Customer Reviews

Croton Men's CA401094TTBK Two-Tone Automatic Dive Watchand Winder

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I purchased this watch and winder on a special and got a great deal. They are far from high quality products, and I wouldn't recommend them for the average buyer who is looking for one watch to wear, but they are fun to have for the price.

The winder is the most basic of units. It winds in one direction at a time, and spins constantly without cycling, but you can choose between clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, so it should work for any automatic watch. It does not accept batteries as far as I can see, so you always need to plug it in with the provided adapter. I would have liked battery operation so I could keep it on my watch cases without ugly cords showing. I put one of my Hamilton watches in it and it wound it up with no trouble. The watch mounts in the winder simply by the friction between the watch pillow and the winder, which leads to some wobbling of the watch in the winder, but I had no problems related to this. Overall it's a basic but functional unit. We'll see how it holds up.

The watch itself is a cheap Sub wanna-be, you're usual Chinese-made stuff, but it does look nice on the wrist. The biggest issue I had was that mentioned by other reviewers: the crystal had a greasy, hazy residue on the inside, the heaviest I've ever encountered. It would definitely drive you crazy if you didn't fix the issue. Fortunately for me, I am a big watch collector and I have all the necessary tools, so I immediately removed the case back and watch workings and polished the inside of the crystal, and it is now nice and clean. If you don't have the capability to do the same, I would highly recommend staying away from this watch, and from other expensive looking watches at this price point. Remember that you get what you pay for. As for the quality of the watch, it's cheap but made to look impressive. The movement says Japan, but I'm 99% sure it's actually a Chinese copy of a Japanese movement with a few modifications. It hacks and hand winds, which is always a nice feature. The movement itself is small, and held in the case with a cheap plastic spacer. The case and bracelet are the most impressive parts of this watch. The case is large and heavy and nicely finished. The bracelet is all solid stainless steel, and is also nicely finished. The case and bracelet would not be out of place on a low-end Swiss watch.

Overall, now that I've cleaned the inside of the crystal, the watch is very enjoyable to wear. I've been wanting to try a 2-tone watch, and at this price point, if I end up not really liking it, there's no great loss. However, if you're looking for one nice watch to wear every day, keep looking. This watch and winder set has more issues than the average customer would be willing to accept.

I should have paid more attention to what some other reviewers have already mentioned: this specific model often has a cloudy, opaque coating on the INSIDE of the watch crystal...and while it looks like condensation, it is most likely not, since it does not vary. Whatever foggy pattern is there, remains, unchanged.
My first watch had splotches covering about 2/3's of the interior crystal surface; Amazon very nicely sent me another, but I don't think they inspected it, since the replacement ALSO had a similar film, but in a different pattern of smeared splotches. After seeing these 2 defective watches, I then compared them to a 3rd one that my friend had purchased last year...and, AGAIN, there was a cloudy underside, but it was not initially noticed since the opaqueness was more uniform and it simply gave the dial a normal gray/black appearance if not compared to the splotchier ones.
[I tried to take a photo, but it's hard to get the lighting right.]
I wrote to Croton customer service, and was told it required "service" and to send it in with $19.95 and to expect to wait 4 to 6 weeks for its return...unacceptable for a new watch with an obvious defect. I wrote in again hoping for a better response...and I will post any updates.
For now, I would say: do NOT buy this for the watch...consider it a winder purchase...at least until they get their quality control under control! If they don't, Amazon will probably have no choice but to stop carrying it, because more people will probably return theirs as well...something I am hoping to help others avoid by posting this review!
Be careful with this one...
EDIT 3/12/11: I hadn't seen DZ's review, and it is/was very helpful! After reading it, I had my watch cleaned, and it runs well...the handwinding keeps it going without the winder, so I don't even use that anymore. The same caveats apply, however...this is only an acceptable watch for those willing to deal with the cloudy crystal repair. Thanks, DZ!

I bought this watch from amazon for a christmas gift for my father and when he opened it that morning he loved it and was very happy. Until day two that is... It wouldn't keep the correct time it kept falling back by the hour, so he placed it on the automatic winder (that was provided) for two days to see if that would do the trick. Two days later he wore it, and got the same result after 20 mins so we decided to return it to amazon. Seven days later we got the new watch only to find we are having the same issues. No support from amazon no support from croton STAY AWAY!

Similar to many of the previous people who ordered this watch, I had the same problem with the watch crystal. The inside of the crystal has a hazy cloudy appearance coating. What's totally unacceptable was that there's a small area on the side where the crystal was clear. There was also a streak line in what appeared to be probably the second hand had scraped against the inside of the crystal from the 45 minute mark to 01 minute, where the hand had rubbed away the cloudy coating. The watch should have never left the factory or passed quality control in this condition. I sent it back to Amazon for a refund.

Aside from the problem, this watch is quite large, much larger than most of the "Submarine" style watches I've seen. The bracelet is solid, the clasp was nice and crisp, extra links are adjusted by removing small screw-in pins, crown was a little stiff but turned nicely without any noticeable slop. Bezel turns unidirectionally with 60 clicks and rotates nice and crisp. Accuracy out of the box appeared to be +1 minute per hour for the few hours that I had in possession. The watch winder turned approximately 8 times per minute and fairly quiet. It's covered in low gloss black leather (or leatherette).

From past reviews, seems like this watch is suppose to have a Miyota (Japanese) 8215 automatic movement. However, the newer ones might now be a Miyota 8215 clone (Chinese), as the movement in this watch hacks and handwinds.

It's a shame that the watch was defective since I wouldn't be able to buy a watch AND a winder for the sub-$60 that I paid in this deal.

I am glad to see this fine Croton watch on today's Gold Box, because I have aways had good luck with Croton watches--they look expensive and they have performed well. This one looks neat, and it has some special features that I are especially useful. First,I like the fact that it is automatic and has it's own charger. It's hard for me to find the time and to remember to get new batteries when they run out. This will solve that problem for me, and I think it will help others with hectic lives (everyone?). I like that it glows in the dark, which is a main reason why I am buying it for my brother, and I also like that it marks of the seconds around the dial--this will hugely simply timing, which is the main reason why I am getting it for my son. Amazon makes Christmas shopping easy: good service and great gifts at great prices!

UPDATE: Well, the price on this watch has skyrocketed to $200.00! You can find Croton watches at really good discounts, so, even though this one is particularly cool, you might want to get a different one, or wait until this one goes on sale!

A good solid automatic watch, accuracy of the movemement about -9 seconds/day. It does not have an exhibition case back.
The watch has a nice, heavy feel to it and the automatic movement does keep it's charge, when not wearing the watch. The winder is very useful and easy to use and is bi-directional for Japanese or Swiss movemements. At a below $100 price point, would highly recommend.
I would have given it 5 stars, if it had a skeleton/exhibition case back.

I got this watch and winder for $89 and what a deal. It looks really great and keeps good time. It is a big watch and you can feel its weight on your wrist as I have huge wrists I can handle a big watch. There is a glare on the crystal that I don't care for and it seems to be inside. They say it is a sapphire crystal so that a big bang for the buck. The bi directional winder was just a plus all around. I have several automatics, one being the real deal rolex and I also bought a quad winder to keep my collection wound. For the money this watch looks better than the much touted Invictas and don't get me wrong I like Invictas and own 4 of their diver collection.

It's a good watch for the money and people often stare wondering if it's the other brand.

About 1.5 years ago I purchased the two tone blue face of this same model. I was so very happy with that product that when the black face model became available again I pounced on it. They are not only both dressy and sporty but a durable time piece as well. As most automatics you purchase for under several hundred dollars these run slightly fast. They hold their charge for well over 24hrs. The band adjusted easily using a small flat head screwdriver. Even though the band is made in China I have found no flaws in it.The Miyoto 21 jewel Japanese movement for the money really rocks. Plus as a bonus you get Croton's warranty.

This watch surpassed my expectations. My son loved it as he wanted a divers watch that was also dressy. He was thrilled when he opened the present at Christmas. It was in a timely manner and was packaged beautifully. Great experience!!!!! Connie in Kentucky

I already have the Croton Men's Automatic Sport Watch with Winder #CA401094SSBL and like it...and one of the things I like about it is its exhibition case back. Note: When I initially reviewed that watch I was too harsh...over time I grew to appreciate it more, to the point that I became interested in acquiring another version.
My significant other just got me this two-tone version, and I was disappointed to discover that it did NOT have an exhibition back...and the bezel was more scalloped looking, less coin-style...which I prefer.
[I have since written to Croton for clarification on the exhibition back feature and will post an update...possibly the older models had the feature and they changed their design?]
So, if you are the sort that likes to see the movement at work, you should look elsewhere...otherwise, give it a go.