In this article, we are going to do a review of the Cadisen Datejust. This would be Cadisen’s homage to the Rolex Datejust. We all know after all, that Rolex is a leading brand among luxury watches. Everybody wants a Rolex, but not everybody can afford one.
This is where homage watches come in. Homage watches are watches that are made to emulate, or give the appearance of a specific luxury watch, but at a fraction of the price of the original. Unlike a replica, which is an exact copy, a homage will have at least different brand name logo on it than the original it was based on. Rolex possibly has more homages to it, than any other watch on the planet, given its popularity.
Anyway, we are looking at Cadisen’s Datejust homage. The Rolex Datejust was actually the first watch ever to include a date complication that automatically adjusted itself. It was quite innovative for its time. Now, of course, this feature is quite common in many watches across the spectrum of the industry.
Cadisen is a Chinese brand that specializes in luxury styled watches and homages. This is not uncommon in Chinese brands. However, different brands have varying levels of quality. Cadisen actually makes some pretty great watches.
So what about this particular watch? Well, let’s look into it!
Cadisen Datejust Review
Quick Look
- 21 jewel automatic, self winding movement
- exhibition case back
- sapphire crystal dial window
- date window
- luminous hands and markers
- water resistant 50 meters
In this review, we will be taking a look at the build quality, design, features, and pricing of this watch to see if it really is a good deal. First though, we’ll check out the specs on this watch.
Specs
- Display Type: analog
- Movement: automatic, self winding
- Case Size: 38mm in diameter, 12mm thick
- Band Size: 21cm long, 20mm wide
Build Quality
Now we will take a look at the quality of the build. On this watch, both the case and band are made out of stainless steel. The dial window is sapphire crystal, so it will be very resistant to scratches and scuff marks. It is powered by a 21 jewel automatic movement. This automatic movement will allow the watch to be wound and powered by the natural swinging of your arms, so you won’t really have to wind it much if worn often. Lastly, it is water resistant 50 meters. This is enough to handle getting wet, but not great for swimming and diving.
Cadisen has some pretty good builds, and this one has some nice touches. The sapphire dial window, and the jeweled mechanical automatic movement are great to see in a cheaper watch. A lot of times inexpensive luxury styled watches will not have these features.
Design
The design here, is about identical to the Rolex Datejust. There are different color options available as far as dials go. The one we are looking at here, though has the black dial. Also, some of them have a dual color band, however the band on this one is solid silver in color.
The dial, although black, does have a slight sunburst effect, which you can see when enough light hits the front of the dial. You will also find the Cadisen brand name on the upper portion of the dial. The lower part of the dial has text describing it as being 5atm waterproof, and having 21 jewels. Aside from that, the markings are pretty simple white and silver. The hands share this color.
There is a date window at the 3 o’clock position that has a cyclops window over it. That window magnifier gives you about a 1.5X magnifier for the date display. Moving on to the bezel, it has the same coin edge design as the original Datejust. The band also is made in the same chain linked style as the original Datejust.
Lastly, The Cadisen Datejust features an exhibition style case back for added flair. I have always liked being able to view the actual watch movement as it is running inside of a watch. This is a nice feature when it is included on a watch.
Features
The Cadisen Datejust, as with most actual luxury watches and homages, has only the most basic features. By simple manipulation of the crown, you can change the time, and the date. It also has a hacking feature, which is pretty convenient to have if you want to more easily synchronize your watch.
It does have luminous hands and markers, which helps out a lot with visibility in the dark. Other than these, there really aren’t any other features to speak of here.
So now that we’ve covered all of the main points, what about pricing? Is the Cadisen Datejust an expensive watch?
Pricing
Well you will be happy to know that the Cadisen Datejust is not very expensive at all. Prices will vary slightly, depending on which online retailer you purchase it from, but generally speaking, this watch is on the low end of the price spectrum. It is true that there are luxury styled watches available at absolute bargain bin prices.
However, the thing about those very cheap luxury styled watches, is that they are not going to be of the same quality as this. Truth be told though, to get a sapphire dial window, and an automatic jeweled movement at as low a price as the Cadisen Datejust sells for, is still an incredible deal!
Final Conclusion
Ultimately what I see here in the Cadisen Datejust is a very inexpensive quality homage to the Rolex Datejust. You really just don’t see sapphire dial windows and 21 jeweled mechanical movements at prices this low. I thought the Parnis Datejust was a good deal, and this one rivals even that! The Cadisen Datejust is absolutely one of the best deals I have seen so far as homages go.
And that will conclude our Cadisen Datejust review. If you enjoyed this article, and found it informative, you can browse through some of our other reviews of watches, homages, and watch bands here
