Why WatchGang Sucks! Stewart Dawson & Co Voyager Dual Time Zone - Perth WAtch

[@ColinRobinson92]

Happy Holidays, Ivan!

[@PerthWAtch]

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a happy new year Brian!

[@damianwims]

Glad to see chronometer spec Miyota 8215 finally showing up in some affordable watches. Hate seeing it limited to APs and Pateks.

[@PerthWAtch]

AP and Patek don’t bother with this certification coz those suckers buy it just for the brand. Chronometer rating is for the more discerning buyer of brands such as Stewart Dawson & Co ;)

[@damianwims]

@@PerthWAtch Stewart Dawson is actually the name of a nice chain of Jewelries here in NZ. Bet they are delighted with the use of their name.

[@PerthWAtch]

Ah I see… I guess that’s where the “& Co, London” comes in, helping to different class from riff raff

[@WATCHingJames]

Great to hear your thoughts about this. I have not tried them but assumed that would be the outcome

[@PerthWAtch]

It’s a shocker for sure

[@charleschuang4865]

Thanks for the review. I always have my doubt on watch gang and your experience confirms my suspicion.

[@PerthWAtch]

Most welcome! :)

[@pauldevey8628]

Poor value. Low specs. Obnoxious averts. You are very kind in your review.

[@PerthWAtch]

😂

[@trogpo]

I see in Stewart Dawson & Co's catalogue that one of their watches, which houses an SW200/ETA2428, is called "Darkest Hour". Clearly, this name is much more appropriate for a 600$ watch that houses a Miyota 8000 movement.

[@PerthWAtch]

😂😂

[@j.harbottle8928]

Merry Christmas Perth Watch, appreciate the review ! I reckon they've cobbled that watch together from a load of other stock parts, weird that the bracelet is the best part, it's similar to the Tudor bb58 one, minus the rivets, they have ceramic bearings also, but certainly more pricey !

[@PerthWAtch]

Merry Christmas to you also! It might be similar to that Tudor, but the Tudor has a heck of a lot more on offer for the price.

[@j.harbottle8928]

@@PerthWAtch too right, got one to prove that ! God Bless you and your family on this Special day 🎄🎄

[@j.harbottle8928]

Sorry about the double reply tech issues, or rather me issues!

[@ozludo]

That's remarkably bad for the money - I paid about that for an NTH Amphion, which homages the Milsub much better. Great video Ivan - Happy Holidays

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks mate - wishing you a blessed Christmas and safe new year!

[@gregburville3368]

Great review Ivan. Slab sided and sterile caseback, exactly like a Tudor Blackbay. That bezel looked dark green sometimes, or was that my eyes playing tricks? Chronometer? I'd loved to have seen the looks in their eyes when that landed at the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètre for certification. 😂😂

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha yeah I love it when people use fancy words they don't understand :) I think the light might sometimes make it look green in that video but it's probably just plant in the background reflecting...?

[@markloubser2433]

How do you get chronometer performance from that movement?........

[@PerthWAtch]

You do not. This a good example of how writing something on an item does not make it that. Like sticking Ferrari on my Honda 😂

[@ShanayaShah5]

I agree with you This is not a premium watch and it is still available on their site as premium select. I have a question how did you cancel the subscription? Did they charge you anything?

[@PerthWAtch]

Mate I’m a reviewer, not a standard consumer. They reached out to me to collaborate.

[@SilverKeyMan]

When the Watch Gang Black was $100 USD, they sent me a Dufa Tauchen Mecha-Quartz, which is a 42mm 3-hand watch that absolutely hugs my 6.25" wrist due to the extreme downturn in the lugs. This watch is by far the most comfortable watch I've ever owned, and well worth the $100 I spent. ...also the only watch I have left in my collection after a full year of Watch Gang...

[@PerthWAtch]

Did you end up cancelling after 1 year?

[@SilverKeyMan]

@@PerthWAtch Yeah... I kept getting 42mm watches, and the quality was going downhill. I jumped ship right before they hiked the price up to $150.

[@Box_13]

Funny part is it isn't just a derivative design, but a derivative of a derivative design since it looks like it could be part of the Ginault line. I think the only way I would do watchgang is a one time wheel spin if they had a brand I was keen on. Thanks for the review and the thoughts.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for the thoughts - yeah it’s a copy of a copy of a copy 😂

[@ozludo]

There is no comparison with Ginault - this thing is like a walrus next to an otter.

[@PerthWAtch]

I can’t tell which one is supposed to be better! 😂

[@ozludo]

@@PerthWAtch the skinny one

[@WastingTime1878]

When I first saw the ad, this is what I exactly thought it would be. Not surprised.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah… it is disappointing.

[@michaelj8793]

I don't think I've heard anything from anyone that have gotten involved with this apparent loss of control on getting watches you'll actually wear and be proud of the gamble that you made with your hard earned money This watch is a perfect example I don't think many people would actually buy this watch Aliexpres is about the only gamble I've been willing to take and I haven't had a single regret Especially with all the reviews on KZbin Thanks for sharing your experience with us Greatly Appreciated my friend and Happy New Year my friend 👍

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that - wishing you a joyous and safe new year!

[@watchalot919]

I tested an 8215 against an NH35 using a timegrapher, and surprisingly the positional variance on the Miyota was much better, however, no hacking or hand winding. That said, agree, for a watch at that price a minimum of a Miyota 9000 would be expected. Ultimately, it's just another Subby homage, and there are better for less than half that price

[@finesse49]

I have a watch with the 821A derivative - hacks, hand winds and keeps very good time

[@PerthWAtch]

For this price from a micro or unknown brand, the market expectation would for a genuine Sellita I reckon

[@alexsdg3441]

What is this? A homage to Ginault Ocean Rover? Same hands, indices and even red second hand & First red colored line…etc Also, with that $700 price tag, I can not believe that they are using miyota 8 series instead of 9 series. Tisell which costs $250 even uses 9 series Miyota. Honestly when I look the dial, it reminded me of Ginault. When I look at the bracelet fit & finish, it really reminded me of Corgeut. I remember that I had bought a Corgeut (Tudor homage) and it had exact same bracelet & very similar clasp. And that was less than $100. Another thing, personally, I think the name on the dial is just too long. It really screws up the look (symmetry) of the dial. There is just so much wrong about the watch and I have absolutely no idea where they came out with $700 price tag. It is a shame to bring that kind of watch with that price. Nonetheless, thank you for your honest review, Ivan. Merry Christmas!

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks Alex - yeah I get what you mean about it being similar to the Ginault, however the quality and specs fall FAR short. At this price it should have been a genuine Sellita movement, ceramic bezel, and better finishing. Watch needs to be thinner also. I don’t get the thought process behind this - maybe it’s a practical joke?? Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a safe new year!

[@jonbravo6262]

Great assessment! This is a a $60 Corgeut AliX clone special with a StewDaw dial ‘n etch package .. I have vintage Stewart Dawson watches form NZ & AU of good quality… maybe someone’s bought the name…

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah, that sounds curious… has the name been around for long?

[@jonbravo6262]

@@PerthWAtch yeah… Not sure who owns the English brand… Originally “This business was founded in 1872, by Mr. Stewart Dawson, at 20 Hatton Garden, London, E.C. Since then branches have been established in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Dunedin branch was opened in December, 1902.” In NZ the Pascoe Group own the brand along with Pascoes Jewellers. Great history for marketing on par with Swiss?

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah money can’t buy history, that’s for sure… but I guess it can buy the name and claim the history! Not to mention they really should’ve paid for better design, quality, movement… better everything!

[@khronokraze]

Not just watch gang, but, I feel most subscription services that send you fairly random items.. sometimes (very few apart) cool, often mostly forgettable items to be a complete waste of your time and especially your money. I'd rather look for specific items that I really want than what ends up to be a drawer, table top, closet, whatever full of dismissive crap. I don't like the idea to pay for someone else to shop for me and come back with lame items. I don't see the appeal, excitement and personal gratification of taking yourself out of the shopping equation, other than to put out the cash for it, and let someone else do the leg work... And probably a lazy half-assed effort at that. Back to watches specifically, this should be a hobby to put your own personal spin and carve your own path and journey. Do the homework and live and learn your own way. And don't believe you're going to be one of those rare statistics that will actually get a luxury watch as the motivation to dive in and continue such subscription service nonsense. Going on your own, you may make some mistakes along the way.. but, that's how you learn and discover what your true tastes are and shape the collection organically by your own choices, for better or worst. I feel sorry you had to endure this so that others may not have to. Thanks for your service.

[@PerthWAtch]

Fully agree with what you said mate, well put! I hope this review helps people steer away!

[@3rdstone1]

Well said. This is exactly what I always felt about Watchgang, including the part of eventually getting a luxury watch.

[@CaoimhinKay]

Reminds me of a yet another Chinese homage. Wonder if it comes from a similar manufacture. Thanks for the video

[@PerthWAtch]

Which one?

[@bluecollarwatches7048]

solar time limited provides about 90% of watchgangs watches, they get them by the shipping container full from china, i researched them a bit, they pay pennies on the dollar for those watches.

[@PerthWAtch]

Dunno about 90% but sure seems quite a proportion. I see quite a lot of Melbourne Watch Co also in there. So basically, it’s a scam.

[@bluecollarwatches7048]

@@PerthWAtch when I joined them I didn’t expect every watch to be a home run, at black tier all I got were cheap quartz watches and their advertising showed a lot of automatics, so I did 1 platinum tier watch to get an automatic, it was junk. So I a total of 3 watches and I don’t wear any of them, complete waste of money.

[@jamessmith6402]

Good looking watch but not worth the money 👍 thanks Ivan for the great videos this year and happy Christmas and New Year

[@PerthWAtch]

Cheers mate - wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas also! :)

[@briancolyer8483]

Not a good impression at all my friend....where as I don't actually have an issue with the 8215, like you I agree it must be in an appropriately priced watch....even Ali express brands have moved on in general from it....gutted for you, straight flip here I'd have thought.... Seasonal greetings and best wishes to you, your family and everyone on our watch community....🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that mate - wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas!

[@jeffreywaser8371]

Ive tried all 3 tiers of watchgang. 3 months of entry level, was not worth it. Had the platinum level for 1 year and it was ok, i kept 4 watches from that year. I gave the rest away as gifts (wouldn't recommend). Ive had the black level for about 2 years. I still pay the $115 (grandfathered in from before the price jump). I keep every other watch. Im coming up on around 30 watches from them. My favorites are selectron, pure dial, several graytons (all auto), and some other ok micro brands. Overall if you like micro brands, it might be for you. You're not going to get a great deal or value, the company is in business to make money at your expense. Some people love it, i dont. I may have it a lil longer but by end of the year itll be done.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience - much appreciated!

[@watchnut5305]

The bracelet looks to be an exact copy of my tudor black bay bracelet.

[@PerthWAtch]

That’s an insult… to your Tudor.

[@justjoshuaaa]

I did black tier a few times and can’t sell them or trade them to save my life

[@PerthWAtch]

Yep, that’s pretty much what I said ;)

[@Jwiggy8573]

I've been looking into it and watching "platinum level" unboxings, website says up to $1500 value. Every watch I've seen unboxed retails on the manufacturer site at $150, sometimes less. Decided not to waste my money. I'll just take the money I would pay for the subscription and buy myself a nice watch that I actually want. Seems like a total ripoff.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for sharing that - $150 value would be even worse than this disappointment I got, that’s like a Pagani Design or Cadisen! 😱

[@jeffschauble2110]

They removed the word Chronometer from the watch now.

[@PerthWAtch]

Better. But still sucks 😆

[@brianmccord7387]

I appreciate that the model number is ASS 01. You’d have to be a number one ass to spend that much money on a Miyota 8000 series watch.

[@PerthWAtch]

Oh darn, I should’ve played on that! Missed opportunity 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@bhoustonjr]

I did 1 year of Watch gang when they first started and I found that the watches were not worth the value they claimed. It is truly a a bait and switch, program. If the people were to save up the money they spent on watch gang after a year they could buy a really nice proper value watch for what they spent.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for sharing that insight - good and important to know!

[@darrenak9378]

Looks like it's made of 'off the shelf' Chinese factory parts thrown together. The bracelet doesn't match the watch head and looks like it doesn't fit the case. perfectly. I think the price tag they show on the Stuart Dawson site is a marketing strategy, knowing that they are going to shift most of these through 3rd party bargain companies and the price on their site validates that it is a bargain. Incidentally companies/people are selling them through eBay new for $200-$300.

[@PerthWAtch]

I disagree - for the WatchGang subscription price of $320-400, this is a ripoff, not a bargain. In fact, for the eBay price you quoted of $200, it is still a ripoff 😂😂

[@brianmccord7387]

I’m sometimes tempted to lowball people who are clearly dumping Watchgang fails. This would be a classy beater for $150!

[@PerthWAtch]

$100

[@theordinarywatches1216]

Looks like a copy of Tudor black bay 41mm. Case, case back, bracelet, clasp are the copied.

[@PerthWAtch]

Amazing!

[@RabbitWatchShop]

yeah... willing to bet those components were sourced from a factory in china that makes low end tudor fakes. a few companies on ali express have admitted to doing this

[@ColinRobinson92]

Yikes, a big nope on this one. The tight bezel might have been their solution to back play, I can forgive the plain case back, but my God, that 8215 movement in a supposedly $600 watch? and the pathetic finishing? Inexcusable at that price.

[@PerthWAtch]

Back play is only of concern in unidirectional bezels… this one is bidirectional… But yeah, this is a ridiculous rip off!

[@lefroy1]

I'd feel a lot happier about getting this from a WatchGang platinum subscription if they'd put an RRP of $10,000 on it.

[@PerthWAtch]

😂🤣

[@LymanPhillips]

Ugh! This watch isn't worth $600! Appalling movement. The case finishing is pretty bad - it looks like something on a plated brass case. The knurling on the bezel looks pretty bad too. For 1/3 that price, you could get a San Martin with a better movement, a better finished case and a sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yep, totally agreed!

[@mattgrez]

I just got it 😩. What a great platinum member watch....

[@PerthWAtch]

For your sake I hope you didn’t get this same watch!

[@mattgrez]

I did, in blue...

[@PerthWAtch]

My commiserations :(

[@joncardell]

Same here. This watch but in blue. My second shipment in platinum tier. I did this as a fun way to try new brands but I’m probably canceling after this. Live and learn.

[@PerthWAtch]

My commiserations to you also :(

[@syndicatedsatellite7288]

That watch would go for just a little over $100 bucks on AliExpress...

[@PerthWAtch]

Quite possibly less

[@Toogoodtobetrue458]

Sounds like some invicta retail pricing- you can put any retail price on everything and anything. Retail pricing can be a bit of a joke. Just gotta laugh.

[@PerthWAtch]

Some are more joke than others

[@geratkopfe]

For 320 US one could just buy a decent Glycine, Hammy, or Seiko. Would be disappointed as a WG subscription offering.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah the scam is that they claim to send watches “up to $1500 value” which takes you into Rado and entry level Longines territory - I can be happy with that. But not with a sub $100 value POS.

[@justice1902]

I stopped subscribing to watchgang after they sent me a box that contained nothing but a persons' hair.

[@PerthWAtch]

Oh wow! Did they claim it was from a celebrity or something??

[@justice1902]

@@PerthWAtch haha, no. I did receive a refund after having to send photos, they claimed it was something that happened during transit. I had my doubts.

[@PerthWAtch]

Ah the old blame the postman trick! 😂

[@1183tn]

Signing up to pay for some $200 a month subscription to get $50 watches... Every month. Makes sense.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yep… they suck :)

[@barryvercueil2346]

WtF??? This is 80$ Aliexpress watch. It's a Blackbay Heritage Homage rebranding. Definitely a scam. Good video. Cheers

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks mate - who do you think is doing the scamming? Watch Gang or Mr Dawson?

[@stormblessed2321]

Yup, I just got a green faced voyager as my first watch from WG. Very disappointed. I'm lucky that I only spent $200 for the platinum tier. It was either a sale or my first-time member discount. This is absolutely disgusting. This watch is actually less than $300. Boo Wg, booo! Off to cancel my subscription.

[@PerthWAtch]

I feel you man. WG sucks.

[@nicks8026]

In other news, the sky is blue and water is wet.

[@PerthWAtch]

Poor boy, did someone force you to watch this?

[@thegorn]

What's a watch gang? Never heard of them.

[@PerthWAtch]

Now you have 😂

[@tedblack2415]

Man did i LOL when you mentioned the price then the movement ... who on earth actually bothers with this 'ere "watchgang" ? ..nice dial etc but what a joke. Hope it doesn't spoil your christmas

[@PerthWAtch]

It nearly did but I’m glad to say my constitution held up

[@dude28405]

If you have an 8200 series in a watch over $200 you’ve been hosed in my humble opinion

[@PerthWAtch]

Yep that’s what I said

[@dude28405]

@@PerthWAtch indeed you did I completely agree the closer you get to $200 the rest of the watch better be stellar. It’s my least favorite acceptable movement. I feel it’s a throwaway movement for a throwaway watch

[@robertnorth1681]

If this was a Chinese watch (officially) it would be $150.

[@PerthWAtch]

Less probably

[@johnmonachelli5256]

A 50 dollar ali piece would eat its lunch

[@PerthWAtch]

“Eat it’s lunch”!? 😂

[@bluecollarwatches7048]

with a different band, that a $60 aliexpress watch all day, best thing about it is the band, maybe a $45 band. i did watchgang for 3 months and they are a ripoff, search solar time limited and you'll see where all their watches come from. their not real mico brands, most of them anyway I never got anything worth the subscription price, got 2 black tier and 1 platinum tier and i bailed. they prey on new watch collecters, and a 8215 in what they claim is a $650 watch, thats a crime in itself. i was mad i got a nh35 it what they claimed was a $1200 watch at platinum tier..

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for sharing your experience - it’s shocking to put an NH35 and claim $1200 price tag!

[@bluecollarwatches7048]

@@PerthWAtch solar time, where 90% of watch gang watches come from, buy out defunct Watch trademarks or abandoned trademarks that have history or at least older trademarks so they can claim history. These really are AliExpress watches, and the current $149 and $399 tier prices are crazy, $149 plus shipping will get you a seiko 5 at minimum, $399 could get you a tissot or Hamilton.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah, so basically it’s a scam!

[@bluecollarwatches7048]

@@PerthWAtch yes, absolutely! Out of curiosity I searched the trademark registration on a lot of the watch brands that watch gang has and their all owned by solar time limited, then as you search solar time limited their biggest customer is watch gang. About 85% of what they sell it to watch gang, and they ship them via shipping containers to them, tens of thousands of watches. If you get into it you can even find the bill of lading and what ship and port it comes in to. And yes I briefly fell for their scam, never got a watch worth the subscription price.

[@PerthWAtch]

Interesting - even Melbourne Watch Co is owned by Solar Time?

[@mikehaller8407]

I should have watched this video before purchasing. The company blows.

[@PerthWAtch]

My commiserations…

[@MikeyK70]

just got one of these and immediately canceled my subscription. Knew this watch was bullshit!

[@PerthWAtch]

This watch or this Watch Gang?

[@spikeyflo]

A bit of a large clunker. Plain case back very disappointing. Great review, if overly generous.

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha thanks - guess I should’ve trashed it even more than I did!

[@philspencelayh5464]

Who wants a random watch every month? According to the website it has either a 2824 or sw200 inside so could be a chronometer but doesn't look like 28,800bph. Looks more like an cheap chinese job.

[@PerthWAtch]

Which website are you looking at mate? Probably best just to use my links - I assure you it ain't no Swiss movement in there. FYI - a watch *must* be Swiss made to be allowed to use the term "Chronometer".

[@udojager2673]

Just to expensive.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yes

[@mattys1467]

Dreadful value

[@PerthWAtch]

Yes

[@nonyabusiness3605]

Crap

[@PerthWAtch]

That’s what I said

[@Resdue007]

$250 usd..

[@PerthWAtch]

No, less.