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AliExpress has a mixed reputation. To the general public, the platform seems like a place full of scams and poor-quality items on the surface, akin to the infamous Wish.com.

In reality, AliExpress is a massive online retailer based in China - think of it as the 'Chinese Amazon' but with significantly lower prices. Unlike Amazon, on AliExpress, you purchase items directly from Chinese manufacturers, not from price-hiking middleman sellers - it's as close to buying from the factory as you can get.

Many established Western brands already purchase their products from sites like AliExpress (or parent company Alibaba). They brand the items, then mark them up to cover expenses and increase profit margins.

Some brands even engage in 'dropshipping,' a scandalous practice we've discussed previously on Ben's Watch Club. In short, this is where sellers put up a 'front' online store (or Amazon store) full of product listings but secretly process all their orders through AliExpress, where the same products are being sold at lower prices. They then pocket the difference. These third-party sellers rely on you, the customer, not knowing that AliExpress exists; otherwise, you could buy the same product for substantially less outlay!

That's where this article comes in. Saving money on identical products sounds interesting, right? Well, there are some specific nuances and strategies worth knowing about when shopping on AliExpress, to ensure you find the best deals. I've used AliExpress for many years and want to share my experiences with you.

How should you best use the site? What are the hidden gem best AliExpress watch brands, and which should you steer clear of?

I'm about to reveal all the secrets!

Things to look for and to do

When browsing on AliExpress, there are some things you need to be aware of before you spend your hard-earned cash.

Official Stores - These are the brand's proper stores and essentially act as a way to buy directly from them. Now you won't find Western giants like Adidas or Microsoft, but there are some notable brands like Xiaomi and Anker that all have stores on the platform. However, things can get complicated as multiple sellers can have "official" in the name; it can be tricky to decipher which is the real deal. This issue isn't nearly as prevalent as it was a few years ago, though there are still a few. For example, we have both the 'Pagani Design Official Store' and 'Pagani Design Flagship Store.' Often, the oldest store tends to be the original, though the next few steps are still crucial to help find the right one.

*Multiple Pagani Design AliExpress stores with official sounding names*

Reviews & Feedback - Like with most retail outlets, the seller's reviews and feedback ratings are worth considering. These scores clearly show how reliable and trustworthy a seller is. Luckily AliExpress has made this easy thanks to their Feedback tab, where you can browse the reviews to see how others rated their shopping experience. AliExpress also has a pretty helpful seller rating that gives the store a percentage over three categories and indicates if they are better or worse than other stores in the category. Shockingly, review manipulation (fake reviews, review botting) is far less common on AliExpress than on Amazon or eBay, possibly due to the internet restrictions in China. So, review scores are generally worth believing. I've seen plenty of negative comments and ratings over the years, with very few suspicious reviews compared to the Western platforms, which is refreshing.

Communication - Like many other eCommerce platforms, you can get in touch directly with the seller; however, with this being a Chinese platform, there can be a language barrier. All the sellers I have communicated with have responded in varying levels of English, but there are minor things that get lost in translation; be mindful to phrase things in a simplistic manner.

Community - AliExpress might not be as mainstream as Amazon here in the UK, but it still has a massive global presence and a helpful community. Reddit is a great place to do some research to find help and answers to your questions. I am a member of r/ChineseWatches, which has thousands of fellow watch nerds that are knowledgeable about AliExpress watches. YouTube is also a great starting point, as many channels purchase products from the platform regularly and provide feedback on their experiences. This is also helpful for uncovering products or brands with quality control problems or other issues.

Import taxes – AliExpress listings don't typically include import fees or accurate shipping costs up-front. Of course, these factors can vary based on the shipping address, but note that the checkout total might not match the first price you see. I've personally never had a watch get stuck in customs, though the UK does charge a 20% import fee on these, which you'll see at checkout on AliExpress if you're also from there.

Returns – The returns process on AliExpress isn't nearly as smooth as on more familiar retail platforms. Return postage is more expensive and harder to organize, as Chinese sellers aren't particularly responsive to these requests. Returns windows are also much shorter, at around seven days, versus 30+ in other countries.

Cashback – You can effectively get a small discount on all AliExpress purchases using the cashback app TopCashback. You can install this on mobile or on PC via a browser extension. Activating it before purchasing will return (on average) 4% of the purchase price to you via your TopCashback wallet. You can later withdraw funds from TopCashback via bank transfer or gift cards. Please check the TopCashback website for the full details and exclusions. Here's an invite code you can use to get started.

Influencer Discounts - On top of cashback discounts, you can often save extra money by using social media influencer discount codes. Many AliExpress stores like to provide YouTubers and bloggers with temporary or permanent discount codes for their followers to use on their products. Keep your eye out for these on YouTube; they tend to be more prevalent around sale periods.

Things to avoid

We've already covered a few things to keep an eye on: here are some things you should straight-up avoid.

Poor feedback ratings - As we have seen on other platforms, sellers get a feedback rating, and sellers that have a rating under a specific percentage, we tend to avoid. AliExpress is no different, and this is helpful to determine whether a seller is there to rip you off or is just a touch unreliable. I tend to avoid sellers with a score less than 90% as these usually have issues with either poor customer service, products etc. Though, sometimes sellers with less than 90% can be good, and problems can arise from the courier, which is not always the seller's fault. But as a rule of thumb, under 90% is usually a no-go. Again though, be sure to check the feedback and reviews as then you get a fuller picture of why their feedback is like it is.

Ignorant sellers - If feedback and reviews aren't helpful, it's always worth contacting the seller directly. Sometimes, you might get ghosted by a seller, which should tell you everything you need to know.

Fakes - Fake items are a part of eCommerce, and AliExpress is no exception. Some sellers sell illicit goods, and sometimes it's not obvious to an untrained eye. One example of this is a watch dial I purchase a while back. The images showed no branding on the dial, but upon receiving it… well, you can guess what turned up! Watches are especially tricky as sellers sometimes photoshop in their branding to dupe you into thinking you're buying a 'homage' or original design. Of course, then there are the brazen sellers that don't hide the fact they are selling counterfeit watches, but at least those are easier to spot. For example, Rolex, Omega, Seiko, and other luxury brands don't sell watches via AliExpress; you can be certain they aren't legit.

Now we've discussed the site, let's dive into some specific tips and considerations when buying your first watch from the platform.

Pay attention to…

The movement - A watch's movement keeps it alive, so having a reliable one is paramount. I tend to buy watches with movements sourced from Japan or Switzerland as they are widely produced and renowned for making quality products. So, look out for ETA, Miyota, Ronda, Sellita, and Seiko. Most AliExpress sellers don't have the manufacturing capacity to produce fake movements for their watches, so most branded movements advertised are the real deal. There are a couple of Chinese movement manufacturers that are solid, too, such as HK Precision and Seagull. HK Precision makes the fantastic PT5000, based on the Sellita SW-200, which is (ironically) based on the ETA 2824. I have had a few watches with the PT5000, and it's a quality movement, though with it being new, it hasn't been field tested over years and years of use. Also, you must consider repairability and spare parts, which aren't as common for these niche movements as the more common options listed.

*Miyota 8215 automatic movement within* a *Cadisen watch*

Listings and Specifications – Listing falsehoods are sometimes down to inadvertent translation errors, although some sellers have been known to lie in their listings to drum up more sales. It's worth fact-checking on sites like YouTube if you aren't sure about a particular brand. The primary things to look out for are incorrect case and crystal materials. Some sellers will list their case material as stainless steel; despite being an inferior chrome-plated metal. Others may list their watches as 'metal,' with no specific compounds mentioned. Occasionally, entry-level mineral crystals are listed as sapphire too.

Water resistance ratings are not definitive - AliExpress sellers aren't the only ones guilty of this, as many other watchmakers have water ratings that aren't what they seem. Sellers might advertise their watches as being "200m water resistant", but these ratings are often surface-level claims. Only a few brands go the extra mile to test their watches properly, and even then, many aren't vetted by the ISO, the official body for aquatic product testing. If you're after a submergible watch, it's worth conducting further research before buying a "200m" diver that shatters on your first snorkeling trip.

*“200m” water resistance claim on the* *Seizenn Skin Diver*

Product reviews and review images – User-generated photographs and reviews are a great indicator that buyers are receiving the items as advertised. If a watch has loads of reviews and plenty of photos, then you know others have had positive experiences or perhaps negative ones; either way, at least you know you're likely to receive a watch. On the other hand, if a product has only stock images with no reviews or real-world photos, you might want to avoid it or at least do some digging into the seller, using the points mentioned earlier.

Awful listings - This is not just a good rule of thumb for AliExpress but more familiar platforms too. Poor-quality listings happen, and when they do, you're left with more questions than you had before. If you spot an unclear listing with barely any information or sketchy quality claims, it's always worth searching out other sellers, as a handful are likely selling the same watch for similar prices.

Now you've learned about AliExpress as a platform, we can turn our attention to watch brands.

Best AliExpress Watches (Brands)

Here are my picks of the best watch brands on AliExpress. These are worth keeping an eye out for, as most deliver high-quality products that often outdo big brands like Seiko, Orient, and Citizen when it comes to pure bang for the buck.

San Martin

San Martin is regarded as one of the best brands on AliExpress, and based on my experience with them, I agree. Okay, they are semi-expensive, but they are surprisingly decent timepieces with premier levels of quality control.

We've looked at these on Ben's Watch Club and consider them comparable to most watch brands at double the cost. The only minor gripe we've come across is that some of their watches use the mediocre Citizen Miyota 8000 series automatic movements, which are prone to stuttering.

San Martin watches arrive in substantial packaging and often come with extras like spring bar tools, extra straps, and more.

Here are some San Martin models worth considering:

san martin Flieger SN030-G

This pilot-style watch is one of their more affordable models, yet it still offers a lot for its cost. Inside the SN030 is the automatic Epson YN55A movement, which you'll find in some Orient watches; it's on par with the NH35 in terms of specifications and quality. That isn't all, as the finishing is brilliant, the steel case is weighty, yet it's still very comfortable to wear. To top it off, it packs punchy lume, which is readable in low light.

Diameter: 39.1mm

Lug to lug: 49.3mm

Thickness: 12.3mm

Lug width: 20mm

Sapphire crystal

316L steel case and bracelet

200m water resistance (claimed)

Epson YN55A automatic - 21,600bph, 22 jewels, -20/+35 seconds per day, 40-hour reserve, hacking, manual and auto winding

Pros

Nice aesthetics with a Type-A and Type-B available
Great build quality and finishing
Brilliant lume
Comfortable
Good quality automatic Japanese movement
Affordable

Cons

Long lug to lug
Only two micro-adjustment on the clasp

check out the san martin SN030-G on aliexpress

san martin DIVER SN012

How about a diver, if you are not a fan of Flieger watches? They offer quite a few, but my favorite is their SN012. This tool diver lives up to that as it is nice looking, rugged, and well-built. The bezel action is crisp and solid, and the case and bracelet finishing is a bit more coarse but still done neatly and uniform. Like the SN030, the lume show is impressive as it boasts plenty of powerful BGW9 lume. Powering the SN012 is either the old reliable Miyota 8215 or the newer, improved Miyota 8315, which carries a premium over the alternative. One downside to this is the wrist presence; it's long, heavy, and a little thick too.

Diameter: 40mm

Lug to lug: 51mm

Thickness: 13mm

Lug width: 20mm

Weight: 150g (sized for my six-inch wrist) - heavier on a full link setup

Sapphire crystal

316L steel case and bracelet

120-click unidirectional bezel with lumed insert

Screwdown crown and case back

200m water resistance (claimed)

BGW9 lume

Miyota 8315 automatic - 21,600bph, 21 jewels, -20/+40 seconds per day, 60-hour power reserve, hacking, manual and auto winding

Pros

Clean, modern styling
Brilliant build quality and finishing
Superb lume
Two choices of movements
The bracelet and clasp

Cons

A bit heavy
It might not be suitable for slim wrists
On the pricey side (when taxes are included)

check out the san martin sn012-g on aliexpress

Escapement Time

Escapement Time is a fan favorite in the community, and it's easy to see why. Escapement Time produces handmade watches with top-notch fit and finishing for bottom-of-the-barrel prices. Okay, they're not quite as well put together as San Martin. Nevertheless, ET smokes everything else in its price range, with interesting movements in vintage-inspired housing.

The main gripes with this brand are the shortage of available designs; their range is quite limited. They're also not as widely available as the likes of Pagani Design. Additionally, the logo typeface is slightly eccentric for some people's tastes. If you can look past that, these are really viable, exclusive timepieces that you'll likely get some joy out of.

Escapement Time Dress Watch

Their small dress watch is a particular highlight. You can grab this in either a 40mm or 36mm diameter, which is ideal for various wrist sizes or personal preferences. The color options aren't shabby either, as there are several for each size; many have called the white option a 'poor man's Grand Seiko,' as the case shape is very similar to the GS Snowflake. I haven't even mentioned one of the best things about this watch yet, the movement choice. This release is packing the obscure Seiko VH31 sweeping quartz, which has a second hand that moves more like an automatic; the best of both worlds. The rest of the specifications are overpowered, too; it has a sapphire crystal, stainless steel case, and moderate water resistance for a dress watch.

Diameter: 35.9mm

Lug to lug: 41.5mm

Lug width: 18mm

Thickness: 9.4mm

Weight: 44g

Sapphire crystal

Stainless steel case

Leather strap

Screw-down crown and case back

50m water resistance (claimed)

Seiko VH31 quartz - 2-year battery life, SR920SW battery, two jewels, -/+15 seconds per month

Pros

Variety of colors
Two case sizes
Sweeping quartz
Smart aesthetic
Lightweight
Great value for money

Cons

Not the best quality strap
The polished case is a fingerprint magnet

check out the Escapement Time dress watch on aliexpress

Flieger Chronograph

Now we look at where Escapement Time made its name, their Flieger Chronograph. If memory serves correctly, this was one of their first releases and quickly became one of their best sellers - even to this day. Given all this has to offer, it's clear why. Like many other AliExpress brands, Escapement Time likes to use sapphire crystals in the watches, and this model is no exception. On top of that, we have a bead-blasted stainless steel case and a decent 50m claimed water resistance. The build quality is great, thanks to a solid case, tactile pushers, and smooth crown. One slight drawback is the long lug-to-lug measurement, which means it wears large; unlike the dress watch, there are no smaller alternate versions.

Diameter: 40mm

Lug to lug: 49.5mm

Thickness: 11.3mm

Lug width: 20mm

Weight: 55g

Sapphire crystal

Bead-blasted 316L steel case

Leather strap

50m water resistance (claimed)

Miyota 6S21-00Z quartz - 3-year battery, 4 beat/second chronograph, -/+ 20 seconds per month

Pros

Highly affordable
Well-specced
Solid build quality
Great lume
Sweeping quartz movement
Comfortable

Cons

Stock issues at times
Long lug to lug

check out the escapement time chronograph on aliexpress

Steeldive

Steeldive is popular in the community as they offer some great bang-for-the-buck homage watches - like the SD1970. Like many other watches on AliExpress, the SD1970 is a clone of a famous watch; in this case, the Seiko 'Captain Willard' 1970. If you aren't a fan of these copy-and-paste jobs, there are a few more original designs, but they tend to be more expensive.

Returning to the SD1970, it's often touted as one of the best value watches when pure specifications are considered. Let me explain. It's got a stainless steel case and bracelet, a Japanese automatic movement, C3 or BGW9 lume (listing dependent) and a ceramic bezel insert. Such specs aren't usually cheap, but this sub-$100 offering has them all. So, what's the catch? Well, the finishing is far from the best on the list, and the bracelet clasp is a cheap basic one. The watch does feel durable, as does the 120-click bezel. One other thing to note is the size. The diameter is on the larger side, but don't let that put you off, as it wears way smaller than you'd think; the lug to lug measurement is pretty stubby.

Diameter: 44mm

Lug to lug 46.4mm

Thickness: 13.6mm

Lug width: 20mm

Weight: 160g

Sapphire crystal

316L steel case and bracelet

120-click unidirectional bezel with ceramic insert

Screw-down crown and case back

200m claimed water resistance

C3 and BGW9 lume

Seiko NH35 automatic - 21,600bph, 24 jewels, -20/+40 seconds per day, 41-hour reserve, hacking, manual and auto winding

Pros

Amazing value for money
Specs way better than most
Great lume
Reliable Japanese automatic
Wears well on small wrists
Comfortable
Solid build quality

Cons

Bracelet isn't the best
Mediocre clasp
Heavy

check out the steeldive sd1970 on aliexpress

Addiesdive

Here we have another heavy-hitter in the ultra-affordable category, the Addiesdive. Given the styling, branding, and packaging similarities, it's heavily speculated that Addiesdive and Steeldive watches are made by the same company, with slightly altered marketing. This could be due to naming laws in particular markets, similar to how Pagani Design has switched to 'Pagrne Design' in territories where the Pagani motorcar company operates.

This, like the Steeldive, is way better value than it should be and is potentially more readily available in your country. Once more, we get a full stainless steel case and bracelet as well as a ceramic bezel insert, C3 and BGW9 lume, though this one omits the sapphire and instead has a mineral crystal. Also, the finishing and build quality aren't quite up to the same standard, though it is around $20 cheaper. There remains a Japanese movement, but it's quartz instead of automatic. This means it's more accurate and lighter than the previously mentioned Steeldive but lacks the sweeping hand motion. The bezel action is surprisingly decent and easily on par with many more expensive offerings. Style-wise, this option is essentially a Rolex submariner rip-off, so it won't win any awards for originality.

Diameter: 41mm

Lug to lug: 48mm

Male end link to end link: 53mm

Thickness: 12.8mm

Lug width: 20mm

Weight: 131g sized for me

Mineral crystal

Stainless steel case and bracelet

120-click unidirectional bezel with ceramic insert

Screw-down crown and case back

200m claimed water resistance

C3 and BGW9 lume

Miyota 2115 quartz - 4-year battery life, 0 jewel, -/+ 20 seconds per month, SR626SW battery

Pros

Very affordable
Solid build and bezel
Pretty good lume
Reliable and accurate quartz movement
Wear well
Decent build

Cons

Mixed finish bracelet
Un-original design
Cheap clasp

check out the Addiesdive on aliexpress

Seagull

The Seagull 1963 chronograph is probably the most iconic Chinese watch, and rightly so. Effectively a reissue of a military issue piece from the 1960s, the Seagull 1963 is a gorgeous, classical watch; with its blued hands and cream dial, pops of gold and red, it's a real gem. That isn't all, as the best part is the fully mechanical ST19 movement.

If you're a watch geek, you'll understand how complex and challenging it is to construct movements like this, especially at an affordable price. Most variants of the Seagull 1963 have exhibition rears, allowing you to view the elegant aesthetics of the decorated internals.

Another plus for the Seagull is the modern-day variety. This cult classic is currently available in either a 40mm or 38mm size, with a domed acrylic or sapphire crystal to pick from. Other brands, such as Sugess, have taken the iconic Sea-Gull 1963 formula and tweaked it to provide numerous additional dial choices, all with identical specifications and construction.

Unlike most on this list, Sea-Gull watches are mostly original designs, the 1963 chronograph included. There are very few downsides here, one of the few being the noise the movement produces. As a hand-wound movement, there is no rotor (usually the culprit), though the ticking noise is audible in quiet environments nonetheless.

Diameter: 38/40mm

Lug width: 18/20mm

Lug to lug: 46/50mm

Thickness: 13.5mm

Acrylic or Sapphire crystal

316L steel case

Leather or Nato-style straps

30/50m water resistance

Pull-push crown

Solid/Exhibition screw-down case back

Seagull ST1901 mechanical movement - 21 jewels, 21,600bph, 42-hour reserve, hand-winding

Pros

Iconic styling
Original designs
Two case sizes
Two crystal options
The ST19 mechanical movement looks amazing
More variants based on the same core

Cons

Movement reliability long term
Long lug to lug on the 40mm model
Mediocre water resistance on both variants
Loud movement

check out the sea-gull 1963 on aliexpress

Inconsistent AliExpress Watch Brands (Some hits, some misses)

We've looked at the front-runners of AliExpress; now it's time to look at some brands with an inconsistent selection. These companies have many solid offerings, but some probably aren't worth your time.

Bliger

Bliger is a brand that doesn't quite have the recognition of others on the list and often gets overlooked in favor of Pagani and Cadisen, amongst others. As a brand, they offer things that most of their competitors don't, and that is the option to have an unbranded dial; this means there is sometimes zero or minimal text on the watch itself. This diver is available with or without the branding, known as a 'sterile dial,' and in numerous colors.

As for their quality control, it's on par with the likes of Pagani and Cadisen, so issues do crop up from time to time. I haven't had any problems with this brand over the years, but others have, so they appear to be hit-and-miss. My best advice is to look at reviews on a model-by-model basis before pulling the trigger.

Bliger offers decent bang for the buck and typically uses 316L steel, sapphire, and ceramic bezels. They primarily contain Japanese-made movements such as the popular Miyota 8215 or Seiko NH35. Akin to most AliExpress brands, most Bligers are homages, though they have a more comprehensive selection of additional original releases than others on this list.

The piece I've reviewed previously was the Bliger Longines HydroConquest homage, a budget alternative to the expensive original, whose price has rocketed over the past couple of years. It's quite a simple watch with reasonable finishing. The primary issue is water resistance, which Bliger doesn't list on AliExpress. We're left to guess exactly how it performs, though I wouldn't expect more than 5bar at most; disappointing for a dive-style watch. Inside this model is the aforementioned Miyota, a suitable choice considering the meager retail price. Amazingly, all the indexes and numbers on this watch are applied, with little dirt or dust to speak of; the dial also has a bright blue sunburst that helps the watch look more expensive.

Diameter: 39.5mm

Lug width: 20mm

Lug to lug: 48.6mm

Thickness: 13.2mm

Sapphire crystal

120-click unidirectional bezel (ceramic insert)

316L steel case

Steel bracelet (unsure of what grade)

30m-50m water resistance (estimate)

Screw-down crown

Screw-down case back

Miyota 8215 - 21 jewels, 21,600bph, 40-hr power reserve, -20/+40 seconds per day, no hacking, manual winding

Pros

Solid stainless steel build
Available with or without branding
Great specification
Low price point

Cons

Lume is a little weak
Un-original design
Mediocre water resistance

check out the bliger diver on aliexpress

Here's another example of what Bliger has to offer. Like the previous piece, this is a homage watch; this time a clone of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. It makes up for the lack of originality with some pretty mighty specifications.

It uses industry-standard materials such as 316L steel and sapphire crystal, the latter of which isn't usually found on sub-$100 watches. Unlike the previous Bliger, this features a high-beat movement, providing the second hand with a smoother sweep than a traditional automatic. Most mechanical movements have a beat rate of 21,600bph, whereas the PT5000 is 28,800bph, it might not seem like a huge upgrade, but it makes a world of difference to the human eye.

One downside of this movement is its newness means it hasn't had as much field testing as the likes of the popular Seiko NH35. It may also pose a problem when it comes time to repair the movement, as parts aren't as easy to come by as other options. On the plus side, Bliger offers this model with an NH35 or Miyota if you remain unsure about the PT5000. I'd probably steer clear of the unusual Mingzhu; I haven't tested that at the time of writing.

On the listings, they claim this watch uses Rolex-like 904L steel (at least on the bracelet). I'm hesitant to believe that, as this more obscure material is more difficult to come by, especially in such a low-cost watch.

The polishing is on the rudimentary side, though this piece does come in either a 36mm or 39mm configuration (which measures 40mm with my calipers), meaning you can probably find one that fits you perfectly. There are also dozens of bright colors to draw you in.

Diameter: 40mm

Lug width: 20mm

Lug to lug: 47.9mm

Thickness: 11.9mm

Sapphire crystal

316L steel case

316L steel bracelet

30m water resistance

Screw-down crown & case back

HK Precision PT5000 - 25 jewels, 28,800bph, 38-hr power reserve, -/+12 seconds per day, hacking, manual winding, and auto winding

Pros

Solid stainless steel case and bracelet
Available with or without branding
Great specification
Low price point
Tonnes of dial color options
Hi-beat movement options
Extra movement choices

Cons

Lume is weak
Not an original design
Awful water resistance (3ATM)

check out the bliger automatic on aliexpress

Bliger summary

Bezels are a mix of good and bad
Known QC issues
Mostly homage watches but many originals too
Customer service isn't always the best
Many styles and movements to choose from
Their lume isn't always good
Very affordable and easy to purchase

Cadisen

Cadisen competes in the same price range as Pagani and Bliger but, in my opinion, is the better choice. Cadisen offers some excellent watches at very fair prices. Like others on the list, they heavily opt for sapphire and 316L steel, but the thing that sets Cadisen apart is that their QC is generally better than Bliger and Pagani; however, they still have occasional issues.

CADISEN C8200M

Take this first example, the C8200M: it's solidly made, looks great, and has decent luminescence, but the bracelet brushing falls short. Of course, you can't expect the world for watches at this price, but this is an easy fix in the grand scheme. On the plus side, the dial is awesome, as is the finishing on the main watch itself. Another bonus is that this offering is not a direct homage and takes inspiration from a few luxury watches, including the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Maurice Lacroix Aikon – a rare feat for an Aliexpress watch brand.

As a result, the bracelet is semi-proprietary, meaning the main case doesn't look sleek with third-party straps, though changes are possible (unlike other integrated bracelet timepieces). While the butterfly clasp inhibits the adjustment range, you can remove links to get a basic level of alteration.

Diameter: 40.7mm

Lug to lug: 48.5mm

End link to end link: 58mm

Lug width: 20mm

Thickness: 11.5mm

Sapphire crystal

316L steel case & bracelet

Screw-down crown and case back

100m claimed water resistance

Miyota 8215 - 21 jewels, 21,600bph, 40-hr power reserve, -20/+40 seconds per day, no hacking, manual winding

Pros

Solid stainless steel case and bracelet
Well specced
Affordable
Well done dial
Attractive design

Cons

On the larger side
No adjustment on the clasp
It might not fit every wrist

check out the cadisen C8200M on aliexpress

Cadisen C8185G

Up next from Cadisen is their C8185G, which, as you can probably tell, is a fairly standard Rolex Day-Date homage.

That aside, it is a nice-looking watch with one of the most comprehensive choice lists I've seen. As of now, there are eight color options, as well as two different case choices and two different bezel variants if you don't like the fluted version. There's also a rarer meteorite texture option.

Like with the other Cadisen, the C8185G is made from 316L steel and uses sapphire for the crystal, but unlike the other Cadisen, this has a superior bracelet that's more comfortable. The downside to this one is the finish on the watch: I would have liked to have seen some more brushed areas, but that is mainly a personal preference, and you may prefer the polished look.

Within is the Miyota 8285, which provides the wide day complication at the top center. This watch is featured in multiple listings on AliExpress, including the smooth bezel configuration. There's also a very similar Rolex Datejust clone with a slightly different logo that might be worth considering.

Diameter: 40.3mm

Lug to lug: 47.9mm

Lug width: 20mm

Thickness: 11.8mm

Sapphire crystal

316L steel case & bracelet

Screw-down crown and case back (exhibition)

100m claimed water resistance

Miyota 8285 - 21 jewels, 21,600bph, 42-hr power reserve, -20/+40 seconds per day, no hacking, manual winding

Pros

Solid build quality
Great specification
Well priced
Loads of different dial, case, and bezel options
Comfortable to wear

Cons

No lume
Not an original design
Finishing mismatch

check out the cadisen c8185g on aliexpress

Pagani Design

Pagani Design is a divisive brand offering plenty of variety, often at the expense of quality control. Prevalent issues include faulty movements and dodgy bracelet links. As such, you may have to return a unit for a replacement. Their base level of finishing is better than others on this list, though they have to skimp somewhere to achieve this, with QC being the fall guy.

Pagani Design pd-1644

The Pagani Design PD-1644 is an example of where they shine. This piece was previously reviewed on Ben's Watch Club, though there's now an updated version that's majorly improved.

It has a well-built and solid 316L steel case, a sapphire crystal, and a reliable Seiko movement. That isn't all, as the new dial option is one of the best I've seen on a watch for under $100. It's a faux meteorite style, but they've managed to create genuine depth and texture that looks mighty convincing; no easy task on a budget watch. Unfortunately, the stock strap is pretty poor, so I've since substituted mine for a higher-end rally-style option to match the racing theme.

The updated dial makes this slightly better than most generic Rolex Daytona clones.

Diameter: 40.3mm

Lug to lug: 47.1mm

Lug width: 20mm

Thickness: 12.2mm

92g on the included strap

Sapphire crystal & ceramic bezel

316L steel case

Screw-down crown and case back

100m claimed water resistance

Seiko VK67 mecha-quartz - 0 jewels, -/+ 20 seconds per month, 3-year battery life, SR936SW battery

Pros

Fantastic dial
Reliable Seiko movement
Solid construction
Comfortable on a different strap
Variety of dial offerings

Cons

Weak lume
Sub-par stock strap
QC can be hit or miss

Pagani Design PD-2720K

Arguably the best value watch produced by Pagani Design is the PD-2720K chronograph, reviewed on our YouTube channel back in January 2020. This model has an original design that thrashes the far more expensive Vincero timepieces, making them the obvious go-to alternative.

At 43mm, it's pretty hefty, though it has a stunning level of quality that's often accessible for around $50! This includes a fully polished steel case, a domed mineral crystal, and a Seiko VK67 mecha-quartz movement, which gives the chronograph hand a mechanical-like sweep and the pushers a responsive feeling. The stock band on this model is alright for the money, while the dial is clean, with engraved subdials.

Available in multiple colors, this watch is one of the best affordable watches around, period. It can be purchased from AliExpress or the Pagani Design website, where it can sometimes be had for less money.

Diameter: 43mm

Thickness: 13.5mm

Lug to lug: 48mm

Lug width: 21mm

Case material: 316L stainless steel

Crystal: Domed mineral

Water resistance: 3bar (claimed)

Movement: Seiko VK67 Mecha-quartz

Pros

Insanely good quality for the money
Attractive dial
Mecha-quartz movement at a low price
Original Design
Ridiculously low price

Cons

Large size isn't forgiving for small arms
Mediocre band

Pagani Design PD-1716

Finally, we have the PD-1716, a homage to the bezel-less Tudor Black Bay, albeit with a much brighter dial. The version I have offers a clean look with a light blue dial, akin to the famous 'Tiffany blue'. If you aren't a fan of this variant, there are a few other dial options with this case.

The bracelet and case are made from 316L steel, and it has a milled clasp too. The glossy finishing here does look a tad out of place, though the newer release reportedly features a fully brushed bracelet. The main drawback is the lume; it starts strongly but fades quickly. Despite this, the applied markers are a nice touch, and at a mere 12mm in thickness, it's pretty nifty on the wrist.

Another boon is the 100m water resistance rating. It's more than adequate for a watch of this style, which is more of a dress-diver hybrid given the bezel-free design. At just over 37mm, this is mainly an alternative to the 36mm Tudor, so it will be very appealing to those after a compact wristwatch.

Diameter: 37.2mm

Lug to lug: 44.2mm

Thickness: 12mm

Lug width: 20mm

123g (sized for my six-inch wrist)

Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

316L steel case and bracelet

Screw-down crown and case back

100m claimed water resistance

Seiko NH35 automatic - 21,600bph, 24 jewels, -20/+40 seconds per day, 41-hour reserve, hacking, manual and auto winding

Pros

Nice, but not an original design
Solid case build quality
Reliable Seiko movement
Dial choices
Affordable
Compact and comfortable

Cons

Sub-par lume
Jangly bracelet
Unoriginal design
Polished sides get dirty easily

Here are some more things to note about Pagani Design as a brand.

Their bezels are a mixed bag of good and bad
Can have QC issues
Mostly homage watches
Usually have good customer service (can be store-dependent)
A lot of watch styles to choose from
Their lume needs work
Mostly very affordable and easy to get hold of

AliExpress Watch Brands To Avoid

Benyar

Are Benyar watches any good? Honestly, I would avoid these, as the brand has a long-standing reputation for misleading customers. They have been caught on multiple occasions lying about the materials used in their watches, including case materials and crystals, along with other specifications such as size and water resistance.

I understand that sometimes typos happen, and language barriers add another level of complexity, though when patterns start emerging, you begin questioning whether these errors are intentional. To date, there are still active listings with questionable specifications in their listings.

One prime example is this third-party listing.

This is the BY-5120M, a watch that costs less than $30 and is listed as having a stainless steel case. Of course, that is unlikely to be 316L, though there are other lesser and cheaper qualities of steel used. Even those are very unlikely to be found on a watch costing as little as this. In all fairness to the Benyar brand, this is sold on a third-party store, so they may not have control over the listing. Still, it doesn't paint the brand in a good light.

Another example of questionable listings is this, which I found on their official store!

The model number for this is the BY-5192M and again is very affordable, costing just over $30. Again, the case material is listed as stainless steel, but common sense might question if that is even possible, given all that goes into making a watch, plus labor and other overheads.

YouTube reviewers have previously exposed similar Benyar watches, advertised as stainless steel, for being constructed of an inferior chrome-plated zinc alloy. Other Benyar watches have even had their case cheekily marked as ‘Sainless Steel’ so they can dodge responsibility for it not being the real deal.

There are more examples of this scattered around AliExpress and on their official store, so my advice would be to contact the seller directly and ask for clarifications if you suspect foul play.

One thing I can't ignore is the performance of the Benyar watches I have purchased in the past, such as their 5120M and 5164M. Both of these broke within a few days of the first usage. I have to credit Benyar as they did provide me with a refund on both occasions - at the cost of sending the watches back. They seem to be trying to improve their brand image but still have a long way to go to accomplish it.

Final Thoughts

So, AliExpress isn't all bad! Fantastic deals can be had if you know which brands to buy from and which to avoid. Of course, Ben's Watch Club still recommends undertaking your own research before making any purchases. This way, you can be sure if the brand and store are a good fit for you.