Matthew Schmidt
Item description: OLEVS men's automatic watch SST bandBrand: OLEVSItem: B0BHHT2YWSDate received: 2023-07-12Headline - decent but not greatProduct Claims1 ct, men's automatic watchmodel: OUW-S-G6605GJ-JJHmovement: automatic self-windingwindow: mineral glass (front and rear)case diameter: 42.8 mmcase thickness: 14 mmband: stainless steel links, adjustableband width: 20 mmclasp type: double fold-overcolor: gold and silver band, black dialfeatures: luminous dial, rotatable bezelwater resistance: 30 m (see below)I received exactly what was claimed in the product description. The box was classy and suitable for gifting.The product arrived with an undocumented but very handy wrist-band adjustment tool that makes pushing out the link pins much easier (and which is also useful on similar bands on other watch brands). That may seem like a minor deal, but it is a nice plus-up that was NOT discussed in the product description, and link removal is always one of the less fun chores with getting a new watch.I wasn't a super fan of the band clasp - it works, but it creates a thick clasp, and I found it awkward to do two fold-overs in opposite directions, versus a single one. And (noted below) there isn't really a safety clasp, despite the claim of one.Let's get to the obvious. This watch copies the successful look and features of a number of other watches that have been in the market much longer, even some that are at much higher price points. So the look is what it is - you like it or you don't, but there is no point in reviewing the look itself. We will focus on features, but for fairness let's limit any comparison to a watch in the same price point range, and (since I recently purchased the Invicta 29177 myself) specifically the Invicta Pro Diver (any model, but specifically the 29177).This Watch CompetitorSimiliar featuresPrice point ~$100 same range, available for lessStainless case and band yesMineral glass windows front/back yesRotatable bezel yesLuminous dial yesDate yes, but much larger with contrastPower reserve clam: 45 hours 41 hoursWeight: 159.36 g 140.30 gMissing featuresNot real diving watch, 30 m resistant* Actual diving watch, rated at 200mCrown is not a screw-in Screw-in crownSecond hand not adjustable Adjustable second hand (hacking)Claimed safety clasp provides no safety True safety claspJewel rating undocumented** 24 jewels*** *the 30 m rating doesn't mean much, it can resist dampness and splashes of limited duration, but not immersion **uses "original mechanical movement"***uses well-known Seiko NH35AAdditional featuresExtra band link noBand adjustment tool noDay of week display* noMonth display* noYear display* (limited to year 2033) no*difficult to seeWhat does the above mean? Well, after my first 24 hours with it, (as one would hope) the watch is able to keep time to well within a minute per day - but without the hacking feature (second hand adjustment) it is difficult to pinpoint the accuracy better than that in a short-duration test, so for now we will leave that question off the table.The rest of it comes down to whether or not you are more moved by the combination of extra/missing features of the OLEVS, versus those of the competitor. Some of this is subjective, but to me the added features of the competitor are compelling, while the added features of this watch are not. While the band adjustment tool delivered by OLEVS is a nice touch that others would do well to copy, I give a reasonable edge to the competitor, which I rated at 5 stars, so I have to give this one 4 stars.
