Thank you for your review. I read your other watch reviews too, but this review sold me on a Naviforce watch. I bought an NF9066M. Hopefully it keeps time well.
I wonder what other cheap watch brands use Japanese movements and have a decent build quality.
I bought a Naviforce analog/digital watch from Banggood about a year ago for about $16, and after a few months the digital LCD functions stopped working. I figured it needed a new battery, so I tried to unscrew the back by tapping on the notches, finally getting it to move a bit. But I found that it actually just snapped on, and the shock from the removal attempt had caused the hands to fall off. There were two batteries, and both tested OK, but the LCD was still blank. I got the guts removed, and replaced the hands, so the analog mechanism works again, but the digital still does not work.
Mainly I wanted to point out that this watch had a āfakeā screw-on back, and others may also.
The metal band was also a challenge to remove links, but not bad once you know the trick.
Nowadays we can get genuine Casio watches for under 20 bucks. And for that price you have a reliable watch, a long-lasting battery, and good water resistance!
problem is most likely the connection between the 2 boards - i HATE 2 battery watches!
it;s a compression fit and the connector gradually compresses and quits making contactā¦
I bought a Casio for $12 on ebay a few years ago. Battery life is claimed to be 10 years. I use it when Iām working around the house. So far itās been reliable. Canāt complain for $12
I like the idea of having both analog and digital displays. I bought another watch, this time from AlieExpress, for about $13. It is also rather large and heavy (as was the Naviforce):
The band was too large,so I tried the usual method to remove links, but it only worked on one. So I used the alternate method of bending the links. That worked OK, but it shows that this is really a cheap watch. However, it does work OK. When I got it, I had to set the digital time and date. But the analog setting was right on! I donāt think they are synchronized, but it seemed like it, or maybe it was preset when shipped? I doubt that.
My previous watch was a dual display solar Skmei from Banggood. The rubber band fell apart:
I borrowed a stainless steel band from another watch I got at Walmart around 2013 (the band was actually from another watch). This watch still runs after 5 years.
I had to modify the plastic case of the Skmei watch to fit the replacement band. You can see that the āgoldā finish has worn off. The analog function of the Skmei stopped working, which is why I bought the Naviforce.
For my next watch I might try one of the āsmartā watches with a graphic display that can show analog or digital.
You donāt have to flick your wrist with a smart watch; you can turn it just like with any other watch and the display will power on. A lot of people wear smart watches where I work; I think they all get it anyway. Flick it on purpose; thatāll speed them up!
Regardless of how good these Chinese knockoffs (ironic eh) look; they stick out like a sore thumb. I collect rare and antique watches so Iām not going to even give a minute of comparison time to cheap crud; I just wanted to briefly communicate on the smart watch comment. To each their own.
Judging by the rather battered state of those watches, I wouldnāt recommend a smartwatch for you. Iām thinking if you got one of those and submitted it to the torture those other watches have had it wouldnāt last long! :laughing:
Those are some of the most wrecked watches I have seen!
Iād keep getting cheap watches and buy a new one every now and again.
Ok, that one was cheap, but imagine, my both (!) watches are broken.
Is there any good budget watches with āsolarā battery (Iām a knife guy, you can lecture me about the correct watch terms )
and the minimalistic looks similar to Skagen watches or maybe a military watch like my Traser P5900 (iirc the original design is by Hamilton)?