Review (3/5): Gorgeous but definitely cheap
UPDATE:
After a few days of owning the watch, I noticed that it is running fast. It adds about 2 extra minutes every 24 hours. I heard that magnets can make mechanical watches run fast, like the ones in iPads, but I don't use one.. I only have an iPhone. So don't know if that is affecting it or not. But I'll take a fast watch over a laggy one any day.
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I am really crazy about this cheap thing. The timepiece itself is beaaauuutifully made and doesn't seem cheap to me in fact. The detailing and gears look beautiful and the construction feels solid. Yes, it's not Patek or even a $1300 watch, and the detailing isn't perfect, but at $15, my expectations were vastly exceeded (so far). I didn't know what a mechanical self-winding watch was until I received this, and I am such a huge fan. Also, the hands are glow in the dark.
For those who likewise don't know: they don't run on batteries and you are supposed to wind them daily. You just twist the crown (knob) toward the 12 gently until it resists. Love that it runs purely on mechanical energy and springs and I don't need to rely on a battery. Only got it this morning so can't say how it holds up or if there is an inaccuracy with keeping the time yet. But I will update this review if I find a functional problem as such.
CONS: The strap is horrendous quality. Very stiff and plasticky (though made to look cushioned). I have small wrists so for a while it would break as I tried to stretch it on to the tightest fit. It's fixable but highly irritated. 2 days in one of the loops broke off...it was held together solely by a poor quality glue. I'll get it replaced eventually.
I was a bit disappointed with how thick the timepiece is, it doesn't look like they really needed that extra room. It's front glass is a rounded dome shape and not flat, so at the thickest point the watch is 1cm thick. It not a big point of contention for me. I am sure the gold finish will start to wear off, and we'll see how soon. Also, it doesn't come with instructions or a box or anything other than bubble wrap.
I don't really care as long as it stays accurate, as it's just gorgeous.