Pagani Design / TYBERLEY NH35 Review: a budget “luxury-style” automatic that looks sharp but isn’t flawless

I’ve been wearing this Pagani Design / TYBERLEY automatic with the NH35 movement as my daily watch for a bit now, swapping it in place of my usual cheap Casio and a Seiko 5. I wanted to see if this kind of “affordable luxury” watch you see all over Amazon is actually decent, or just shiny junk. Short version: it looks good on the wrist and feels more expensive than it is, but it’s not without issues.

The model I’ve got is the black dial version, 42 mm case, stainless steel bracelet, with the Seiko NH35 automatic movement. It’s sold as 100 m water resistant, sapphire crystal with AR coating, and a screw-down crown. On paper, it ticks a lot of boxes you usually see on watches at two or three times the price. That’s what pushed me to try it in the first place.

In practice, it’s a mixed bag. The overall impression is positive, especially if you’re used to basic quartz watches. The weight, the steel bracelet, the visible movement on the back, all that gives a nice "real watch" vibe. But once you start paying attention to accuracy, lume, and small finishing details, you see where they’ve cut corners to hit this price.

If you’re expecting Rolex quality because the case shape looks similar, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re realistic and just want a decent-looking automatic under £100 that feels a bit special compared to a plastic digital, then it starts to make sense. I’ll go through the good and the annoying bits so you can decide if it fits what you’re after.

In terms of value, this watch sits in that interesting budget automatic category. For under £100 (prices move a bit), you get: an NH35 movement, sapphire crystal, 100 m water resistance with screw-down crown, display caseback, and a full stainless steel bracelet. If you compare that spec sheet to some big-brand watches, it looks pretty appealing, because many of those will give you mineral glass and lower water resistance at a higher price.

But you have to look beyond the spec list. The finishing isn’t on the same level as Seiko, Citizen, or Orient in the £150–£250 range. The lume is weak, accuracy can vary a lot from unit to unit, and there are some reports of bracelet screws and crowns being a bit temperamental. So yes, you’re getting a lot of features for the money, but you’re also accepting more variability and slightly rougher execution.

If you just want a nice-looking automatic to wear occasionally, or to try an automatic movement without spending too much, it’s a pretty good deal. It looks more expensive than it is, friends will probably assume it cost more, and you get the satisfaction of a mechanical movement with a display back. For someone coming from basic fashion watches, it’s a clear step up in feel.

If you’re picky about accuracy, finishing, or you want something that you’ll keep for many years without thinking about it, I’d say save up a bit more and look at entry-level Seiko or Orient models instead. Those might have less aggressive specs on paper, but the quality control is usually better. For what it costs, this Pagani / TYBERLEY is good value, as long as you go in with realistic expectations and you’re OK with a few quirks.

Design-wise, this is clearly going for that familiar “luxury sports watch” vibe: 42 mm case, smooth bezel with a groove pattern, sunburst dial, stick markers, and the magnified date at 3. If you’ve seen a Rolex Datejust or similar, you’ll immediately see where the inspiration comes from. That said, it doesn’t copy the logo or branding, so it’s more of an homage than a knockoff.

The dial layout is clean: no numerals, just applied markers with tiny diamonds (or diamond-style stones) at the hours, logo at 12, and the automatic / water resistance text near 6. In daily use, it’s easy to read at a glance. The hands are simple and straight, with lume in the middle. The second hand has a smooth-ish sweep, typical of the NH35 movement, which looks nicer than a ticking quartz. Under sunlight, the sunburst effect on the dial is clearly visible and gives a bit of character without being too flashy.

The date magnifier is actually quite useful. On some cheap watches it’s misaligned or distorts too much; here, alignment on mine is decent and the enlargement is helpful. I didn’t have to bring my wrist right up to my face to read the date. The case thickness at 12 mm is reasonable and it does slide under a shirt cuff without catching, which is good if you wear it to the office.

Where the design may divide people is the overall “Rolex-like” style. If you don’t care and just want something that looks like a classic dress/sport watch, you’ll probably like it. If you hate homage watches or don’t want anyone to think you’re trying to fake a high-end brand, this probably isn’t for you. For me, it’s fine: it looks neat, not too loud, and it works well both with a T-shirt and with a shirt and blazer.

On the wrist, this watch is reasonably comfortable, but it’s not a featherweight. At around 42 mm with a steel bracelet and about 200 g overall, you definitely feel it compared to a small quartz or a nylon-strap watch. Personally, I like a bit of weight, it makes it feel more solid, but if you’re used to super light watches this might bother you at first.

The lugs are gently curved, and that actually helps a lot. I have an average wrist (around 17.5 cm), and the watch sits well without the lugs hanging over the sides. The 12 mm thickness is also quite reasonable for an automatic, so it doesn’t feel like a brick. It slides under a shirt cuff without much effort, which is important if you plan to wear it at work or with more formal clothes.

The bracelet comfort depends heavily on how well you size it. The box includes a small bracelet adjustment tool, which is handy. I removed two links and then it sat well, not too tight, not too loose. Once sized, the bracelet doesn’t pinch hairs too much, but I did feel it pull a hair or two when I first wore it. After a few days my skin got used to it and I stopped noticing. The clasp feels secure, but it doesn’t have a fine adjustment system like higher-end bracelets, so you might not get a perfect fit if you’re between link sizes.

I wore it for full days, including at the computer and walking around outside. No major hotspots on the wrist, no sharp edges digging in. If I compare it to my Seiko 5 on bracelet, the Seiko is a bit smoother and better finished, but the Pagani / TYBERLEY is not far behind. For daily wear, it’s perfectly acceptable, just don’t expect premium bracelet comfort at this price.

On paper, the specs are strong for the price: 316L stainless steel case and bracelet, sapphire crystal with AR coating, screw-down crown, and a Seiko NH35 automatic movement. These are things you usually see marketed on watches costing a fair bit more, so it’s clear they tried to squeeze in as many buzzwords as possible. The question is how well it’s all put together.

The case itself feels solid. The mix of brushed and polished surfaces looks decent from a normal distance. Up close, the brushing isn’t as consistent as on more expensive watches, but it’s acceptable. The screw-down crown works, though the threading on mine feels a bit rough if you’re used to smoother crowns. Nothing that stops it from working, but you can tell where they saved a bit of money. One Amazon user did mention the crown unscrewing a bit too easily, and I’ve had it loosen slightly once in my pocket, so it’s something to keep an eye on.

The sapphire crystal is a plus. I’ve knocked the watch against door frames and metal surfaces a few times and so far there are no scratches on the glass. Compared to mineral glass that usually picks up marks after a few weeks, this is a real benefit in everyday use. The AR (anti-reflective) coating helps a little with reflections, but don’t expect miracles: under strong sunlight you still get glare, just a bit less.

The bracelet is 316L steel as well and feels okay, but you can tell it’s not top-notch. The links are a bit rattly if you shake the watch in your hand, and the finishing inside the links is a bit rough. The clasp is a safety folding clasp and closes securely, I never had it pop open by accident. One French reviewer mentioned a screw in the bracelet that kept coming loose and dropping out. I didn’t have that specific issue, but I did check and tighten the screws once when I sized the bracelet, just to be safe. Overall, the materials are good for the price, but the finishing is clearly budget level.

After some weeks of use, the watch is holding up decently. The sapphire crystal is still scratch-free despite a couple of accidental knocks on door frames and desk edges. The case has picked up a few tiny hairline marks on the polished parts, which is normal for stainless steel and not specific to this model. The brushed areas hide wear pretty well. So in terms of cosmetic wear, it’s doing its job.

The bracelet and clasp have kept working fine for me, with no accidental openings or broken links. However, one French buyer reported a screw in the bracelet that kept coming loose and dropping out, which is not reassuring. I didn’t have that exact issue, but after reading that I checked all the screws and gave them a slight tighten using a small screwdriver. If you buy this watch, I’d recommend doing the same when you size it, just to avoid losing a link in the street.

In terms of the movement, long-term reliability is always a question mark on cheaper watches, but the NH35 itself is known to be pretty robust. The bigger issue seems to be regulation and assembly. As mentioned earlier, one user saw his watch go from roughly -10 seconds/day to +1 minute/day after a few months. That suggests either poor regulation from the factory or something drifting over time. Mine hasn’t changed much so far, but I’ve not had it for as long as that user. If accuracy goes way off, you’d either need to live with it, get it regulated by a watchmaker, or use the warranty.

The good news: multiple users, including me, report that the watch has stayed waterproof for everyday use (hand washing, splashes). No condensation under the crystal so far. But I’d still avoid pushing it too far, like regular pool use, unless you’re ready to accept the risk. Overall, durability seems acceptable for the price, but quality control looks a bit hit-and-miss, especially on accuracy and bracelet screws.

This watch uses the Seiko NH35 automatic movement, which is a big selling point. It’s a well-known, workhorse movement often used in microbrands and modded watches. It hacks (the second hand stops when you set the time), it can be hand-wound, and the power reserve is around 40–42 hours. In real use, I got roughly a day and a half off the wrist before it stopped, which matches the specs.

Accuracy is where things get a bit inconsistent. One Amazon reviewer reported about -10 seconds per day at first, which is totally fine for this kind of movement. But in his update after several months, he said it was gaining around a minute a day, which is quite a lot. On my unit, I’m seeing roughly +20 to +25 seconds per day on the wrist, which is acceptable for a budget NH35 but not great. If you’re used to quartz accuracy, you’ll definitely notice the drift and you’ll need to reset the time every few days if you want it to stay precise.

The lume (glow in the dark) is weak. The hands and markers do glow a bit after being exposed to strong light, but they fade quite fast. If you wake up in the middle of the night, chances are you’ll barely see anything. One of the UK reviewers also pointed this out as his main criticism, and I agree. If you really care about strong lume, this watch will disappoint you on that point.

As for water resistance, it’s rated to 100 m with a screw-down crown. I’ve only tested it under the tap and in a sink, and had no issues. Another reviewer did the same and also reported no problems. I haven’t taken it into a pool or the sea, and personally I wouldn’t make it my main swimming watch, but for rain, washing hands, and the occasional splash, it seems fine so far. Overall, the performance is good enough for daily wear, but don’t expect chronometer-level accuracy or diver-level lume.

Out of the box, the watch makes a pretty solid first impression. It comes in a branded Pagani Design box with a small booklet, cleaning cloth, a stainless steel strap adjuster tool, and tags. Nothing fancy, but it doesn’t scream “cheap market stall” either. If you’re planning to gift it, the packaging is good enough that you don’t need to buy anything extra.

The watch itself arrives with a few protective plastics on the case, bracelet, and crystal. Removing all the films took a couple of minutes, which I take as a good sign: they at least try to avoid shipping you something already scratched. The bracelet links and clasp came without any visible defects or sharp metal burrs on mine, which can happen on watches in this price range.

First time on the wrist, the weight is noticeable but not over the top. It feels more solid than a lightweight fashion watch. The dial has that sunburst effect they mention, and under normal indoor light it looks quite nice, with reflections when you tilt it. The date magnifier over the window at 3 o’clock actually does its job: you can read the date without squinting, which is more than I can say for some other watches I own.

On the downside, when you look closely, you can tell it’s not a high-end piece. The printing on the dial is fine but not razor sharp, and the edges of the bracelet links aren’t as nicely finished as on a mid-range Seiko or Citizen. Nothing dramatic, but if you’ve handled pricier watches you’ll see the difference right away. Still, for something that usually sits under the £100 mark, the overall presentation is better than average and doesn’t feel like a toy.