10 Better Alternatives To Vincero Watches
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Vincero watches are ok. I reviewed them a while back as they were being rammed down my throat as ‘£200 luxury watches’ across YouTube and Instagram. It turns out, they aren’t ‘luxury’ at all and contain many of the same components found in watches for half the price.
As a result, I thought I’d share with you 10 better alternatives to Vincero watches that offer, in my opinion, better value for your hard-earned money. The first 5 will be better alternatives to the Vincero Chrono S chronograph which I took a look at in that review video. The last 5 will be alternatives to the more regular style watches Vincero offer.
Alternatives To Vincero Chrono S
1. Braun Chronograph
One of my main criticisms of the Vincero was the design. I thought that watch looked clumsy and cheap. If you’re after better design, I think the chronograph from Braun does a better job of the whole minimalist aesthetic. This brand has been making watches for a few decades and you may be familiar with them from other consumer electronics.
These watches are designed by some of the best minds in Europe and are often perfectly proportioned to look absolutely fantastic. Several of these designs are made in the far East, like Vincero, however other Braun models are still made in Germany.
These models feature concealed lugs, with a smooth transition to the straps. You also get the same water resistance, glass and stainless-steel construction.
The chronographs are also sized better than Vincero, at 40mm in diameter and under 10mm in depth; meaning they should suit a variety of wrist sizes really well.
I’ve been pretty pleased with this regular Braun watch I purchased a while ago, so I have no hesitation in recommending the chronograph versions.
2. Timex Waterbury Classic Chronograph
The American Timex brand have been around for over 100 years. I’ll be mentioning them twice in this list, first in the form of their Waterbury line. These are some classy little watches that feature as part of their recent ‘archive project’, with fresh takes on some of their classic designs.
These Waterbury watches come in a large variety of colours and offer very similar specifications to Vincero watches. However, I think these watches look much better. You also get the fantastic Indiglo night light, which is my favourite low light visibility option. If you like watches with numbered hour markers, then the 40mm designs may be a good choice for you. At launch the 40mm models did have some issues with the glass, however, as of late 2019, they are reportedly resolved, so you shouldn’t experience such problems.
On the other hand, if you have a larger wrist, they do a really nice 42mm model that looks like a far more attractive version of a Vincero, for around the same price. This one has near identical specifications, but has better quality control and will likely have higher re-sale value, being from an established heritage watch brand.
3. Timex Fairfield Chronograph
A popular choice that I’ve been recommending for years is the Timex Weekender Fairfield line. These are some of the fairest priced watches out there and you really get a lot of value when purchasing one.
The chronograph versions are probably the most minimal on this list – offering a very similar look to a Vincero, but with rounded hour markers and hands. The main selling point of these is you can usually get them for far less money, without a notable change in quality. At the time of publishing, somewhere around £70 will net you the white version.
Having previously owned both, I can tell you the Timex looks and feels like a more premium watch, despite the lower price point.
4. Seiko Chronograph
For a quality chronograph at a low price, look no further than this Seiko. Featuring a commanding 100m of water resistance and some of the best quality control in the business, this watch has a more traditional appearance and is built like a rock.
You can get this watch in two different colours, with the beige one typically being the lowest priced option; though personally, I’m a fan of the black variant.
This has a look that will undoubtedly better suit a classic wardrobe and the Seiko quartz movement within will provide fantastic accuracy for many years to come.
5. Pagani Design Chronograph
If you’re willing to wait a little bit longer for your watch, then this Pagani Design chronograph might be worth opting for. These are made in China, just like Vincero, but come in at a far lower price and offer objectively better specifications. The Pagani’s standout feature is a Seiko VK67 hi-beat mecha-quartz movement, which is leagues ahead of the cheap Mioyota quartz movement slapped into the Vincero. This will provide multiple beats per second, giving the illusion of a smooth mechanical second hand; whilst retaining the accuracy of quartz. You’ll find this movement in watches at multiple times this price point.
This one still retains the same stainless-steel case construction, paired with arguably better hardlex glass, covered with an anti-reflective coating. Aesthetically, this watch looks similar to a Vincero, with the same number of sub-dials to the Chrono S I covered previously; however, the sub-dials are spread more evenly, giving a more attractive look overall. The best place to buy these is Chinese superstore Aliexpress (kind of like the Chinese Amazon).
Non-chronograph models
6. Orient Bambino Line
This watch is just infinitely better than a Vincero, for less money. This is probably the best value for money watch in the £100 price range, looking like it’s worth triple that.
The killer feature of this piece is the inclusion of an in-house Orient automatic movement, which is a true rarity at this price point. This gives the second hand a super smooth sweep, which looks beautiful. The craftsmanship showcased here for just £100 is the real antithesis of Vincero, whom acclaim their apparent ‘craftsmanship’ all over their website.
The finishing and build quality are particularly impressive, including a highly domed mineral crystal and strong stainless-steel construction. When it comes to pure value, this is a real peak among low cost watches.
There are a bunch of variants available, with most measuring in at just over 40mm; a great size for most wrists.
7. Seiko 5 Series
If you’re struggling to find a watch you like the look of, it’s probably worth checking the Seiko 5 range to see if anything catches your eye. This is Seiko’s low-cost line of automatic watches and there is a staggering collection of several hundred models to choose from. There’s everything from modern classics to retro inspired divers; the majority of which for a very affordable price.
I recently reviewed the Seiko SNK793K1 from the Seiko 5 range and was really impressed with the quality and appearance. These make for great daily wearers and start at around £75. Seiko are one of the most historically significant watchmakers and these watches tend to retain a surprising amount of money if you were to re-sell at some point.
8. Citizen Eco Drive Range
Citizen are another popular Japanese watch brand with a long history. Their famous solar-powered eco-drive range starts at a similar price to most fashion watches and never need a battery to keep functioning. As with the Seiko 5 series, there are a large range of options here, including several that have a similar aesthetic to some Vincero models. Many of these come with a 5-year warranty and high-water resistance.
Unfortunately, these tend to retail for several hundred pounds on the high street, so I’d definitely recommend saving yourself some money by shopping online instead. This BM7251-53L is a real looker, with a stainless-steel bracelet and sapphire glass covering the dial, it’s a better watch for a similar price.
9. Carrnegie Multifunction
Carrnegie are a small and young fashion watch brand. I reviewed one of their watches a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised by the quality. This features an interesting Seiko mecha-quartz movement housed in a rather attractive stainless-steel case.
The dial on this watch is really impressive and makes the watch look far more expensive than the asking price would indicate. The watch comes fitted with a leather strap better than that on the Vincero watch I tried, even featuring a butterfly clasp, to increase durability over time.
This isn’t a chronograph, though has a very similar aesthetic and the movement gives a sweeping second hand look whilst retaining the accuracy of quartz.
10. Undone Watches
An alternative option, utilising the same mecha-quartz movements is Undone. This brand offers a unique customisation service, allowing you to tinker with almost all aspects of your watch, to get the exact look you are after.
Their customiser software is arguably the best out there and the watches themselves are proportionally good value for money.
