Another great long term review, your conclusions seem spot on 👍. I think the mismatch between the dial and case size is the worst fault, but the dial would look much better with just a sunburst. Personally, I would prefer a Presage, the dials are larger and better quality and just keep it dry.
Good review. A few observations. The newer version comes in a very smart wood box. No “rip off Rolex green box” anymore. Very premium look and feel. I bought the ocean blue one and the dial is absolutely stunning, definitely not plastic looking at all. The bracelet is stellar. Sapphire crystal all around, superb finish on case and bracelet, for $350? Not bad at all, if you ask me. I really don’t know how you’d expect more for the pricepoint. Also, much talk about this being Chinese made, with absolutely zero evidence. What’s that all about? If you definitely KNOW something, go ahead and say it. Otherwise don’t. Simple as that.
Hi James great content on your channel I agree with you on the Habuka the watch is generally good I have the black dial version and it looks really plasticky more so than the white I love my addiesdives in blue white and sand in my opinion their dials look better Brian From Blyth U.k.
First, I think it’s a nice looking watch, but it’s not stunning. For the money, I would hope the finishing is at least up to San Martin Standards. If it is not, you’re absolutely right, I would go Addiesdive all day long and use the money I save to buy another GS Homage from Seestern, S446. Thanks the great review.
I prefer my Hitori Yoshino in ice blue. The case is more interesting. I do agree with your commenters though about a Chinese brand masquerading as Japanese. But have to admit the blue looks gorgeous with my outfits. 🥳
I like this. Given the price and the expectation as a Japanese brand I think its fair for what it is if not a bit pricey.. If I was a watch brand still getting on my feet it would make sense to have Chinese production. I agree with you on the changes to make this from average to awesome! Have a great one James!
Unfortunately it is not a Japanese brand. It is just trying to look that way. Which is not that different to others I have seen. But it does feel a bit deceptive.
It's a nice design. Agree on the dial. Maybe a plain white would have suited it better. Trying to emulate a GS dial is great if they get it right, but looks not so good if they get it wrong. However with my eyesight I'd never notice.
San Martin do a snow white GMT which is beautiful and really well finished. This may scratch your GS snowflake itch for a while. It had mine until I get the GS in titanium
I shopped the Hitori before and saw a couple of positive reviews. But I thought it was weird the only place you can buy it is on Gnomon watches. I think the Citizen nb1060 is more like what I'm looking for. What I really want is probably the AQ4020-54 Chronomaster but that's a bit spendy.
The box is a straight rip off of older Rolex wooden boxes, except it’s in blue. Willing to bet that box originated from Rolex counterfeit factories in China. Weird
You're really paying $200 more for all the misleading nonsense that Gnomon wrote about it, giving it a veneer of being a Japanese brand. If Gnomon wants to make Grand Seiko inspired watches, then power to them, but what's wrong with taking cues from Singaporean culture and landscapes? Why do they have to hijack Japanese culture and landscapes? I'm all for cultural borrowing and melding, but that's not what's happening here. Hitori with it's nigh nonsense name, misleading marketing, and brain dead design ethos fail as homages, you're better off with an AliX knock off for half the price. Gnomon should do better.
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Thanks for the review & keep up the good work James - let’s push & get you to 9,000 subscribers very soon 🇬🇧👍🏼
Thank you. Hopefully not too long now
Another great long term review, your conclusions seem spot on 👍. I think the mismatch between the dial and case size is the worst fault, but the dial would look much better with just a sunburst. Personally, I would prefer a Presage, the dials are larger and better quality and just keep it dry.
And the presage watches are significantly better than this one.
Thanks for WATCHing
Good review. A few observations. The newer version comes in a very smart wood box. No “rip off Rolex green box” anymore. Very premium look and feel. I bought the ocean blue one and the dial is absolutely stunning, definitely not plastic looking at all. The bracelet is stellar. Sapphire crystal all around, superb finish on case and bracelet, for $350? Not bad at all, if you ask me. I really don’t know how you’d expect more for the pricepoint. Also, much talk about this being Chinese made, with absolutely zero evidence. What’s that all about? If you definitely KNOW something, go ahead and say it. Otherwise don’t. Simple as that.
Thanks for WATCHing
I think the orient star contemporary classic gets closer to the grand seiko aesthetic, is from a reliable brand and can be purchased for under 400 usd
That orient is a great looking watch.
I’ve had some hands on experience with a few more orients recently and I’m always impressed by them.
Hi James great content on your channel I agree with you on the Habuka the watch is generally good I have the black dial version and it looks really plasticky more so than the white
I love my addiesdives in blue white and sand in my opinion their dials look better
Brian From Blyth U.k.
Thanks Brian
First, I think it’s a nice looking watch, but it’s not stunning. For the money, I would hope the finishing is at least up to San Martin Standards. If it is not, you’re absolutely right, I would go Addiesdive all day long and use the money I save to buy another GS Homage from Seestern, S446. Thanks the great review.
Thanks for WATCHing
I prefer my Hitori Yoshino in ice blue. The case is more interesting. I do agree with your commenters though about a Chinese brand masquerading as Japanese. But have to admit the blue looks gorgeous with my outfits. 🥳
I’ve heard there new release has some nice features including the dial.
Perhaps they took some of the feedback and made a few improvements
I like this. Given the price and the expectation as a Japanese brand I think its fair for what it is if not a bit pricey.. If I was a watch brand still getting on my feet it would make sense to have Chinese production. I agree with you on the changes to make this from average to awesome! Have a great one James!
It appears that it's a Chinese brand putting on the vibe of a Japanese micro brand in a somewhat questionable manner.
@@thunderwh Stolen heritage is never a good thing.
@@thunderwhGnomon are a Singapore based outfit
Unfortunately it is not a Japanese brand. It is just trying to look that way.
Which is not that different to others I have seen. But it does feel a bit deceptive.
@@WATCHingJames I see what you mean... That will kind of put a bad taste in my mouth too.
It's a nice design. Agree on the dial. Maybe a plain white would have suited it better. Trying to emulate a GS dial is great if they get it right, but looks not so good if they get it wrong. However with my eyesight I'd never notice.
Hahahaha. It was disappointing that it was not all that I had hoped for. But I’m still happy that I was able to experience it.
Great critique!
Thanks for WATCHing
San Martin do a snow white GMT which is beautiful and really well finished. This may scratch your GS snowflake itch for a while. It had mine until I get the GS in titanium
The SM is a superior watch. I should have bought that one. Hahahaha.
Oh well.
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I shopped the Hitori before and saw a couple of positive reviews. But I thought it was weird the only place you can buy it is on Gnomon watches. I think the Citizen nb1060 is more like what I'm looking for. What I really want is probably the AQ4020-54 Chronomaster but that's a bit spendy.
The reason you can only buy it on Gnomon is because it's one of Gnomon's house brands
@@Horizontalvertigo Right, that sort of put me off. When I was interested in them I thought it was a Japanese microbrand like Kuoe.
@@MrBacchus18 they certainly seem to want you to think that don't they
I think there are better watches for the money.
The box is a straight rip off of older Rolex wooden boxes, except it’s in blue. Willing to bet that box originated from Rolex counterfeit factories in China. Weird
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..and rolex probably charge $1000 for the same box 😂
That another addies dive built by addiesdive same as the Ad2055 just a few small changes
The addiesdive I’ve experienced is actually better.
@@WATCHingJamesstarting to think a bunch of these brands are built in the same building
I can say I do like the watch. The blue rotor is somewhat disapointing in my eyes.
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It’s a No from me. Nice box.
Me too
You can thank Rolex for designing it.
@@RabbitWatchShop why would I thank them if I don’t like it.
@@goldfools5445 the box… not the watch 😝
@@RabbitWatchShop oh! Ok 👍
The clasp looks very similar to the ones strapcode have on their bracelets.
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Not a favorite. Great review James!👍
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$500 Aud? Go for a Chameri or Escapement Time for 20-25% of the cost. Get four for the price of one.
There is definitely better value to be had
It looks a little out of proportion. They could of done better.
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You're really paying $200 more for all the misleading nonsense that Gnomon wrote about it, giving it a veneer of being a Japanese brand.
If Gnomon wants to make Grand Seiko inspired watches, then power to them, but what's wrong with taking cues from Singaporean culture and landscapes? Why do they have to hijack Japanese culture and landscapes?
I'm all for cultural borrowing and melding, but that's not what's happening here.
Hitori with it's nigh nonsense name, misleading marketing, and brain dead design ethos fail as homages, you're better off with an AliX knock off for half the price.
Gnomon should do better.
I was not particularly impressed. Especially since the execution of the watch also fell short of expectations
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Its not a bad looking watch in my opinion.
It has a few great things about it. Unfortunately it just has a number of negatives too.
Made in China 🙂↔️
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