Most Unique Pilot Watch on AliExpress! Any good?

[@WatchWitt]

Power reserve update: from fully wound to completely stopped, this movement came in at 56 hours!

[@barryblais3841]

I know this was posted four months ago, but if you don't mind me asking, to be on the safe side, how many times should It be wound to be considered fully wound? Sorry, I only own automatics, so I'm not Really knowledgeable enough with a mechanical winding watch. I should be receiving this watch tomorrow. 😊

[@WatchWitt]

From completely dead, it's about 25 full rotations of the crown. Just go slow after you've wound it for a bit, then STOP when you feel the slightest bit of resistance. Of course, you can also just stop winding short of that, then turn it every so often while you're wearing it.

[@WATCHingJames]

This one is my favorite all time watch from AliExpress and one of my favorites in my collection. I’ve had mine for a few years and continue to be impressed by it. Great to see this one being reviewed by others now. For such a long time it was just me trying to convince everyone how good it is.

[@WatchWitt]

Couldn't agree more! I remember seeing your video. I'm surprised it's been a sleeper since then. Seems to have decent sales numbers, so maybe it's just been quietly successful. This sale price should help bring in a few new fans! I'm definitely enjoying it...built well and looks great! I feel like they used to use a different movement???

[@Menruleall]

I've seen 3 different designs to this movement in pictures.

[@WatchWitt]

I've seen two. The more recent videos on KZbin show THIS movement, so I'm wondering if there was a change at some point, or if one or the other is a "generic" movement? This is my first experience with this caliber.

[@megasoid]

You helped me seal the deal on this one as well, beautiful watch.

[@chipster52284]

Just bought one and got it today a week early. Absolutely incredible. I grabbed the blue no logo version, and it’s a very dark blue that only pops in the sunlight. I rubbed some saddle soap on both sides of the band and worked it in and it already has a nice broken in look and matches the dial in a very vintage looking style. Highly highly recommend and thank you for the great review and recommendation.

[@WatchWitt]

Just a hidden AliExpress gem! This watch looks good on lots of other straps too, since that blue comes off as a bit of black sometimes. Glad you're enjoying it!

[@Gnap530]

Great review and this one looks gorgeous!

[@WatchWitt]

I love the homage pieces that are a little off the radar...yes, this one's a looker!

[@hugo2fiscalrn]

Great review! I’ve bought the same but no logo. Fantastic watch. Congratulations for your good work and thanks

[@WatchWitt]

No logo is a great option for those that want a simple dial, or just don't like the name. This style of watch was traditionally blank anyway! Thanks for your compliment!

[@walkaroundwatches]

Got to say that turbine is super cool. LOOOOOOVE the crown too 😮

[@WatchWitt]

It's done nicely...have to say I like this turbine better than the IWC. And it's subtly flashy without being kitschy. This crown is perfect for hand winding. Nice and big, sticks out from the case, and grippy knurling.

[@rauliorga3823]

Power reserve is usually a whopping 56-57h on those calibers.

[@WatchWitt]

Thanks for the info...I couldn't find anything definitive. I had heard of 50+ but others were getting 36. I'll have to time this one on my own!

[@WatchWitt]

I tested this one...56 hours exactly!

[@jasonbostock408]

Great review as always. It looks like a nice watch overall

[@WatchWitt]

Thanks! 👍Definitely well made...!

[@chillausmc]

I love it. I wish this was done by more prominent watch brands. Yo Hamilton! Do a turbine second hand pilot with a fat crown!

[@christianaviles2199]

It's a clomage of an IWC limited edition watch. Of course the original costs in the thousands, hope you've saveed up.

[@WatchWitt]

That would be cool! I like this actual turbine better than the IWC it's paying homage to.

[@WatchWitt]

Yeah, aren't they OVER $100k??? I think there are only 51 pieces of the latest edition.

[@TALKCalgary]

One of my favorite watches.

[@WatchWitt]

Me too! This is one of those budget watches that looks/feels WAY more premium than its price.

[@TimeToGoTravelAndTimepieces]

I like it. Cool small seconds 👌

[@WatchWitt]

It’s crazy that this turbine looks more detailed than the original! I’m sure the IWC is cleaner, though, obviously.

[@gregtolley3455]

Hroudland is the old French spelling of Roland and they took the name from 'The Song of Roland.'

[@WatchWitt]

Wow, that's cool...didn't know that. The gentleman I was communicating with just mentioned that the name doesn't translate well. Road-land was my best take at the pronunciation of that spelling.

[@aajayi]

I would like to buy this watch but unfortunately it appears to be manual hand winding only and no automatic movement 😞🤔. Can someone please advise me?

[@WatchWitt]

Yes, it's hand winding only. This is a pocket watch movement. The power reserve is about 56 hours though! I just give it a few turns each morning and it never stops on me, unless I don't wear it for a few days.

[@aajayi]

@ thanks for your speedy response. I really like it but I’m going to sleep over it and make a decision tomorrow! 🤔

[@aajayi]

Actually, I’ve decided to bite the bullet. I’ve just placed an order now so if it all goes wrong, I guess I can blame you.! 🤣🤣🤣

[@WatchWitt]

Haha! No, you can only blame me if you would've slept on it! 😂 Well, it's a charming movement and adds to the overall character of this watch. I think you'll like it, especially if you're only used to automatics. The 56 hour power reserve will be a little forgiving if you forget to wind one morning.

[@aajayi]

@ okay thanks. I’ll let you know how I get on in a couple of weeks once it’s delivered. 😊

[@wayne6981]

I've bought one on both your's and "WatchingJames" channel reviews. Can't wait to get hold of it. Great review to by the way. Look forward to more from your channel.

[@WatchWitt]

Man, I know you're going to love it...it's a sleeper great watch! Thanks for your compliments and it's great to have you along.

[@priyanka-em2vp]

That's awesome 💯

[@WatchWitt]

Really caught me by surprise...it's even nicer in person than it presented itself online.

[@priyanka-em2vp]

@@WatchWitt AliExpress sometimes does a good job 🤣

[@WatchWitt]

@priyanka-em2vp I've got a couple more coming in that are little more on the pricey side for Ali, but look very promising.

[@priyanka-em2vp]

@@WatchWitt all the best 👍

[@davidgarza995]

should i get the blue one or black one?

[@WatchWitt]

Only YOU know! 😂 I favor the blue dial, which almost looks black in certain light. I think the black dial has a blue handset though, so maybe that's the difference you focus on. Which handset do you like better?

[@Menruleall]

I'm a HUGE fan of this watch. I have watches that are more expensive, and less expensive, and every time I look down at my wrist with those other watches on, I silently wish I were wearing this one. The turbine is the least interesting aspect to me, but every thing else about it is just dazzling.

[@WatchWitt]

There's definitely something endearing about this watch. I'm supposed to be wearing some other watches that I'm reviewing right now, but I've been wearing this one since I opened it! I'm attracted to the turbine, but I do enjoy the touch of polishing on the dial...dresses it up a bit!

[@megasoid]

I said this elsewhere. The Hruodland may be my first AliExpress purchase.

[@WatchWitt]

That'd be a good one! It's so different than other AliExpress offerings. The movement choice adds some charm to it, too.

[@megasoid]

@@WatchWitt Just arrived, love this watch which is better than it has any right to be.

[@WatchWitt]

Glad to hear! You've set the bar high pretty high for future AliExpress purchases. There are definitely some gems out there, though, just like this one is.

[@bigdreams5554]

Got this one with a sterile dial. Love it. The numbers could be a little larger though

[@WatchWitt]

I love everything about this watch! Really a hidden gem of AliExpress.

[@stevenfennell7020]

Just about to buy it but the link now shows it costing over 400 euro. What`s that about?

[@WatchWitt]

Weird. AliExpress is anything but consistent! But I'm showing my link as $127 USD right now, lower than I said it would be. If you want to try to find it on your own at the same store, here is a link to UTC Watches Store. Might be some difference between US and your locale when loading the page??? UTC Watches Store a.aliexpress.com/_mKaIaHa

[@TheSerbianG]

Can’t decide if to go with logo or no name. Hruodland is a name of a French knight. Also goes by the name Roland

[@WatchWitt]

Up to you...they both look great! This style of watch is pretty common to be sterile, so either option is fine.

[@TheSerbianG]

@@WatchWitt PULLED THE TRIGGER! Thank you for your review as I got the same one you have in the video. Needed to fill my Holme & Hadfield Legacy empty slot.

[@WatchWitt]

@TheSerbianG Well, I hope you love it as much as I do. Flat out the most charming watch I've had lately. From the turbine to the exhibition case back showing that great pocket watch movement.....just, YES!

[@TheSerbianG]

@@WatchWitt My only thing is that its $27 cheaper today vs what I paid 4 days ago. I reached out to get a partial refund but we will see what the store does.

[@WatchWitt]

I know the sale goes through 11/19, but the price changed DURING the sale? Or maybe you had it in your cart longer than the pre-sale period??? AliExpress vendors are all over the road.

[@1vegasdood]

I tried to comment twice but I was using hipster slang and it seemed my comments never showed up. In basic language, I was trying to say that you review some really cool watches and I have bookmarked this watch for a buy...but, with a sterile dial.

[@WatchWitt]

Ah, cool...thanks! On sale through June. I think the usual price is around $180. It was quite a bit more than that when it first came out.

[@1vegasdood]

@@WatchWitt Yes, your instructions in the text were very helpful including the coupon code. REALLY enjoy your channel dude. Content creation is way harder than most people can imagine but you make is seem like you just invited us over for a cup of coffee to talk about a new watch!

[@WatchWitt]

Thanks, man...that's the highest compliment you can pay me! My goal is just that...conversational, non pretentious, genuine. Just a couple of dudes nerding out over watches!

[@zosothezephead837]

I bought this watch and there's one minor, but annoying error. The fan is mounted back to front. Look at the shape of the blades in relation to the clockwise movement - they're not exactly aerodynamic!

[@WatchWitt]

Haha! I never thought of that. It still won't bug me, though. I think these blades actually look more appealing than the original. But other than blade angle, some turbines rotate clockwise while others rotate counter clockwise, so there was a 50/50 chance that was correct!

[@commentjedi]

Cool watch! But the hands are not the best quality. Although they do have great lume.

[@WatchWitt]

The hands look pretty good at normal viewing distance. Looking at macro level they're a little more dull than I'd expect, but not terrible...looks great in person! And while it doesn't match, I like that they put a pinion cap on, since there isn't a central seconds hand.

[@leahleefernandez418]

OMG how cooooool

[@WatchWitt]

Right?! I like the shot where I sped up the footage, so the blade is spinning quicker!

[@SlimDonni]

Such a shame the watch has a 50mm+ Lug to Lug, sadly a fraction to big for my 6.5 inch wrist. Otherwise it's a great looking watch.

[@WatchWitt]

Ahhh, bummer! I hear you...there are some small diameter watches that I crave sometimes too. Yes, this is a stunner of a budget watch!

[@bigdreams5554]

I also have 6.5" wrist... Watch looks fine. It has curved lugs that makes the watch look a little smaller and it works with my thinner wrists. Plus, the turbine is so cool who cares if it is on the larger side . The Casio Duro is almost the same size and this one wears much better than that one

[@LamarFaciane]

How can this be taken seriously with that name on the dial?

[@WatchWitt]

Haha! I hear you, but I've seen worse...so I've become a little immune to it. I thought it looked more put together than the sterile dial, so I went for it!

[@christianaviles2199]

Luckily there is a version without the branding. That's what I would go for.

[@gregtolley3455]

It's the old French spelling of Roland, they took it from 'The Song of Roland'. So obscure but makes a bit more sense if you know the story. Thing is Roland is known for his horn so smart money would leverage that as a logo.

[@cedricduyongco]

I went for the sterile dial. Flieger watches were originally sterile anyways as they were used in the German air force back then.

[@WatchWitt]

@cedricduyongco Great point. I like the classic look of this, too, but with a touch of bling from the polishing on the dial.

[@bjornhuijnen5044]

If it did not “look” like a expensive IWC, nobody would care, it is cheap and looks cheap. Developing a watch is expensive, coping a watch is cheap. Thank god the Chinese workers have the same pay and working conditions as the Swiss😂🤣

[@WatchWitt]

We have different opinions of what looks cheap! I think this looks great, for this price range.

[@bobjosephs8376]

I own this watch. I also own Cartiers and Omegas. This watch does not look cheap. The IWC model is limited to 51 pieces and is made only in platinum. It sells for $135,000.

[@WatchWitt]

That's one of the things that amazes me about this watch...the quality for this price. This thing has charm written all over it!

[@jrbj2000]

Ahhh look guys we have a watch novice pretending to be a watch snob. Keep those big shoes 🤡

[@talanjohn]

Great review video. I host the @realidealgear channel. If you’re interested, we could do a live stream video. Have a great weekend Witt and keep these churning out the great videos! Tim

[@WatchWitt]

Thanks for the kind words, Tim! I’ve managed to keep my mug off the internet this far….but thanks for the offer! I’m a recent subscriber to your channel too, I’ll be sure to take a look at some of your other videos; I like your outdoor style!