INSANE Urwerk Watch for Just $600?!

[@watchfinder]

We know you want more watches…. click here: linktr.ee/watchfinder

[@Yoshikaable]

This is quickly becoming my favorite watch related content. I really like Tom and Andrew it is a pleasure to get to know you more in this show.

[@bungerroyale112]

Normally these kind of watches don't interest me because of the lack of accuracy in the movement and sure, +/- 10 seconds isn't too bad but they did adjust it in 5 positions which is very admirable. It shows they know what they're doing and I do love Urwerk. This one looks like my next buy to be honest, I really like it

[@aPonderousChain]

"It never occurred to me that an Indian person would write a book" Spoken like a true Brit

[@geoffwatches]

A true Englishman, more like, plenty of British Indians who know of Indian literature 😉. Also Andrew, never heard of the kama sutra?!

[@marcosuavito6881]

I can't believe he said that so casually.

[@DevasKnight]

Next he might say "It never occurred to me that Indian's play cricket."

[@qwill8254]

As always pride come before the fall

[@MuhammedZaidAlam]

He is humble enough to accept and adapt, he’s definitely better then them old brits

[@grahamsalmons2027]

This is such a good subject, and the watch is amazing at that price. I guess it comes down to what the watch means to you. For some, having something that is cool, interesting and quite unique is what appeals. For others, they want to identify with what the brand stands for or portrays itself as. The newer Chinese brands just have this part of the ownership equation missing.

[@a3marketing991]

It's Chinese, so I'm out. It looks very interesting though.

[@kbrizy7490]

NOT to call out the stutter at 3:20, but as a stutter myself, I’m immensely proud/pleased with the recovery / “return to fluency.” But more importantly just happy to see someone not afraid of their stutter and choosing professions that may easily “illuminate” it. lol sorry, no one else may’ve noticed, I might be hyper aware / tuned to it

[@techup4467]

I now own two Phantasos watches. I liked the first one I received (blue dial) so much I bought a second one (black dial with green numbers). The quality is good. The style and finish is top notch. The customer service is poor. There are just a couple people managing the whole thing and they are overwhelmed. Emails have a long delay in reply. I ordered the first watch in spring and it took 2 months to get the watch. I ordered the second watch in the fall and it took 3 months to get the watch. They warned in the fall they were having quality control challenges and didn't want to send out faulty watches (I'd prefer functional to problems). They included a free strap on the second watch as an apology. So, if you're patient you'll get the watch and if you get the watch... you'll enjoy it thoroughly.

[@mastermindmanagement6190]

Totally agree, the only difference in my story is that miraculously, I was able to contact the CEO (Jon or John) via phone…still was slow though…I went black pvd with a free strap and I bought the strap pack.

[@necron1050]

I have a Seagull Tourbillon, its my every day watch and its pretty brilliant, it even keeps good time if you wind it every day (it can last about 40 hours but after about 30 hours it starts to loose time).

[@olo493]

We might be on a brink of a change. These watches might give Orients and Seiko 5s of this world a run for the money. Maybe this is why we see Seiko moving upmarket with their latest Seiko 5 revisions? It seems to be the beginning of something new. Times might be changing.

[@HJuice23]

I actually received my Zeroo Time T3 & T4 Chinese tourbillon watches yesterday and I was blown away. I was expecting junk. I bought them because I saw the Watchfinder review back in November of last year. Chinese watches have come a long way. I own an 38mm AP Chronograph with the ruthenium dial, and I can honestly say, that even though Chinese watches aren’t AP’s, they are certainly not far away. All they need to do is become better with the finishing. Now for this triclops lol……I may give it a try just to add to the collection 🤷‍♂️

[@legacywatchguy8333]

That thing rocks! And as someone who repairs vintage watches, I would love to see what's going on in the inside!

[@NathanChisholm041]

Ill save you the trouble there gears inside! You're welcome...

[@Ballacha]

your favourite watch brands definitely have parts made in china. you still trust these brands because they do assembly and final qc in japan/germany/switzerland etc. so whenever china feels like it, they could elevate their qc game before exporting and slowly start to change their reputation. i work in the commercial renewable industry. i can tell you solar panels coming from china are already at ultra low fault rate while maintaining a very competitive price. the same thing is probably going to happen to watches sometime.

[@chrisdajo]

Love the new format and content. A little more relaxed and obtainable. Still thoroughly enjoy the original too. Great job on both!

[@christian-andreasschierloh3601]

I really liked this video! I teach the business of luxury and lifestyle industry and always challenge the students to see further than just our domestic brands. Chinese brands like Shang Xia are backed by French Hermès and show outstanding design, quality and philosophy. The same goes for India. Hopefully one day they’ll become a part in the upscale landscape.

[@John_code]

Glad you doing more of these . Great content !

[@AndrewChinco]

Can I just say that I really appreciate these conversations. Very entertaining and educational at the same time.

[@JamesAlexander14]

Bring on the quality build to the same as Swiss, German and Japanese and Chinese watches will be a player in this game, but they will have to compete by slowing down the mass production process to make their watches very unique. Once that problem is solved, then I’m sure that Phillips and Bacs will be happy to auction those prize catches.

[@neoLover23]

You can get the Phantasos with a sw200 for $150 more - I bought one because I can’t afford an urwerk. It’s a fun watch imho

[@CrimsonEsso]

How? Their store doesnt seem to have movement choice as option.

[@TulipEddy]

@@CrimsonEsso I believe I saw it on their chinese retail page. It did provide a movement option

[@ddt428]

Thanks for the video. It is very interesting. I think one very main issue is reliability and durability as you've mentioned, and that relate to whether there is acceptable maintenance support. For example, I am really interested in this Phantasos and the Cigna design you mentioned in another video, but I'm based in Hong Kong, and while much of the international brands, whether expensive or not can provide maintenance support locally (even Swatch can provide support locally within warranty perid, though they might just give you a new one), there is none for these two Chinese brands. And this goes to all those who like to try these Chinese watches but not based in China.

[@shareurtube]

I am old enough to remember how so many people were disgusted with these Japanese Watches. Well I happen to buy several Seiko's in the Virgin Islands while working there. Well fifty two years later and many dips into the Caribbean Sea my Seiko's are still working. No they were not diver watches, just cheap (relatively speaking) good looking self-winding units. So I would be very concern if I were a Swiss watch maker. Some of the new breed of Chinese Watches are damn clever. Yes I will be looking at purchasing a few in the near future if we don't go to War with the World.

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

That Phantasos is incredible! I need that in my life. I've reviewed a decent few of these actually and really enjoyed them

[@djz2308]

there's no Phantasos video on your channel

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

@@djz2308 I was referring to the likes of Atowak, Ciga etc. Not the Phantasos, sorry.

[@djz2308]

@@JasonTheWatchGuy ah, bummer. Would be nice to see one in the wild.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*I THINK YOU GUYS SHOULD BY* some of these and road test them for a year - that would be really interesting...

[@missourichifilayyy4311]

this is an interesting discussion. Thank you for bringing this onto the table. As a gen z Chinese, myself, I always forget and ignore those homegrown brands and feel this fake hype about the Swiss made. Not to argue who makes better watch, but reflecting on my own purchase choices, now I rly found myself didn’t contribute to a healthy and fair watch market and certainly am lack of respect to those real in-house watch markers in China, as they certainly deserve, especially given the reasonable price. But the demand to the global fake watch market is def never going to disappear or even stronger than the real ones, which means there will be someone of Chinese factories to produce all the fakes. So supporting all those non-western in house watch makers to not be overshadowed by those fakes is crucially important as a watch lover.

[@hathaway.1166]

So, what do u think abt the new Atelier Wen watch?

[@karp3221]

How come i cant find any Atowaks on the secondary market? considering picking up their new cobra (launching 27th oct 22) but only if theres a chance i can sell it in the future.

[@JBFire97]

It just keeps getting better. What a trio!

[@colinbradford2671]

‘I like big bevels and I cannot lie’. Sir Mixalot: ‘hold my watch…’

[@gman7940]

Wasn’t crazy about the xeric sattelite hours. The urwerk rolling block wandering hour was always the coolest take on that complication to me and yet so out of reach. This changes everything 😂🎉

[@silversurfie]

Worked in China for 3 years doing wholesale leather/shoes. Problem for them is their consumer mindset of brand being all that matters. This is why the luxury brands do well and why they buy defunct western brands to revive because of their heritage and history.

[@touristas9798]

In Ovid's Metamorphoses, Phantasos ('Fantasy') is one of the thousand sons of Somnus (Sleep). He appeared in dreams in the form of inanimate objects, putting on "deceptive shapes of earth, rocks, water, trees, all lifeless things

[@ManuelFlores-uj4gc]

I spat my drink when he said $600, and chocked when he said $160,000. As someone whose previous watches all basically boiled down to "included free in every cereal box;" this is a whole new mind-boggling world.

[@bowerbirdstyle7661]

I own a Pagani Design watch and a couple of Parnis watches too. They look good and they work. Only time will tell how they hang together and keep functioning.

[@Sergey-wg7ne]

It is also Kickstarted. I backed this. Not even a watch enthusiast, but I liked the design so much so decided to get them. Did not know about Urwerk until 5 minutes ago!

[@nietrelevant3338]

the finishing and quality of the san martin brand on aliexpress is superb to be honest. insane amount of watch (on the outside) you get for the money. But they are Homages (most of them) so not most people's cup of tea

[@TheWalkingDude92]

Didn't Swiss watch making get started from other countries exporting their manufacturing there? The constant exporting of work to China means that expertise is also being developed and curated, so it is perhaps not very surprising to see higher quality watches or other merchandise starting to also be made in China.

[@Q.Q.]

So how do you know which of the 3 pointers/arrows is pointing to the correct minute marker?

[@stevejackson3564]

It's about time someone is doing these exotic watches for an affordable price. I aways wondered why know one made these look alike watches. I'm excited they did.

[@entropete]

received my watch recently, as advertised, but there is basically no service team and they don't really respond to emails

[@kurtdebille]

Is there any way in the previews to make it clear up front if we're getting one of those great super cool video's or just two microphones chatting of which one is not so interesting...

[@ronochow]

That's pretty cool, and I'd probably never be able to afford a real Urwerk, but there's something about the design of the Phantasos that just looks a little cheap/tacky. Maybe it's the slotted dial or something about it that just isn't cohesive, or reminds me of a toy speaker or mini fan grille unfortunately.

[@sandmans]

And any watch, reminds me of any other watch, because in the end, all of them have the same function. Telling time. Mind blown...

[@breevwhyman2985]

Sirs, those watches are truly unique......right. It is so refreshing to see completely DIFFERENT methods for inferring time. i like how to READ the time on those examples. many thanks. Somehow, visually, i feel that those watches actually display TIME in a better way than any traditional watch has done. Thanks.

[@michaelgemmell7028]

For the 1st time watching one of these videos I may actually buy one of these because they are avaliable and not hugely expensive

[@Iyiouseismouse]

My panda dial red star with column wheel chronograph is freaking ace! Best 250 I ever spent. Such a beautiful movement.

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Very nice watch. Really enjoying these quirky designs. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

[@panosvrionis8548]

Hello 😙 Greetings from Greece. Love your channel 😉 And your narration 😙😊 Is it true that China buy the old used machines from Rolex and other companies like miyota Seiko etc. Modify or reverse engineer them?? I'm try to find data🤔

[@panosvrionis8548]

@r2l100 true 😁😁

[@jerrysanchez5453]

There is no way to justify urwerks price when stuff like this are on the market.$160000?thats crazy

[@jamesgulland]

You guys crack me up! Quality timepiece banter, thanks gents.

[@MischkaMunich]

Another great video with such an interesting content. What a cool watch... Thanks a lot! Greetings from Munich, Germany!

[@penngwinn]

I got myself and a friend the Zeroo T4 from their Indiegogo campaign. I haven't picked it up yet from my friend's place, but I'm really excited to have a tourbillon. It's a Chinese Tourbillon in a watch assembled in Japan, and it didn't set me back $30k minimum, so I'm stoked.

[@humanitech]

Making innovative, interesting, accessible and cost effective products is always great, no matter what country they come from....As long as they are made well and work of course! And China is somewhat like Japan in the past....who also had rocky industrial start, but steadily refined, improved a got better in every aspect of product design, development, marketing and manufacture....and most importantly quality control. China's rapid growth is because they already had the core skills base and capacities .. so a lot of western companies set up direct technological and manufacturing partnerships there....and that has dramatically impacted and helped China make huge leaps and gains in a very short time. The only real issue and problem Chinese companies face internationally is that unlike the Japanese companies Chinese names and branding often just don't translate, sound or look right.

[@biffbifford402]

Still don’t understand how to tell the time on the Phantasos.

[@goldfools5445]

Have a look at San Martin. I bought one, a homage, they do make original designs as well. Not OTT watches you would never wear but good quality daily tool watches. After all, most people who work for a living, have a job. I don’t mean those who can afford high end watches because money comes easy when they extract it from hard working people, under the guise of a “profession” I digress. Plenty of watch reviewers seem impressed with the quality and specifications for the price.

[@kunzilla]

i know i'm a bit late here but according to the its official website, the company HQ is in Mass. US. Doesn't that make this an American brand?

[@marsrocket]

Xeric made some ridiculous claim about how many vendettas they were going to produce too. Unless they can get a tooling up for almost nothing, that can’t be true.

[@petererrichetti2918]

Thankyou Watchfinder. Please show some of the full crystal watches there are.

[@arnaudl8095]

We should make an association to ask a brand to make a watch close to the Urwerk without unnecessary complications...

[@gritnltw]

My father-in-law runs a manufacturing facility in Asia and visits China often. Just recently he mentioned the story of a supplier of his (metal) who eventually started making fake Rolex. During their meetings in the first years of their collaboration, that supplier has a very ambitious, restless person striving to get new Clients etc. Then, 2-3 years after his pivot to "watchmaking", that supplier arrived to the meeting with a Mercedes. A year later, he sent a driver to pick-up my father-in-law with a new car. During their meeting, he mentioned that Rolex had contacted him and "begged" him to stop copying as, even Rolex, had difficulty to say if these "Rolexes" where genuine or not. The next year my father-in-law, that supplier sent a driver, never showed up to the meeting, just called to say "go to that hotel, stay, consume whatever you want and everything is on me". Since then, they did not really got in touch again.

[@Youtubeuser1aa]

Um ok

[@javahaxxor]

Urwerk {insert model here} is my grail watch. I'm tempted to buy one of these, but the finish looks quite bad ..

[@harveysmith330]

Hi guys, brill video, where can you buy one of these watches.

[@stevenschrader5674]

Xeric released a wandering hour watch similar to this last year. It is an excellent watch and arguably better looking than this one.

[@archiegoodwinjr]

I am in agreement, but Xeric's is much more expensive. Does Xeric use discs the way AP and Urwerk did? This Phantasos appears to use tumblers similar to more recent Urwerks.

[@stevenschrader5674]

@@archiegoodwinjr Yeah, I agree, the retail price of Xeric are more expensive due to their home location being the US. They do often have exceptional launch pricing though. The Vendetta (wandering hour) retails for $1,500, but at launch it was $750. I bought the Rose gold one and the craftsmanship is exceptional for a "cheap" watch. The hour rotators are slightly different in that they're positioned on a wheel rather than a drum, but the concept it the same.

[@isidrosevier1125]

I wish they would make that fan looking wheel spin around as the second hand.

[@gmartirosyan]

Andrew and Tom, did you buy them?

[@stevemoreno6241]

Very interesting watches. China has been producing various tiers of quality goods. Based strictly on quality they will eventually match or surpass the current respected regions of fine luxury timepieces. Although, like a lot of people's hang-ups regarding Seiko not being Swiss, there will always be those that will regard a Chinese made watch as inferior simply because it's not Swiss.

[@StuntpilootStef]

Why don't the Chinese make their own watches? They do!

[@NicolasSilvaVasault]

that urwerk looks sick, i would totally believe someone wearing that if he told me he came from the future

[@ALEXGIBSONCMG]

I love the chinese automatics, ive got pagani skeletons, winner automatics, A Geya Gmax AP homage. Its a good market for the humble beginner watch collectior.

[@respina1254]

Going vintage is a good move for beginners too. Lots of lost Swiss brands that used to be worth their salt circulate around the internet and while searching for them, you'll find tidbits of cool watch and brand history. I find it to be much more fulfilling coming from a former replica advocate myself.

[@Changas_]

This reminds me of the Xeric microbrand which has been around for a little bit (2013) and costs $1.5k

[@geoffwatches]

I'd rock it probably. Way before a diesel or a fossil that's for sure. But I would sooner rock a prx. $679 now on their website, you pushed the price up $80 with this video! Maybe.

[@petrduchac2580]

It would be great if you make review like this to have the watch available so we can actually see it. Quality is the main question.

[@iomarcoumberto]

Not available yet, delivery will be after june 30 2022

[@hawkyeagle7]

DO NOT PURCHASE. I fell for this piece and went to their website for purchase. I later found out this brand has 2 websites which is already fishy, and both of their customer support emails are not responding to any of my inquiry. At this point Im pretty sure I'm scammed.

[@Manc-fh5we]

Waiting 4 months now. No reply to email and live chat doesn’t work.

[@morgan97475]

If I were one that enjoyed the funky, Urwerk design, I'd probably go for this watch.

[@Chalky-t5c]

Bought one of these today, 14/07/22. Will write a little review here when it arrives and I've worn it a few times.

[@Youtubeuser1aa]

Do it

[@Manc-fh5we]

Waiting 4 months now. No reply to email and live chat doesn’t work.

[@Chalky-t5c]

@@Manc-fh5we from what I've read that is quite normal. Their customer service is shit. Hang in there mate, you're further down the line than me.

[@Manc-fh5we]

@@Chalky-t5c Thanks for your reply Peter. I’m not so much concerned about the actual delay. More the non functioning live chat and not replying to email queries. It doesn’t bode well for if there are any actual problems with the product if and when it ever arrives.

[@Chalky-t5c]

@@Manc-fh5we I know what you mean and my Mrs is getting very twitchy and talking about pulling the plug, but there are some reassuring reviews on reddit. I'll try and forward a link.

[@mayukhbari]

HW Opus series watches are out of the world

[@Manc-fh5we]

Buyer beware! No sign of delivery after 3 months. Live chat not working and company does not reply to emails

[@frankcastora8348]

Great topic presented in an honest and balanced way. Progress… we all get better, we all win in the end.

[@fifthpint4571]

I actually like this one. Wonder how long they quote for delivery nowadays (Shanghai…?)

[@tefmuzik]

What's the watch with the earth as a dial? I'm interested in that one

[@pauldavies8041]

Ciga Design "Blue Planet".

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

The Chinese didn't have the capacity to make the cages for ballpoint pens until 2017, owing to the high quality of steel and precise machining that was necessary. I'm actually surprised they have come this far on horology in the interim.

[@mohammadmehranhussain2922]

Because this is not manufactured in China, its manufactured in HK. These guys got the facts wrong.

[@uchihasasuke7436]

Can we get a source for that one?

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

@@uchihasasuke7436 Source for what one?

[@gori277]

@@mohammadmehranhussain2922 Hong Kong is in China, mate.

[@OYOYification]

@@mohammadmehranhussain2922 by analogy, a factory in LA must be better than a factory in the US? lol

[@JT-ds2gn]

One thing that no one seems to discuss when talking about Chinese watches is the conditions and exploitation in these factories. If a tourbillon is made at a 600 dollar price point, that's not a good thing. It just shows how underpaid the workers are.

[@mitchmitchell9588]

You make an excellent point in a succinct way. Perhaps few will want to discuss, but let's keep raising the issues nonetheless!

[@alectang1614]

Not all Chinese companies underpay their staff. Sure, they get paid less in China but that's because the price of goods in China is also lower. A salary of £800 a month in China buys you a lot! There's a reason why China's economy at PPP is the world's highest - they can afford most things in China with the amount they earn there. Unlike the US and the UK etc.

[@mitchmitchell9588]

@@alectang1614 You are right. Some companies in China don't pay their workers at all, like in Xinjiang. Some workers get free housing. They can sleep on a mat on the factory floor during COVID lockdowns. It's great!

[@andrewegan7011]

Rudyard Kipling was an Indian author.

[@enderlain385]

The hard work is thinking up a new style. just copying it is easier even with some upgrades or changes

[@TheRealStructurer]

I was working several years in China and they have some good watches, but this one doesn't ring my bell... For me it looks like a Frankenwatch, put together with bits and pieces of other watches, crowned with a big fat logo (glow in the dark as cream on the pudding). Yes products made in China can have really good quality, but they are not (yet!) there when it comes to overall product design and brand message. If the companies making these watches will survive and can learn, they can produce great product in the future once they find their own identity. Great video though and thanks for covering these kind of watches 👍🏻

[@CyberSammael]

I backed this on KS so I should get mine in a month or two. The company produced a couple of wandering hands watches but this one really caught my eye. Looking forward to getting it in hand.

[@sinkitlim8572]

hi. how was it thus far ?

[@CyberSammael]

@@sinkitlim8572 I love it. I got the Viridian on a bracelet. The finishing is above any KS watch at that price point. Very happy with mine, and I would pick up a second if I hadn't already backed another Wandering Hour watch recently.

[@sinkitlim8572]

@@CyberSammael wow.sounds like an amazing deal. thank u

[@sinkitlim8572]

@@CyberSammael how do we go back to them if something goes wrong with the timepiece ?

[@CyberSammael]

@@sinkitlim8572 They have an email to contact and they seem to be pretty good about QC and returns... although I haven't had to test that.

[@mattmoxhay750]

Gorilla Watches came out with a similar version to what the Phantasos a few years back. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on their watches.

[@user-zz6iv2ou6f]

Lot of these watches go under the “things to not waste your money on now” category. Would rather save my cash for the one thing I really love.

[@g30rg3-c5]

Great content as usual! - thank you guys 🙏

[@antiquefreak3128]

I am loving the Chinese watches. They will be the most sought after watches within 10 years.

[@Rextter]

Selling for £1600 in the UK or $1000 direct from them

[@frozenfenix0]

As someone who just likes having a collection of cool pieces this is almost an automatic buy. Ofc there's nothing cool about piss poor quality imo so I'll have my eye on this one for now.

[@northscylla]

I'm a fellow collector of interestingly designed watches so I was curious, what are some of the ones you have?

[@mkxair]

Be aware - Sadly they don’t ship the watch or respond to messages 6 months after sending the payment!

[@LambentOrt]

That's a bit rich saying that no one from India can write a book. A few have even won the Booker Prize.

[@jeremyestevinho9425]

I can tell you I was at Geneva watch days and I met Urwerk and it’s an amazing brand with an amazing quality so the price he is justified

[@UnburdenedByWhatHasBeen]

the US qualifications to be stamped "American made" is pretty strict. im sure there is chinese sourced ingredients but only to a small point. swiss made on the other hand is entirely different and u better believe a lot of swiss brands are sourcing material, a good portion of material from china. id bet swatch group brands are probably the biggest offenders of this.

[@worldrecord54]

Look , a watch still tells time. It always comes down to the eye Does it dazzle the senses I've owned clocks watches that did this. When the watch does teleport Then that will be something people will clamor for

[@Edmund_Mallory_Hardgrove]

That is an incredible watch for an incredible price. I want one.

[@marsrocket]

You’re probably too young to remember Japan’s auto and electronics reputation as it built up in the late ‘50s to the ‘80s. The same thing will happen with China.

[@ThuTroothHurtz]

Tried to place an order and it didn't go through. Called their phone number (Concord, MA) and it was a recording for a Doctor's office. Sketchy.

[@1985erikt]

Some guy was upset I wasn't driving fast enough, so he cut me off, and screamed at me to suck his Harry Winston. I have a feeling he wasn't talking about his watch.

[@mr.j8356]

These look like batman would wear them :D Love the unique take on watch design :)

[@hjk5387]

You’ve never heard of Salman Rushdie?

[@tobiasberggren5596]

There are two phantasos websites, are they both legit ?

[@jdoublehjdoubleh]

I’m unsure what is going on but there is ONLY one official website for Phantasos

[@jdoublehjdoubleh]

Only the website with ES AT THE END IS LEGIT

[@Manc-fh5we]

Waiting 4 months now. No reply to email and live chat doesn’t work.