r/SkmeiWatchFans

https://preview.redd.it/zr1yu5erb62h1.jpg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acc5e75737fa87d0fd2919c730a68970eae1f8b7

https://preview.redd.it/kphyyi6sb62h1.jpg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c9336a624e4d56dcbc95657f7dbe669ba44398b

Mine has flaws:

1. Dust on LCD, some big 5 mm one also. I already have a set of Phillips screwdrivers on order so I can open the watch and Rodico that shit out. But considering flaws 2. and 3., I shouldn't even bother with this watch. I already have the SANDA 329 bigger Mr. version which is too big (I actually got a full refund on Ali), but has only flaw of too tight strap keeper, but module is perfect. If smaller Ms. version won't have that flaw, I already found a perfect G-Shock clomage. Even better than original as I really don't like the recessed buttons on it.

All watches of this model have flaws:

2. Sun icon shows when right digit for seconds is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9. Those digits that have a vertical line in the center. Not much problem when in time mode. But in stopwatch mode the right 2 digits are for 1/100 second. That means that sun icon flashes like crazy. Who the f*** thought of that?
   Actually on watches like SKMEI 2451 (CASIO AE-1200 clomage) that right upper circle also changes in pattern. Each rightmost digit 0-9 is connected to each circle pattern. For example 5 will always have the same (cross) pattern. That one is at least better than the sun icon on 1628.

3. Reset for stopwatch is together with light. I get it for CASIO watches like F-91W or F-105W which only have 3 buttons. But for a 4 button watch that is borderline r*****ed.
   It's actually so dumb I have to check what the right lower button actually does.
   OK, I checked, it goes into settings. You don't even have to press and hold it like manual says, only press once. And diagram at the top of manual says "reset", which is not true.

Data I check with all my watches:

1. Stopwatch deviation from my Citizen 1/1000s: -0,194 to -0,025 (span 0,17 s) (average deviation -0,11 s). Just for reference, this is bad, the worst I have, and not usable for stopwatch for me. For comparison even my Seiko A159-5019 from 1979 with only 1/10s stopwatch has lower span of 0,15 s and average deviation of only +0,005 s. So that means average repeatability is quite good, but border deviation is still high.
2. buttons - very good in comparison with CASIO M5610U where they are too recessed to be usable for stopwatch
3. perpetual calendar - yes, but only up to year 2049, other watches have up to 2099, but competitor SANDA 329 is a rare one that doesn't have it at all
4. 24 hour time format - yes, you have to set it in settings
5. can you set DD.MM - no
6. strap keeper - maybe a little harder to insert, buy no biggie, much better compared to SANDA 329 where you have to really struggle to fit it, at least on bigger Mr. version, I have yet to get the Ms. version
7. light - 2 bright green ones on left and right, much better than on F-91W

Please don't tell me about money, that it costs little and just buy a CASIO. I don't care about money. Well, I do care for price/quality for every stuff I buy. I state this because even though I am on SKMEI subreddit, I have experience how some people here think. And it's not how they should think. Even if a watch were 1,00 EUR, I can still mention the flaws, but I can conclude it doesn't matter for that money. But for 10 EUR I will not conclude that. I have on order watches ranging from 1,60 EUR to 21,00 EUR. I am quite sure even the cheapest F-91W clones won't have stupid flaws like that sun icon, but they don't have 4 buttons anyway.

Good review mentions all the positives and all the negatives.

If not for reviews for each watch, I will at least rank them, so we can comb out the trash tier.

I will also buy a CASIO F-91W. This isn't a half-ass journey, but it will be a proper one, I always go all in when I start something. My sole goal is to find the best price/quality watches, no matter the price. That means every Chinese watch I can get hands on and a few more known CASIO models. I don't intend to get a full collection of CASIOs, I don't even have space for that. But like 15 including the 9 I already have.