The development of Chinese watch-making industry is blossoming like a garden of flowers. Several years ago, besides the big three like Sea-gull, Beijing and Shanghai, we could not find too many other good options, but today, there is a mushrooming growth of microbrand watches, watch fans have more good options, but I also admit that the big three also have improved their watch-making technology greatly, for example, Sea-gull published the most cost-efficient double chronograph watch to celebrate the 70th anniversary, please check at https://www.bobswatchstore.com/2025/09/07/sea-gull-70th-anniversary-rattrapante-1077/. I introduced a lot of microbrand watches on my blog, some have accumulated a high reputation in watch field, today, I will introduce another one, its name is Militado, which is a brand created in Shenzhen of China, I checked its background, this brand is more likely operated by a person not a company, with the promotion in social media, not too many people know this brand, after all, it is a newcomer in this business.
The most popular and their best seller is this ML14, which is offered with several models with different dial styles and band options. The watch is in a classic IWC Mark style, is it re-designed according to the IWC Mark XI, which is a very classic military pilot’s watch. There are many micro brands in China producing the homages of IWC Mark watches, such as Rdunae, Baltany, Escepement Time, etc., it is a good idea for a watch company to make a Mark IWC homage watch at the beginning of their development, it is easy to make the watch, they are less likely to do innovations on the watch, but their changes tend to focus on superficial aspects, like the boxes and straps.
This Militado watch comes with a sweep quartz movement from Japan, but I noticed its second hand is still not as smooth as that on the mechanical watches, I can feel the ticks in the second hand. The entire case is brushed, so the edge has a slightly abrasive feel, for me it does not matter. The two central hands, if you observe closely, there will be minor burrs. The watch is sold at about $70, I think it is a bit expensive for a quartz watch, for the similar models from Rdunae and Escapement Time, their prices are cheaper. By the way, the only fun for wearing such pilot’s watch is to experience the different bands, but Militado does not offer other types of bands for this watch, except this black nylon strap.
