Curren Watches Reviews: A Chinese Brand with Good Quality?

The last decade has been a great year for the Chinese watch manufacturers. Previously, different watch manufacturers established manufacturing facilities in the different provinces of China. They learned from these foreign companies and started practicing the craft by themselves.

Many Chinese brands started their journey in the 2000s and Curren is one of them. The strength of Curren is that they have a plethora of collection a wide range of model variety.

Plus, their cut-throat pricing policy quite impressive!

I mean, you are getting a good-looking watch at just $10 to $20 price range. I was quite unimaginable even few decades back. But it’s a reality now, and a huge credit goes to the brands like Curren.

Of course, Curren is NOT a top-tier brand, far from it. It’s not even fighting with the entry-level brands like Citizen or Seiko!

Curren has created a brand-new market – the ultra-cheap timepiece market.

Naturally, you are quite skeptical about the quality and performance of the Curren watches seeing the price. So, here I am, with the most detailed and honest Curren watches reviews to help make a better decision.

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS  Rating Price
Curren Men Watches Luxury Gold Curren Men Watches Luxury Gold – 8176
  • Case Diameter: 54mm
9
Curren Men's Watches – 8291 Curren Men Watches – 8291
  • Case Diameter: 46mm
9
CURREN Watches Men's – 8023 CURREN Watches Men – 8023
  • Case Diameter: 46mm
8.8
CURREN Watches Men – 8329 CURREN Watches Men – 8329
  • Case Diameter: 54mm
8.5
CURREN Watches Men – 8323-Blue CURREN Watches Men – 8323-Blue
  • Case Diameter: 48mm
8
CURREN Watches Men – 8106 CURREN Watches Men – 8106
  • Case Diameter: 50mm
8
CURREN Watches Men CURREN Watches Men – CR8329FBM with Bracelet
  • Case Diameter: 54mm
7.5

A Quick History and Where It Is Made?

Curren is new name in the industry. This Chinese brand started journey in 2009.

But they soon became popular and entered international market. Now you can find a Curren shop in many countries including US and UK.

Curren is a common name in the street-side kiosks. Just take a look at any watch kiosk, chances are that you’ll find a good number of Curren watches in every one of them!

Also, Curren has a strong presence in the online markets.

For example, Curren is a top brand in AliExpress with 98% positive feedback and 182,502 followers.

Curren now have its headquarter in Hillsborough, New Jersey. However, the company is based in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Curren also have the manufacturing plant in Shenzhen. All of their watches are made here.

Review of The Best Curren Watches

Curren Men Watches Luxury Gold – 8176

Curren Men Watches Luxury Gold

If you buying a Curren watch, chances are you’re buying for the looks only. It’d foolish to expect top-end quality at this price point.

And, if I set maximum weightage to the looks and design, Curren Men Watches Luxury Gold – 8176 comes on top of the list.

Among the thousands of same-old-boring designs, Curren Men Watches Luxury Gold – 8176 offers refreshment. The polished gold bezel takes an aggressive approach and covers watch face.

Also, the gold-black combination is complimented overall looks.

Curren has made an interesting design choice in this model. The three subdials and the two side-buttons create an illusion of the presence of chronograph. But in reality, these elements are here only for decorative purposes!

Frankly, it’s a big letdown of this watch.

But hey, if functionality was a big issue, we wouldn’t have looked into Curren watches in the first place!

Right?

Product Specification

  • Display Type: Analog
  • Movement: Japanese Quartz
  • Case Diameter: 54mm
  • Case Thickness: 16mm
  • Band Width: 26mm
  • Case Material: Alloy
  • Bezel Material: Alloy
  • Band Material: Faux Leather
  • Weight: 101g (3.56 oz)
  • Water-Resistance: 3ATM (Can withstand only cold-water splashes)

Notable Features

  • Japanese quartz movement
  • IP gold plating on the alloy bezel
  • Date display
  • Hardlex crystal dial protection

Pros

  • Casual sporty looks
  • Calendar feature
  • Lightweight
  • Very cheap
  • Seven color choices available

Cons

  • The subdials and the buttons are only decorative, doesn’t function
  • 3ATM water-resistance is just a placeholder, even showers and splashes of warm water can damage the watch
  • The excessively large watch face
  • Poor build quality

Curren Men’s Watches – 8291 – Highest Functionality

Curren Men's Watches – 8291

Well, not all the Curren watches have fake dials and buttons. Some have great functionality.

In terms of functionality, Curren Men’s Watches – 8291 is the best option you can get.

First of all, it has fully functional chronograph movement with three subdials. One of the chronograph dials even shows 1/10 second readings. Unlike the previous model, the side buttons are functional too.

Even the faux leather feels soft and comfortable.

Sporty looks with functionality – it’s the main design principle of the Curren Men’s Watch – 8291.

However, it’s a bit pricey compared to the non-functional decorative chronograph models.  

Product Specification

  • Display Type: Analog
  • Movement: Japanese Quartz
  • Case Diameter: 46mm
  • Case Thickness: 12mm
  • Band Width: 24mm
  • Case Material: Alloy
  • Bezel Material: Alloy
  • Band Material: Faux Leather
  • Weight: 100g (3.5 oz)
  • Water-Resistance: 3ATM (Can withstand only cold-water splashes)

Notable Features

  • Japanese quartz movement
  • Fully functional chronograph with three subdials
  • Luminous hands
  • Date display
  • Hardlex crystal dial protection

Pros

  • Casual sporty looks
  • Fully functional pointers
  • Low light visibility
  • Calendar feature
  • Lightweight and sleek compared to other Curren watches
  • Cheap
  • Four color choices available

Cons

  • 3ATM water-resistance is just a placeholder, even showers and splashes of warm water can damage the watch
  • Poor build quality

CURREN Watches Men’s – 8023 – Best Decorative Metal Finish

CURREN Watches Men's – 8023

If you’re a fan of complete metal finish, Curren Men’s Watches – 8023 should be on your radar.

The body, including bezel and the band is made of alloy. Curren didn’t specify the type of alloy anywhere, but I’m guessing that it’s a zinc alloy.

The finish quality is not as good as a true stainless-steel finish, but not too bad either.

Considering the price, I wouldn’t complain.

However, Curren used the fake decorative chronograph in this model too. Plus, there’s also a tachymeter marking on the bezel that doesn’t work.

I really don’t get their philosophy of adding non-functional features. Such choices hurt their brand image a lot!

 Product Specification

  • Display Type: Analog
  • Movement: Japanese Quartz
  • Case Diameter: 46mm
  • Case Thickness: 11mm
  • Band Width: 22mm
  • Case Material: Alloy
  • Bezel Material: Alloy
  • Band Material: Alloy
  • Weight: 148g (5.22 oz)
  • Water-Resistance: 3ATM (Can withstand only cold-water splashes)

Notable Features

  • Japanese quartz movement
  • Full alloy body with link bracelet
  • Standard bracelet clasp
  • Hardlex crystal dial protection

Pros

  • A combination of casual and formal looks
  • Suitable for all wrist size
  • Very cheap
  • Ten color choices available

Cons

  • The subdials and the buttons are only decorative, doesn’t function
  • 3ATM water-resistance is just a placeholder, even showers and splashes of warm water can damage the watch

CURREN Watches Men – 8329 – Most Popular Option

CURREN Watches Men – 8329

Curren Men Watches – 8329 is a recent model from the brand that was released in the mid-2019. Soon, the M8329 model started selling like hot-cakes in the online shops.

It comes with a refreshing design aesthetics and fully functional chronograph with three subdials. The finishing quality is also relatively better.

No wonder why this model became so popular in such short period.

However, I found the watch face too big. If you have a thin wrist, please avoid this model.

It’s massive!

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Product Specification

  • Display Type: Analog
  • Movement: Japanese Quartz
  • Case Diameter: 54mm
  • Case Thickness: 14mm
  • Band Width: 24mm
  • Case Material: Alloy
  • Bezel Material: Alloy
  • Band Material: Faux Leather and Alloy
  • Weight: 100.6g (3.5 oz)
  • Water-Resistance: 3ATM (Can withstand only cold-water splashes)

Notable Features

  • Japanese quartz movement
  • Fully functional chronograph
  • Two chronograph subdials for second and minute, and one subdial for 24h indication
  • Date display
  • Hardlex crystal dial protection

Pros

  • Casual sporty looks
  • Calendar feature
  • Lightweight
  • Very cheap
  • Five color choices available

Cons

  • 3ATM water-resistance is just a placeholder, even showers and splashes of warm water can damage the watch
  • The face watch is too large

CURREN Watches Men – 8323-Blue – Best Business Watch

CURREN Watches Men – 8323-Blue

Curren watches are mainly designed for the teens who buy the watches entirely based on the looks. That’s why you’ll find so many sports-themed watches in their catalog.

Curren Men Watches– 8323-Blue is a good exception to that rule.

It’s a full-fledged business watch with elegance and style.

Plus, you’re having fully functional feature so nothing’s fake here. Even there’s no decorative tachymeter to fool anyone.

Semi-exhibition dial window is worth some praise.

Product Specification

  • Display Type: Analog
  • Movement: Japanese Quartz
  • Case Diameter: 48mm
  • Case Thickness: 13mm
  • Band Width: 24mm
  • Case Material: Stainless Steel
  • Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
  • Band Material: Stainless Steel
  • Weight: 168g (5.92 oz)
  • Water-Resistance: 3ATM (Can withstand only cold-water splashes)

Notable Features

  • Japanese quartz movement
  • Fully functional chronograph with three subdials
  • Semi-exhibition dial window
  • Date display
  • Hardened mineral glass protection

Pros

  • Formal looks
  • Functional chronograph and bezel buttons
  • Very cheap
  • Better durability, compared to other Curren models

Cons

  • 3ATM water-resistance is just a placeholder, even showers and splashes of warm water can damage the watch

CURREN Watches Men – 8106 – Best Minimalistic Design

CURREN Watches Men – 8106

Curren’s design strategy is simple. They mainly favor bold designs that seem to have a ton of features. It doesn’t matter whether the components are functional or not!

Yes, I’m talking about those fake chronograph models again!

But Curren Men Watches– 8106 is a big exception to that core strategy. Rather being a show-off, this watch tries to be clean and minimalistic.

You’d love it!

Product Specification

  • Display Type: Analog
  • Movement: Japanese Quartz
  • Case Diameter: 40mm
  • Case Thickness: 10mm
  • Band Width: 20mm
  • Case Material: Alloy
  • Bezel Material: Alloy
  • Band Material: Stainless Steel
  • Weight: 102g (3.59 oz)
  • Water-Resistance: 3ATM (Can withstand only cold-water splashes)

Notable Features

  • Japanese quartz movement
  • Clean display, doesn’t have any non-functional subdial
  • Date display
  • Hardlex crystal dial protection
  • Double click butterfly click

Pros

  • Clean, minimalist looks
  • Doesn’t have fake decorative functions
  • Calendar feature
  • Lightweight
  • Very cheap
  • Four color choices available

Cons

  • 3ATM water-resistance is just a placeholder, even showers and splashes of warm water can damage the watch

CURREN Watches Men – CR8329FBM with Bracelet

CURREN Watches Men

Do you remember the popular choice – Curren 8329? It’s the same watch with an additional bracelet.

This stainless steel and leather bracelet in Curren CR8329FBM, complement each other completes the sporty looks.

If you’re planning to buy Curren 8329, I would suggest you to pick this option instead.  

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Product Specification

  • Display Type: Analog
  • Movement: Japanese Quartz
  • Case Diameter: 54mm
  • Case Thickness: 14mm
  • Band Width: 24mm
  • Case Material: Alloy
  • Bezel Material: Alloy
  • Band Material: Faux Leather and Alloy
  • Weight: 100.6g (3.5 oz)
  • Water-Resistance: 3ATM (Can withstand only cold-water splashes)

Notable Features

  • Japanese quartz movement
  • Fully functional chronograph
  • Two chronograph subdials for second and minute, and one subdial for 24h indication
  • Comes with a cool bracelet made of polished stainless steel and leather
  • Date display
  • Hardlex crystal dial protection

Pros

  • Casual sporty looks
  • Additional bracelet completes the look
  • Calendar feature
  • Lightweight
  • Very cheap
  • Five color choices available

Cons

  • 3ATM water-resistance is just a placeholder, even showers and splashes of warm water can damage the watch
  • The face watch is too large

Curren Watch Review: Is It A Good Brand?

Well, Curren is a new name in the industry that mainly develops products for the ultra-cheap market.

Certainly, they can’t offer premium craftsmanship like the bigger brands. Even Citizen or Seiko is a big brand in front of Curren.

As a result, their watches feel flimsy and the finish quality is quite dissatisfying in many cases.

But I would request you to consider the price too.

How many brands can offer watches at $10?

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What did We like About Curren Watches?

Just like everyone else, I love Curren’s cut-threat pricing strategy.  Chinese brands like Curren are showing the world that it’s possible to sell a watch $10 to $20 and make a profit!

Then comes the design.

Curren knows very well that they can’t impress the consumers with quality at this pricing. So, rely on the design section.

All the designs are refreshing and interesting.

I wore a Curren watch for couple of days and even got complements! People thought that it was an expensive watch!

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What Didn’t We Like About Curren Watches?

Sadly, Curren disappoints in many segments!

First of all, we weren’t satisfied with the build quality. The bracelets are flimsy and I’m skeptical about the link joints too.

Plus, I really don’t understand the logic behind the extra-large watch face. Some models have case dimension of 54mm to 58mm.

Who has such big wrists?

Plus, Curren uses the common 3ATM tag in all of their watches, which is a big lie. In reality, their watches can’t even withstand showers! Moreover, splashes from warm water can ruin the movement completely.

Well, the good news is that, at least, they warn us about these issues.

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Conclusion

Let’s take a look at the best Curren watches now.

Curren Men Watches Luxury Gold – 8176 becomes the winner today for the remarkable design.

Then, Curren Men Watches – 8291 comes in the second position. And, CURREN Watches Men – 8023 stands in the third place.

Let me know your thoughts questions regarding the brand.

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