World's Cheapest Micro Rotor Watch? The $199 Lobinni!

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Very nice. One of my best Ali pick ups recently. Not perfect as will be discussed, but seriously interesting for $199. Cheers, Jody

[@HonestWatchReviewsHWR]

These are great movements. I have a couple of watches with it in my collection... One of these and a microbrand (not Baltic). I actually did a comparison review of them a while back now. Both are still going strong, with no issues at all. So, based on my experience they are reliable, as well as affordable.

[@lamboguy123]

What microbrand watch do you have with this movement?

[@HonestWatchReviewsHWR]

@@lamboguy123 The Sólás Starlight.

[@LauriKatajisto]

I had a very different experience with mine. Had it for few months and wore it maybe 10-15 times. After that it wouldn't start ticking after winding. Tried to contact the store but no help from them. Gave it to a hobby watchmaker to try and fix it but he couldn't do it.

[@HonestWatchReviewsHWR]

@@LauriKatajisto I'm sorry to hear that. Did your friend at least figure out what had happened to it?

[@LauriKatajisto]

@@HonestWatchReviewsHWR He said it was too dry. He broke something while assembling it back together so it was a total loss because spares are hard to get.

[@johndesmond1987]

I bought one of these about two years ago, and really like it. The movement is for sure the best point for this watch. It is available with a white dial, which would have been a better choice, as my gray dial version is often hard to read, as you pointed out.

[@egonpax]

This would be an insta-buy for me if they fixed the negatives you mentioned! No date and AR coating would be the most important things to me

[@AbstractMarcher]

Hard agree

[@lint2791]

Nah you wouldnt buy it youre broke af

[@jamesblonde2271]

That date windows a shocker! Apart from that cool af

[@UltraDoug]

Wow, aside from the legibility, for $200 it’s darn near exceptional! Reminds me a bit of my Longines Master 190th.

[@juliuscaesar8801]

I like the raised numbers. Makes a watch look and feel authentic, classy and gentleman.

[@adk7962]

9.8mm thick? Wow…Always enjoy learning about new watches and movements. Sapphire case back? You have quadruple the price before Seiko gives you a sapphire case front. Thanks for the review and bringing the watch to our attention.

[@kart182]

Yeah Seiko has fallen behind. Orient is more like it or Citizen even

[@adk7962]

@@kart182 You’re absolutely right. They are definitely not the bang for buck brand they used to be. I still love their watches though.

[@GinkgoJoe]

Kinda digging this 10pm vs 2am (@GMT - 5) scheduling change! Thanks, Jody! Cool rotor too....

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Yeah me too. Midday launch here in Oz.

[@WATCHingJames]

It is a great looking movement. Hope to see it used more

[@Sleightman3D]

I'm a movement nerd, so I picked up 2 of these watches: gray/gold and silver/white. It was the date complication on the grey dial, and feeling the same way about it as you, that I picked up the second version (silver/white) of the watch. The date works well on it, and I wear it to dressy affairs. The gray doesn't get a lot of wrist time. But I agree, the date is overkill on these watches. If the did the AR coating and even a lightly textured face, they'd have a winner. And yes, the OEM strap is... why did they bother?

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

I reviewed one of these last year. It definitely has its drawbacks however, for the price it's available for and what's on offer, I think it's a stunning deal

[@eurovnik]

I love micro rotors! Great to see an affordable modern one. My vintage Hamilton Intra-matic with the original micro rotor movement, which Buren invented, is one of my most treasured possessions. Remarkably inexpensive too in 14k solid gold at under £200. But... Servicing it cost more than that and parts are an absolute nightmare. Still love it.

[@TheSuperbaconator]

Man that watch is beautiful! Love the videos Jody! Been watching since you purchased the 62mas, and you convinced me to buy the same one... It's been my favorite ever since! Cheers

[@ryanhood1867]

Rapid response!! Now THAT'S a shirt Jody!

[@glennbeadshaw727]

Funny but that looks like Princess Leia dressed up as Barbie

[@catalinsoare1261]

Totally agree. 100% trash

[@glennbeadshaw727]

@@catalinsoare1261 what is trash the shirt or the watch? Because I disagree on both points

[@jfilm7466]

THAT'S saying something 😂

[@beerkegaard]

Shirt is better than the watch

[@karlsenula9495]

I prefer the look of the Baltic but for the same movement you can't beat the price of this Lobinni ... I got one in the last sale in white with gold(ish) numerals ... the date window doesn't stand out so much but the Breguet numerals do stand out more ... but I agree a 'no date' would be better.

[@younusimam-thesalamproject6340]

Id love to see you review the San Martin Milspec! And more budget dress watch reviews like this please!

[@skuripandaburns3489]

After discounts, coins and a coupon code, I ordered this during this August sale for 147 euros shipped (160 usd) without VAT. Quite a splendid discount.

[@jackward-m2y]

I own a Lobinni, so far so good. A very good looking watch from what appears to be a good company.

[@Man_Ray78]

I hated this strap when i bought a 38mm Pagani VH31 Grand Seiko homage,,that i bought as my first watch 2 years ago. Since the this Virus got me and i am hooked. I saw that this watch is still in your collection, one of 11 pieces you kept so it must be worth something.

[@rhodes1591]

yea, agree on the no date ... and add some color dials ... and this model could be turned by a few degrees, turning it into a drivers watch !

[@kobusvanrensburg4092]

I bought one in 2021 and it was branded as Lobinni with Interlaken on the box......So far it's kept going without any issues. The strap was a junker, but that was my only real negative.

[@danielleclare2938]

Fill the hands with red and the pointer on the minute sweep red tipped would be my thoughts. Likeable watch overall. Also drop the text and put Micro-Rotor. When people ask what that means you can show them the back. Then they will become watch geeks like the rest of us.

[@sivanstar]

Thanks Jody! This is far better in price+value than the baltic imo. One thing i should mention, on the ali link if you scroll down to the pic section they advertise it as a miyota movement..

[@joestojanovic6613]

My wish comes true. Lobinni microrotoe reviewed. PS: No matter what the salesperson told you, that's not a unisex t-shirt 😅😅

[@robertdufour2456]

Thank you another great presentation, Dr J! I was sceptical but . . . you convinced me. Yes, I may just give this one a try.

[@BTBHSOHBOY]

I really hope some brand makes a sports or dive watch with this movement. A slim, small-second diver with a movement that gorgeous would fly off the shelf

[@tkindschi]

Reading the listing linked here, it advertises several times: "Japan Miyota Automatic Movement". Yet, if you get deep enough into the pictures, it sure does appear to have the micro-rotor movement shown here. So, basically, they have failed to stress, (or even make reference to), the one attribute that would actually sell the watch!?!

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Chinese marketing at its finest!

[@kawasakiaddiction6296]

Just bought the White /stainless. Really wanted the Rose/black, but the PVD simply will not last. £160 delivered UK. If it breaks after 5 yrs, bin it.

[@paulwiffin2452]

How is it?

[@oliverwiantrmerholme112]

Agreed! Drop the interlaken, and be proud and honest about your origins - then you’d have a cracking watch!

[@dunderhay9169]

I almost bought a Lobinni, but the Interlaken stopped me, it just seems wrong, I wish Chinese brands would be proud of where they are made like Sea-Gull.

[@turbyoulance]

It's nice for it's price. I am Not a fan of the sub dial tbh. The date window could do with what the Omega Aqua Terra did and put a border around it. Would be interested to know if they had any colour variation's and anti Reflective coating in their next iteration. Overall but it's a thumbs up from me.

[@rickspencer957]

Why the apostrophes? 👀

[@philspencelayh5464]

Nice looking watch, agree completely with you about the strap. If you remove the date it becomes an occasional wear and doesn't need to be automatic at all so it's raison d'être is then pointless. A different treatment of the date would be better. At six with a different coloured date wheel?

[@mattsmiley8156]

I am such a huuuuuuge fan of this movement. I just can’t find a watch I like with it in it. All too dressy. I’d love to see this in GADA watch.

[@petervanvalkenburg1147]

Couldn't agree more!!! Awesome movement meh watch

[@hattyfarbuckle]

Since a glass back is a must so that mech is visible i would settle for a 100m skindiver style to keep it thin.

[@rickjason215]

Well worth $200. My immediate reaction was to buy it, because I have a watch addiction. The most important factor for me is reading the time. The lack of an anti reflective coating makes that 9:47 difficult. If this watch can be sold for $200, it shows that the Swiss watches are massively overpriced.

[@Poor_Wayfaring_Stranger]

beautiful movement but I gotta say ST19 movements still take the cake

[@marksaxby607]

The 'Interlaken' bolloc... err, rubbish, on the dial is a killer for me. If they dropped that I'd consider one of these.

[@saevans63]

Not bad at first glance. The downsides for me would be the lack of AR coating, the branding and the date window. However while not for me it would make a nice gift for someone getting into mechanical watches.

[@PlugInRides]

Lobinni does make a second version of this watch, the 1999, with a more detailed, asymmetrical dial. Since this is a dress watch, and unlikely to get much wrist time, the rose gold finish might be an option to increase visual interest.

[@brianmsahin]

You made me laugh at myself Jody. I have a $250 colour matched handmade leather strap on my $300 Seiko SRPD51 and a $200 one on my $350 Orient dress watch. 😂. As for this watch, I do like it in general, love the movement but not sure about the hands. It's still great value though.

[@roganvidak]

AMAZING WATCHES FROM THESE GUYS! OUTSTANDING! for the price of course..

[@nathanfindley399]

I bought myself 2 watches when I turned 42 in 2022 one is a lobinni that I wear every day and the other is a Tissot visodate for special occasions

[@russellharris5072]

I've picked up a Baltany quartz watch with an art deco dial (almost) at 36mm diameter and sapphire crystal for £83.Well it would have been but for uk VAT!!Screw down crown and a delightful twotone dial................................................

[@ralphus555]

Now THAT is a tee shirt!

[@scottsj4625]

Seems like a great deal if it does not break down. I did not hear you say the warranty period. I am guessing a year. Buy a strap for it might be a deal breaker, I am looking and leather ones and they are not cheap. I love how thin it is, I was on their website and they have a few colors to choose from. I never thought you could get a watch like this for around 200 dollars and I am in need of a dress watch. I just don't know anything about the movement. My experience buying Chinese watches is falling apart for the two I bought became paperweights but that was about 5 years ago. They seem better now.

[@nickfoster3637]

The Lobinni brothers were in the engraving business before they started their own watch brand.

[@arancourt5623]

Funny thing, I actually picked up a sugess seagull 1963 panda awhile back and it came with that same faux alligator strap and thought it looked fine, admittedly it’s the most expensive watch in my collection lol, now I’m questioning whether a high end strap will up the appearance…

[@rioriggs3568]

Jody clearly into Disney princesses and the pink is definitely a Barbie tribute lolll

[@MyNameIsGhost]

Tbch, I think the boderry versions are better with the black colour case

[@joelcohen4353]

It should be noted that the bearings on micro rotor movements can be a point of failure, much more so than those on a conventional rotor. I'm not sure what the longevity of this movement will be...

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Why is that mate? Do they spin more than big rotors?

[@joelcohen4353]

@@JustOneMoreWatch Generally, yes. The rotor needs to be quite heavy to function. This is one of the reasons micro rotors have never gained much popularity. I've seen this firsthand, having gone through a UG Polerouter servicing.

[@Skurtle]

There are atleast 2 different versions of this movement, when you go back to the Baltic, the engraving on the back is in English but here on this Lobinni it is in German. Dunno what this is about i believe it was worth a mention…

[@389Lee]

The best watch channel on KZbin.

[@whatsinanameish]

That particular movement doesn't hack... which begs the question to why it even has a second hand. My OCD goes tilt to have an offset seconds complication when you have no control of it.

[@andystuart4667]

Where did Jodi get the watchband?

[@chillausmc]

If the date was color matched to the dial, that would be fine for me. Would this have looked ok in a cream or ivory?

[@zillsburyy1]

i gave mine away to a friend because the hands blend in with the dial

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

From certain angles, they definitely do. Maybe cream dial would be better?

[@roamready9732]

The only movement(s) going to rival that finishing/look for the money will be some of the ETA6498/6497 clones. Maybe in some of the Panerai and Flieger clones? 100% if Lobini loses the date window this would be a cracking awesome watch!

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

The Borman I bought in March is perhaps even nicer. I need to review it! 😂

[@matthewsanders6499]

Cool watch. I think the dial design is actually a bigger draw than the movement

[@eljayr4669]

When you first appeared I went “what”. That is some tee shirt Jody.

[@mrmagoo.3678]

if they changed the date wheel to match the dial?... or ditch the date?..I'd buy one tomorrow.

[@krzysztofhadala1039]

Nice watch but is it so difficult to manufacture a little bit bigger version? Eg 44 mm of diameter?

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

They tend to start using 6498 clones at that size mate.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Just noticed the sub second dial is not vertical (same plane as 12-6)

[@bolchert]

What's up with the fish next to the wr on the case back? :D (3:47)

[@AlexanderB.]

It's a very nice watch but would recommend the white. It kills two birds with one stone. It is actually white because what is supposed to be black is actually grey. And the date window is less obtrusive on the white. I don't believe they're making a no date variant of this movement, which means you'd have a ghost position if they omitted the date window.

[@moneymikz]

Have you looked at the Boderry Elite micro rotor? For 100 dollaridos more it does look quite good

[@DC-uf6ve]

I'd pay the extra for the Baltic. Amazing value on this on though, even though its too big for a dress watch.

[@rickcroucher]

They don't look the same on the site. Is that a gray dial or a black dial?

[@Pelarys]

Good looking watch if only they had made it a slightly smaller I think it would have been a buy

[@franciscomoliner1296]

Like the movement, case and crown. The grey dial and the subdial design (and date) are a total miss for me. Regards Jody

[@mustafamalik1046]

Once Chinese brands perfect the art of fitting their movements into a smaller case diameter, its game over. Unfortunately, until then, my 6 inch wrist will have to wait and settle for an MR01 (which is nowhere near as bad as it sounds),

[@sylvainster30]

Very nice movement for the price 🤯 I kinda like the date complication 🤷🏻‍♂️ 200$ is a bargain! ✌🏼😎👍🏼

[@umidpulatov3236]

Отличные часы. У меня есть такие золотого цвета, поставил кожаный ремешок из кожи ящерицы. Выглядят круто. Спасибо за обзор!!! Respect!!!

[@skeelo69]

You missed another detail . The hands have a cap over the pivot.

[@ewrochna3504]

A watch that doesn't know where it's from or where it's going, can't read the time at certain angles. Moving your wrist like you have the shakes to talk the time. Not for me. But the t shirt....awesome 👌

[@beammeupyet]

Hi, thank you for your review 👍I’ve got mine from the sale today. I ordered the black one even i preferred it in gray….and they did send the gray one🤣Should it be checked first and occasionally lubricated?

[@paulwiffin2452]

Did it come black or grey? I wondered if it looked black on the website but is actually grey in real life

[@andrewduckworth4720]

Awesome T shirt Jodie

[@maybekwasi]

36mm, AR coating, no date, (and maybe the choice of a different dial colour) and this is a winner. Even $300 asking price for this set of features will still be a winner. That movement is crying for a vintage-inspired dress watch. It's all the rage now so they can't go wrong with a revision like this.

[@S3mj0n]

I love my Baltic MR01 with the same movement but it is definitely a bit overpriced. Sure, you get the french QC, finishing and a way better design and dial, but for 500 it would be a better deal instead of 650.

[@Shri_V]

I wanted to like this but the dial looks pretty plain apart from the numerals and date wheel. And because the date is offset, the right side feels like a large empty space that needs something there.

[@aidanashcroft3854]

When are we getting a "Just One More Shirt" channel? The shirts are always steller.

[@kuanwang9107]

That strap looks like the one supplied on the San Martin 42mm fleiger lol

[@glennbeadshaw727]

Being the Interlaken it must surely be from Switzerland right?

[@rioriggs3568]

They should drop the fake Italianname, the fake Swiss city provenance and the date and maybe I'll consider getting one. I'm not crazy about the dial, which I feel is not well balanced at all. Great review as usual J.

[@wtechdude]

Or make the calendar color-matched to the dial.

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

That would be a lesser evil!

[@eColi8]

The Baltic MR01 is still the number one Chinese watch for me.

[@donnyboon2896]

Yes

[@DutchClawz]

I tried to service mine but couldn’t get it out of the case

[@pablorages1241]

Nice caseback view !

[@johnsrabe]

I was just looking at these! (Did you post one on Insta?) Not perfect but interesting.

[@Bluepeter62]

Really nice movement, but that dial is a bit boring. I'd prefer Lobinni's hommage of F.P. Journe, they nailed it with that dial. Now if they would put the micro rotor instead of the Miota 8215 in there and make it a two hand watch I would buy it.

[@stepsinpairs]

As soon as I saw "Interlaken" on the dial I knew I wanted it - I had such a great holiday there about 15 years ago! Don't even really care how good the watch is after seeing that.

[@Jevans_Knifeaddict_Life]

Glad I found ya!

[@Great-Scott]

Pretty cool watch but at least a mm too large for me to consider a purchase, and that date window is a crime against humanity. OK, maybe not that bad but it does suck. I do like that movement and rotor.

[@lkdenve]

Got back just in time!

[@tonyhoward7840]

I like it,,,,, the price anyway, I want a rotor,,,,, this probly gonna be the one,,,,, thanks

[@mirzasakovic]

I can’t get over “Interlaken” Beautiful watch otherwise.

[@sandorclegane9734]

They need to make one in 36 mm

[@scottparis6355]

Yes, polished hands and numerals are a bad idea. Seiko loves them; I do not. Frosted or brushed ones are always visible.

[@kart182]

That’s beautiful

[@chris7015]

I'm the 1% with no 20mm straps. 90% of mine are 22mm with a few 24mm.

[@RideLow883-fk9gv]

Good, affortable❤