Chinese brands free of rip-off designs?

[rodia77]

你好。

Not that I'm going to throw myself into the sea of Chinese watches right away, but I want to gather more info on how to navigate the waters safely.

My first probe was here.

Now, I sometimes get really impressed by Chinese watch designs -- only to find out sooner or later that they are blatant imitations of someone else's. And the scale of this is such that I don't even care to check anymore, I just nod and assume this or that watch I like already exists somewhere in its genuine iteration. My question then -- are there Chinese brands whose watches I can browse without worrying of picking a copy rather than an original?

[Martin]

I know what you mean, I had the same disappointment with a few of the ones I bought thinking it was an original, or at least just slightly inspired. But to be honest, I have the same with Japanese brands, and many microbrands.

The safest one to go for, in my opinion, is Beijing. http://en.beijingwatch.com/index
Here is a reliable source for the more common models. http://www.good-stuffs.com/BJWAF_c_10.html

Another option is this Chinese boutique brand: https://maisonceladon.com/

I think Shanghai is also rather save, but I don't know all of their current offerings

[Seriously]

Now, I sometimes get really impressed by Chinese watch designs -- only to find out sooner or later that they are blatant imitations of someone else's

Lol:
http://en.beijingwatch.com/item/138

Lol:
http://en.beijingwatch.com/item/137

[saskwatch]

I can't think of any brand, Chinese or otherwise, which doesn't incorporate preexisting design elements in their watches. In the case of many Chinese companies, I suspect the more derivative models help to pay the bills to allow production of more experimental watches.

That said, there are some stunning watches produced by smaller watchmakers. Martin's suggestion, Maison Celadon, was a good one. https://maisonceladon.com/pages/our-watches

Much of Shanghai's recent output has been homages to one watch or another.

[rodia77]

I didn't mean borrowing design elements or building on archetypical designs. I pretty much meant what you call homages here.

[is that my watch]

I didn't mean borrowing design elements or building on archetypical designs. I pretty much meant what you call homages here.

think you need to clarify it a bit as you have got the old state brands and the like that have originals and re-issue.. and new funky designs . but are you more talking the cheap tat looking one's where every thing and the kitchen sink is on it with a clone-movement running it ? mean most the ones you see on the bay between a fiver and forty say is probably going to be like that ... but their are some great brands out their and a lot use the good quality Chinese movements .. even our forum watch holds a Chinese movement

[is that my watch]

has good times been mentioned worth a look see their can't go wrong with them and tobago is another good one to find decent watches on

[rodia77]

Hah, I haven't even got around to movements yet.
When looking for a Chinese watch, I want to minimise the risk of unknowingly buying one that copies the looks of something else.

[is that my watch]

well I have manly had vintage in Chinese through and through .. mean I have had modern pieces which used Chinese movement but are not classed as Chinese ... it hard to say what you want I suppose ..here ..

do you want modern Chinese watches ?
vintage Chinese watches ?
or other brands /country's who use Chinese parts ?

would maybe be a good place to start if we can see what sort of thing you are looking for then we might have a better understanding ...

probably strela is your best bet he has quite a few modern watches that are pure and classical and look amazing so if we can see what sort your after think we can sorta then point in the right direction but as I said goodtime is a good place to start ( just ant got the link to hand ) they do original good looking watches for little money think like with any brand and country you have to learn as you go sooo ...

I tend to start off low priced and then with time work my way up

[rodia77]

Another option is this Chinese boutique brand: https://maisonceladon.com/

This might be the first dress watch I wouldn't mind snatching. Or a rock gig watch, depending on how you look at it.

Ismy, TBH I don't know where I could be more specific -- even the thread's title itself basically says it all. (I didn't qualify it positively as 'Chinese brand with original designs' because I think some of them -- eg Sea-Gull? correct me if I'm wrong -- have a mix of original and copied designs, and I want to keep it simple and not to turn into a full-time private eye: you do rip-offs, you're out of my list).

And to answer your specific question: modern, not vintage.