This $100 Chinese Watch Destroys Hamilton. BUT...

[@TopTierTicker]

Buy the watch here - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBHodRR

[@johnswatchjoint]

I bought this in for review but so many customers have complained that this watch is not even good enough to do the dishes. Mine did steam up too on a very wet day. The bracelet is garbage and you will destroy it when sizing it...even more so if you try to remove it as even with drilled lugs it proved pretty much impossible to take off. Just a warning from another watch reviewer who has handled it long term. 3/10

[@TopTierTicker]

Yep, that's why I recommended avoiding the bracelet version. It actually somewhat ruins the watch. It's a different beast on the ribbed strap though, for me anyway. It's hard to beat for $100.

[@johnswatchjoint]

@@TopTierTicker ...We'll agree to disagree on that. Both the Militado ML05 and Escapement Time Khaki at £30 in the sales are far superior. I certainly would not recommend this watch but that's my opinion :)

[@TopTierTicker]

I mean, those are both copies of the Khaki and not automatic so different market really. They look great for the price though.

[@R023N]

Have you opened the case back and checked the gasket? It's not uncommon to find the gasket not seated correctly or not lubed at this price.

[@MrJames19676]

Nice one mate. Watch looks fecking boring to me anyway! 🥱

[@onemorewatchplease]

Good tip about the bracelet, thats why I got mine on the nato strap, cant wait to review mine.

[@TopTierTicker]

Hope you like it mate. The nato strap it comes on is really nice too 👌

[@onemorewatchplease]

@@TopTierTicker I got the nw voyager

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Dig the orange markers and hands and the dark titanium case looks bad ass! Pity about the bracelet but other than that it seems awesome! Thanks for sharing man!

[@nironi27]

The bracelet is super easy to size, it's like a screw. It's not the kind of links where you are supposed to push, that's why he had a hard time with it.

[@lardofarp]

This looks like a watch i had when I was 10 years old. Most of these Chinese watches blow.

[@xtr1092]

why is everything now a something killer,,,,, and lets face it rarely is

[@jonirwin7316]

So true! Killer is so overused.

[@_all_around_us]

Yeah, this isn't "killing" anything let's be honest

[@markonagy5015]

Okay, so it's not just me who can't stand these clickbaity titles. Maybe Khaki Contender, but quality-wise it isn't even that.

[@rikdriscoll2160]

Nice looking watch, good dial and hands combination. Whatever grade of titanium it's a nice colour (I'm now sounding like my mate who owns an iwatch...ffs!!). Definitely looks 100% better on the nylon strap. Thanks for another great video Kieron, hope all's well mate 👍

[@leonardobonilla7701]

Knowing your love for YEMA, I’m just waiting for your review of the Rallygraf V2!

[@regorschneid5245]

I've been fooled twice, that's on me! But never a third time with Boderry

[@maxinahunt8652]

Great video. That bracelet looks very rough and uncomfortable…. It’s not really a nice colour either. Dial’s nice.

[@marexmal]

Thanks for the vid Kieron, you just confirmed that I don't want to bother with this one :)

[@demonstructie]

seems worth it for $100. Unfortunately at almost twice the price (it's *€170* for some reason) it's a whole different value prop 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@TopTierTicker]

I'm guessing that's the bracelet version?

[@AnyoxB.D.]

Didn’t top tier ticket say he didn’t like aliexpress watches? How the turn tables when there’s a chance to make a few coins on affiliate links

[@onemorewatchplease]

Looks like a great watch

[@7rslender]

Get CWC G10 or CWC G22. Yes the later is 4 times more expensive, but it's at least 5 times better than the Boderry ;-)

[@leostamp9190]

Very imformative video. Shows us amateurs what to look for!! Im building a nice collection of watches now,not all expensive swiss models….

[@TopTierTicker]

Appreciate that mate. Thanks for watching!

[@TheMainCore]

Do your self a favor... do NOT buy a ton of cheap knock off watches. You will only regret it later. Get some better quality for real makers instead. You will have fewer but much better watches in your collection.

[@jayhenry2197]

Beginner's question: why is there so much confusion over water resistance??? Does resistance vary with each watch because of assembly (even if they're the same brand/make?) Why is 50m risky in a shower or a sink? My sink isn't 50m. Do companies tend to exaggerate on the resistance rating? I don't understand how so many people can provide conflicting information over a spec that gets a lot of attention. It doesn't seem subjective like "wears big/small". It seems like we should know by now.

[@levezinet]

Nice watch but hard to believe it is titanium, with the scratches showing light metal, and the odd dark colour.

[@BAF605]

There'll be snowballs in hell before any Ali watch truly destroys Hamilton, or any Swiss brand for that matter. Chinese makers are on the march but they still have a long way to go. I bought one of these for half the present asking price when they first came out with a Miyota 8 series movement. They are a decent watch but nothing special.

[@TopTierTicker]

Tbf, San Martin quality does compete with the entry level Swiss brands. Even out-does them in some cases. And the Swiss get absolutely destroyed when it comes to value for money. Which is my claim here. But I get what you mean overall. They have a lot of work to do to shake off all of the cheap clone stuff.

[@BAF605]

@@TopTierTicker I can't disagree with any of that. You make a lot of sense when you ditch the hyperbole.

[@MarcTsawwassen]

@@TopTierTicker Some Chinese brands, specifically San Martin, do destroy Swiss watches for value for money. Not surprising though as there is always a point of diminishing returns. Omitting price though Hamilton watches are just better in (almost?) every regard. Take the admittedly overpriced bronze Khaki field. the H50 movement has a very smooth winding mechanism and is astonishingly accurate. The single pass nubuck leather strap is very high quality and patinas nicely. The bronze is excellently finished (coated, etc, and patinas nicely over extended time), the hands are color coordinated perfectly - most Chinese brands mess this up. In any event, these Chinese watches are excellent value, but...

[@ajithprdeep2855]

Now I am watching in India, Time 1 .30 am 😂 but I like your review so I am watching bro

[@WatchmakerErik]

Great video as always Kieron, but I have some talking points for you... 1. Tritium is not contained in tubes because it's radioactive. It's contained in tubes because it's a *gas* and that's literally the only way to contain it. It is also radioactive but very mildly and not in a way that will hurt you unless you ingest it. 2. Titanium is stronger than steel for the weight but it is not harder as strength and hardness are two different qualities. Some titaniums can be coated or specially formulated to be harder and more scratch resistant than stainless steel but your regular grade 2 titanium is not. 3. "I needed watchmaker tools to fix a watch" is an odd complaint but I get what you're getting at and I have no problem believing that the included tool was not sufficient. A lot of bracelets that get coated after assembly like this due to save costs have very sticky cotter pins. Especially with a thicker coating like the dark gray they apparently use on this titanium. It's a very pretty watch but I'm not into the fake tritium tubes. That actually ruins it for me. You are still one of my top three favorite watch reviewers on KZbin please keep it up!

[@TopTierTicker]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge on the subject. Always appreciated 🙏

[@jayhenry2197]

Tritium paint is a real thing. The US military used it during the Vietnam war to improve visibility for infantry equipment; I'm guessing that's how it made its way onto field watches. Its beta radiation is so weak that the watch's own crystal would protect the user. But I could see using tubes to protect the manufacturers. They risk more exposure and could possibly maybe ingest (breathe in) too much. I know the paint isn't often used in tubes, but maaaaaaybe that is somebody's reasoning.

[@orangeyellow-me1pz]

I had an Invicta that had tritium tubes. I loved that it never needed a charge and you're absolutely right about them not having to be in tubes since they used to apply it to dials in the past. I wouldn't use the tools that came with the $100 watch though. I don't know why he did. Maybe to test it?

[@Duwurf]

@@jayhenry2197 Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that is a gas at room temperature. That's why it's in tubes. Are You maybe thinking of Radium paint?

[@jayhenry2197]

@@Duwurf yes I'm well aware that tritium is 1 electron, 1 proton, and 3 neutrons ("tri") whether you want to say it's hydrogen with three extra neutrons or helium with two extra, I'm not sure. If you mix it with oxygen it becomes a liquid, basically strange water. If you mix it with phosphor it becomes a solid... like paint. Looks like Germany and Switzerland both banned the paint for watches around 1998. Maybe that's why you haven't heard about it? My Swatch from around '94 still had it and like I said the paint was used in the 60s and 70s. That ban is probably why they're using the tubes now. It might be only allowed in gaseous form, or maybe not at all. Radium is a entirely different can of worms!! The gamma radiation it releases is a deal breaker. It's composition is closest to depleted uranium. I guess you could find some very old watches that use it, but I can't imagine why anyone would want one in their home. I can't imagine why its use hasn't been restricted.

[@watchesbythomsen]

The car on the back is a Land Rover.

[@pzwolski]

Model is Defender 90, which means it is a short version.

[@TopTierTicker]

That's the one!

[@lordcharfield]

Great review thanks. I won’t be buying and I wouldn’t let you size my watches either 😅

[@TopTierTicker]

Haha. I'm very careful when I do these things, the bracelet is just a pain in the ass.

[@lordcharfield]

@@TopTierTicker I get that - It was a challenging piece - just pulling your leg 😅

[@user-M.O.]

So maybe is not titanium. The lowest grade is apparently grade 2 Maybe this is 0.5 or 1. Still this is a nice watch. I am not sure about the crown but thanks for letting us know about the bracelet. Better to stick with the NATO (if we are allowed to say NATO strap). I assume the hardware of the strap is titanium. Or maybe not. I Always assumed titanium is the crème de la crème. I guess there is crappy titanium as well.

[@orangeyellow-me1pz]

We'd need an expert to take a look instead of this random guessing.

[@justinremple7986]

Nice looker

[@pezz-m5i]

Seems Boderry went wayyy down hill. I picked up the Voyager a couole years ago when it was one of their only watches and its been perfect, not a single issue, and still looks brand new. Sad to see all the attention seems to be an excuse for them to cut quality

[@skydronemediaasitis3898]

isn't it aluminium coted?

[@mrmagoo.3678]

BRUV..... PLEASE NEVER SIZE A BRACELET YOURSELF....... EVER..... AGAIN...... PLEASE. 😆 was the marking and chewed pin heads YOU??...or just 'Cheese Metal'?... some good damage there tbh. Fantastic for £100 though 😲

[@Spectrecontrol]

I thought this one had real tritium, I'm a bit disappointed that it's just lume

[@TopTierTicker]

Yep. It's a big let down! What's the point in using the tubes? 🤣

[@orangeyellow-me1pz]

That would be expensive...

[@peterlandbo2726]

"Destroys Hamilton" - hahahahahahahahahaaaaaaa. That dial just needs the Mickey Mouse hands and the name reminds me of english overcoats. You are totally overselling this clunk.

[@TopTierTicker]

Did you actually watch the video? 😆 I didn't oversell anything. I talked about it's problems for 3 minutes 👍

[@pezz-m5i]

Let's be real, as field watches go, anyone who takes Hamilton seriously is kind of a joke. 50m water resistance on a field watch for any active service, hunting, camping , or other "field" activity is laughable. Nice antiques though!

[@orangeyellow-me1pz]

Don't people complain about Hamilton watches fogging up? They sound easy to beat in my opinion.

[@MichaelMitchell-vk9lk]

No Chinese watches for me. How do you service them?

[@TopTierTicker]

You don't! Just like you don't service a Seiko or Tissot. You enjoy them for a year and chuck them on eBay! 😆 That's what I do anyway.

[@MichaelMitchell-vk9lk]

@ that’s funny dude

[@orangeyellow-me1pz]

You can't be serious.

[@Milton_Andrew]

It is somehow hideous, whereas a khaki is not. I think part of it is the shithouse grade of titanium, but they made a $100 watch look like a $50 watch.

[@zillsburyy1]

does it fog up like a hammy?🤣🤣

[@TopTierTicker]

I'm sure if you try hard enough it will

[@orangeyellow-me1pz]

Someone gets it.

[@killpop8255]

"Destroys" = glazes over and makes a decision to avoid the channel. 🤷

[@TheMainCore]

Damn thats one ugly watch! It has NOTING on the Hammy.... what a joke.

[@jackochainsaw]

The scratches add character. Titanium buffs out a little over time as well, unlike steel.

[@wb3213]

Let's be honest if this watch even gets near a Hamilton it will self destruct 🤭

[@WatchmakerErik]

Oh one final point sorry... I don't know how much weight the standard Swiss "dunk in a bathroom sink" test carries nowadays, but I wouldn't take a brief dip into extremely shallow water to be any kind of measure of water resistance. I wouldn't even count that as a past fail for a 30 m water resistance rating. I hear AliExpress has a cheap clone of the Persian 60 m testing apparatus you may want to pick that up.

[@TopTierTicker]

Oh I'm fully aware of that one. It was more so just to show that it is splash proof. Best I could do with what I have. I'm going to order one of those pressure testers at some point

[@WatchmakerErik]

@@TopTierTicker fair 😄

[@zillsburyy1]

why do people still F around with a "field watch"?! get a diver!! you can take it anywhere!!!

[@watchesbythomsen]

Because that’s what field watches was designed for. 😅 That’s like asking why someone would dive with a diver. 😅

[@TopTierTicker]

It's the original wristwatch. The trench watch and field watch popularised watches amongst men. It's a timeless style!!

[@Sicarius888]

You too are getting annoyed with this recent fashion for small field or girlish dress watches?

[@watchesbythomsen]

@@Sicarius888 the traditional size of a field watch is 35 mm. So calling this 38 mm. Girly, proves your ignorance, sorry. 😆

[@Sicarius888]

@@watchesbythomsen It only proves I won't wear or buy or pretend to like what looks ugly or boring to me no matter the bandwagons. I'm not calling 38 girly. I call that anything that is not 42+ bracelet mechanical diver with modern toolish sharpness design. And those traditional people wearing traditional tiny watches, do they also drive traditional Ford T and wear traditional 1900s fashion or are they selective with their tradition to only what some popular influencer told them to like?