This Lenqin is the cheapest stainless steel watch on Amazon, listed at $20, and Pete paid $14 Canadian for it on sale. That is an absurdly low price for a watch with a stainless steel case and bracelet, a sunburst dial, and a quartz movement with hacking seconds. The obvious question is what a buyer actually gets for that money, and where the corners have been cut to reach the price.
Watch the video above for a close look at the dial, the case, and the bracelet in hand, then read on for the full breakdown of what works and what gives the price away.
Packaging and first impressions
The packaging was surprisingly decent for the price. The watch arrived with protective plastic on the mineral glass and on the strap, along with a flannel pouch, a cleaning cloth, and a tiny screwdriver included in the box. None of that changes how the watch wears, but it does make the unboxing feel more considered than the price would suggest.
First impressions of the watch itself are helped by the dial. It is a blue sunburst dial, with simple tapered silver hands squared off at the ends. There is a double marker at 12, single silver indices elsewhere, and a second hand, which some cheap watches skip entirely. The Lenqin logo is prominent on the dial, so there is no attempt to hide the brand behind a more expensive sounding name.
Case, dial and water resistance
The case is 46 mm in diameter and 12 mm thick, but it wears smaller than those numbers suggest. It has a smooth bezel and polished looking sides, and the crown is a pull out crown, not a screw down design. There is no date or other complication, which keeps the dial clean and simple.
The sunburst dial is one of the clear positives. It looks great in person, and the seconds hand hits the markers precisely, a detail that many buyers will appreciate at any price. The watch claims 50 m water resistance, but Pete would not test that claim himself. The listing guidance is that it is fine for hand washing and showering, but not for swimming or salt water, and buyers should treat it accordingly.
The bracelet gives the game away
The case and bracelet are stainless steel, but the finish looks chromed and feels almost plastic. That impression gets stronger on the inside of the bracelet, which shows a different, cheaper looking material and texture than the outside.
The bracelet is also the biggest complaint about the whole watch. The links are hollow, there is lots of play and noise between the bracelet and the case, and it is a known hair puller. Resizing is limited because links are not removed in the usual way: they fold under the bracelet instead, and the clasp only locks at certain points. The result is a fit that lands between too tight and too loose, with one side sitting thicker on the wrist than the other.
Movement and accuracy
Inside is a quartz movement with hacking seconds, which means the second hand stops when the crown is pulled out for setting. Accuracy is not listed by the maker. In Pete’s own testing over several days, the watch suggested roughly plus or minus 30 to 60 seconds per month.
That is the full extent of the specification, and for many buyers it will be enough. There are no extra functions to learn and nothing complicated to set. It is a simple three hand watch with a second hand, and it keeps its focus on telling the time.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Lenqin cost? It is listed at $20 as the cheapest stainless steel watch on Amazon, and Pete paid $14 Canadian for it on sale.
How big is the case? The case is 46 mm in diameter and 12 mm thick, but it wears smaller than those numbers suggest.
Can it be worn in water? It claims 50 m water resistance, and the listing guidance is fine for hand washing and showering but not swimming or salt water. Pete would not test the claim himself.
Does it have a date? No. There is no date or other complication, just hour, minute, and second hands, with hacking seconds from the quartz movement.
Verdict
With realistic expectations, the Lenqin delivers. The sunburst dial looks great, the seconds hand hits the markers precisely, and it is a stainless steel watch for an absurd price. Against that, the bracelet is noisy, hollow, and hard to size well, and the finish does not stand up to close inspection. Amazon reviews suggest quality control is hit or miss, although Pete’s unit was good. Expect a decent $20 watch, not a Rolex, and the Lenqin makes sense.
For anyone curious what the lowest price on Amazon actually buys, See the Lenqin stainless steel watch on Amazon for the current listing and the latest reviews before ordering.