Half Links Now Available So It Is PERFECT!
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- čas přidán 15. 11. 2023
- In this video I review the Engineer by IX&DAO. This watch is sensational but there is a problem sadly...watch the video to find out what the problem is! Hopefully they will resolve it soon!
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WHY I OFTEN DON'T MENTION OTHER BRANDS IN MY VIDEOS.
You may have noticed that I often don't mention the original brands that watches I am reviewing pay homage to. This is very intentional and not meant to offend you or the original brands. I lost my first channel in October 2020 which I had spent 9 months growing and invested a significant amount of money in simply because I had mentioned the original brands in some of my videos. There are people who try to use CZcamss lack of understanding when it comes to the difference between homage watches and fake watches to attack other channels and their owners and sadly I fell foul of this in 2020. This channel was also attacked recently and CZcams deleted content simply because I had said 'subby homage' and 'Rolex homage' in two videos despite the watches in the videos being perfectly legal homage watches. Please understand that I can not afford to risk my channel so I will no longer be mentioning other brands when reviewing homage watches.
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Gary
I Like Watches
my feelings exactly. I absolutely LOVE this watch. I was able to get a good fit, but now that the weather here is cooling down and drying out a bit, it feels a touch too loose. I could use some half-links or 1.5 links for sure.
but yeah, the finishing is so dang good.
Let’s have this in the back of our heads if sometime in the future, they fix the bracelet 🎉
I hope they resolve the issue...just make some smaller links, boom!
Same thoughts haha let’s wait for the v2 or v3
@@ilikewatches half-links seems to be the last nut that AliExpress watches have yet to crack
Great review. I have been eyeing this watch since it came out because I loved the previous watch I purchased from them. I agree that for almost all watch buyers/collectors, the inability to get a good fit due to the band is going to be a big problem. It's too bad because as you said, the watch looks stunning. Here's hoping that they listen to your suggestion!
Phonetically I've heard it pronounced as icks and dauw.... If that makes any sense, Gary! 😂 I think it's a nice watch! I do like the rivet effect on the bezel. As an engineer myself it gives the impression of a hatch to a pressure vessel. Excellent review as always!
I actually like this style a lot. Definitely a future addition for me. Thanks for the great review.
I love seeing these unexpected homage watches. Never thought I'd see an homage of a microbrand like the Serica and now a high quality ingenuer homage. Atleast they're being creative with them. Other than the movement being better in the IWC, id really like to see how these stack up side by side as far as the case bracelets and finishing. Can't be that far off.
Seeing reviews of the 1,000 different Rolex Submariner homages was driving me insane! Move on, people! There are thousands of different models and the WIS community is hung up on the save five models.
Good review! I like the mug mat. I use it to set my watch on when I am getting ready in the mornings or when I am settling in for the night.
Totally agree about the lack of half links.
It's the only thing that put me off purchasing this watch as it's not just about getting the right fit but also about wrist expansion and contraction during the day and seasonal months. With so much effort gone into the production of the watch this should be a no brainer even if they do it as a post production solution.
Great video Gary. I've gambled on the SW200 version, think it came to about £215 in the end. I hope I get a good fit! They need to offer half links and potentially a rubber strap too - that really would take it to the next level.
I got the same movement with white dial for around 400$ including tax. It's so nice on wrist and running +8s per day. I also ordered 2 half links as they begin to sell it for 2 weeks. How about your watch's performant?
Gary - not one for me (mainly the butterfly clasp) but I can admire it in terms of quality. I also love that they have colour matched the date wheels on the other colours. I have the Serica homage and am very pleased with it - for the price.
Yup...butterfly clasp kills it
IX and Dao should be pronounced Eternal Tao as far as I know. IX = 9 which in Chinese culture means "eternal", and Dao is Tao in English. Thanks for the hard work you put in to your channel x
IX DAO is a translation of 九纛 (9 banners)，itself an abbreviation of 九游白纛 (Nine White banners, a symbol of the might of Mongol Empire)
The logo is the top portion of the banner.
I would say Jiu Dao or Nine Dao. As that is what the Chinese brand name is pronounced.
Thx for the review :)
Very tempting, all the more as they had the good idea to use a logo rather than their strange name on the dial.
A lovely watch, one I've had in my basket for a while. I might pull the trigger & take a gamble on the bracelet fit.
This is gorgeous!
I think this watch is worth the risk of getting a good fit.
Excellent first look thanks
The integrated bracelet with no half links rules it out for me. Such s pity, s great watch spoiled by a silly oversight.
completely agree
Hey 👋🏻, Ix&Dao are selling half links to the Engineer. On their website ☝🏻🤗
Apparently they’re just “extra links” not half links from messages I’ve seen. Looking it would be impressive to shorten these links but a couple of slightly longer links of 10.5mm compared to 8 mm would work. Even better perhaps a small buckle with 3 adjustable settings.
@@johnholkham2420 just got mine today- it’s half links. No mistaking there🤷🏼♂️
@@Zotrax1946got mine too, def half links!
Great watch. Great review. The name is problematic but no question about the quality. Cheers!
Thats awesome. I really like it. Can't Imagine IWC would be happy with this one.
I really like the texture of the dial
They will never become as big as San Martin when their brand is called IX&DAO. I like some of their watches, i just can't bring myself to buy something with that brand name.
You are right, they are definitely going after San Martin customers. Value for money is the buzz word. Just ordered the blue dial, time will tell. Great video, nice camera work.
“Value for money” is definitely a buzz word.
Value is _always_ for the money. The definition of Value is Quality divided by Price. It’s like saying MPH per Hour or something inane like that.
The links? Really?? Almost no major swiss watch brand has half links or adjustments with this type of bracelet. I don't get all the fuss.
Read the comments, plenty of people put off by the risk of not getting a good fit…Swiss brands need to up their game
@@ilikewatches you're not wrong about ppl making a big deal out of it.. I just think ppl get hung up on things in a silly way. Thanks for the response and all the wonderful content!! 🙌🏼
Hello Gary, did you find out if this IXDAO ENGINEER watch will have half links in the bracelet in the future? watches with butterfly bracelets no no no. Great watch great video.
Nearly purchased it in the sale but went for a San Martin I’ve had my eye on for a long while. Will hold out for a smaller version 🙏
Most all of these are at he’s could stand to be a few mm smaller.
Lovely watch and review 👍
I was afraid that IX&DAO might be on the dial ... glad they just went with the logo. Dial and bracelet do look lovely ... nice price for the specs too.
Solid effort if you like that style of dial would make a great daily.
Real nice. That bracelet just won't work without half links for me, however.
A mug mat? 😂😂😂 Never heard a coaster called that but made me giggle 😅
Aww the bracelet issue is a bummer. I'd be soo tempted to buy one of these if I were confident that the bracelet fit wouldn't drive me crazy
You look exactly like Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad. Good review.
I was close to buying this but opted for the specht and sohne. Has the same problem with no half links and struggling to get a decent fit. The finishing and quailty of the dial on the 9DAO, looks much better, but that is reflected in the price.
Also bought the S&S PRX homage at the same time. That does include half links. Will probably end up selling the other.
Do you think the crown should be bigger? I think the crown is little bit small
Picked one of these up in the Ali Express sale. It came with a half link. I think the finish on the case is really good, the dial (grey in my case) is crisp. I might regret not spending the extra but this isy first PT5000 watch..
Yes, after my review they added half links!
I like it. I'd trade the Serica homage for this in a heartbeat. Sadly Ebay aren't doing sell for a quid
I wonder if IX DAO is a goof and they decided to roll with it. In t-shirt printing there is default lettering LOREM IPSUM. The software has this default words as place holder for the future actual words that are going to be printed on the shirt. They serve to showcase the different style fonts with the letters with the most curves and spacing. I wonder if IX DAO is the equivalent of this t-shirt pattern but for tiny watch labels.
Onto your review, this is a bang on copy of the IWC Enginieur. They did an ace of a job in the interpretation of the original, they even got the font and design at the 6 position! As such, the IWC enginieur does not have micro adjustment or half links so you cannot knock them on this. Bang on offering at not even 1/10th the price of the original which currently retails for $11,000!
They now advertise these with a half link included. Just got mine…but no half link 🤦♂️ Just contacted them. Love the watch . Got white MOP dial in white. Lovely but the MOP not quite polished enough which in some light gives the appearance that the sapphire is slightly hazy. Only an illusion. Luke is good and very elegant in keeping with the watch.
I happen to be wearing my fav beater today and it has just 8mm links and a butterfly clasp. In the past I wore it loose and after getting older must have lost a little wrist girth and took a link out and wear it tight. I love the bracelet but wouldn't have offshore bought it if it was integrated and didnt allow standard starps also. A wrist exerciser instead of a screwdriver would be a more useful free tool with this bracelet choice.
I got the black dial version for a while. Absolutely love it, minus the clasp. I'm planning to switch to a fold over clasp with 4 holes of micro adjustment in the next week. Let's see how it goes
Is there a fold over clasp out there which fits the links on this bracelet?
@@velebitsko the endlink at the butterfly clasp is 18mm, connected to the 6mm butterfly clasp by a push pin (according to my measurements). I plan to remove the butterfly clasp, then using a 20mm pin and collar (pin is 20mm x 0.9mm thick, collar is 5.9 x 1.2mm - on route to me) to attach to a normal (strapcode) 18mm fold over clasp.
@@nguyenquochai6273 Sounds like a good plan. Please post here and let us know if this works.
@@nguyenquochai6273 please post a video if that works. Good luck!
@@nguyenquochai6273 If you do it, let us know how it goes.
I like more with the leter "ixdao" on the dial
How's the PT5000 in terms of reliability?
Top level finishing at this price. Horrendous brand name but the logo is quite nice, albeit not very original
They’re fine but they don’t like being over wound
@@ilikewatches is it the same for SW200-1? Never owned an automatic 2824 or SW200, only 4R/NH35, 6R, Miyota 9015 and a Swiss Ronda 150
It's beautiful and supremely finished, but man, it's a very faithful homage. "Engineer" is particularly cheeky. I'm confused by their brand name too, is it IXDAO, IX&DAO or maybe IPOSE? 🤔
I think ipose is a collective of enthusiasts
I bought the white one with a Selita. I am lucky to get a decent fit.
What a watch though. It has a touch of class, especially the white dial
I am calling them 9 Dao
and it is 9 dao
Let us know if there's going to be any plans to offer options for getting a more perfect fit.... Have one of these coming. Thanks for the video.
half links are available - $15
How does the quality/finish of the bracelet compare to the San Martin GS homage they made a while back?
It's very close, the corners on the SM are very slightly more crisp but it's only noticeable under macro I think.
@@ilikewatches great! I recently ordered up the red MOP dial and the sw200 movement. The San Martin GS homage I bought had the pt5000 and the movement was faulty, loses so much time, can't really wear it anymore, I loved the feel of it, so if this is close to that that's good to know.
Really good looking watch, but the lack of adjustment is a deal breaker. So near but so far.
Hey Gary, I tried to use your affiliate link for the engineer, but it doesn’t work, is it that this watch is now discontinued?
I do t think so…still available….
Hey 👋🏻, Ix&Dao are selling half links to the Engineer. On their website ☝🏻🤗
Amazing!!!!
I like the original watch, but £200+ is too much to gamble with 8mm between strap lengths when the bracelet is integrated.
I like their logo.
How does it compare with watches in the same price range, such as SEIKO SRPH89K1?
Much better!
All but one of my watches with bracelet band's are all not quite snug enough. Guess what the one that fits well has?
I've messaged them asking if they will be making half links, I'd definitely buy one if they do
they do
Definitely worth upgrading. For the extra £10,000 you get a more versatile bracelet and IWC on the dial 😉
Holy shit I did not expect an ingenieur homage of this level o.o
Possibly the best aliexpress watch you see... maybe you should do a best of the best from Aliexpress video.
I like this watch but I'm not sure how strong the hour markers will be because they are only connected at the chapter ring. I already broke 2 separate watches by knocking the 6 o'clock marker off. 🤔
Explain to me why i buy this watch, when at the same price i can buy a Candino automatic with eta 2824 brand new or other swiss brands with the same caliber?
Have you seen the Candino’s 😂
@@ilikewatches yes i do, and the movement is swiss not a HK PT 5000, not made in some factory in HK, let's se no heritage, no resale value for this chinese watch, sorry but this is the truth.
I haven't been tempted to pick up this or the last watch because they are too much of a copy of the original. I am however very interested in the bronze pelagos homage with gradient dials that they do.
While I’m sure I’m gonna like the San Martin GMT and Pierre Paulin jumping hour I ordered. I already wish I had gotten the green dial of this Ingineer instead
Hopefully this brand comes thru with some half links. Some pressure from big CZcams channels will certainly help make a case. 😊
I had this one in the basket for 11/11 but ultimately the lack of half links ruled it out for me. I always seem to fall halfway between too tight and too loose and I hate the feeling of both. Hopefully they do a bracelet revision as I really like the watch. Especially the version with mother of pearl dials.
how about the movement?
The butterfly clasp is a no go for me, I've never been able to get a good fit
It could be 9 Ways... Roman numeral and Dao means way, path or road apparently...
nice....good knowledge
Dao as in Tao, pronounced Dow.
Apparently it's 9 Dao. It's refers to a banner from Chinese history.
@@marcjames3487pronounced either way isn't it, depending on locality
their first batch of Engineer watches was offered at a discount and could be had for $220us somewhere beginning/spring of this year. I hesitated, didn't buy. Now I am sorry of course :-)
Did they get back to you about the half links?
Yes, they made them and they are available to buy
I'm looking at buying this watch off your ebay . I need a watch for holiday that's nice to look at and waterproof. I ain't got money and this is at the height. It looks stunning but is it waterproof? I'm trying to convince the Mrs 😊
Buy the way,you have an amazing friend to gift you a Rolex. Which in turn must mean you a fantastic friend too. Brother's for life.
I've just bought it 😊👍,I hope it's waterproof and it fits my 19.5 cm wrist 🤞.
Do they do a rubber strap for this 🤔
IX&DAO really are an international watch company 😂
Wrist size?
Billy Bragg subtitled talking with the taxman about poetry his “difficult third album.”
I always assumed the brand name rhymes with "ticks and cow" 😊⁉️
I like the look of this but would prefer to "downgrade" to an NH movement rather than up to a Swiss even if they added a glassback... and dont understand how an Aliexpress company with cheap Chinese labour can't include a couple of 2/3 and 1/2 sized links in the design even if only in the box to play about with. They have gone the extra mile with the bezel screws and narrow attached lug guards.
Paid €188 in the sale, absolute bargain
As im in germany and u have a price for europe prolly u gonna get tax fees soon from dhl just wait haha
It's my understanding that the IX in IX&DAO represents the number 9. I read this in another comment from a Chinese speaker. From what I remember, DAO is the way, the road, the path, something like that. The bottom line is that IX is not a word and should not be pronounced as such. IX is the Roman Numeral for 9. It should be pronounced 9 Dao. Maybe if you contact the company, they could tell you and clear this up.
I asked UTC, who sell them and they didn't respond
'Icks n dow'
Only thing that is keeping me away from this watch is theres no micro adjustments.....
These watches are getting better and better, hopefully China starts producing premium movements soon.
A lot of people consider the PT5000 pretty premium movement. Most people say they don't like them are just put off because they are made in China... And haven't been around that long.
Looks like a very well finished, very nice watch...but the name!....i have no idea how it's pronounced or what it means, thats a bit of a let down in a hobby where branding is everything, although to be fair, there are several other brands on AE that are poorly named, but at least i can say those without any weird facial contortions.
The fact it doesn't have half links would stop me buying it. I also think it is too large for that type of watch
I have one of these watches and it wears surprisingly small on the wrist it looks like a 38-39 mm non integrated round watch. I hope this helps with your thoughts on the size of the watch 👍
@@rava2107 Thanks for that
It’s “iks and dow” 😂
Not my style either and a hair too big for me - like the original it has a rather flat case. What I find amazing is that the watch this is homaging at £10,500 costs 45 times the price (incl tax for both with the PT5000 in the Ixdao) and also has no half links 😂
Don't complain about the half-link. The iwc original has none......
Still not ok….IWC need to sort their shit out then
@IRguyIR The original IWC watch has slightly different links near the clasp (they are a bit longer) for proper adjustment.
That explains it then
There’s no originality to this design, Gary…it’s a 1:1 copy of the IWC Ingenieur.
No one said it was original?
@@MrAppleguy2000The video did originally around 6:28. It has since been edited.
@@LTC_Tiger understood. Either way many people will be happy with this 😁
I was wondering about that because it obviously is an homage, but I didn't hear anything about it.
I'm guessing it's a copyright strike issue? 😮
Maybe it's pronounced "Eezh & Dow" in Chinese
I hate, integrated bracelets!!!
Can’t fit it … can’t buy it.
half links are available actually - $15 - literally a third of the video was complaining over and over about that
Why are they available….because I complained about it actually….youre welcome! (My video and feedback came before the links were available!)
@@ilikewatches ah I see, yeah thank you, excellent review, just that got a bit redundant, sorry
No problem, I was early to review this and chatted to them about the issue too. Then the half links were made. Had I not bleated on about it in the video they may not have made the half links and I can't change the review now sadly. Just glad the review helped
@@ilikewatches I can't find it in your eBay shop, let me know if you happen to still own it and want to sell it
After extensive research and consulting a friend from the east, I can confirm it's just a bunch of random letters, pronounce it how you want. I'm gonna stick with '9 dow'
Incredible watch. Good value. And unlike IWC they know how to spell Engineer 😅
😂😂😂😂 You have to think in French.
.... says a smart American that thinks that English is the only language on Earth
@@IRguyIRdamn man... It was just a joke. You had a long day mate?
What is engineer watch?
Its a IWC watch
Test comment
Stai sopravvalutando eccessivamente il problema delle maglie più piccole. Sto seguendo questo brand anche se ancora non ho avuto il coraggio di premere il grilletto ma, in futuro lo farò.
Rispetto a San Martin mette a disposizione calibri più premium senza un sovrapprezzo esagerato. Non ho ancora trovato un San Martin con almeno il pt5000 a meno di 350€
mate try to breath before ending ur sentences. Cherio for the reviews!
lol…thanks
@@ilikewatches Do you reckon I should go for the PT5000 variant of this or the SW200? Incase I wanted to put a sapphire crystal for a display case back? :)
It looks like any other cheap Chinese watch....I wouldn't pay more than $100 for it
That logo's like flying back in time to the bad old days of Christopher Ward and San Martin. Are the Chinese watch cartels incapable of learning branding? It would seem that they're not. This is a £100 watch all day and right up to the point that Chinese watchmakers develop their own style (or, cough, successfully con the world like the Swiss.) Sorry to sound like a churl, but this sort of watch is beyond parody. At least Steeldive are cheap and honest.
If rhye come out with a rubber strap i may be able to forgive them
Why
IWC homage 🥷
I like the logo if this watch didn't have Engineer on the dial I'd consider it .
@@juniorjohnson5961 The original one has a very similar text in the same location...