Undone Watches: Are They Worth the Hype?

Customizable watches are an increasingly popular option for those who want to stand out. But are Undone watches a good choice?

If you’re a watch enthusiast like me, we’ll share one thing in common. You’ll look at a design and ponder how it could have been better. 

Maybe if the manufacturer had done this or that? For example, if only a specific watch came in a different case material. Or if a popular model came in a different dial color.

That’s just what we luxury watch enthusiasts do! We can’t help but want what we can’t have (or what never even existed!).

We all think we know what features make for the best watch. The trouble is — industry giants only make watches that appeal to the majority. 

So, what if you don’t want a watch that appeals to the masses? What do you do then? 

What if I told you a brand out there lets you choose these things yourself? Undone is a customizable watch company that gives you a whole load of control over your chosen timepiece. But are they worth it? 

Maybe you’ve heard of Undone watches and want to know more. Are they worth the hype? Or should we leave high-end watch manufacturers to do what they do best? Let’s find out. 

How Are Undone Watches Different? 

Undone is a brand that celebrates the importance of storytelling through watch-wearing. What makes the brand so unique is that you can affordably customize your watch with a whole host of different features. If unique designs and a starting price range of $300-500 appeal to you, read on. 

Undone is a watch brand that stands out for several reasons. Firstly, the manufacturer controls its entire supply chain from start to finish. Doing so gives the brand more flexibility regarding customizable watch options. 

Secondly, the brand is very affordable. Thirdly, Undone hands the reigns over to you, enabling you to design your very own dream watch. And trust me, there’s a ton of options!

Don’t get me wrong. Undone Watch Company isn’t your average high-end brand. It’s no Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe. You won’t find quality on par with Rolex’s, either. 

However, considering its price range, the company offers excellent value for money. You can’t turn your nose up at the quality of the materials it uses, either. 

Being an affordable brand, Undone does offer many advantages to the modern watch enthusiast. If you can’t afford your very own Royal Oak or Daytona, Undone may be a consideration. 

Or maybe you’re not keen on wearing a watch that a thousand other collectors own. A watch from Undone may be the answer. 

Michael Young founded Undone in 2014, which makes it a relatively young watch brand.

Young had a passion for vintage watches and wanted to pursue a career specializing in timekeeping. After establishing a reputation in supplying to brands like Hublot and Omega, he began his journey creating customizable watches. 

Ever since then, Undone has been creating excellent off-the-shelf alternatives. Vintage models from the 1960s inspire some of the company’s designs, while others are timeless and classic.

Undone offers a design for every kind of collector if you know what you want in a watch. That said, customizable watches aren’t for everyone. 

Some watch enthusiasts wait for years to acquire their grail watch. To them, owning an iconic watch is the ultimate dream and worth every penny. 

Before we look at some of the best Undone Watches, let’s review the brand as a whole. I looked at customer feedback and played with the brand’s online configuration features. Here’s what I found:

Undone Watch Review

Undone is all about customization if you haven’t already gathered by now. If you want to learn more, here’s a useful Undone watch review that takes you through the process.  

Choosing any of its designs from the online catalog lands you right at the center of the company’s customization tool. Choose from 1960s-inspired dive watches, GMTs, classic timepieces, and tool watches for outdoor pursuits. All options unlock plenty of configurations. 

Here’s how it works: The website has two main collections: the Urban Collection and the Aqua Collection. Select one of these to begin your design process. 

Within the Urban collection are designs like the Urban Tropical, a discolored vintage sports watch with tons of retro style.

Then, there are designs like the Urban Modern and Urban Mystique with a smoked dial. The brand also has vintage-inspired 1960s diver’s watches.

From the Aqua range, you get the Standard iteration — a core diver’s model with decent water resistance. There’s also the 1960, a retro-inspired underwater tool, and the Aqua Cerakote, which features a ceramic-coated case.

If you want to customize any of these, it’ll cost you no more than $30. If you ask me, that’s a good deal. You’re getting a unique-looking timepiece that few collectors (if any) will own. 

Once you’ve decided on your design, it goes into manufacture at the company’s Hong Kong-based facilities. 

You can choose your bezel, case, dial, hands, and strap during this customization process. Each category offers around ten different options. Some models have 24 dial options! That should give you an idea of the options available at Undone. 

Material-wise, the brand uses hardened K1 crystal, interchangeable straps, and quick-release pins. The watches even come in a unique presentation box with a button fastener. 

Overall, Undone watches may not offer the very best materials in the industry, but they’re certainly of good value.  

The Pros and Cons of Undone Watches 

Here’s a little overview of the good and not-so-good bits about Undone as a company. 

The Pros

• Undone has a 100% online presence, which keeps costs for the consumer down. 
• Instead of pulling every tenth watch off an assembly line to quality test it, Undone tests all its watches. 
• Countless customization options are available on every watch from the company’s online catalog. 
• Every customized watch guarantees a level of exclusivity and a guarantee that no one shares the same design. 
• There are plenty of styles and designs available on the website.
• You don’t have to customize the watch if you don’t want to. 
• The brand’s quirky packaging is unique and feels very vintage-infused.
• The added option to decorate the case back with a slogan or special artwork is pretty neat. 
• Undone promises express shipping from Hong Kong, with an EMS option also available. 

The Cons 

• You can’t customize the automatic movement inside an Undone Watch. Seiko movements, although good, may not be every collector’s first choice. 
• Options like a see-through caseback on a quartz-operated watch don’t seem very well thought out. Perhaps Undone is offering too much flexibility here? Who needs to see an undecorated quartz movement?
• The materials of an Undone watch aren’t as good as what you’d expect of a high-end watch brand. (Elements like the K1 crystal are a little disappointing.)
• The list of dial options is enormous. Some customers may find too much choice overwhelming. 

Wrapping Up: They’re Not For Everyone

Undone’s portfolio offers thousands of customizable watch options.

You can get everything from a field watch to a sporty chronograph and even a Rolex Explorer-inspired design. You don’t even have to customize your watch if you don’t want to.

If authentic traditional watchmaking is essential to you, Undone may not be for you. The company doesn’t have the centuries-old history that so many horologists love. 

Some enthusiasts may dislike Undone because it isn’t a Swiss brand. The “Manufactured in Hong Kong” label may not get your pulse exactly racing. But you can bet the quality is somewhat better than many other Chinese watch brands. 

Overall, the level of craftsmanship in an Undone watch is sufficient relative to its price bracket.  

My reservation with customizable watch brands has always been that the watches look cheap. Having explored the range on offer here, I have to say that the watches look pretty decent. Plus, you’re not breaking the bank if you want to switch things up in a year or two. 

Overall, the customizable options may be overwhelming for some collectors. But those who have trialed this brand love the breadth of designs and quick delivery service. 

Have you had experience customizing a watch from Undone? I’d love to hear your take on the manufacturer. Send us a photo of your Undone Watch and share your design!