s is very cold and clinical.

[@DavidUKesb]

I normally wear vintage watches but I have one of these models and can confirm the quality is excellent.

[@paulgraham1465]

I have 3 Baltanys now, the last being the 1921 and they’re all fantastic

[@XxETxX]

same here, i have also owned three baltany watches, and this brown beauty is my favourite!!!

[@zillsburyy1]

i also got their dirty dozen

[@TheGrenadier97]

Baltany done a wonderful job in these homages. Three things i like, the lumed 3-6-9, not present and better than on the original; the brown dial, which resembles a tropicalized dial without being a "faux" one; and the female endlinks. But the cherry on the top in my opinion is that recently they released a homage of a vintage reference (possibly a 1016), which i much prefer. Definitely this year's grail for me. Great review, cheers.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Great points, I agree with you. It's the small details we appreciate, and although the design is very very close to an explorer, it has lovely details which subtly separate it a bit.

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Baltany always makes great stuff! Just look at that dial!

[@40173k]

I have the black version. You may have been brought to this watch because of its Explorer vibe but forget that. It's really doing its own thing and exudes a class and quality of its own. A must buy and it can take the knocks too.

[@kobusvanrensburg4092]

The Law of Diminishing Returns. Spending double doesn't get you double.

[@AndySmith4501]

Yes it does

[@kobusvanrensburg4092]

@@AndySmith4501 let me rephrase. My 99 Rolex Sub (bought with my first big paycheck after a dive season) Rado,Speedy, Sinn, Tuna, Squale and Max Bill all cost at least 5 times what my San Martin and Cronos watches cost and they are all only marginally better.

[@AndySmith4501]

@@kobusvanrensburg4092 I don't believe you. Dishonest people

[@joeskeptical4762]

RARELY, double the spend returns triple benefit, or more.

[@AndySmith4501]

@@kobusvanrensburg4092 Wrong. You don't understand

[@Hard_7_Iron]

Yep, I had to order one. I was shocked 😳 how good this watch looks. I spent over an hour under light and magnification and I think this is amazing for $200 USD. 👍👍

[@joemyers9893]

Great review,Chinese made watches are getting better and better,I have a few now,build quality and value for money they're fantastic.

[@Dan.Chaytor]

I bought a Baltany S5033 military chronograph a year ago as a daily. It’s been faultless. Looks as good now as the day I bought it. Baltany make damn fine watches. Cheers Dan, from another Dan.

[@valtraone]

Fab watch Dan. Just received a San Martin SN0017, for £113.00, and it's amazing for the price. Love your vids

[@darrenfry4695]

I was so going to get this watch but pulled the trigger on a glycine combat, both about the same price and I love my combat but I'm still definitely getting one of these ,. Cheers Dan

[@c.s2001]

Baltany, Addiesdive, Tandorio, etc. Great value for your hard earned.

[@theWaltVegas]

I have this watch. It is fantastic. Period. It's keeping near perfect time. The dial is beautiful. The finishing is so good. The bracelet has screws. What's bad about it? The bracelet edges are a little sharp. The lume could last longer. No on the fly micro adjust, but at

[@simonthomas5113]

I bought mine in July 2024, and it is just a satisfying buy. The brushing on the bracelet is stand out. Mine runs at less than 6 seconds slow daily which is totally acceptable.

[@richardrees4463]

Got an early one of these in my collection. It's great. Love the dial

[@samuelherron6558]

Got myself a Baltany 1926 gold finish as a 60th birthday present to myself. I had a GMT all lined up and poised to push the button as soon as I could. Well...seen the Baltany 1926 and it all changed...and I have it now about a month and love it. I have further decided to purchase another model from them asap. This company is doing things right from materials to customer service and those little extras like a leather travel case and strap removal tool ...and they even bother to fill in and date the guarantee card. Never seen this attention to detail with any of my other 30 watch collection. I'm liking this offering too and it's a serious contender to a 3 watch micro collection of the Baltany brand.👍

[@MichaelAChang]

I totally concur with your conclusion, and it's hard to see how these Chinese microbrands can breakout of the AliExpress stranglehold as the conduit to buying these watches. However, I can see these brands gradually inching their way up in price and quality.

[@joeskeptical4762]

1. *Imitation is flattery, the Big Crown must feel honored even if that'll never be admitted.* 2. *Great value for the price, outstanding. I hope it's sold out as is its inspirator.*

[@MADHIKER777]

Nice looking watch with great finishing, even the bracelet!

[@Neverokful]

I've had the brown dial version for a couple of weeks now and it's a truly amazing watch for the money. It does have a few areas that can always be improved but it's far from a cheap looking watch, and looks and feels on par with many brands costing far more. The main gripe I have is the length of the clasp which I feel is little short, and the sharp edges on the bracelet. They are not deal breakers and on my 7" wrist, it stills wears very comfortably indeed. The movement winds smoothly and it's currently running a little fast, which is fine for me. Exceptional quality versus the cost and highly enjoyable to wear and look at.

[@jmand63]

I have a dozen Baltanys in my collection, and they all show a great finish, quality and certainly one of the best price/performance ratio in the industry.

[@edteach3r]

Beautiful and well done. Thanks for the review.

[@jt.8144]

thousands and tens of thousands of dollars saved. Cheers for this episode.

[@philtullos3823]

Hey, Dan. I do like that brown dial very much! ✌️❤️⌚

[@theronwolf3296]

The cost of CNC machining has drastically reduced the production costs of fine cases, components and bracelets. However the prestige brands have no desire to pass any savings onto the customer, instead they use the high price as a barrier to 'entry' into high status. I have had excellent results from some Chinese watches. I generally buy from American importers however, because shipping, supply chain, and service issues can be very frustrating (no, Amazon is no help with that)-- you don't want to have to send it to China for repair. Just the other day I bought a Chinese skeleton watch from an American importer and it arrived in one (!) day. And they will provide warranty service if needed

[@AMERICANPRIDE1100]

Just got one 120$ pre owned fantastic best part if it dies for 30$ you can swap out the movement no need for a 200& service

[@LeroyCReed]

It is so likely a Baltany will be my next watch.

[@hoppysport2872]

Excellent review, production and presentation. I bought a Pagani Design PD-1692 Air King homage for $86.00...purchased because I liked the Air King's 00 dial. It's been a great watch. Has the Seiko NH-35 and fit & finish is nice. The bracelet is decent, clasp isn't. But it keeps good time and looks great. Would I buy the real Air King? No! I don't love the watch like I do my genuine Datejust with its fluted bezel...or Omega Speedmaster Professional...or even my Bulova Lunar Pilot. But it scratched my Air King itch. The quality is frankly impressive.

[@trailrunnermike]

It is exactly that…40% Chinese parts still makes it “Swiss Made” so you are 100% correct!

[@itsallrobbish]

Baltany watches seem to really knock it out of the park regarding quality and finish. I have one from the sister brand, just as well made, Militado with most amazing crystals for £72! Great stuff. No wonder faulexes are getting so good!

[@johncarter6238]

I so agree with you. you get Swiss quality for relatively little money. I now buy Proxima and San Martin super watches. perfection for 10X less than a Swiss watch

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

It's an homage to the 1963 explorer which did come with a tropical gilt dial and even a fully brushed bracelet. Of course the dial markers and bracelet have been updated to modern standards, and are even better quality than the original was back in the day. I daresay if you get the SW200 option it'll keep time better, too.

[@jonathanturner4220]

Nice review. I have a few SteelDive AddiesDive Watch dives San Martin ECT. As far as micro brands go they're not perfect but with sapphire crystal super luminova and ceramic bezel inserts they are a fantastic value.

[@a0r0a7]

I had a Rolex oyster quartz come in for a battery. Ok this watch is around 40 years old, uses a big old RW303. I will state that many Chinese watches today are better finished in terms of brushing, polishing and have better clasp fitted than Rolex were using 40 years ago. This Rolex today is worth £5- 6K because it is rare due to being a quartz and the case finish is truly horrid, the brush finish is so coarse on the head of the watch you would think it was fake. It was simply accepted back then. SM as an example truly show us how far the Chinese have come. I own watches from Chinese, Japanese, German and Swiss brands. The gap in quality is really not that great between certain brands/ country of origin. Sadly the Chinese do not do original designs very often and simply copy as in this case, other brands do to, so many diver sub, datejust etc.. by even well known brands.

[@watchmewithwatches]

It's amazing how far things have come along. Seeing that San Martin do so many original designs now, lord help the Swiss and Japanese!

[@a0r0a7]

@@watchmewithwatches There are too many people quick to jump on the Chinese must be poor quality, it is simply not the case in many brands. I have seen inside many Swiss quartz watches not mentioning any names, the movements in some of them are awful. Smoke and mirrors and the Swiss are champions sadly resting on their heritage. Time will catch up to them, excuse the pun.

[@alanpawson2039]

That's as good as my lorier falcon any day and 60% less. Going to look into baltny. Brilliant review thanks

[@zillsburyy1]

got mine last week. looks better than a rolex

[@andrebann6639]

Q: is the bezel a bit on the thick side compared to the Cronos & San Martin homages?

[@JJL206]

I wonder how much an on the fly adjustment clasp would be for this...that would make it close to perfect. Baltany...if you're listening!

[@watchmewithwatches]

They are always listening. It will come in time....

[@Alwaysontime-dh1gz]

Another great review, that's a beautiful watch and I totally agree with you, had an Omega seamaster that had a hair around the hands pinion 😢

[@watchmewithwatches]

It's a shocker when you spot something on an expensive watch!

[@echochambers8418]

Great vid and an excellent watch.For 220usd I can’t complain.Glad they used the nh38 instead of the terrible pt5000.Looks absolutely stunning.

[@therascals8237]

Pt5000 is bad? Isn’t a selita clone?

[@lokyeeyeung]

A really good review!!

[@watchmewithwatches]

@@lokyeeyeung Thank you!

[@harkonen1000000]

One more note, if you want to put one on a NATO strap, *do not* reuse the spring pins. They roll easily, and it can just fly out of your hand. Now I have to get some work done on mine. 🙁

[@naga2015kk]

would you pay MORE for anti reflection?

[@Tom_H327]

I've been saying since San Martin blasted onto the watch scene that at some point relatively sooner than later, the Chinese were going to rival or surpass the swiss brands. Looks like Baltany is closing the gap.

[@watchmewithwatches]

And it really annoys the watch snobs!

[@cedarcanoe]

HinDan, great review as always 👌! Decisions, decisions: 36 or 39mm. Brown or black dial?

[@DonaldPerley]

One cheap bracelet trick they use is that what appears to be an inner link with 2 outer links is really one larger piece that doesn't flex.

[@petergreenwald9639]

I fell in love with watches long ago, but only now am I feeling like buying a few. I bought my first Seiko 40yrs ago at Kmart. Loved it, but can't find it after several moves. I bought a pre owned Seiko recently for $100 and it clearly has been shocked and goes off 3-4 minutes a day. I want to buy a Seiko movement and build my own. But gosh, Ali is flooded with parts and I just can't find a combo of dial, case and bracelet that looks quite right. I think I will buy some Bergeon tools and replace the movement in my recent purchase and screw around with Chinese movements till feel confident I can repair my purchase. Any suggestions are welcome.

[@ericarghirudis3462]

nice. I'd like to know the diameter of the dial or crystal.. I own the cronos 36mm and it wears a tad small on my 7.25 wrist. but a larger dial could make a difference. also I find the rolex male end links a beautiful feature, baltany décided to put female end links

[@DaKineSK]

I believe they also have 39mm version !

[@mattinmalaga]

Thanks for the great review, regardless of price, which would you say is better quality and finishing overall, Baltany, Cronos or San Martin.....or is there another 'Aliexpress' brand that you think tops all 3 of the above?

[@johnswatchjoint]

Great job my friend 😊

[@ATIWatchReviews]

Lovely, that bezel will scratch up in no time though, I'd like it in 39mm

[@DutchBulldog]

39mm came out first a few months ago, this 36mm release just came out now.

[@40173k]

@@DutchBulldog The bezel on mine hasn't and I work in a shop where it gets knocked about a bit.

[@simonwright6882]

I've just got back from town. I was returning my new planet ocean to omega so they can align the bezel correctly. So it just backs up your point.

[@watchmewithwatches]

People don't realise it's possible to have flaws on very expensive watches. Remember Jody's video about a mates seamaster that had lume spots on the dial of a new watch. I've seen a new Oris with bad bezel alignment, and another with a white dot on a black aluminium bezel insert (paint). Also seen on another Omega Aqua Terra the hand alignment was a few minutes off too! This is just specific brands I am a fan of and have seen more of, so can imagine similar issues with many other brands too!

[@Ninono7878]

One of the rare chinese watch brands with a non ridiculous name and logo...(SanMartin, are you serious ?!!!)

[@RadicallyGreen]

Swiss brands charge you for marketing and retail margins. The brand is 80 percent of the price when it comes to them.

[@KPD-el4dc]

I am trying to return a watch to Baltany, does anyone know the return address?

[@watchmewithwatches]

Their details should be on their website

[@watchmewithwatches]

www.baltany.com/return

[@VishnuZutaten]

What kills this watch for me it's the thickness. I want my explorer homage to be 10mm. Comfortably fitting under my cuff. This is 12,2mm. Why?

[@watchmewithwatches]

Includes vintage style domed glass. That's what does it!

[@handsomewong2469]

Stunning no reason not to buy!

[@alanb1498]

Very nice indeed and not at all cheap in appearance

[@rhodes1591]

yep, let's agree to agree 👍🏻 !

[@garethhanna9173]

I have a £690 Seiko alpinist, the clasp gap is much worse than this and only 2 holes of micro adjustment. Couldn't get a good fit so I had to swap it out for leather. Not the end of the world as I think it looks better on leather, but unforgiveable at this price point.

[@watchmewithwatches]

It's more common than you think, and when you complement the Chinese for doing a good job, some people go mad!

[@scottlewis2372]

Looks beautiful to me. And a solid value. Seemed like you were rushing through the video. Trying to hit a mark for a reason?

[@watchmewithwatches]

It dramatically improves viewer retention time! Which in tern dramatically improves a videos long term performance.

[@jaymt1982]

This is the problem I have with some of these brands the design. If they just made their own design I would buy the watch in a heart beat. I bought a San Martin GMT original designs. They are so damn good! So they are capable!

[@VishnuZutaten]

Who made first 5pocket jeans? Or chinos? Are you wearing the same exact brand that made the design? One can't patent everything, that's the reason none of these Chinese brands are getting sued. As long as they make some design changes and have their own brand is fair game and fair look. I only don't like copies. Eg. This baltany as my pd1701 is not a design copy - the style is very similar, but then the actual font, dimensions, chaptering etc is different.

[@druickd]

Can't understand how you would spend so much time on brushing and so little on time keeping and water resistance. It is also about reliability of the movement, isn't it?

[@watchmewithwatches]

True, that is why these brands mostly use Japanese movements! Reliable and affordable.

[@rev.waynet.oleary7387]

I have a Baltany it's excellent

[@djdc81]

Fantastic review and video. However, as a brand Baltany seem to blur the line between homage and knock off Shanghai markets style (I have been). While i have no doubt the finishing and general craftsmanship on this watch is stellar...ultimately you're going to be wearing a wannabe watch

[@xchazz86]

Most swiss watch parts comes from China, it just gets assembled. I would love to see a solar quartz version of this same watch from Baltany so i don’t have to wind it every time i swap watches.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Solar quartz is such a no brainer for people who want the ultimate in convenience.

[@peterlandbo2726]

This is NOT true Check the requirements for being Swiss Made

[@TheFrankm3]

Personally a lot of value comes from either brand heritage or a passion behind design choices. The trouble with these homage brands is they have neither. Ive tried a couple of SM, Addiesdive watches but they leave me cold, despite the excellent specs. Baltany at least has a decent brand name. This looks lovely in most respects.

[@watchmewithwatches]

I agree, people (myself included) really enjoy getting the best quality for as little as possible, yet for me perceived brand heritage and design always sit higher in my priorities. If it looks interesting and is from a reputable brand that's been around the block a while, that subjectivity plucks at the heart strings.

[@TheFrankm3]

I agree with you there, ‘perceived’ is the right word for it. Like the colour of this one, it does set it apart from the watch its homaging. Great review

[@PocketUau]

People out here praising Swiss quality like it even means something. These days they’re resting on their laurels and delivering low value timepieces at artificially hiked prices.

[@watchmewithwatches]

It's maybe time people start saying it the other way around! More respect needed to these skilled experts out in many parts of the world.

[@palemale2501]

And instead of paying hundreds of pounds just to service a Swiss luxury watch every 7 or 10 years or whatever - just pop in a brand new NH36 etc for under £50, or buy a new watch. And if this is stolen or wrecked, you have lost only £200 instead of £ thousands.

[@27madnoor]

Your wrist size plz

[@Kawartha65]

Sorry for me ….bezel is big, not crazy about indices colour…and bubble causes distortion .

[@therascals8237]

They need to make the 36 mm with sw200 like they do the 49

[@watchmewithwatches]

Hell yeah!

[@trentm9372]

I was disappointed to hear it was losing time. I have a Heimdallr and Steeldive and love the watches. They are some of my most accurate watches and run 1-2 sec.s fast per day. Many manufacturers could learn from the movement batches used or regulation done by these manufacturers.

[@watchmewithwatches]

It's still running very well compared to what you can get tbh.

[@FlightEagle]

This is a nice looking watch because it's a copy of the Rolex Explorer design. China is good at copying other's designs and manufacturing at lower cost. I would like to see more using a reliable 28800 bph / 4hz movement however. 21600 bph is fairly ubiquitous in the Aliexpress watch market.

[@behonestwithyourself3718]

Theres a few chinese watches I want to buy but the hard part for me is it cost more than the watch is worth to service. I know logically your still spending less.

[@serenityinside1]

lovely and a must-have...and sized for girls err sorry smaller wristed males. damn - why not a 39/40 mm option?

[@watchmewithwatches]

@@serenityinside1 I think the classically sized 36 is what makes this design work so well. It's the size of watch many pioneers would wear!

[@mark19441944]

Probably the factory from which the Rolex clones emerge. Could it be more obvious?

[@watchmewithwatches]

Lord knows, there are literally hundreds/thousands of factories in China.

[@michaelgreen4585]

Very nice 👍

[@resjon7981]

Would have been better without Mercedes hands.

[@watchmewithwatches]

I would like sword hands!

[@EmeraldHill-vo1cs]

Rolex have em and merc never complained.

[@bernardibrahim]

I actually read it “blatantly” first then “baltany”

[@watchmewithwatches]

😂

[@ww1984]

Try to get them to honor a warranty claim.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Oh no, have you had a bad experience?

[@m0cca1997]

Can you say “Swiss quality…Chinese prices” only to use “best, at this price point” when describing the quality?

[@watchmewithwatches]

I'm happy with the title

[@marcuscarlgren6994]

Aaaaand now I want one 😆

[@micaljimenez7381]

Very nice homage rolex explorer,but what about mouvment? I am a little tired of all chiness brand with seiko nh35 who loose 5 minutes each 2 or 3 days,sometime better to have less watch and invest in one with good mouvment...

[@a0r0a7]

None of my powered NH35 watches even come close to those terrible figures. All of mine from Cadisen. SSohne, Pagani, Addiesdive and numerous Seiko's I own are all 2 to 6 secs per day. Not sure why yours are so awful. They can also be regulated to better performance figures. The NH35 is a excellent movement. Sounds like you are a Swiss only person. I have customers who own Rolex and they perform poorly after time sometimes. I set one of my customers Rolex watches for him after finding a screw out on the rotor bridge causing the watch to stop when taken off, the watch was making a thumping sound and the screw was stopping the rotor winding the watch. It was serviced only 2 years ago by another watch maker. He called me the following day to advise me it had gained 12 secs in a 24 hour period not exactly chronometer spec. Rotor shaft failures and mainspring failures on 3135s are fairly common something that simply does not happen on a NH35 rarely. Don't believe the hype of Swiss.

[@micaljimenez7381]

@@a0r0a7 dont worry,i am not a swiss watch buyer only,i have also pagani,orient,seiko,my pagani is ok,the orient take 2minutes advance quickly,the seiko 3 or 4 minutes late quickly,an eterna 20 secondes per day,and a rolex air king some seconds in advance per day,my seiko ufo reissue is the most unprecise,reason why i have some regrets about seiko mouvment,but the pagani lost no more than eterna

[@a0r0a7]

@@micaljimenez7381 so a unfair biased opinion on the NH35. Why do you think so many brands use the NH35? reliability and good accuracy. Glad to hear you do have some good performance from NH35 via Pagani.

[@trulsdirio]

Swiss watches often have cases made in China anyways, so it's no wonder lol

[@micaljimenez7381]

Probably chiness quality for chiness price,but it's clear,because generaly swiss price don't give swiss quality

[@fredochinaski9968]

I 've thé chrono, a killer baltany watch....

[@palemale2501]

One day the Emperor's Clothes (luxury watches) will fall off. If pirates can clone a luxury watch for £1k instead of the £10k, when you need a real one alongside and a jeweller's loupe to tell apart, then why can the Swiss not reduce their prices dramatically ? (I would never buy a clone as you are also fooling yourself)

[@TheOtherMisterRogers]

36mm??? Aaaaaaaaaaaaack why.... why??????????????

[@watchmewithwatches]

It's a lovely size! Not as small as you think.

[@EmeraldHill-vo1cs]

@@watchmewithwatches Yes you have to try it on and maybe picture with a diffrnt band, and what seemed small---

[@redtill1]

Buy what you want & don’t give a fcuk about anyone’s else’s opinion

[@TillSwims]

These Chinese watches are ok but I don’t buy Hommage watches anymore . Some do their own design which is better

[@watchmewithwatches]

I like homages to watches no longer available or a variation that has never been made. Agree with you on the original designs being a great way to not only showcase craftsmanship, but originality too.

[@anraskr1568]

Watch not opened? What about acuracy? Like review of car doing by women. Nic Color, it is big, match my hair style :/

[@watchmewithwatches]

I'm confused. Why are you talking about cars and women? Anyway, thanks for watching. PS. Watch running plus 4 seconds a day.

[@anraskr1568]

@@watchmewithwatches because women tell you about color and man tell you about engine, how fast it is. You review of watch is not technical at all. If you provide technical details about watch it will be much better.

[@watchmewithwatches]

@@anraskr1568 I see what you are trying to do. Big man likes stats, go to the website mate, all the stats are there.

[@anraskr1568]

@@watchmewithwatches do not be scared. You can open your watch. There is something Beautiful . a wonder of engineering. hart and soul of your watch.

[@EmeraldHill-vo1cs]

@@anraskr1568 He doesnt look under the bonnet, not all of us need to. If ya like it and it runs shmick.

[@cdesfusa]

This is a Longines ripoff, but no harm no foul

[@sonisan2682]

There is no reason to buy swiss made watch.

[@jeremiahlee6335]

Counterfeits.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Nope

[@kevins8971]

This watch is just a cheap Chinese copy watch. Don't waste your time with this junk.

[@watchmewithwatches]

@@kevins8971 tell me more about your bad experience you have had. Help us understand what "junk" you bought which made you feel this way.

[@FELIX4764]

Video at 1.10 tells you why it isn't Swiss. The clasp doesn't fit correctly! Pretty basic really. There's a lot of the Emperor's new clothes going off with these Chinese watches.

[@peterlandbo2726]

It looks cheap because it is cheap. Buy any used german or swiss quality watch instead.

[@watchmewithwatches]

I've seen and owned all sorts of watches and know what I'm looking at. That's why it's surprisingly good.