u/lphalicious

Got this bad boy for my 40th birthday and the impending arrival of my first son, so naturally I panicked and chose a watch instead of reading a parenting book. Picked the blue dial because he’s due in September and I’m apparently the kind of dad who color-codes major life events to a wristwatch.

The PRX is genuinely gorgeous. That waffle dial catches light like it’s auditioning for a disco ball, the integrated bracelet is buttery smooth, and the Powermatic 80 movement means I can be lazy for three days straight and it still knows what time it is, unlike me most mornings.

Only issue: I got the 40mm before Tissot blessed us with the 35mm, and now I’m stuck wondering if my wrists are actually built for a dinner plate. Every time I glance down I feel like I’m wearing a manhole cover with delusions of elegance. But returning a gift this loaded with meaning for a smaller case felt like telling my newborn “sorry, wrong size, try again in nine months.” So here we are, wrist slightly overwhelmed, dignity intact, watch untouched.

Ten out of ten. Would still wear it even if it occasionally makes me look like I’m hiding a dinner plate up my sleeve.

I dropped €55 on the Militado D12 (v2) from AliExpress in November 2025, fully expecting to get what I paid for. Spoiler: I did not, in the best possible way.

This isn’t my daily wearer, it’s quartz, so it doesn’t need the babysitting my automatics do. It’s my “palate cleanser” watch, the one I grab when I’m sick of winding mechanicals. Its real superpower is being a strap monster: the case plays nice with any strap combo, and AliExpress straps are shockingly good in both price and quality. Currently rocking a military-style canvas strap after swapping the stock leather, and it’s a whole new watch.

Accuracy is ridiculous for the price, a few seconds fast per day, which beats a lazy watch that lags any day.

The brushed steel case hides scratches and smudges like a champ, and somehow at this price they slapped on scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Feels like a typo on their part.

The lume is where the D12 really flexes: two-tone, green on markers and hands, blue on numerals. Most budget watches skip this entirely, but it makes real difference in the dark, everything stays legible at a glance, no guessing which glow is which. Almost unfair to the competition at this price.

On my 7-inch wrist it sits perfectly, no pressure points, no regret after hours of wear.
Downsides? Genuinely can’t find one yet.

Bottom line: a rock-solid, scratch-hiding, accurate beater with lume that actually works. Ideal entry point for budget-strap addicts who want max mileage per euro.

Finally got my hands on the watch I have been eyeing for ages, and the story behind it makes it even sweeter. My son and his mother gave me this Citizen for my birthday, and honestly it could not have been a better surprise.

I had been searching for the BN0261-51E for a while, but kept running into the same issue: the seconds hand almost never aligned properly with the markers on the dial. Frustrating when you are chasing that clean, symmetrical look. After enough patience (and a fair bit of nitpicking at every store), I finally found one at a jeweler with alignment I could actually live with.

To keep the stainless steel bracelet safe and pristine, I swapped in an aftermarket rubber strap for a tougher, more sporty vibe. Went with a black and red combo, and honestly the color pairing gives me serious Prada energy. Feels way more high-end than I expected for a strap swap.

Anyway, very happy with this one. Sometimes the hunt makes the watch even better once it is finally on your wrist.

Value for money: excellent For just €55 on AliExpress, I picked up a quartz watch with sapphire crystal that gives me zero worries. Perfect “daily beater”: I’m happy to wear it anywhere without stressing over scratches or damage.

Size With my slim 15 cm wrist, I was after something understated. The 36mm diameter is spot on: subtle and refined, especially with the original strap. Great for a neat, intellectual look.

Original strap: looks great for a smarter outfit

19mm canvas (bought separately): gives it a tougher, casual vibe

Nice that the watch adapts so easily to different styles.

Finishing What really surprised me: the hands land dead-on every second marker. That’s not a given with quartz watches, so a solid plus.

Conclusion An entry-level piece that feels like way more than €55. Recommended for anyone looking for a subtle, well-finished watch without the risk of a pricier purchase.

I went to the jeweler today to try on (and buy) the BN0261-51E. While the watch itself is visually stunning, I was deeply frustrated to notice that the second hand was significantly misaligned with the indices. This lack of precision was a dealbreaker for me, and I left the store empty-handed and disappointed.

For those who own this specific model: Is this a structural issue with this reference, or did I just encounter a faulty unit? I would love to hear if any of you have managed to find one with perfect alignment.