Today we will review the Starking watch brand, a company that offers classic and contemporary designs at very affordable prices based on their components.
Therefore, it is a brand of Chinese watches that offers what you pay for, which not only allows you to obtain the desired components but also at a good price.
Starking offers a wide range of mechanical and quartz watches with both Chinese and Japanese movements, and some of them even feature sapphire crystal.
If you’re not familiar with what we’re talking about, in this article, we explain the most desirable options along with a selection of some of the best Starking watches.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Movement | Automatic mechanical |
| Caliber | Miyota 8215 |
| Case Diameter | 40 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12 mm |
| Materials | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 3 ATM (30 meters) |
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✚ Starking Watches: Origin and History
The origin of Starking watches dates back to 1990 when the Shenzhen Jieyong Clocks and Watches Co. LTD was established, which was the precursor company of the group.
The Starking Watch Group was founded only two years later in Shenzhen and quickly became a significant company in the watch industry of Guangdong.
In 1998, the brand gained international recognition by participating in the Basel Watch Fair and the Hong Kong Fair, marking the beginning of their watches’ global distribution.
By then, the company already had two watch manufacturing plants: Yajia Time Industrial Park in Longhua and Starking Technology Park in Shenzhen.
However, it was not until 2005 that they started producing their own movements through their subsidiary, Shenzhen Jingrui Movement Limited, where they produce a wide variety of mechanical, quartz, and even tourbillon calibers.
Currently, the brand exports its watches to more than 30 countries in America, Europe, and the Middle East and has over 300 physical stores in different cities in China.
✚ Are Starking Watches Good?
As mentioned earlier, Starking manufactures their watches with a wide variety of components, but they offer fairly decent quality in their more affordable models.
When considering the best and most desirable options, the materials used in Starking watches are as follows:
- Case: The majority of Starking watches use stainless steel, even in the more affordable models, which is uncommon for Chinese watches in this price range. Stainless steel is a durable and resistant material, but most importantly, it is hypoallergenic, which is crucial for a device that will be in constant contact with the skin.
- Crystal: Starking uses sapphire crystal in their more expensive models and hardened mineral crystal in the more affordable ones. Both materials provide good visibility, but sapphire is much harder and less prone to scratches.
- Strap: The straps are made of stainless steel or synthetic leather, depending on the model, although stainless steel is always the better option due to the aforementioned properties.
- Movement: The brand uses their own movements in the more affordable models and Miyota movements in the more expensive ones. Miyota is a reliable Japanese movement and therefore a better choice.
- Packaging: All Starking watches usually come with their corresponding box, and some may even include additional accessories such as a spare strap or bracelet.
In conclusion, we can affirm that Starking watches are above average in terms of quality, both in their affordable models and higher-priced ones.
Designs featuring Miyota movements and sapphire crystal stand out for their excellent value for money.
✚ Best Starking Watches
Below are some of the best Starking watches for men and women, all of them featuring mechanical designs powered by Japanese Miyota calibers and made with stainless steel and sapphire crystal.
➤ Starking AM0171
Due to its low cost, the AM0171 is a great option if you want to get a good mechanical watch with a Miyota 8215 movement.
It is also made of stainless steel and features a sapphire crystal on the dial. The case back is transparent, allowing you to see the mechanism in action.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Movement | Automatic mechanical |
| Caliber | Miyota 8215 |
| Case Diameter | 40 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12 mm |
| Materials | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 3 ATM (30 meters) |
➤ Starking AL0231
For women’s models, the top choice in terms of quality and price is the AL0231, a mechanical watch with an automatic movement, but in smaller dimensions.
With a diameter of only 34 mm and a thickness of 11 mm, the AL0231 is an ideal watch for slender wrists.
The materials used in this model are stainless steel for the case, ceramic and steel for the bracelet, and sapphire crystal on the dial.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Movement | Automatic mechanical |
| Case Diameter | 34 mm |
| Case Thickness | 11 mm |
| Materials | Stainless steel and ceramic |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM (50 meters) |
➤ Starking AM0151
The AM0151 is possibly the most affordable watch you can find with a Miyota movement inside.
It is also made of stainless steel with a sapphire crystal. However, the strap is not made of steel but rather a kind of synthetic leather.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Movement | Automatic mechanical |
| Caliber | Miyota 8205 |
| Case Diameter | 42.2 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12.2 mm |
| Materials | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 3 ATM (30 meters) |
➤ Starking AM0128SL51
Another option for women’s watches, with a more elaborate design but the same high-quality components, is the AM0128SL51 model.
This watch is entirely made of stainless steel, with gemstone inlays, and features a reliable Miyota 8205 movement.
| Crystal | Mineral |
| Movement | Automatic mechanical |
| Caliber | Miyota 8205 |
| Case Diameter | 35 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12 mm |
| Materials | Stainless steel and leather |
| Water Resistance | 3 ATM (30 meters) |
➤ Starking AM0170
The AM0170 is a stainless steel watch treated to have a completely different color from the traditional silver of steel.
It is also a mechanical watch with a Japanese Miyota movement and sapphire crystal, making it as durable and functional as the other models.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Movement | Automatic mechanical |
| Caliber | Miyota 8205 |
| Case Diameter | 40 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12 mm |
| Materials | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 3 ATM (30 meters) |
✚ Price and Reviews
Currently, Starking is one of the highly regarded Chinese watch brands, which is understandable because they offer good components at affordable prices.
The combination of stainless steel and Japanese movement is a winning formula, and this is reflected in the reviews these watches receive.
In conclusion, there is not much more you can ask for at such a low price. Have you tried this brand yet? Share your experience in the comments.
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Last update of links and images on 2024-05-06.
