Today we will talk about Parnis watches, a brand that has managed to carve out a niche in the market by using mechanisms known for their reliability and materials that are not commonly seen in other Chinese watch brands.
In the past, Parnis watches were like any other Chinese brand, selling in bulk to distributors and exporters as a low-cost watch business opportunity.
However, since 2005, the brand has been owned by the Chinese government, which controls various aspects of its production and distribution. This has earned them greater international projection and, by extension, better designs under the Parnis label.
In this article, we will thoroughly investigate Parnis watches as a brand and discover some of their most successful designs among watch enthusiasts.
| Crystal | Mineral |
| Movement | Mechanical |
| Caliber | Gaviota 3600 |
| Case Diameter | 43 mm |
| Case Thickness | 14 mm |
| Materials | Stainless steel case and leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 30 meters |
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✚ Parnis Watches and their History
The brand Parnis, as it is known today, was founded in 2005 by Xiao Jian Hong in Canton or Guangzhou, a city in southern China.
It is difficult to trace back further in time because before coming under the umbrella of the Chinese government, it was a bulk watch brand.
Therefore, it is challenging to find a watch with the Parnis label prior to 2005, and existing ones possibly do not include the same quality components as the current ones.
Most of the production takes place in the brand’s facilities in Tong De Wei, also in the city of Guangzhou. Parnis designs its own watches and assembles them in its factory but purchases components from other well-known Chinese companies, such as Miyota, Seagull, or Dixmount, among others.
In general, this is why the brand has acquired a good reputation among watch enthusiasts, as many of their designs use reliable components and follow a good quality control.
Currently, it is possible to find both mechanical and quartz Parnis watches, many of them similar to those of other major brands, although the brand also has its own original designs.
✚ What is a Good Price for These Watches?
The price range in which Parnis watches usually fall exceeds the cost of other Chinese watches, although the price of the same watch can vary greatly depending on where it is purchased.
However, buying cheap is not always the best option since the warranty offered by each supplier should also be taken into account.
For example, we can find these watches somewhat cheaper on eBay, but unless the offer is directly from the manufacturer, the watch may not be covered by any warranty.
Another option is to purchase them on Amazon, where there are some models with a manufacturer’s warranty. However, in this case, it is also necessary to read the fine print to know who is actually selling the watch and if they offer a warranty.
There is also the possibility of purchasing these watches directly from the manufacturer in China through Aliexpress, a cheaper option than the previous ones and with a warranty. However, in this case, delivery times can exceed a month, which also applies if you want to return or replace a watch.
✚ Features and Operation
Genuine Parnis watches are made of 316L marine-grade stainless steel, the same material used in much more expensive watches like Omega or Seiko.
As for the dial, it is usually protected by a classic mineral crystal, although in the brand’s premium models, we can find sapphire crystal.
Internally, they usually use Miyota, Seagull, and Dixmount movements, many of which can achieve an accuracy of +- 15 seconds per day if properly adjusted.
✚ Reviews of Parnis Watches
In general, Parnis watches are well-received in the watch community, but there are also those who have had bad experiences with them.
This is because not all Parnis watches are made with the same components. There are premium models, cheaper models, and even imitations that have nothing to do with the original brand in terms of quality.
Therefore, it is recommended to consult different watch forums before purchasing any Parnis model, where users share the specifications of their latest acquisitions and their quality.
While users who have purchased their watch from an official brand distributor generally agree that they appreciate its weight and robust appearance, which gives it the look of a more expensive watch than its actual value.
On the other hand, except for the premium models of this brand, everyone agrees on the low quality of the straps, which tend to need replacement in approximately a year with normal use. However, this is not a problem if you plan to customize the watch strap.
✚ Best-Selling Parnis Watches
Below are some examples of Parnis watches and other brands inspired by their design. They are generally automatic watches with large dials and some diver-style watches reminiscent of the Submariner.
✚ Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for an automatic watch but don’t want to spend too much, Parnis can be a good option as long as you thoroughly research the seller’s references and the components of the watch itself to ensure that it uses a reliable and recognized movement.
On the other hand, if you are patient with shipping, we recommend searching for the selected model on Aliexpress before buying it on Amazon, as the price difference may offset the wait.
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Last update of links and images on 2024-04-27.
