u/sputniking1815

I like the semi-solar idea. I got the black screen--a brain fart to be sure--I intended to get a white screen, but I saw the blue case and strap combo--and like a five yr old--I just thought, "I like blue." Now I have a blue watch with a black screen. The blue doesn't come with a white screen on black or camo strap/case. In defense of my five yr old powers of decision--I do have a number of black plastic Skmei (it sounds both plural and singular, Like "deer" or "milk"). I like the look of the black screen, but i just can't see what they say.

I’ve accumulated these. Reliable, no worry timepieces. What would you recommend in addition to these?

https://preview.redd.it/2dyjel4yd6fh1.png?width=468&format=png&auto=webp&s=efbeba1e23a02ac1ca084c3f531c7f2421d909a1

Lesser known Skmei #3

 

 

There are a seemingly infinite number of Skmei watch models out there. There are well-known and well-loved casio homages: 2042, 1628, 2460,1123 and so on. I’m looking at some lesser known Skmei models. I want to know if there is a reason for their obscurity or if some just get lost in the profusion of possibilities. Previously, I’ve looked at the 1691 and the 2218.

 Today it’s the 2617. I got it for under $10 usd, so it’s a little more expensive than other basic Skmei digitals. I think it’s worth the price. In fact I really like this watch. It is widely available on AliEx,, but I’ve never heard it discussed. Why? It’s very comfortable, has a subdued late 80s-early 90s retro futuristic vibe. It isn’t flashy and comes in some color-ways suitable for a child (yuck), but the basic black is perfect. The 2617 is a mere 8mm thick, shaped to fit one’s wrist—amazingly comfortable. The lug to lug is modest 46.2–so great for my skinny 6.5” inch wrist. The external appearance is sleek and pleasing overall . Unlike most Skmei, it is controlled by three square buttons level with the front of the case on which they are mounted. Easy to set and adjust, but you do need to pay attention since the feel and location render the buttons largely undifferentiated to touch. Its functions are extended basic: stopwatch, alarm, countdown,and 24-12. The screen is wide, its numerals are clear (less 88:88 than many other). It takes a common cr 2016 battery. 50 meters wr claimed. I exercised, showered,and washed my Great Dane with it on for a week—no problem.

 

There is a catch. It doesn’t have a back light for the screen. It’s not that it doesn’t work—it’s not even a design consideration. I’m okay with that. But a back lit screen is one real reason to buy a digital watch (forget endless discussions of lume with analog watches). I love my 2617! You might too if you don’t need a light. I suppose that is a big if.

Lesser Known

Skmei #2

Skmei 1651

The Skmei catalog is seemingly boundless, but even Skmei fans don’t wander far from a handful of models. These favorites are generally the digital Casio homages. My inquiry is a) to mention and describe a few of the lesser known watches, and b) to ask if many of these lesser known Skmei are lesser known because are poorly designed, ugly, or are compromised in a particular way.

Last time I looked at a negative screen Skmei 2218. A clean, attractive design with a one button control for everything. Mine didn’t have a functioning back light. For me, this qc problem makes the black screen display really limited.

This time, I want to look at a relatively modest 1651 women’s analog watch. I got this for mywife who churns through watches and sunglasses quite often. As a result, she tries to keep itcheap—since it’s a gonner as soon as she gets one. The watch’s simplicity and price are it’sonly virtues. 5 atm water resistance—good! Plastic case. TPU band. My wife found it slippery onthe wrist—so—telling time meant also twisting the watch to see its face. Since my wife has pooreyesight, it is also the case that the watch is just too small to read at a glance. Attached pic of Skmei 1412 (F91 clone, so yo can see the size.

I’d say it is practical to the point of basic. That’s okay, but you have to be able to see it. Oddly,the size suggests a jewelry piece, while the reality is boring and merely functional. If you want a small boring and so far quite accurate watch—here it is. However, a cell phone is more accurate and jewelry needs to be nice to look at. This isn’t much of a gift watch.

Okay, so there are something like a million different Skmei out there. But we only talk about a few. Granted the 1628 is amazing. What about the 2218? The 2218 looks best (my opinion) with the black display. The problem is the black display isn’t really a good choice for seeing what time it is, if viewing conditions aren’t idea ( inside in indirect light). When it’s in daylight (even indirect) or dim indoors you have to use the backlight. To do that you press its single button for a second—or is it 1.5 or 2 ? My backlight doesn’t work at all. So, an unforced qc error on Skmei. But get used to using the one button pressing for varying lengths of time to get it to do anything other than look okay. The strap is worth $5usd (perhaps), so it’s a break even proposition (sort of).

After a week with it, I’m moving on to another lesser known Skmei.

So, I’ll bet a lot of you AliEx watch hunters have seen these and had the same WTF. No dimensions or real specs in the listing. I have 6.5” or 16.5 cm wrists, so, I do look for smaller watches in general. This is old school small. Looks like a 20s Rolex (sized for the period), but it dinky and won’t look good on most of the meat logs we call “arms” in the USA. Nice materials and the movement (whatever is in the tiny case) has been accurate for a week.