The Reasons Why I Don't Review These 12 Watch Brands (I Forgot To Include Pagani Design ‍️)

AliExpress is a scam from my perspective. My very first experience buying from Ali was horrible. 3 out of the 4 items I purchaced never made it to my house. The one that did took 3 months. Nope. Never going to buy from them again. Pure scam.

If China ever invade Taiwan, your whole watch channel is going to be shot to pieces ;)

Formex - Sorry to hear about your negative experience. Yeah their deployants look weird - I avoid them. I love my Formex Reef GMT on steel 3-link. It's great. But in saying that, San Martin aren't that far off in terms of fit/finish etc so yeah it is becoming harder to justify some of these mid-tier Swiss brands - they are getting the squeeze put on them by Chinese up-and-comers like SM.

Rolex - I Agree with you. Even though I have the funds, I don't need the "wiener extension" (flex) which people tend to buy them for. Also their sizes and designs have been going downhill this last decade. I much prefer Rolex from 15 years ago - pre maxi case sub, pre ceramic GMT2, pre 42mm Explorer 2. Also the "chronergy" escapement (32xx) movements are having severe beat amplitude issues after a few years of use - looks like they fscked up there. The older 31xx movements are better. But who wants to pay a fortune for a vintage Rolex with rattly bracelet? Not me.

Bremont - too expensive. I don't care for heritage. Their designs are a bit "meh". Islander - huge respect for Marc. Don't like the logo. He's a good guy. "Manbush" wtf?!! "Tandorio" is pretty bad - makes me think it's made in an Indian shack, and the workers eat tandoori during 16 hour work days.

Formex is better than any trash aliexpress watch. Maybe you should have got in on bracelet.....one of the best there is.

Reef Tiger use made-up caliber numbers too

Long island watches are the watches seiko should have made. Saphire crystal, solid links, solid end links, milled clasp, screw pins and loads of options. Plus communication with Mark is very pleasant and profesional. Great value for the money. Only problem is UK impoert tax.....

This video could've used images of examples of the watches.

I think Rolex watches are absolutely beautiful but however with that being said I will never own one not because I can’t afford it but because everyone has one and everyone wants one I prefer to not follow the crowd so to speak

I buy Vostok watches from non russia countries. Mostly from Ukraine because they have w huge stock and it will be a cold day in hell when i directly or indirectly support the russian government

Manbush? You gotta be kidding me!
Reef Tiger used to have the most hilarious back story. Mr. Reef met Mr. Tiger, and they decided to start a watch company... Not sure if they still use that one.
Rolex is dead to me. I'm finally at a point in my life where I could afford any Rolex I want, but my money isn't good enough for them? Whatever. Their designs have gotten pretty stale anyway.

Ive always considered Reef Tiger, sad to hear the watches never shipped

I bought my Vostoks pre invasion, i love them. Mod them a lot and very robust, they have taken the most punishment

I immediately sold my Vostok in the Spring of 2022. I couldn't look at it anymore

An ad will sell you any watches and prices to the roof but when you ask for a rollex your not good enough so I avoided ad

Gary, just like the reviews the insight into many/some brands you've reviewed. I've bought quite a few homage watches, but there are some outstanding micro brands on sale out there, mostly impressed on what I've received overall.
Just keep doing what you're doing.
I'd love to meet up for a coffee/tea at some point locally?

I get it for the majority of this brands except Islander's watches and Formex.

New to the hobby, nice to see the up front honesty on display. All of your explanations were valid and well explained. As I said, new to this and still weeding my way through sites, deciding on ones I feel I can trust, or not. Glad to know that you're not a "horology whore" giving good reviews for free watches of questionable quality from whatever company supplies them to you. I enjoy your delivery and overall presentation style. You inform in a peer to peer manner that is very comfortable. Keep up the good wok.

I did wonder why Phylida stopped appearing. Shame as I like mine and bought it when you said they were good value.

You are bang on about Rolex! A wait list????? WTF is that about???? 4 years you say, our tastes change so much over a few months let alone 4 years!

I had the same experience with Ali Express and didn’t get my money back despite several attempts. I am now very reluctant to order more watches from Ali Express as they fobbed me off and the seller just ignored my claim staying it had been delivered to the ‘Post Office!

Ha, your comment about Rolexes not holding up under macro! I laughed out loud. My Rolex Explorer 214270 (bought new from an AD in 2020) has lint/lume on the dial! Can you believe it? I need to take it back to the AD I suppose. Just not got around to it. By contrast, a Pagani Design I bought the same year had a pristine dial!

What does make me laugh is when some hate on fashion watches say Armani or Hugo Boss because they are ripping people off putting there name on a watch and doubling the price when in a way that’s what Rolex are doing. People buy them for silly prices, are they really that much better than say Omega? The ultimate fashion watch in a way. I know Rolex make great watches but the prices are ridiculously inflated just for the name and false rarity!

Really enjoyed that gary! Love the vids where you talk over your thoughts and the channel path👍🏼

I feel you. The older I get, ya, I careless about certain things....life's too short.

No need to spend $20,000 on a Rolex, nor review it.
MVMT sells A $300 dollar watch that is reportedly better.

What about entry watchs like fredrik constant and mont blanc

What about Invicta?

Nice Great Lakes T-shirt.

Really understandable reasoning. I agree about Marc and LIW. I, too, think he's doing great work over there and his engineering experience gives him a unique perspective. Also... Vostok. I purchased two of them 4+ years ago and have been tempted to bin them. I haven't but I also don't wear them any more.

Gary, please 🙏 Can I see your man bush or have you got rid of it ???

Thank you so much for being honest and true, keep it that way.
You create good content and seen some video from you in a recent past and only subscribed now! 🫣 Cheers!

Such lists are so biased. You review lots of San Martin. I bought one about two years ago. It looked really nice in the watch box but every single edge of the watch was so sharp like it was barbed wire. I contacted them and they told me that this is because they want to be as close as possible to the thing. Imagine that. You're stupid and get lost. This was their sales support.

Totally agree with you Gary on Bremont

The one about manbush is hilarious! I think if only they switched it around to Bushman It might have had a chance.

The problem Marc at Long Island would have producing independent reviews is he would constantly be accused of bias, especially if he said something negative. I do believe he is upfront with what he does and I generally see his channel as more of a here is what we have done.

Need to put a bettery in my Muff Diver Quartz.

Rolex... that registered charity that pays no tax..!! alledgerly, maybe someone knows for sure...

Dude just makes upgraded seiko homages, absolutely no originality

I'm waiting for a Seiko 5 from Sakura. All your fault😂

Bremont's brand is as old as a week gone Tuesday.

Gary you will not get a call from the Rolex AD. You have to have a buying record for other watches in the Rolex range before you will even be considered for a sub, that's the Rolex way, you can't get any of their watches that are not a standard model until you have bought other watches from the catalogue.

I wish you’d reconsider the Islander one

I think I can explain the Rolex Instagram thing. Over a year ago, Instagram changed their terms of service which, if you signed the TOS, then Instagram owns every image uploaded to the app. Every single image. Yup, even that pic of your pup or cat. In that respect I can understand Rolex keeping actual real images of their product close hold, that way they are still part of Rolex's intellectual property.

Its why I left IG. I do not consent to anyone other than myself owning an image of me or my family.

What reviewing Manbush's sister brand Sacitch?

TGV poisoned Marc. There will always be a dark shadow around him because of him.

I just don't like the islander watch logo.

That moment when I realised I bought one of these from you. :-(

Love the Michigan shirt

100% agree on your remarks about Mark at Long Island. Yes he’s does obviously have a vested interest in selling watches. In particular with his own line. Having said that I did buy one of his Islanders about 18 months ago & it was/is a extremely well built, well finished watch! Absolutely can’t criticize his dedication to making fantastic watches! 👏🏼 As for Rolex, again we all know the games they’re playing. Yes I’d have one yesterday but I’m not gonna wait & grovel to any AD for the so called privilege!

No offence but Tandoori chicken n Ruhanda etc... I'd rather buy some Vostoks than these horrible named watches.