Whoops, I did it again. A little while back I posted a blog about Seagull chronographs and in that article, I explained that from the plethora of options I felt I had made the wrong decision about which Seagull ST19 based chronograph I bought.
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![](https://tfhorology.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Sugess-Super-Luminous-Pilot-Chronograph-Mechanical-Watches-Men-seagull-ST1908-Movement-Moon-Phase-Calendar-Men-Wristwatch.webp)
I purchased a classic silver dial panda two register by Sugess. It’s by no means a bad watch but there were a handful of details that once I got my hands on the watch made it feel just a little underwhelming. In that article, I mentioned that I had my eye on the rose gold moon phase chronograph by the same manufacturer. I let it bug me for a couple of months and then I took the plunge and bought it. This watch is currently on sale for £145 or as near as makes no difference $200. On paper, this Sugess is a lot of watch for the money. Let’s consider the spec sheet below:
- 40mm diameter stainless steel case PVD coated in rose gold
- Mechanical chronograph movement Seagull ST1908
- 4 register chronograph with small seconds at 9 o’clock, 30minute timer at 3 o’clock, date at 12 o’clock and real moon phase at 6 o’clock.
- Genuine Leather faux crock strap with PVD gold deployant strap
- Domed sapphire crystal
- Display case back with decorated movement
- 6 Screw case back with 50m water resistance
- Pearlescent dial with semi guilloché decoration
- Rose gold hands and baton indices
So having given the paper specs due consideration, what is it like in the metal?
I had some reservations about buying this watch as my previous Sugess chronograph was merely “okay”. This watch however was a completely different proposition. From the packaging onward I am very pleased with this purchase.
This Sugess comes in budget appropriate but very nice cardboard packaging, with a signed warranty card and a cleaning cloth. The watch wears nicely right out of the box but after a few hours, I got annoyed with the deployant strap and the way it pressed into the back of my wrist. I always find butterfly deployants to be a little uncomfortable. I swapped it out for a buckle and found the watch wore a lot better. The strap it comes with is adequate and better than average for an Ali Express watch however it makes a big difference to the perceived quality of a watch getting it on a high-quality strap. I was able to find a lovely 22mm calfskin strap that had been tanned to imitate Horween. It is very soft and smells great. The rose gold buckle is a perfect match for the case too, which is fortunate.
The watch is beautiful to the eye, it has an early 20th century aesthetic and puts me in mind of classic Longines chronographs without being an outright homage.
This is the first time I have ever had a moon phase watch. Perhaps not the most genuinely useful complication but I do find it very endearing, adding an additional element of fascination to the highly decorated dial. The date and moon phase are set via a pair of quickest pushers on the left size of the case and are easy to use however they do require a tool or some sort of pointy thing.
I have no criticisms or niggles, at this price the watch is flawless, one genuinely cannot expect more from a mechanical chronograph at this price point.
Would your money be better spent elsewhere? Well what other dressy watches can you get for $200? If you don’t already have one, an Orient Bambino is highly recommended but that is a normal three-hander, no chronograph function there, Even finding another mechanical moon phase at this price is rare. This watch is therefore a unique proposition and a particularly high value one too. Thoroughly recommended. It is possible to buy the Sugess Chronograph from the Sugess Ali Express shop by following this link.
“When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.”