If you are looking for a timepiece that won’t break the bank, you might want to take a look at what the brand Akribos has to offer.
Akribos watches may not be the considered forever-keepers, they make a fine starting point for those who are looking to explore the world of mechanical skeletons. For this Akribos watch review, we’ll take a look at the various models in its collection plus a quick introduction to the brand itself.
The Akribos Watch Story
From the Akribos XXIV official website, the company prides itself to be a creator of fashion-forward timepieces:
All words used to describe Akribos XXIV products still can’t begin to explain the beauty and attention to fashion our products so clearly display. Staying ahead of the fashion curve is bread-and-butter, and our watches do it with breathtaking style and aplomb.
Although they’re not particularly a well-known brand, Akribos has been in the industry for more than a decade. The brand specializes in timepieces that feature elegant style and classic lines for a sleeker wearing experience. Akribos watches are modern and sophisticated but still manages to be traditional and understated as well. However, Akribos also offers watches that are on the trendier and sportier side of things.
The Akribos HQ is located in Brooklyn, NY and the company has recently partnered with Swarovski for creating timepieces for women. However, it’s worth noting that Akribos XXIV watches are actually made in Hong Kong using high-quality Swiss parts and designs.
Akribos Watch Review
Below, we have taken a look at some of the best watches the Akribos brand has to offer. If you are looking to give this brand a try, we highly recommend that you start with the following models.
Akribos XXIV AK625SS Chronograph
- Display Type: Analog
- Clasp: Buckle
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Case Diameter: 42.5 millimeters
- Case Thickness: 12.5 millimeters
- Band Material: Stainless Steel
- Movement: Swiss Quartz
- Water Resistance: 165 feet
This is one of the more popular watches from Akribos’ stable and for good reason.
The Akribos XXIV AK625SS Chronograph Watch is an excellent choice if you want a timepiece that is both smart and sharp, and suitable for any outing.
As far as looks go, the AK625SS is bold and beautiful with an unmistakable masculine aesthetic. The large face really adds to the striking look of the watch. The luminescent filled blued hour and minute hands help wrap up the overall profile of the piece.
In terms of comfort, I have to say that it gets the job done. The stainless steel mesh bracelet feels good on the wrist but it’s not very adjustable.
The AK625SS offers incredible value and it keeps time well.
Akribos XXIV Retro Swiss Quartz Watch
- Display Type: Analog
- Clasp: Buckle
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Case Diameter: 40 millimeters
- Case Thickness: 11 millimeters
- Band Material: Leather Calfskin
- Movement: Swiss Quartz
- Water Resistance: 99 feet
The Akribos XXIV Retro Swiss Quartz Watch is a perfect fit for fans of retro timepieces.
One of the first things you’ll notice about this watch is that it’s larger and thicker than expected. It also feels rather stiff out of the box. However, that became a non-issue after wearing it in the shower one day. It’s more flexible and comfortable now.
I love the classic look of the watch, especially with the beautiful leather strap. However, there are some legibility issues. Depending on the time of the day, the hands can be hard to see against the beautiful cream background.
It’s a proper retro watch that you can wear to church.
Akribos XXIV AK736BK Casual Watch
- Display Type: Analog
- Clasp: Fold-over
- Case Material: Black Ion Plated Alloy
- Case Diameter: 45 millimeters
- Case Thickness: 11 millimeters
- Band Material: Stainless Steel Wrapped Alloy
- Movement: Swiss Quartz
- Water Resistance: 33 feet
I love black watches so I was immediately drawn to the Akribos XXIV AK736BK Casual Watch.
The watch features a round dial with luminous hands and day, date, and GMT (24-hour) subdial functions. It’s a black on black design but with fairly legible hands so I have no complaints. The 45 mm case with mineral sapphire-coated crystal dial window is nothing special but I wish they used better quality material.
The watch fits big and I had to bust out my watch tool kit to adjust the chain links. Other than that, it feels comfortable and rather light on the wrist. It features some water resistance but only for light splashes, so please don’t wear this in the shower.
It’s an affordable piece that’s perfect for daily use.
Akribos XXIV Women’s AK742 Watch
- Display Type: Analog
- Clasp: Buckle
- Case Material: Metal
- Case Diameter: 30 millimeters
- Case Thickness: 10 millimeters
- Band Material: Satin
- Movement: Swiss Quartz
- Water Resistance: 33 feet
Now, here’s a stylish watch for the ladies.
The Akribos XXIV Women’s AK742 Watch is an easy recommendation if you’re in the market for an inexpensive women’s watch. The clean, blush dial is truly eye-catching and the rose gold color gives the watch an elegant, feminine aesthetic. It even came with a gorgeous box.
The watch face has a nice medium size – not too small or large. The strap is made from satin fabric and it’s rather puffy. Thus, it needs some getting used to. Plus, the strap can be quite stiff as well but it should loosen up after a few weeks of wear.
This is a beautiful and elegant watch and it’s available at an insanely economical price.
Akribos XXIV AK618RG Element Watch
- Display Type: Analog
- Clasp: Buckle
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Case Diameter: 44 millimeters
- Case Thickness: 9.6 millimeters
- Band Material: Leather
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Water Resistance: 99 feet
If you’re the minimalist type, the Akribos XXIV AK618RG Element Watch might just be your next dress watch.
Right out of the box, I was impressed with how the AK618RG looks. It’s just a classic timepiece with a timeless presentation. The face is quite large so it might not be ideal for those with small wrists. The dial looks minimal which is just the way I like it when wearing dress watches.
However, the build quality is not the best and the leather strap leaves a lot to be desired. But I love the watch face so much that I was compelled to replace the strap with a better-quality leather one. Also, it’s worth mentioning that the watch features more of a rose-colored tint rather than brown based on the picture.
The AK618RG is a fairly decent dress watch for a very affordable price.
Akribos XXIV AK727SSB Chronograph Watch
- Display Type: Analog
- Clasp: Buckle
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Case Diameter: 49 millimeters
- Case Thickness: 15 millimeters
- Band Material: Leather
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Water Resistance: 99 feet
The Akribos XXIV AK727SSB Chronograph Watch is another noteworthy product offered by the brand.
For starters, the watch came in gorgeous packaging which certainly made a lasting impression on me. Upon holding the watch, you can tell that Akribos did a good job with regards to build quality. The dial includes the usual features like 60 seconds, 60-minute timer, and GMT (24 hours) sub-dials, as well as the date window. Keep in mind that this is a fairly large watch at 49 mm case diameter.
However, the leather strap is quite stiff and can be uncomfortable with extended wear. Upon using it for a couple of weeks, there have been signs of cracking which is not good for a leather strap. I’m thinking of replacing the strap with a true leather one.
Overall, this is a solid Chronograph if you can get past the strap issues.
Akribos XXIV AK1002TTB Diver Watch
- Display Type: Analog
- Clasp: Fold-over Clasp
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Case Diameter: 46 millimeters
- Case Thickness: 22 millimeters
- Band Material: Stainless Steel
- Movement: Japanese Quartz
- Water Resistance: 50 meters
Last but not least, we have a dive watch for you. The Akribos XXIV AK1002TTB Diver Watch is a budget-friendly dive watch that might just serve you well.
The watch can be submerged up to 50 meters, so it’s a fairly standard dive piece. Plus, it’s an attractive watch which means that you can use this watch for daily use if you want. The bracelet is also surprisingly well-made and better than expected at this price. For a quartz movement, it’s accurate enough so far.
If I have some complaints, the main one concerns the bezel which is just sloppy. Another disappointing drawback is the hands have no lume at all, so visibility becomes a major issue once the sun goes down.
This is functional, inexpensive, and for the price, you’re getting a lot from this dive watch.
Are Akribos Watches Any Good?
For such an unknown brand, many of you are probably asking if Akribos watches are worth the asking price.
From most of my experience as well as from actual customer feedback, these watches are exactly the case of “getting what you paid for.” These stylish watches look great and many of them feature eye-catching designs that can really leave a lasting impression. However, the watches have their fair share of complaints.
One of the most common complaints about Akribos watches is that they tend to wear out too soon. The quality of the materials used is simply not that good, especially when compared to brands like Seiko or Citizen.
However, perhaps the most glaring complaint about the brand is the quality of their customer support. Many customers have related bad experiences with the company’s customer service. This tends to lead to poor ratings and is not acceptable in this day and age.
On the other hand, there are long-time Akribos users who swear by the brand and claim that they have gotten a lot of value from their purchase. Many of them treat their Akribos as backup watches that look good even when compared with more expensive pieces. Many like their Akribos because it allows them to wear a traditional watch but can still showcase the “fun” side of their personality.
Final Thoughts
Akribos may not be a well-known brand in the industry but they do have a healthy selection of models in their product line-up. From fashion-centric pieces to dive watches, Akribos should be able to accommodate anyone who’s looking for an affordable timepiece.
As you might expect from budget-friendly models, there are some apparent dips in quality with several of their products. That’s understandable since they have to cut corners somewhere.
Despite that, Akribos offers some of the best inexpensive watches that you can get.
