Are Cheap Chinese Watches Any Good? Bargain or Bust?

My $2.00 Wish.com Watch Review

Here’s the funny part: I thought the $2.00 price was just for the colorful nylon NATO-style strap.

So, I was shocked when my order arrived to find that I’d purchased both a watch and the strap for that ridiculously low $2.00!

The photo above shows the actual watch I bought, while the listing from Wish.com is below.

At some point, it may need a new battery, the only maintenance quartz movements require.

When that time comes, I can either use an affordable set of watch back-opening tools (available on Amazon for under $10) to replace the battery myself or, for the same price, simply buy a new watch.

Why Quartz Watches Can Be Made So Cheaply

Unlike the intricate mechanisms of mechanical watches, I see quartz movements as straightforward: they’re just a battery paired with an electronic circuit and have only a few moving parts.

In my experience, modern quartz movements offer reliability and precision that even outshine pricier manual and automatic watches.

Sure, some watch enthusiasts might dismiss them for being “soullessly” simple, but I appreciate their dependability.

For me, it’s hard not to love the practicality of quartz.

As you can see, it is possible to fit a Quartz with a pinstripe suit, without investing a lot of money into it.

Buy ‘Em By The Dozen!

I like to buy a few ultra-cheap quartz fashion watches in different styles and rotate them with my outfits.

I treat them like silk ties, mixing and matching based on what I’m wearing that day. That keeps my watch collection looking fresh longer since each watch gets less wear and tear.

For under $200, I can easily gather a collection of ten or more stylish, dependable watches, without breaking the bank!

But Wait, Aren’t Chinese Watches Junk?

Absolutely not! Don’t fall for the myths. Here’s the reality: if you pick up a ‘Swiss Made’ watch retailing for around $1,000, chances are high it’s full of Chinese components.

Sure, the design and quality control might happen in Switzerland, but most of those parts are coming from China.

As one expert put it, ‘In Swiss watch manufacturing, especially for watches priced under 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,040), they frequently rely on Chinese-made parts.’

Take the Megir quartz watch I’ll show you later. It’s crafted by a Chinese manufacturer that spends most of its time building watches for some of the world’s most popular brands.

It isn’t unusual for Chinese watch brands, they often make their living subcontracting for international names. They know their stuff when it comes to watchmaking!

A $10.00 Quartz Watch from China

I bought this typical “fashion” quartz watch for around $11 on Walmart.com, including shipping.

It’s a Megir brand model (M1010) that features a quartz movement with a second-hand function, an alloy case, a stainless steel back, and a leather strap accented with red stitching.

While the secondary dials are purely decorative, the watch still has that ‘chronograph style’ look with basic quartz functionality. I expect it to run for at least two years before needing a new battery.

This watch, often priced between $10 and $12 on popular Chinese e-commerce sites like Aliexpress.com, offered the same affordability from a U.S.-based vendor, along with the benefit of faster shipping. After three months of daily use, it’s performed flawlessly

Low-Cost Chronograph ‘Style’ Quartz Watches

I’ve found that many quartz watches on sites like Wish.com, Aliexpress.com, and other Chinese e-commerce platforms under $15.00 look like chronographs but don’t have working chronograph features.

The Megir watch I purchased, for example, may have the appearance of a chronograph, but the secondary dials, hands, and chrono buttons are purely decorative. Only the basic hour, minute and second hands work.

Here’s what I noticed about another low-cost watch:

Curren Chronograph Style (Quartz) Watch is a popular model that sells for just $13.00 on Aliexpress.com and can also be found on Amazon.com and Walmart.com at a similar price.

Like the Megir, its chronograph features don’t function and are only for show. However, it keeps great time and has a stylish look.

If you’re looking for a Chinese quartz watch with a working chronograph, expect to spend around $20 or more. The SKMEI chronograph watch below, for instance, offers a fully functional chronograph/stopwatch feature for under $20.

Always check if the chronograph dials work or if they’re just decorative. Most listings will state this clearly, read the full ad carefully.

Personally, I don’t use the ‘chrono’ functions much, but I appreciate the design. For me, these watches are about style and keeping track of time. Since they use simpler quartz movements, they tend to be more reliable than cheap watches with complex features.

For those just wanting a good timekeeper, these watches do the job. However, I wouldn’t pay over $15 for a watch with non-functional chronograph features.

SKMEI Quartz Sport Watches

I want to showcase a Chinese brand of quartz watches that delivers full stopwatch and chronograph functionality at an impressive price. SKMEI has a line of rugged, sports-oriented quartz watches that offer robust functionality, including a fully operational stopwatch and chronograph.

Many of these watches are available on AliExpress.com and other Chinese e-commerce platforms for $13.00 to $20.00. You can also find them on Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

I picked up this SKMEI quartz watch on AliExpress for $14.99 (with free shipping).

Here’s what it offers:

It includes a stainless steel bracelet (though I swapped it out for a nylon NATO-style strap), full stopwatch functionality with all buttons and dials working, and a modest water resistance level at 30 meters.

Overall, SKMEI watches offer solid build quality and functionality, all for under $20.

Simple Classic Watches Offer the Best Value

I recently picked up a Curren Quartz watch, a Chinese brand commonly found on Aliexpress.com and other e-commerce sites, for just $11.00 on Walmart.com, shipping included.

It’s a clean, classic design with an alloy body, stainless steel back and band, and a reliable Japanese quartz movement. It has basic water resistance, fine for rain but not for swimming.

By sticking to simple, classic styles and steering clear of flashy gold plating or overly ornate designs, I’ve found that you can get a well-made Chinese quartz watch perfect for everyday wear in the $10.00 to $20.00 range.

In the $15.00 to $25.00 range, these watches start to show even better value. The construction is typically sturdier, with some models featuring day/date functions, chronometers, and steel bodies for better corrosion resistance.

You’ll also find watches with higher-quality leather straps or stainless steel bracelets. In my experience, Chinese quartz watches in this price bracket deliver an incredible value for the price.

Chinese Watch Shopping Tips

Before buying a Chinese-made quartz watch, I always compare prices. I check both Chinese e-commerce sites and local options like Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and eBay.com. Prices can vary a lot, so comparison shopping really helps me find the best deal.

When I buy ultra-cheap watches directly from China, I accept the small risk of getting a watch that might’ve missed quality control. Personally, I’ve been lucky so far—I haven’t received a bad one yet.

If you do end up with a defective watch, you can return it, but keep in mind that return shipping costs from the U.S. to China are often much higher than what you originally paid. While Chinese shipping is subsidized, making it cheap to receive products, sending items back can be quite costly.

Most budget-friendly watch cases are made of a metal alloy, usually zinc alloy with a stainless steel back. However, as the price goes up, you’re more likely to find watches with stainless steel cases and backs.

Zinc alloy is more prone to corrosion over time, so to keep the finish in good shape, I always clean my watch with a soft cloth after wearing it to remove sweat, grime, and moisture. If sweat accumulates on the metal alloy, it can corrode and damage the finish.

Stainless steel, on the other hand, resists this kind of wear and is better suited for everyday use. Also, I’ve noticed that silver-finish watches tend to hold up much better over time than gold-plated ones, especially in this price range.

Chinese Watch Brands To Look For

If I’m planning to spend more than around $10 on a quartz watch, I usually check if US-based e-commerce stores like Amazon or Walmart, or even US-based eBay sellers, offer the same model.

Often, they do, and for only a few dollars more, I get the added peace of mind that comes with buying from a US seller, not to mention, the shipping is a lot faster than ordering directly from China, which can take anywhere from two weeks to three months.

I picked up a few of these “made in China” SOKI quartz watches for just $4 each on Wish.com. I even swapped out the original strap on one of them with a striped NATO strap to give it a different look.

These days, most of us don’t really need a watch because our smartphones keep time for us. But low-cost, stylish quartz watches can still be a great accessory, like a nice pocket square or silk tie.

They add that touch of style, and there’s something undeniably elegant about glancing at your wrist for the time instead of pulling out your phone.