The 20 Best China Brand Watches That Might Surprise You

When people think of products made in China, the word “cheap” often comes to mind… sometimes fairly, sometimes not. It’s true that China has long been known for its fast, large-scale manufacturing.

But in recent years, the country has been carefully rewriting that narrative, especially in the world of watchmaking.

Most of us know China as a global leader in technology, design, and innovation. They’re miles ahead from the rest of us, which means they can mass-produce a smartwatch for under $50 and at the same time, handcraft a mechanical masterpiece that rivals even some of the biggest known Swiss icons.

Yes, you’ll always find low-cost options on the market but if you look hard enough, you can also find several Chinese made timepieces that are beautifully engineered, created with high levels of precision, creativity, and surprising levels of luxury.

In this blog, we’re looking at 20 China brand watches that prove this, from smaller microbrands to larger watchmakers you might have already heard of.

Are Chinese Watches Any Good?

Like most things, it really comes down to what you’re looking at. The reality is, there are plenty of watches floating around the internet that, to put it gently, aren’t all that great and they’re often made in China. I’m talking about those watches that are so cheap, they almost feel too good to be true. Which is often the case.

They’re typically made from low-grade materials, powered by movements that barely function and more often than not, feature designs that are just knockoffs of bigger-name brands. And look, no shame if you’ve ever wanted something that looks like a Rolex Day-Date without the painful price tag.

I can’t afford a Rolex either. But in my opinion, you’re much better off choosing a watch that’s actually a watch. One that can keep the time, handle more than a few hours of daily wear and actually comes from people who genuinely care about what they’re making.

Because the truth is, while some Chinese watches are clearly made to be sold fast and forgotten faster, there’s also a growing number that are designed with real passion.

The brands listed below are doing exactly that, making watches that are stylish, functional, and built with surprising levels of care.

They’re proof that Chinese watchmaking isn’t just about affordability, but about creativity, quality and craftsmanship. These are the Chinese made watches worth your time, attention and wrist real estate.

The Best China Brand Watches

With all that in mind, let’s get into it. Below are 20 of the best China brand watches that are doing it right. Some you might have heard of already, while others will no doubt be completely new to you. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing better than finding a new hidden gem in the world of watches.

Addiesdive

If you’re looking for an affordable dive watch, then Addiesdive is a Chinese watchmaker worth knowing. Despite having shockingly low retail prices, they’ve built a solid reputation for creating rugged, well-specced timepieces that punch well above their price point.

Many of the designs feel familiar, with several reminding me of classic Seiko dive watches and some even named after iconic Seiko nicknames like “Monster” and “Turtle”. And to their credit, they don’t just copy the look but come surprisingly close in feel too.

Most Addiesdive watches are powered by reliable Japanese automatic movements like the NH35A and are fitted with sapphire crystals, ceramic bezels, and 316L stainless steel cases, features you’d normally expect from watches costing much more.

Water resistance ranges from 200 meters to 1000 meters, making them perfectly capable for casual diving and daily wear alike. The one downside that many report on is the metal bracelets, so that’s something to keep in mind. But thankfully, it’s an easy part of the watch to swap out.

Prices start from $42.99

Atelier Wen

So, from surprisingly affordable to a little more elevated, we now have Atelier Wen. Founded by two young entrepreneurs with roots in both French and Chinese culture, this company wanted to create a brand that celebrated Chinese craftsmanship not as a cost-saving shortcut, but as a point of pride.

The name itself says it all, Atelier (French for workshop) and Wén (文, Chinese for culture), is a nod to the fusion of design, heritage, and artistry that defines each timepiece.

While many brands shy away from showcasing their Chinese production, Atelier Wen leans all the way in, collaborating with local artisans and proudly spotlighting traditional techniques like hand-engraved guilloché dials and intricate case finishing.

Their best-known model, the Perception, has become a cult favorite, thanks to its beautifully executed integrated bracelet design and genuinely hand-crafted details, yet it still clocks in under $4,000.

Prices start from $3,320

Behrens

Now, stepping fully into the world of modern innovation, we have Behrens. Founded in 2012 in Shenzhen, a city quickly becoming China’s horological hotspot, Behrens is one of the most exciting names in independent watchmaking today.

This isn’t about homages or minimal tweaks on classic designs. Instead, Behrens builds its own lane entirely, creating futuristic, sculptural timepieces that rethink how time can be displayed.

The brand was started by Lin Bingqiang and is powered by a young, forward-thinking team of engineers and watchmakers who love pushing boundaries.

Think satellite displays, orbital indicators, and architectural dial layouts that look more like kinetic art than traditional watches. Despite the avant-garde styling, the technical chops are real.

Behrens has in-house R&D, production capabilities, and even earned a GPHG nomination in 2020 which is no small feat for a relatively young brand.

Prices start from $1,395

Benyar

Another Chinese watchmaker that sharply avoids any steep price tag is Benyar. Known for its ultra-affordable timepieces that don’t skimp on design, Benyar has carved out a niche for offering watches that look far more premium than their price suggests.

Whether you’re into classic chronographs, sporty divers, or sleek dress watches, there’s likely a Benyar model that’ll catch your eye.

Founded with a love for traditional watchmaking and a focus on accessible luxury, Benyar blends modern design with respectable specs like stainless steel cases, automatic movements (or quartz in some models), and reliable build quality.

The Benyar 5177, for example, is a personal favourite of mine. It sports a bold 41mm case, a 50 meter water resistance rating, and a scratch-resistant hardlex crystal.

Prices start from $34.90

Boderry

Guided by the motto “Be Distinctive. Be Limitless,” Boderry is a relatively new Chinese brand that has quickly gained a reputation for making high-quality, feature-packed watches that again impress with low price points.

Makes sense, since the company’s goal was to create affordable timepieces that look sharp, perform reliably, and give wearers a sense of identity.

I’ve heard great things about the Boderry Voyager, a model that many enthusiasts argue is the best sub-$100 automatic field watch on the market.

It features a lightweight but durable titanium case, sapphire crystal, and the ever-trusty Seiko NH35A automatic movement.

Prices start from $79

Celadon

Shifting gears once again, we come to Celadon, a brand that doesn’t just embrace its Chinese heritage but elevates it. Founded in 2012, Celadon is unapologetically proud to stamp “Made in China” on its watches, and for good reason.

These aren’t your run-of-the-mill, mass-produced pieces. This is haute horlogerie, reimagined through the lens of Chinese artistry and history.

Led by Singaporean collector Benjamin Chee, Celadon HH (Haute Horlogerie) is part of a larger mission to restore pride in Chinese watchmaking.

Every model is a deeply considered work of art, often featuring cloisonné dials, hand-engraved case backs, and traditional Chinese motifs.

You’ll even find custom mechanical movements developed with master watchmakers like Lin Yong Hua. These watches are easily some of the most beautiful timepieces I’ve ever seen.

Prices start from $3,900

CIGA

CIGA Design is another Chinese watchmaker where they’ve cleverly combined avant-garde artistry with prices that feel almost too good to be true.

And it’s a brand that isn’t just respected in China but has become an international award magnet, winning nine Red Dot Design Awards (including two “Best of the Best” titles), two iF Gold Awards, and even the prestigious GPHG Challenge Prize.

Probably their most iconic piece so far is the CIGA Blue Planet, a domed, rotating miniature Earth that tells time with a compass rose and challenges everything you thought a watch could be.

It’s bold, poetic, and genuinely moving, intended to evoke the “overview effect” astronauts describe when seeing our planet from space.

Prices start from €129

Lin Yong Hua

One of China’s most gifted independent watchmakers, Lin Yong Hua began his horological journey in 1991 at just 18 years old, working in quartz production.

Over the next two decades, his fascination with high-complication mechanical watches led him to master some of the most complex movements in the craft like tourbillons, minute repeaters, jump hours, and perpetual calendars.

So in 2009, Lin opened his own restoration workshop in Shenzhen, eventually launching his independent brand LYH Watches in 2016.

His first creation, the Vinyl Record, was a poetic tribute to the analog music era, fitting for a man who sees art and mechanics as inseparable.

To this day, LYH’s work blends technical virtuosity with deeply personal artistic vision whether it’s the LYH-6 or his stunning mother-of-pearl dials.

Prices start from HKD $27,800

Neo Kung

Neo Kung may be a new name in independent watchmaking, but his debut piece, the Orienta, speaks with the depth and confidence of a seasoned artist.

Formerly the Chief Product Officer at both Seagull and Shanghai Watch, two of China’s most storied brands (that are coming up shortly) Neo has spent years immersed in the mechanics and meaning of horology.

At first glance, the Orienta feels like a time capsule with its sleek platinum case, hand-finished chronograph dial and vintage soul. But it’s so much more than that.

Its movement, the Cal. NK-01, traces its roots to the Venus 175, the same architecture that formed the foundation of China’s first chronograph six decades ago. It’s a beautiful watch with an equally beautiful story behind it.

Prices start from $40,000

Octopus Kraken

Octopus Kraken is a brand born from a deep love of mechanical timekeeping and a passion for design. Since 2017, the team behind Octopus has specialized in crafting vintage and dive-inspired timepieces, watches that evoke adventure, heritage, and the romance of flight and the sea.

They focus mainly on using high-quality materials like CuSn8 bronze, titanium, and stainless steel, paired with components like Swiss Super-LumiNova, domed sapphire crystals, and reliable automatic movements.

One of my personal favorites is the Octopus Kraken OCT005 Retro Bronze. Made from solid CuSn8 bronze, it ages gracefully with a unique patina, making every piece one of a kind.

With its domed crystal and pilot-style charm, it reminds me of the Oris Big Crown but at under $300, it offers a level of value rarely seen in automatic watches, let alone bronze ones.

Prices start from $190

Pagani

Pagani Design is refreshingly upfront about what they do: crafting stylish watches inspired by the big names in luxury horology.

Established in Guangzhou in 2012, this independent brand focuses on delivering high-quality timepieces that echo the iconic aesthetics of brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet but at a fraction of the price.

There are watches that will appeal to adventure-seekers as well as sophisticated jet-setters and everything in between, just so long as you want the look and feel of luxury without the luxury price tag.

Their watches bring precision and passion to wrists worldwide, making stylish, accessible horology a reality. It’s a brand unafraid to embrace homage, with a clear focus on quality and value.

Prices start from $80

Proxima

If you’re into well-built tool watches with a strong sense of identity, Proxima is a brand worth knowing. Founded in 2016, this independent Chinese watchmaker has carved out a loyal following by combining serious materials, reliable mechanical movements, and a direct, no-fluff approach to watchmaking.

From day one, Proxima focused on crafting timepieces that felt purposeful, drawing from the DNA of iconic dive watches like the Seiko 62MAS and Marine Master, but never just copying them outright.

They keep production small and hands-on, using premium calibres like SW200 and NH35 automatic movements, double-domed sapphire crystals, and high-grade materials including CuSn8 bronze, Grade 5 titanium, and marine-grade stainless steel. Even their black cases use advanced IPS coating rather than traditional PVD for better durability.

Prices start from $99

Qin Gan

Independent Chinese watchmaker Qin Gan is another brand redefining what “Made in China” really means in the world of haute horlogerie.

Based in Chongqing, Qin’s journey began in his father’s repair shop, where he developed a hands-on love for mechanical watchmaking.

After years working as both a designer and a restorer, most notably for Poly Hong Kong, he launched his first fully hand-finished watch in 2014.

But it was the release of the Pastorale in 2021 that truly put him on the map. Now in its second generation, the Pastorale II is a refined, gold-cased dress watch that highlights Qin’s obsessive attention to detail.

Every component, from the enamel-filled dial and heat-blued hands to the meticulously beveled bridges of the in-house caliber 1810, is finished by hand in his workshop. He produces just 15 pieces per year, making each one a rare reflection of his craft.

Price starts from $46,000

San Martin

San Martin may have started out building homage watches, but it has quickly earned a reputation as one of China’s most respected value-driven microbrands.

Founded in 2016 by Mr. Liao JiaMing, a veteran and watch enthusiast, San Martin’s early days were hands-on and gritty, learning from factory floors, experimenting with bronze dive cases, and building everything from scratch.

But what that means, is you now have a Chinese watch brand that understands watchmaking from the inside out.

Now headquartered in Dongguan, close to many of China’s best manufacturing hubs, San Martin has grown into a company known for original designs, robust construction, and exceptional finishing, often punching far above its price point.

Their watches use proven movements like the Seiko NH34 GMT, and feature enthusiast-friendly touches like toolless micro-adjust clasps and high-spec lume.

Prices start from $138

Seagull

Probably the best-known Chinese watchmaker out there, Seagull is a name most watch enthusiasts are already familiar with, and for good reason. 

Founded in 1955 as part of a government initiative to jumpstart China’s domestic watchmaking industry, Seagull has since grown into the world’s largest producer of mechanical movements, reportedly responsible for around 25% of global output.

Based in Tianjin, Seagull doesn’t just power hundreds of other microbrands; it also produces watches under its own name, from tourbillons to dive watches to pilot’s instruments and classic dress pieces.

But none are more revered than the Seagull 1963. Originally developed for the Chinese Air Force and powered by the ST19 movement (based on the Venus 175 column-wheel chronograph), the 1963 offers a slice of vintage military charm with real horological significance.

Prices start from $109

Seestern

Seestern is a Chinese microbrand that’s built a reputation for crafting high-quality homage dive watches, some so faithful to their inspirations, it’s hard not to do a double take.

The brand operates under Sugess, a company with over a decade of experience in mechanical watchmaking, particularly in complications like chronographs and tourbillons. Seestern, however, represents their focused plunge into the world of dive watches.

At the helm is Coco, a watchmaker and enthusiast with deep industry experience. While Seestern doesn’t operate as a factory, its small-scale, microbrand status allows for more meticulous attention to detail during assembly, something often lost in mass production.

This approach helps deliver impressive value for money. Their now-iconic 300T model is perhaps the boldest homage in their catalog, taking obvious cues from the classic Doxa diver.

Prices start from $179 

Steeldive

Steeldive is a relatively young brand, but one that’s quickly made a name for itself in the world of affordable dive watch homages.

Founded in 2018, Steeldive initially gained attention by producing watches for other companies but soon pivoted to launching its own line, focusing on retro-inspired dive watches with serious bang for buck.

Powered almost exclusively by reliable Seiko NH35 movements, Steeldive’s pieces often channel iconic models from brands like Seiko, Blancpain, and Rolex, with designs that lean heavily into vintage military and tool watch territory.

Their “50-Fathoms” model, for example, isn’t trying to hide its inspiration and instead is a clear nod to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, right down to the bezel and dial layout.

Prices start from $89

Sugess

Sugess is the parent company behind Seestern, and while Seestern focuses on dive and homage watches, Sugess leans into technical watchmaking, especially complications like chronographs and tourbillons.

They’re best known for affordable ST19 chronograph watches, using a respected column-wheel movement derived from the Swiss Venus 175.

But their boldest and most impressive move, in my option, is their Tourbillon Master collection. Yes, this really is a fully functioning mechanical tourbillon watch for under $500.Built around the Chinese-made Seagull ST8230 calibre, it offers what used to be an ultra-luxury complication at a fraction of the price. That alone makes them one of the most fascinating players in Chinese watchmaking today.

Prices start from $229

Tan Zehua

Tan Zehua is one of China’s most accomplished independent watchmakers and a full member of the prestigious AHCI since 2019.

Trained under his father in the 1960s and later running his own workshop, Tan spent decades restoring antique timepieces before turning to full-scale independent watchmaking.

His focus is pure horological craft, so hand-built movements, traditional finishing, and an obsession with escapement innovation.

He has developed four in-house calibres, including a 10-day movement and the impressive Work No. 3, featuring a constant-force mechanism via a third barrel.

But probably his most exciting development is the Di-Axial escapement, a next-gen take on George Daniels’ Co-Axial, designed for lower friction and no lubrication. Sadly, Tan’s watches are ultra-limited so they’re not easy to obtain, but it’s definitely worth trying.

Prices start from HKD $100,000

Thorn

Finally, we arrive at the last of today’s featured Chinese watch brands: Thorn. A lesser-known name even within microbrand circles, Thorn quietly produces handsome, classically styled mechanical watches powered by the reliable Japanese NH35 movement.

While their designs may echo vintage greats, the value proposition is all their own with high-spec builds, tasteful finishing, and unbeatable pricing.

Though still relatively niche, Thorn takes its mission seriously, to create high-quality, low-cost mechanical watches that punch well above their weight.

Every piece is crafted with an attention to detail that aims to win over discerning collectors, not just casual buyers. If you’re after an accessible daily mechanical that delivers sharp looks without cutting corners, Thorn is worth a closer look.

Prices start from $69

Conclusion

It’s clear the world of watchmaking is no longer the exclusive playground of Switzerland. From the artistic mastery of Celadon to the futuristic engineering of Behrens, Chinese watchmakers are proving they have both the skill and the soul to compete on a global stage.

Yes, not every brand hits the bullseye every time, but many are creating genuinely remarkable timepieces that combine craftsmanship, innovation, and value in ways few others can.

Even the more affordable homage brands deserve credit for delivering solid watches to everyday enthusiasts. Hopefully we’ve proved that China’s growing watch scene offers something for everyone, no matter the tastes of your wrist.