No one wants to acknowledge that modern technology, manufacturing, and quality control have caught up to the once elite watch brands. The best mechanical watches had already been beat out by a quartz in the 60’s. Sapphire, titanium, 400 parts movement mechanical automatic watches are under $1,000.00 … you can pay $5,000 or $100,000 but what are you actually getting aside from a name or design that honestly isn’t artistically groundbreaking. I also work a blue collar job - I’m not wearing a $5,000 watch that might get damaged, broken beyond reasonable repair, lost, or under the right circumstances stolen. I can see paying up to around $2,000 on the highest end and after that ya lost me. I keep it under $700 normally.

@SoCalWatchReviews

Ай бұрын

Great points and thank you for watching!

@yashnigam6

Ай бұрын

People don’t get into the luxury watch game because they need an accurate timepiece for work. I wear my Casio for work. They get into it for a number of reasons. For the nerds, the complications and design make watches a blend of artistry and engineering. Whether it’s the finishing on the movement, the dial design and the proportions, or the needless mechanical complications, certain luxury watches just stand out, set trends and inspire other watchmakers. Some people buy them to commemorate a milestone by buying something specifically because it’s expensive. Gold has very little practical use for most people, yet people buy it because it’s rare and it’s coveted. Same thing with watches. And some people just like to show off their wealth, and honestly, they’re not hurting anyone by doing that. No need to make watch collecting a purely logical endeavour.

@SoCalWatchReviews

Ай бұрын

@@yashnigam6 You bring up some great points the table as well! Thank you for watching!

Can't help thinking that the bezel is too thick. The Addiesdive quartz and auto homages are nearer to the mark. (AD2112 & AD2023) If the name/logo is too plain for you then you will be the only person to like those of the Addiesdive. If Baltany put a quartz movement in this then I would be the first in the queue to buy.

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

The bezel could definitely be slimmed down, but in person it doesn’t look bad. Thank you for watching 👍🏼

I think you should take a closer look at the logo the subtle detail on the A and L are very well done. I also much prefer their font choice on the automatic and water resistance markings compared to San Martin who truly does use the most basic font you can find. I appreciate that Baltany leans for subtlety and attention to detail over loud and ornate logo design. There’s not a single Chinese homage watch brand logo I would rate higher than baltany and I challenge you to show me one that is actually more pleasing to look at on the dial if your watch

@SoCalWatchReviews

17 сағат бұрын

@@TimChang-n6h Thanks for the comment and watching 👍🏼

Damn! I didnt know baltany made this incredible quality great video bro!

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Great watches for not a lot of $! Thank you for the the support my man!

Nice video! I do like that logo, simple, elegant, good name too, unlike many Chinese brands that are unpronounceable. I agree with you, I’d also like white numerals instead of the fauxtina ones, easier to wear with almost everything. Baltany does have that design that they keep throughout their line, all their watches have that vintage-classic look. Keep the good work!

@SoCalWatchReviews

20 күн бұрын

@@charliealva4833 Thank you 🙏 for the support!

The Baltany looks lovely for the money .. I think it’s fine to buy a homage until you can afford the real thing .. that’s if you decide to keep it. I have a Smiths Everest and it’s absolutely amazing even compared to its Rolex equivalent

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Agree 💯 and I need to buy a Smiths, such cool watches! Thank you for the support.

Yeah . I like 'em . Got the brown . Got it with bracelet but like it best on a tan leather NATO I turned into single pass , trimmed the end and got rid of the second retainer . A real one would be extra great (Rolex) but I just enjoy the homages and watching other people enjoy their Rolex . Also have the Armida with the ETA 2836 in it and it's really great but a bit thick with 300 meters and a huge box domed sapphire .

@justinehayward2553

17 күн бұрын

I bought one too. They sent me a brown leather strap with it on request. However, I'm unsure I want to change it to leather now.

Great video, i was waiting for a review on this marvel that suits a brand like Baltany very well. I favour vintage references of the Explorer but it's out of question getting one, specially for actual use, so a high quality homage like that is my way to go (and for a fraction of the costs). I absolute appreciate the female endlinks and exaggerated 'claimed' water resistance.

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Definitely a great homage watch for the $! Thank you for watching 👍🏼

Awesome vid brother! I agree that Baltany always delivers over its price point! 😎🙌

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Thank you for the continued support ❤️ we need to get you in contact with Baltany, would love to see your videos on them!

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Thank you for the continued support ❤️ we need to get you in contact with Baltany, would love to see your videos on them!

Great video 👊😊. Love the 1016❤

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

One day we will be 1016 twins ❤️

I would actually love to see a homage of the Smiths watch.

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

👍🏼

Honestly I've seen several homages of the explorer but I think this one from Baltany is the better one awesome review as always Miguel

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Agree and thank you for the continued support my friend!

...... I've tried several Explorer homages and the best by far is the Armida A6 ..... 36mm case , no fauxtina , drilled lugs , ETA movement , superb finishing , a seriously good quality watch ...... however it is more than two and a half times the cost of the Baltany ( although they do have a sale several times a year ) .... but worth every cent if you want to scratch that original 1016 itch ....... and none of that crap you have to go through dealing with the Smiths from Timefactors .......

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing 👍🏼

For many people the 1016 is not only out of reach financially and the chances of actually seeing or holding one is also slim. I agree , for those who want to try the style and size before a larger purchase why not try something like this.

@SoCalWatchReviews

Ай бұрын

Agree and thank you for watching!

BTW do you know they have an option that they can put your logo or writing (non copyrighted) on the dial on Baltany's site for like ~$38? I wanna put a logo of my company, it's just me and my bud in the company so we would have our own "merch" watches😂I so want the bezel on this 1016 be thinner, closer to original tho. I'm battling with myself for a month now if I should buy it with the custom dial or not lol

@SoCalWatchReviews

8 күн бұрын

@@armancz Yes I was aware and thanks for the reminder, I’ll mention it in the next review. Thank you for watching and I think you should totally customize the watch 👍🏼

@armancz

8 күн бұрын

@@SoCalWatchReviews I still hope they come up with updated bezel version, it's the only thing missing for a perfect 1016 homage. Forgot to say - great review, finally someone who owns a real Explorer chiming in with Baltany's review on that watch :D

@SoCalWatchReviews

8 күн бұрын

@@armancz Thank you 🙏

They do a version of the Vacheron constantin 1921 which gives that funky look. Enjoyed the video as usual

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

I need to bring that one in for review and thank you 🙏

@marcheezy.

11 күн бұрын

With "hardened" 316L steel. Unfortunately only the automatic 1921s (they also have quartz versions) were confirmed to me by Baltany to have the hardened steel in their entire lineup.

Beautiful watch terrible name haha! This is a lovely take on an absolute classic! You are right my friend... This will make a great GADA watch! Have a great week Miguel!

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

The name definitely needs some work 😂 and thank you for watching brother!

@johanvandersandt8904

2 ай бұрын

@@SoCalWatchReviews 😄👌

That bass hit hard

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

💯 👍🏼 agree

Such an interesting question. Is the Rolex worth the premium? In real terms, clearly not. An unitiated person could easily prefer the looks of the Baltany and the improved movement is far worse in all functional respects than a decent quartz movement. The name Rolex does have value and history but most of all, I think, if we are being honest, the Rolex makes the statement that you are a successful person who can afford to wear it.

@SoCalWatchReviews

5 күн бұрын

@@Hemebean well said!

Why do people who can afford to spend Rolex money & are prepared to pay for one complain about people who can’t or won’t , when they buy a cheaper option? The homages are not fakes, claiming to be something they aren’t. Very few watches can claim to be totally original designs anyway.

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Because humans like to complain about everything 😂 thank you for watching 👍🏼

@martinowl

2 ай бұрын

@@SoCalWatchReviews well, yea, that’s true! Lol

Great Miguel 👍

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Gracias 🙏

Baltany look like the tudor ranger not explorer😂

@SoCalWatchReviews

Ай бұрын

Incorrect, the Ranger has the numeral at the 12’oclock. This homage has the same numerals as the 1016. Furthermore the ranger is an homage of the Explorer 1016. Thank you for watching 👍🏼

Tudor's entire business model was built on copying Rolex, nkt even homage, straight rip and while theyve moved on to more original designs they still produce Rolex copies yet any watch snob considers Tudor a legit brand. The only difference between Baltany, San Martin, etc and Tudor is time.

@SoCalWatchReviews

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching and your comment 👍🏼

@oxthemoron

12 күн бұрын

Time and the fact that Tudor and Rolex are sister companies, and Tudor was started by the founder of Rolex to take Rolex cases and insert standard movements so that they could be more affordable, and Tudor is still a Swiss company with a strong warranty behind it and solid in house movements.

Thank you china . We have been getting gouged by the Swiss watch industry, China it’s a game changer like Japan was in the 70 s.. hopefully they will have to compete and the prices will drop or they will go out of business.

@SoCalWatchReviews

25 күн бұрын

@@davidreid1805 👍🏼

Yes!! The 1016 is THE best Explorer variant IMO. Great video!!

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Agree with you and thank you for the support my man!

It’s pronounced like Bal-ta-knee. Not Bal-Tany.

@SoCalWatchReviews

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the English lesson 👍🏼 not sure Baltany is even an English word, but thanks for caring so much.

Octopus much better true to

@SoCalWatchReviews

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching 👍🏼

Don’t buy homages/copies. Buy the original. Nothing else will satisfy the urge. You’ll end up spending more money…

@PocketUau

2 ай бұрын

This is an opinion many are parroting just because it’s what big companies want them to say. The truth is that luxury watches are overpriced, and it’s time some of the idiots in offices tone down the luxury facade when in reality their products aren’t more valid than most cheaper watches. It’s popular to hate on homages, but as an ex Swatch Group, now LVMH WJ employee, I can firmly state that the difference in external build quality is no longer a point of contention. My San Martin is better assembled than any Bulgari Al, Tag Heuer or Longines, which are all made in China as well, even though the marketing offices don’t want you customers to know the truth.

@Dr_LK

2 ай бұрын

@@PocketUau I have bought homages and regretted it .. sure price is more than the quality gap, but still, original is best.

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

@@Dr_LK I personally don’t buy homage watches to keep long term, as said in my video, homage watches can help someone decide if they want to splurge on the real thing. We can all agree these watches have zero originality as they’re copies of the real thing, but it terms of build quality they’re some brand out there like Baltany, SanMartin that overdeliver on their price point.

@ninjesus4079

2 ай бұрын

it might work with some people but for me you're absolutely right, nothing like wearing an original. Can't afford a 7k Explorer? then buy a Seiko or Hamilton or anything else that is not trying to be something else.

@joaomatheussoaresamorimwer1926

2 ай бұрын

That speech is just a lame excuse that watch snobs use in order to try to keep an allegedly uniqueness in their timepieces. Guess what? There is nothing unique in a Rolex watch. It’s just a mass-produced-very-overpriced watch. Not everyone can afford a Rolex, and some people just think that they are not worth the price, despite their timeless designs. A homage isn’t trying to fool anybody. People should just buy whatever makes them happy.

you’re literally my comfort person i love you #nkuwan !

@SoCalWatchReviews

2 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏