Iconic Citizen versus its aliExpress 'homage'.

[Mitch]

I was just browsing on aliExpress when I saw a watch that was an ‘homage’/copy of an iconic Citizen watch.



This is the Citizen in question.
































It is the Citizen ana/digi temp JG2108-52W. It is one of a series of Star Wars watches and this is the ‘Rebel Pilot’ model. These ana/digi temp watches have been produced by Citizen for many a long year now.

Here is the ‘homage’ I saw on aliExpress, a Humpbuck.































As you can see it is a very close copy of the Citizen. The construction of the bracelet and clasp is identical, though the Citizen has a better quality feel, even that is not great however. There are some differences, the Humpbuck is slightly wider by 2mm and a significant 3mm thicker, 10mm against 7mm and has a different case back. The Citizen’s display is slightly bigger.
































The module operation and functions are exactly the same.

















There is a difference in the effectiveness of the illumination, the Humpbuck is way better.

















The biggest difference is in the price though. The Citizen comes in at £260 and the Humpbuck was £20 including delivery, plus £4 tax. Seeing as I had the Citizen, I couldn’t resist buying the Humpbuck and doing a comparison. There is nothing really between the watches. The Citizen’s bracelet feels better made but the Humpbuck has the better light, take your pick.

These ana/digi temp watches are small 30mm wide for the Citizen but wear much bigger due to the integrated tapering 25mm bracelet.































It is amazing that these watches are still going strong, virtually unchanged, over 40 years since they were first produced (before the G Shock was invented). There must still be a strong demand for them and Citizen continue to produce basic models and limited edition collaborations.




Mitch

[Quality Man]

Great write up!


Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

[Geralt]

Not quite my thing but enjoyed reading. Like many PRC brands you have to wonder how they do it for the money. Yes, I know it's cheap labour and narrow margins but you still have to have the manufacturing wherewithal.

[Mitch]

Not quite my thing but enjoyed reading. Like many PRC brands you have to wonder how they do it for the money. Yes, I know it's cheap labour and narrow margins but you still have to have the manufacturing wherewithal.

Indeed.

I am pretty sure that the Citizen was manufactured in China as well, so the same cheap labour will have made that as well.




Mitch

[jsong6688]

That is impressive...