u/AlexMullerSA

I bought my first two Skmei watches yesterday. The 2328 was a little TOO white for my liking, so decided to try my Casio Gshock 5600 band on it which I replaced with a Stainless steel. The inner lugs are just just a little narrower than the watch, but the out strap luckily looks right at home.

I think it came out looking pretty good with a break in the color, and the Gshock strap is so much more comfortable than the Skmei stock one. What do you guys think? Looks good or an abomination?

Always been a watch fan, particularly a fan of Casio watches and stumbled across this sub and enjoying the different watches, looks and styles and very impressed with the prices I have been seeing. In trying to get out of my comfort zone of black watches (my daily is a negative display all black gshock with a black stainless steel band) I thought Skmei might be a good way to test some different looks without breaking the bank and having regret/buyers remorse. I also wanted to find something that doesnt look exactly like Casio clones.

Initial thoughts.

Both watches seem of excellent quality. I obviously cant speak for paint wear or scratch resistance yet, but as far as tolerances and quality control, they both look like mid Casio tier watches.

Ref. 2328 paid zar R132 ~$8

This one will take some getting used to. Its all white design and colorful dials are something completely different to my usual look. The button config will take some getting used to as its my first ana/digi watch. Its light and comfortable. The chime is nice and loud and the backlight is awesome. I also appreciate that when setting something the 'light' button can be used to dial a digital back if you overshoot holding in. Only thing i wish it had was a button or way to move the dials temporarily to see the screen when you are using its functions.

Ref. 2543 paid zar R156 ~$9.50

Immediately felt at home on my arm. Very comfortable watch, weight and strap. Screen is so clear and legible. Buttons are easy to press and familiar functions to the usual Casio watch. Chime is loud and the backlight is absolutely brilliant. There really isnt anything that I dont like about it, I can see me wearing this one a lot.

I has set them both to my exact time and will keep a log along with all my other watches to see how the time deviates on a monthly basis.

Happy to answer any questions.

Got my DW5600 stealth black yesterday, didnt like the strap that it came with, felt a bit cheap and stiff.

So I got a black stainless steel strap and 16-22mm lug adapters. Initially thought it was a little heavy but wearing it today the weight gives it such a premium look and feel to the all black watch.

Lugs are a little shinier than I would like, ill see if I can get matt black ones in the future. There were plastic ones that I might try, but thought I would finish the metal band with a metal lug.

Negative display is not as bad as I expected. I get that its not nearly as legible as the positive, but for personal use I havnt found any issues with looking at my watch head on like I always do when looking at the time. And when the light is low it gives me an excuse to use the awesome white light which I really like on the negative display.

This sub was recommended to me a few months ago in my newsfeed. Always worn a watch and even had an f91 when I was a preteen, but been wearing a smartwatch for the last 10 years.

Had enough of planned obsolescence and charging a device that bothers me and doesnt even look good.

So I bought my first Casio in a used shop i walked past; an A178w. What a lovely little watch. Lightweight, big text to read and very comfortable.

The next day I happen to be at some other shopping centre that also has a second hand store so I thought let me just look and see what they have, and they had the AE1600H in basically mint condition with all packaging etc for less than half what they go for new so I picked that up.

The addiction caught me from there.

Finally today, I found a DW5600UBB sealed being auctioned by a collector, so I put a tiny bid in not thinking anything and ended up winning the auction.

I didnt really like the look and feel of the strap so on my way home from picking it up I stopped and got a black stainless steel band and 16-22mm lug adapters to fit the Gshock.

For everything I am in about ZAR 2200($135), basically what the cheapest DW5600U new costs around here and about a 1/3 of what a new smartwatch would have cost me.

Now I have 3 Casios I can rotate and each serve a purpose.

Too afraid to buy a watch box in fear that I will need to fill all the spaces!

Anyway. Glad I finally rid myself of a smartwatch, got something functional, durable, beautiful and far less distracting.

Next one I have my eye on would be the Casio Royal, particularly to mod and change some color filters for the various windows. Also want an EL light watch, maybe an A168w or F105.

Hey guys, I have been wearing a smartwatch for the last 6 years (1 every 2 years) and decided I am tired of the planned obsolescence, products that only last a drop or as long as the battery has life. Also in the pursuit of less distractions I want to get rid of my smart watch and replace it with a Casio.

I have my eye on the following as they all have a look I like as well as size for my larger wrists. I am a personal trainer and work in the gym, but do not use a fitness monitor. I use my stop watch and timer quite regularly for clients. I also set timers quite often at home for cooking, watering the garden, screen time for the kids etc so would be useful to set that from the watch. I don't swim so not worried about the water proofing other than daily showers which I know they can all handle.

I have been using my smartwatch as a vibrating alarm which has been great with not disturbing my wife in the morning. There is 1 model that offers vibrating alarms which is a bonus, but not something I will make my purchase decision on as I can always just buy a cheap vibrating band off amazon and put that on before bed at night.

Do any of you have some experiences with these watches and can give me some insight? I am thinking of getting 1 and then maybe 3 or 4 months later getting a second one just for rotation, fashion and since they are all about ~$65 in my currency its really not going to break the bank.

options:

WS-1400H white (looks different, dedicated stopwatch button)

MWD-110H black/silver (rugged, nice module)

W-737H black/silver (rugged nice module)

w-221H black/grey (large screen, big font, square case)

W-738H black/grey (large font, vibrating alarm)

I am leaning towards the: WS-1400H white which has a cool look and a dedicated stopwatch button for my daily work. and then maybe the W-738H in black/grey for the vibrating alarm feature and large font.

What are your thoughts?

Took my Sony A7C and Carl Zeiss Jena Flektagon 35mm f2.4 to a car show to capture some moments. What do you think?