Walter Shillington is an avid collector of mechanical watches. His reviews focus on inexpensive but often intriguing Chinese timepieces.
Walter Shillington
I’d love to acquire a Franck Muller Casablanca for my collection, but this timepiece is priced far beyond my reach. Instead, I’ve occupied my time searching for a similarly designed watch that works well and won’t break the budget.
My first purchase consisted of a no-name brand, which I ordered from DHgate. This watch, a full blown replica, proved surprisingly accurate. Sadly, due to a defective pushbutton, its lifespan is likely to be short.
The Forsining U0W7 borrows much of its styling from the Casablanca, and at $25, sells for far less that what I paid for my replica. I was curious to see how well it competed against my prior purchase.
Description
I ordered this Forsining from a vendor on eBay. The model number was described as U0W7, but A597 is stamped on the back plate. It arrived on schedule and well packed in bubble wrap. Unlike most of the Chinese watches I have collected, the Forsining came enclosed within a watch box and strapped around a tiny pillow.
This watch is 18 mm thick. It measures 55 mm from top to bottom and 45 mm across. The timepiece weighs in a 100 grams (3.54 ounces).
The dial—thanks mainly to Franck Muller’s original design work—is beautiful. Black numbers of varying size line the edge of a nicely patterned white dial. Two windows positioned near the top display the day of the month. Black rimmed subdials indicate the day of week and month.
The hands are reminiscent of the last century. They are painted black, and the hour indicator is attractively shaped. A dash of red color highlights the pointed arrow positioned at the tip of the second hand. The time can be easily ascertained, even in low-light conditions.
Manufacturers of very expensive watches will sometimes incorporate a tourbillon. This highly sophisticated device is used to increase accuracy. The dial of the Forsining U0W7 is of open heart design, simulating the presence of a tourbillon by providing a view of the rapidly whirling timing wheel. Although they enthusiastically label the timing wheel as a tourbillon, this declaration is not intended to be taken seriously.
The case is barrel shaped and colored gold. Two metal pushbuttons, located on the right edge, allow adjustment of day of month and month of year. A sunken pushbutton on the left edge is used to adjust the day of week.
The bottom plate of this timepiece is secured by four screws. Beneath this plate is an unbranded automatic movement, which can be viewed through a transparent window.
Forsining U0W7 alongside my replica of a Franck Muller Casablanca
Walter Shillington
View of movement through transparent window of back plate.
Walter Shillington
Walter Shillington
The Watchband
The watchband is colored brown and comes equipped with a silver buckle. It is 22 mm wide, reasonably thick and composed of PU leather.
The Manufacturer
Forsining is a division of the Guangzhou Ruixue Watch Company Limited. (Forsining watch company limited). Their manufacturing plant is located in GuangZhou, China and this company’s products are marketed under the brand names, Forsining, Winner, and Jaragar.
Specifications
Brand: Forsining
Model: A597; U0W7
Condition: New with watch box
Place of origin: GuangZhou China
Gender: Male
Display: Analog
Movement: Automatic
Style: Luxury
Features: Open heart design
Functions: Date, day of week and month
Band material: Pu leather
Band width: 22 mm
Dial color: White
Dial window material: Hardened mineral glass
Case material: Metal
Case diameter: 45 mm including crown
Case height: 55 mm
Case thickness: 18 mm
Weight: 100 grams (3.54 ounces)
Water resistance: This watch is not water resistant
Walter Shillington
Visual Appeal
This huge and shiny watch is designed to draw attention. Large numbers circle the edge of the dial, squeezed in typical Franck Muller fashion, along the left and right side of the watch. Two subdials and a window which displays the day of month impart additional functionality. The movement provided by the rapidly whirling timing wheel attracts the eye.
I noticed several dark splotches spattered along the case. I originally assumed this to be evidence of corrosion, but it proved to be the result of a poorly applied coat of gold coloring. My attempts to polish the case, using Flitz polish and a soft cloth, revealed the gleaming silver surface beneath.
The overall appearance would be improved if the buckle used to fasten the watchband matched the color of the watch’s case.
Thin gold colored coating has been partially removed due to overenthusiastic buffing with metal polish
Walter Shillington
Accuracy
I tested this watch for three weeks. During this period the day of month function and both subdials worked perfectly. Unfortunately, this timepiece gained approximate four minutes per day. This level of accuracy is unacceptable.
The unit I tested should not be considered representative of the accuracy of this model. Most of these timepieces will prove more precise. More than anything, this result suggests a requirement for improved quality control.
Depending on how active the wearer is, automatic watches will sometimes completely unwind and stop during the night. In this respect, the Forsining U0W7 preformed very well.
I have also reviewed the Forsining toubillon automatic watch. It is well styled and more accurate than this timepiece.
Durability
All pushbuttons functioned well. The crown snapped in and out crisply, although I did detect sloppiness whilst rotating it to adjust the time.
This watch is quite large, and over the course of my tests, absorbed a number of minor shocks without incident.
The gold coloring applied to the case is fairly thin and will wear over time. It would be best to purchase this model in silver rather than gold.
The PU leather watchband shows no sign of the cracks or creases, which would signal a short lifespan. The outside surface, however, has began to peel, revealing the tan-colored polyurethane beneath. For purely cosmetic reasons, most purchasers will quickly replace this strap.
Three weeks of normal wear and tear has taken its toll on the brown colored surface of the watchstrap
Walter Shillington
Warranty
Because my Forsining U0W7 proved inaccurate, I asked the vendor to send me a new watch. Tomtop.wholesaler sympathized, but since I was unwilling to return the original unit, could only provide a refund of $5. Although the damage probably occurred during shipping, they promised to review their methods of handling products.
That seemed fair. Certainly I should not expect a new watch without returning the old. I accepted their offer.
Surprisingly, Tomtop.wholesaler refunded me a total of $10. That puts them near the top of my favorite vendor list.
Overall Impression
Chinese manufacturers take great pride in their ability to construct attractive and function packed watches at extremely low prices. Sometimes they reach a little farther than they should.
The Forsining U0W7 is the most striking timepiece you are likely to find in the $25 range. Great beauty, however, has its price. In this instance the cost is paid in grade of materials, accuracy, and quality control. This watch is not recommended.
As I noted earlier, Chinese manufacturers strive to provide great functionality at the lowest possible cost. The Japanese companies pay more attention to quality while ensuring their products are reasonably priced. Swiss timepieces tend to be expensive but quality and individuality is guaranteed.
I am conducting a poll to determine the minimum price point at which a potential customer feels comfortable with his purchase. The point at which he believes the watch he acquires will be of decent quality.
If you would be kind enough to participate, your input will be appreciated. These polls help me to choose appropriate timepieces to feature in future reviews.
Questions & Answers
Question: This is my first automatic watch and I have no idea what to expect for $22.00. Is this the equivalent of costume jewelry for men?
Answer: At that price quality control is limited and the parts used are not always the best. You take a chance. Sometimes you end up with a decent watch and sometimes you are disappointed.
Comments
Walter Shillington (author) from Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada on December 22, 2019:
This watch is an automatic (mechanical) and uses a wound spring to provide power. Batteries are not required.
Calvin Hutchinson on December 21, 2019:
How do you charge the battery for the forsining watch with the grass back our can you get a battery for it
Jim Rees on March 10, 2018:
I have two Forsining automatics, and the quality is poor. Pretty much a waste of money in my opinion. Walter, I would really like for you to review a Vosok watch, either a Komandirskie, or my favorite, the Amphibia. Of my collection, Vostoks have become my favorite watches for everyday wear, and I would really enjoy your views on these watches. Parnis also makes excellent watches, but the quality depends on where you purchase. I have found that top quality comes from Parnis.org. There you will be assured to receive a top quality Parnis watch. I enjoy all of your reviews my friend, keep up the great reviews.
