About Watch Gang
Watch Gang is the result of combining the subscription model—popular among clothing and grooming brands—with the desire to keep track of time in style. The brand has been praised in numerous popular media outlets, including Esquire, BuzzFeed, Ask Men, Men’s Health, and, of course, the LA Times. Overall, it has received widespread acclaim for its luxurious take on the subscription box.
This review of the Watch Gang subscription goes beyond magazine coverage to examine customer opinions as well as a selection of products and prices. By the end, you’ll hopefully be able to decide if Watch Gang is right for you.
Overview of Watch Gang
Matthew Gallagher founded Watch Gang in 2016 with the goal of introducing newcomers to the fascinating world of watches and giving experienced collectors the opportunity to expand their collections. Gallagher had always enjoyed watches, but saw them merely as a fashion accessory that held no real emotional significance for him. Then his father, who had sadly passed away, bequeathed him a 1953 Rolex. It immediately became a cherished heirloom.
Watch Gang’s goal is to enable others to develop a similar relationship with their watches as Gallagher did—whether as a valuable possession or as an accessory they enjoy. Watch Gang sends its subscribers new watches every month, for as long as they like. The company aims to recreate the surprise Gallagher felt when he received the Rolex that meant so much to him; therefore, the watch you receive each month is a surprise.
In addition, they host 5 weekly giveaways live on Watch Gang’s Facebook and Instagram pages, where you can win a watch or a subscription for free. This review of the Watch Gang subscription will focus on “Rolex Fridays.”
The Los Angeles-based company has gained popularity and ships worldwide. It offers various subscription tiers, with the more expensive options giving you the chance to receive higher-quality watches. Watch Gang guarantees that the watches you receive are worth more than the monthly subscription fee.
Watch Gang also offers two other purchase options: the Wheel of Watches and the Member Store. The former is essentially a Watch roulette wheel. You buy points, select a handful of watches from different tiers, and then take a spin to see which one you get. The latter is a straightforward store but you have to be a member to access it.
Pros
- Easily expand your watch collection
- You get to keep all the watches, which isn’t always the case with watch subscription services
- You can receive a watch worth far more than what you pay
- You’ll discover a wide range of watch styles and brands
- Worldwide shipping
- Additional purchase options if you prefer more control
- Shipping receives positive reviews
Cons
- Due to the surprise factor, the price might seem high if you don’t like the watch
- The Watch Gang Reddit community raises a number of questions regarding pricing
- International shipping can be very expensive
- No returns or refunds if you don’t like a watch
- No size options, so people with very large or very small wrists will need to have the watches adjusted
How Does Watch Gang Work?
Once you’ve signed up for Watch Gang, you can choose between the “Original,” “Black,” and “Platinum” subscription tiers. You can opt for monthly payments with automatic renewal or pay in advance for 3, 6, or 12 months, taking advantage of tiered discounts. Your first watch will be shipped to you within 3 days, and after that, you’ll receive your watch as usual by the 16th of each month.
Watch Gang Watches
So what can you expect from Watch Gang? Well, quite a lot. In this review of the Watch Gang subscription, we’ll take a look at a selection of the watches you might receive in the coming months, as well as a few models you could win in a giveaway if you’re lucky.
- Martenero Edgemere Reserve
- Fortuna Michael
- Dreyfuss & Co 1890 Rose Gold
- Tag Heuer Autavia
- Rolex GMT Master II
Martenero Edgemere Reserve
The Martenero Edgemere Reserve in white and blue is included in the “Platinum Tier” subscription. We’re really pulling out all the stops here, as this watch receives high praise in the Watch Gang subscription review. It has a very nautical design, which makes perfect sense—after all, it’s inspired by a marine chronometer.
The red strap on the Watch Gang Martenero Edgemere Reserve looks rather understated compared to some of the larger, shiny metal bracelets, but the bold color still gives it a special touch. The dial combines hour and minute markers, a 24-hour sub-dial, and a date window, yet maintains a clean look thanks to a deep blue and white color scheme with subtle red and blue accents.
It’s listed for $695 on the Martenero website, though Watch Gang bases its pricing on the best available retail price. If it appears in your Platinum Tier subscription, it costs $300. Ahoy! There are some great deals over there on the starboard side.
Fortuna Michael
The Fortuna Michael is available through the Black Tier subscription and is part of Fortuna’s Taurus series. This sporty and stylish watch features a black dial, accented by a stainless steel case with white lettering and white stitching. The strap is made of handcrafted calfskin leather, while the glass over the dial is anti-reflective. It may look a bit busy, but that’s part of the look, and the clearly visible numerals ensure the necessary practicality.
Made in Germany, the watch costs €249 on Fortuna’s website. No conversion is needed to see the savings you’ll get with the $100 “Black Tier” subscription. It’s a great deal for a versatile watch that works for both casual and elegant occasions.
Tag Heuer Autavia
The Autavia collection is Tag Heuer’s oldest and is considered its most precise. And it has to be, since it has its origins in the cockpits of airplanes and cars. The brown leather strap with white stitching adds a casual touch to the elegant black dial and silver case. To make it easier for pilots to read, the numerals on the edge are clearly highlighted, and highly visible hands sweep across three practical sub-dials.
Speaking of reaching new heights: the winner of the Tag Tuesday giveaway will do just that. This edition of the Tag Heuer Autavia is the prize for the weekly drawing on August 25, 2020. While you can receive Tag watches with a Platinum Tier subscription, this model—part of a collection offered on the Tag Heuer website for around $4,000—will be available exclusively through the giveaway. Fingers crossed!
Watch Gang Pricing
How much does Watch Gang cost? The three membership tiers are as follows:
- Original Tier ($50/month)
- Black Tier ($100/month)
- Platinum Tier ($300/month)
Discounts are available for 3-, 6-, or 9-month prepayments. If you are an international customer, please note that some discounts may not apply due to higher shipping costs.
Watch Gang states that every watch you receive is worth at least the value of your monthly subscription fee, though the value may be significantly higher. Original-tier watches cost between $50 and $150 and are ideal for beginner collectors and everyday wear. The Black tier includes watches valued at $100 to $500 and consists of affordable luxury watches that are perfect for everyday use.
The “Platinum Tier” category is Watch Gang’s high-end subscription, with a value ranging from $300 to $1,500, and features premium watches you can wear both in your daily life and on special occasions. These more expensive models are rare, but it’s exciting to receive them. That’s enough to sweeten this Watch Gang subscription review.
Watch Gang Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
In this review of the Watch Gang subscription service, we took a closer look at some of the models Watch Gang advertises as “coming soon.” There are undoubtedly some great deals. Those who have written reviews of Watch Gang on its website and on popular news sites praise the variety of watches, the introduction to brands they hadn’t heard of before, and the fun and ease of building a collection. However, there are also concerns.
There are heated debates on Reddit about the question: Is Watch Gang legitimate? Some users are critical of the value of Watch Gang watches. While it is possible to receive watches like the ones featured here, it is far more common to receive watches whose value is closer to the base subscription price. Some Reddit users even claim that Watch Gang watches are offered below their true value. Users say the company circumvents this through sophisticated valuation tricks to claim the watches have a higher value than is actually the case. Watch Gang denies this and explains its valuation methods in the FAQs.
A lot of the issues, it seems in Watch Gang’s view, is people looking at old valuations, offers on eBay, or sales that don’t reflect market value. This seems to be more of an issue at the Original Tier where the lower end of the price range represents a fairly cheap watch in the grand scheme of things, so there are more quality issues than at other tiers. There is also no ability to give your size for Watch Gang though watch sizes are adjustable and fit most people close to the average.
This Watch Gang subscription review gives them credit for having more positive reviews of the shipping than negative. This is quite rare for subscription boxes as good shipping largely goes unnoticed, while bad is instantly brought up, so good on Watch Gang for this.
Is Watch Gang Worth It?
We want to be honest in this review of the Watch Gang subscription. Watch Gang may not be quite as ideal for beginners as it would like to be. The complaints about quality and value for money in this price range are a bit concerning, and it might not be the best idea to make a significant investment to buy a whole range of products you’re just getting used to. Additionally, for picky people, receiving watches at random might not be the best option.
On the other hand, if you’re a watch lover or are sure you want to become one, Watch Gang offers an entertaining way to quickly build your collection and receive products that, in most cases, seem to offer good value for money. Generally speaking, a review of Watch Gang Black or Watch Gang Platinum would be more positive than that of Watch Gang Original. For the watch connoisseur, whether novice or seasoned, it seems to be a worthwhile investment.
Watch Gang Sign Up
If you’re interested in Watch Gang, follow these steps to start your subscription:
- Scroll down to the “Let’s Get Started” section on the WatchGang.com homepage
- Enter your name and email address
- Fill out a short survey to give us an idea of your taste
- Select a subscription
- Enter your shipping and payment information
- Receive your watches!
FAQ
How to Cancel Watch Gang
To cancel your subscription, send an email to hello@watchgang.com, use the “Manage My Subscription” form, or contact us via live chat during business hours.
Cancellations must be made by the 8th of the month; otherwise, that month’s shipment will be sent. Additionally, prepaid subscriptions are not refunded but are converted into points for the “Wheel of Watches” or the “Member Store.”
Watch Gang Shipping Policies
Watch Gang ships all subscriptions by the 16th of each month. Shipping within the U.S. (5–7 business days) costs a flat rate of $9.82. Shipping to Canada costs $14.82. Shipping to the UK costs $19.82, and to all other countries, $34.82. These prices do not include customs fees. This review of the Watch Gang subscription notes that there is no option for express shipping and that delivery times for international shipping vary.
Watch Gang Return Policy
Since this is a surprise subscription box, returns or exchanges are not possible with Watch Gang if you don’t like your watch. If the watch is damaged upon delivery, you can contact customer service to find a solution.
Contact Watch Gang
You can contact Watch Gang at hello@watchgang.com, via the contact form on the website, or by clicking the “Contact” button in the top right corner of the Help Center. Business hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST and Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM PST.
