G-Shock Square with IP Aged Patina vs. AliExpress Kits
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- What is up, my watch friends?!? So, check this out… I wanted a black patina G-Shock GMW-B5000V, but they’re all sold out. So, I went to the next best thing-AliExpress kits. But, when I went to the store I usually buy from, they listed their kit as “Retro Silver,” which then led me to another AliExpress store that listed their kit as “Retro Black.” Naturally, I bought both!
Here’s a quick comparison of the OEM G-Shock with both modding kits. Let me know…do you own the patina G square? Do you love it? Also, have your ordered kits from AliExpress? What’s been your experience with them?
If you have a question that I didn't cover in the video, please comment below and I'll try to respond as soon as I can.
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I'm really glad I'm not the only one obsessed with Casio.
Interesting I've found the knock off kits actually look better than the original.. to specify, the bezel finish/tone matches the bracelet better on the knock offs where as the originals seem to not quite match. Case in point, the aged one is darker in the case than the bracelet as you showed. Additionally, I've noticed the original titanium camo has a slightly shinier/glossier case compared to it's bracelet which is more matte finished. Where as the knock off kit version the case is matte as well as the bracelet.
Idk, for me that makes more aesthetic sense and continuity to have the case finish match the bracelet, right.
Thanks for the comparison on these... Although, I think I agree I think it would have been better if the kits were a tiny bit darker and closer to black and less silver. But, overall, not a bad attempt to replicate in all other ways. I'd be happy with the kit and saving nearly $2k or whatever the hell they cost now.
Btw, I have the Titanium camo kit from G-Refit. Overall it's a great match to the original.. down to fine micro engraving for the digital camo pattern. I mean there is a tiny hole in the center of each of those dots that make up the camo. I thought that was a poor print side effect of the copy. But, I looked at closeups of the real thing and they have them too?!
And, I have to confirm they definitely are engraved/etched into the case and not printed. I feel this is the case because I accidentally banged the watch across a door jam. The door jam is painted white. I saw that the paint had marked part of the case where it made contact. I was feeling that was it. The watch case finish is officially f*cked. But, to my surprise looking closer at it as I was trying to rub it clean. The paint on the outer surface came off, but left some actually inside those tiny dots that make up the camo pattern. Yes, it was kind of like a super fine cheese grater and it scraped up and held some of the paint. I simply took the watch to the sink and cleaned it with some soap and water and it all came off and didn't even leave a mark on the case itself. Idk what these kit companies are doing to make them, but the material seems quite resilient for a copy. I'm almost convinced they use the same as the real deal, just are able to get them wholesale cheap or something and sell on AE for as cheap as they seem to go for.
Btw, I've not had any fitment issues with my kit from G-Refit. Fits perfectly.
My main concern actually has been the angle of the lugs coming off the case. Approximately where the spring bars are at. I've never held a real titanium Gshock square. Not even a stainless steel one. I'm curious if the angle of the lugs are as wide as they are on my kit? Cause I feel they should be angled maybe 1° more just for a tighter/closer fit to my 7" wrist. I feel I need to wear it in specific location on my wrist to best fill up the slight gap in those areas. I've never recalled any reviews for the real metal Gshocks, stainless steel or titanium, ever gripe about how wide the lug angles could be. So, idk?. I've owned for over a year now and have to admit I've finally decided to remove the kit and put back on the resin as that fit just fine.
However, I was curious to look on AliExpress recently.. like today, just to see if they've added any new kits. And, to my joy, they have the Virtual Armor kit now! They call it something else like Robot Style kit.. anyways, I decided to get it and give it a try.
I've only seen one video about this kit.. not sure if it's from the same source I got mine? But, it looks pretty good and near identical to the original. I was trying to see if the lug angles were as wide as my current kit I mentioned. Very hard to tell. But, from what I could analyze and visually reference, they may be just slightly tighter angle and may just fit better. I guess I'll find out in a month or so..however long it takes.
I have 4 aliexpress kits, three square and one Casio oak. They’re all perfect in my opinion. So nice! I even added tritium to them
added tritium to the squares?
@@mortram yup
@@mortram the robot square that’s black has perfect sized holes and the regular squares I put tritium in the grooves above and below buttons
I did mine with distressed steel, strap and case and looks and feels amazing now.. Predator style :))
Nice review. Personally i think the difference in colour on the original would do my head in especially at the price these watches are. Modded my gshock with the silver bracelet kit and I'm very happy with the quality. I also bought a resin bracelet for another gshock and had a hell of a time getting it to fit i ended up drilling the end link out a little to get it the spring bar to sit in the right place, unfortunately i can't remember the makers name though.
Hey I've emailed you about the seller I've used. Usually the people selling on aliexpress aren't the manufacturers themselves. They tend to be just reselling from the manufacturers. Choose a seller based on customer service really.
Only thing I would watch out for is ordering from a seller that is named as Shop[random numbers]. They tend to not last long and disappear.
Thank you so much! I did receive your email and just replied (sorry for the delay). And, I really appreciate the recommendation to beware of the Shop[random numbers] sellers on AliExpress. I liken AliExpress to eBay, in that it is important to check the seller's reviews and status in addition to checking any product's reviews. As many others recommend in this hobby, it's important to "buy the seller."
Great video! Hopefully some more of these kits are made available soon. 👍
Yep yep. I hope so too. I may try ordering from the VECILEON Store on AliExpress next, so we'll see how it goes.
@@HorologyinSanity right on. 👍
I ordered a rose gold aliexpress metal mod that looks great but it does not say "G-SHOCK" and "PROTECTION" on the face which is disappointing. I thought it would be on there just not in the pictures for copyright reasons.
Greetings! will it work for the casio b5000 model?
does this feel more 'solid' and 'expensive' than the combi? Because I have tried the combi in person but it doesn't feel like a 100$ bracelet.
Great video. Do you have the link for sqp and mfg as I can’t find them on aliexpress
I want to order one but I havent found any cases with branding everything is without g shock logo
Casio's steel bracelet is slightly darker black than replicas.
I'd like to know the detail of what you find to be inferior. All that lets down the 'clones' imo are the watch faces. With the original modules in the fakes I think they'd look best. The mismatching links v head of the original looks worse.
Have you discovered anything more since this video? Different brands maybe?
Yeah man. I like the Ali Express finish better. That mismatching wear on the real one looks very bad.
hi nice vid! are these still available? can you please share the link? thanks a lot!
It would be nice to see inside the box you receive to view the parts, and a video of you assembling the watch. What "movement" did you use to make the watch?
That's a great suggestion! Thanks. I'll make a note of it and see if I can get that produced in the near future.
Thanks for the info.
Guys is there a link to the sqp strorefront in the aliexpress site, cant find their products...
I like the aliexpress mod better, has the used more rustic look, like a used pistol.
Do you have an update on good stores?
The imitation looks better
dam what a fucking collection, thanks this video was really helpful.
Sweet
Hi will this case fits with my casio f108wh
That's a good question. I am not sure, but now you have me curious and wanting to try. I'm not sure when I can get around to testing it, but I'll make a note.
On a similar topic... I also want to test if I can put a combi bracelet on my "not-a-square" F108WH. I don't think it'll fit, but I think that would be sweet if it did. 🤞
@@HorologyinSanity thanks and please do let me know the outcome. And share the link to buy the case thanks
Hey man, can u tell me good kit screwdrivers for watches from aliexpress on reasonable price? A link if u can give me.
I've never ordered screwdrivers from AliExpress, but these modding kits comes with screwdrivers and I've found them to be pretty good. I originally used the ones that came with my inexpensive Watch Repair kit from Amazon, and then I've also had good luck with Woody screwdrivers. Others I know and trust have also recommended Wiha screwdrivers. And then, although they're VERY expensive, others I know also recommend the Bergeon screwdrivers.
@@HorologyinSanity the problem is most of cheap screwdrivers have very fat heads and they dont fit into watch screws for example for sizing bracelets and they chew the screws bad. Its not necessary to be from Aliexpress, it can be from ebay also, im not professional watchmaker so i dont need expensive ones.
@@Visitor555 Yep, I agree. And, that's the problem with the ones that came with these AliExpress kits, they are too big for sizing most bracelets, but they're a perfect fit for the screws in the side of the G square case. I'd recommend searching for "watchmaker screwdriver" on Amazon, and you can pick up one of the sets that range in size from 0.8-1.6mm (you'll use the 1mm or 1.2mm the most probably), and they cost around $8-15 USD. That's what I've been using, and they've been good enough for what I use them for. I wonder if I should do a video about screwdrivers. Would that be helpful?
@@HorologyinSanity it will be great if u make video for this. Im sure many people struggle with fat head screwdrivers. Can you give me link for example from those at amazon?
@@Visitor555 Sure. Here's one example. www.amazon.com/Foxnovo-Different-Precision-Screwdrivers-Watchmaker/dp/B00T7A7JP8/ref=sr_1_10?crid=30D5MN5FYY1CY&dchild=1&keywords=watchmaker+screwdriver+set&qid=1612994591&sprefix=watchmaker+%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-10
Please tell me your not wearing fake diamonds on a watch?
No links to the kits, no showing the kits. Not a good vid bruh.