The Purchase
This watch is available at many internet stores, the least expensive vendor being based at DHgate. Since I’d been looking for a chance to try out this Chinese competitor to Amazon, I ordered the watch from them.
The DHgate vendor I chose was ikwatches. The purchase price of $38.65 US ($47.00 CDN) included free shipping. My transaction proceeded smoothly and six weeks later the watch arrived at the post office. It was adequately packaged; wrapped in bubble wrap and shoved inside a thin cardboard box.
Watch Band
The strap—marked genuine leather—is thick, black, and looks great. After three weeks of daily use the band began to split where the buckle tongue enters one of the adjustment holes. I suspect this strap is actually composed of medium quality polyurethane.
The Manufacturer
I failed to locate the official Jaragar website. It is only conjecture but I suspect Jaragar is a brand owned by a large Asian based company that contracts out the manufacture and assembly of these watches to a variety of Chinese factories.
If you purchase a Jaragar watch which requires warranty service, it will normally be provided by the vendor. He, in turn, will contact Jaragar for recompense.
Specifications
Brand name: Jaragar
Condition: New without tags
Model/Part number: J13, WJ064, JJS004
Place or origin: China
Gender: Male
Display: Analog
Style: Luxury
Movement: Automatic
Features: Full calendar, moon phase, and twenty-four hour clock
Band material: Probably polyurethane
Dial color: Black (also available in white)
Dial shape: Round
Dial Window material: Hardex
Case material: Stainless steel
Case diameter: 44mm including crown
Case thickness: 15mm
Weight: 66g (2.33 oz) including replacement leather strap
Water resistance: 3 ATM (Not suitable for swimming, diving, shower etc.)
Visual Appeal
This is a handsome timepiece, complete with gleaming case, shiny metal pushbuttons and attractively designed subdials.
I chose the black-dialed model because it exudes an aurora of luxury. You might prefer the white dial which better showcases the moon phase function.
A window at the bottom of the watch allows a view of the movement’s inner workings.
Reliability and Accuracy
Two numbered and rotating rings, viewed through small windows in the dial, indicate the date. One is numbered zero through nine; the other, zero through three. Throughout the first three weeks of testing the date would often jump ahead an extra day. Eventually the problem worked itself out. Then, during the week the Jaragar was inserted into my watch winder, it skipped ahead another day. Also the second ring became stuck when changing from day nineteen to day twenty. The fix was easy. I simply pressed the pushbutton associated with this function and clicked it until I reached the proper date.
During the test phase in my Diplomat watch winder which I have also reviewed, the Jaragar gained two minutes. This works out to seventeen seconds per day. A modern mechanical non-COSC certified watch should to accurate to within ten seconds per day. Having said this, considering the price, the timepiece is reasonably accurate.
Durability
My watch exhibited difficulties associated with the date mechanism. The situation might improve, as the watch becomes worn in—or it might worsen. The pushbuttons controlling the various functions of this timepiece worked adequately but their action proved not as firm as those of the Kronen & Sohne KS04 which I have also reviewed. Time can easily be adjusted by turning the crown and all subdials function well.
Automatic/mechanical watches require routine maintenance—cleaning and lubrication—every three to five years. If not properly maintained accuracy will suffer and eventually the timepiece will die. It is easy to justify the cost of maintaining the $40,000 Rolex you mortgaged your house for last year. It is only common sense. In the case of the Jaragar, however, this work will probably be neglected. It is not that the maintenance costs would be higher than that of the Rolex—it probably will be less—but why would you have a watch cleaned when it could be replaced at a lower cost?
In my judgment this watch should run well for the first two years although problems with the date mechanism might surface. You will also need to replace the strap. Over the next three, as dust accumulates and lubricating oils dry, accuracy will suffer and the watch will need to be wound from time to time. The Jaragar might cease to operate during this period or it could—as my neglected Seiko diver’s watch has—struggle mightily to survive.
Overall Impression
I like this watch. It looks great on my wrist and could easily be mistaken for a timepiece worth far more than what I paid. The Jaragar is reasonably accurate, easy to read, and packed with cool functions.
These functions come at a price. While this is a timepiece of sufficient quality for everyday use, I do predict difficulties associated with the date mechanism. If it continually skips days the pushbutton assembly that controls this function will eventually wear out. Of course, perfection cannot be expected in a thirty-eight dollar watch. Recommended with reservations.
I have inserted an Amazon Advert below for this watch. The accompanying photo is not that of the product. I can only assume that the seller believes a sexy pair of shoes will sell anything... even a watch.
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