Skmei 1123 Review: A Casio Clomage Done Right
⭐ Quick Verdict: Skmei 1123
Pros ✅
- Classic Casio-inspired design
- Sturdy zinc alloy case
- Excellent backlight (better than Casio’s F91W)
- Good accuracy (+1.5s per day)
- Great value for money
Cons ❌
- Bracelet catches hairs and feels uncomfortable
- Watchface is a fingerprint magnet
- Weak viewing angles compared to Casio
Final Score: 7.5/10
👉 A budget-friendly clomage that looks good, feels solid, and outshines knockoffs. With a strap upgrade, it could rival Casio’s budget classics at half the price.
I’ve owned several cheap generic F91W knockoff watches over the years. I know they’re lapsap, but nevertheless functional. Recently, the Skmei 1123 entered the game, and while it’s no secret that it’s a Casio-inspired piece, it’s an interesting watch in its own right.
Technically, it’s more of a clomage or homage, because it doesn’t copy the Casio brand directly. Instead, it puts the Skmei name on the dial. Still, the resemblance is obvious, and that makes it fascinating.
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| Skmei 1123 main mode |
Where the Skmei says “30M,” the Casio says “WR,” and of course the branding is different. But in spirit, the Skmei 1123 is very much in the F91W family tree.
For comparison, I also ordered a generic F91W knockoff. That one was such poor quality that a sharp edge was sticking out from the bracelet. I filed a dispute and got refunded instantly.
Dimensions
- Dial diameter: 33 mm (1.30 in), rectangular dial
- Case thickness: 9 mm (0.35 in)
- Band width: 24 mm (0.94 in)
- Strap length: 230 mm (9.06 in)
- Weight: 150 g (5.29 oz / 0.33 lb)
Price
The watch sells on AliExpress for about €9 in gold (the version I picked). Silver is a bit cheaper at around €8. By stacking coins and sale coupons, I managed to grab it for just €2,56.
That puts it in the same price class as the cheapest F91W knockoffs, which usually sell for around €2,50. And often those are refunded anyway if you dispute them, since quality can be very hit or miss.
Skmei 1123 vs F91W Knockoff
In terms of quality, the Skmei is the clear winner. With generic F91W knockoffs, the quality varies from “acceptable” to “really not acceptable.” One of mine even died while swimming in Bulgaria. That one felt a bit sturdier, but I quickly learned it wasn’t actually water resistant.
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| Skmei 1123 and knockoff F91w |
Looking at the LCDs, Skmei again comes out on top. The F91W knockoff is functional and readable straight on, but it’s dimmer and has worse viewing angles. The Skmei isn’t much better angle-wise though. Compared to my Casio A168, which stays readable when tilted, both the Skmei and the knockoff fade out quickly.
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| Backlight of Skmei 1123 |
Where the Skmei really shines is the backlight. It’s even superior to Casio’s ElectroLuminescence, which already beats the tiny side light of the F91W. The knockoff’s backlight doesn’t even compare, as it’s dim and uneven.
As for bracelets, Casio’s A168 is still the best. The F91W knockoff bracelet is awful. The Skmei bracelet is better built, but if you wear it loose, it tends to snag wrist hairs. Not great.
The Good
- Design: Casio-inspired, but done nicely. The golden watchface in particular looks sharp and matches well with the bracelet.
- Watchcase: Zinc alloy instead of resin or plastic. Feels sturdier and more premium, even if it’s not stainless steel.
- Build quality: One of the better Skmei watches I’ve owned. Buttons are solid, no rattling, and it feels sturdy overall.
- Accuracy: About +1.5 seconds per day. Not quite A168-level, but far better than the Skmei 1328 that drifted 4+ seconds daily.
- Backlight: Bright, even, and just plain better than both Casio’s F91W and A168.
The Bad
- Watchface: Looks shiny and classy, but it’s a fingerprint magnet. Smudges appear quickly.
- Bracelet: Better than the terrible F91W knockoff, but still not great. The gaps catch hairs, and it’s uncomfortable unless worn snug.
- Viewing angles: Straight on it’s fine, but tilt it even slightly and the display fades out. Casio still does this better.
Final Verdict
The Skmei 1123 is an impressive little digital watch for what it is, a clomage to the Casio classics, with its own identity. It’s not perfect, but it delivers the essentials at a fraction of the price. The design is iconic, the zinc alloy case feels sturdy, the backlight is excellent, and accuracy is solid.
Its weak spots are mostly about comfort. The bracelet looks decent but is uncomfortable for daily use, the watchface attracts fingerprints, and the LCD viewing angles aren’t the best. These aren’t dealbreakers, especially considering the low price, but they hold it back from being truly great straight out of the box.
That said, this watch has real potential with a strap swap. I’ve ordered a golden Milanese bracelet to see if it improves the comfort and overall look. If it matches well, the 1123 could feel like a much higher-end watch.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. For the cost of a cheap knockoff, you’re getting a watch that looks better, feels sturdier, and works more reliably. If Skmei ever upgrades the bracelet, this model could easily compete with Casio’s budget watches, and at half the price, that’s hard to beat.
💡 Tip for readers: If you’re considering the Skmei 1123, get it during a sale and think about upgrading the bracelet. The watch itself is solid, and with a better strap, it could easily become your go-to budget digital watch.
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