IXDAO Chronograph VK64 Review – Is This the Grail Chronograph?

The IXDAO Chronograph might just be the best-looking chronograph on AliExpress — and, at around $220 before tax, it’s likely one of the most expensive mega-quartz models on the platform. But price aside, this is a watch built to challenge expectations. With its 120-click rotating bezel, sapphire crystal, Seiko VK64 meca-quartz movement, and near-flawless finishing, the IXDAO Chronograph blurs the line between affordable and aspirational. If it weren’t for one small design oversight, it could easily rank as the finest chronograph I’ve tested to date.

IXDAO VK64 Chronograph

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Design & Case

The IXDAO combines pilot-watch functionality with the character of a vintage tool chronograph. The case measures 39.5 mm in diameter, 11.7 mm thick, and 47.5 mm lug-to-lug — a sweet-spot size that delivers presence without overhang. On a 6.5-inch wrist, it sits flat and stable, with compact proportions and solid weight.
Crafted from 316L stainless steel, the case features flat brushed flanks intersected by sharp 45° polished bevels that taper toward the lugs. Light rolls elegantly across the surfaces, giving it a dynamic, lean profile. The lugs themselves drop steeply, enhancing comfort.

Up top sits a fluted, polished bezel — not decorative, but fully functional. It’s a 120-click unidirectional bezel with a red anodized marker at 12 o’clock, offering genuine tool-watch utility. The screw-down onion crown, signed and finely threaded, is flanked by two piston-style pushers, the upper one anodized in red to echo the bezel accent and dial details. Altogether, it’s a design that feels cohesive, mechanical, and confidently executed.

Movement & Crown

Inside, the IXDAO Chronograph runs on the Seiko VK64 mecha-quartz chronograph, a hybrid caliber combining quartz accuracy with the tactile reset and sweep of a mechanical chronograph. It ticks at 1/5-second intervals (2/10-second accuracy), giving the chronograph seconds hand a smooth, fluid motion. The reset action snaps back instantly, and servicing is minimal — expect a battery change every three years or so.

The screw-down crown offers both refinement and function: smooth to operate, deliberate in resistance, and precisely aligned when reseated. It feels far more expensive than it has any right to at this price point.

Bezel

The 120-click rotating bezel is among the most satisfying I’ve encountered in this range. Resistance is firm, clicks are crisp, and there’s zero perceptible back-play. The motion feels heavy and mechanical — a reassuring sign of quality.

Because the bezel sits flush with the case and lacks deep ridges, grip can be a little tricky; most users will find themselves turning it by pinching between the lugs. It’s here that the watch’s only real flaw becomes apparent — the inner lug edges are sharp, a detail you notice when adjusting the bezel. It’s minor, but it stands out in an otherwise outstanding execution. Diver watch bezels watching out for this functional setup.

Strap & Clasp

The watch ships on a black rubber strap accented with two rivets per side, a nod to classic pilot designs. The rubber is soft, pliable, and comfortable, contrasting nicely with the case’s tool-grade steel. Quick-release spring bars make swapping easy, though a leather option might have complemented the watch’s vintage cues even better.

The brushed clasp includes polished 45° bevels and a signed tip, reflecting the same attention to finishing found on the case. It locks securely, completing a sporty yet refined package.

Crystal & Dial

A slightly boxed, softly domed sapphire crystal crowns the watch, treated with anti-reflective coating visible as purple-green reflections under angled light. The distortion near the edges adds pleasant vintage character without compromising clarity.
Below it, a matte black dial hosts white printed Arabic numerals and a crisp minute-and-millisecond chapter ring. Twin recessed subdials sit at 3 and 9 o’clock — a 24-hour indicator and a 60-minute chronograph counter — both in light white tones for strong contrast.

The cathedral-style main hands in polished silver chrome give off vintage charm, while the subdial hands use dark chrome for legibility. The bright red chronograph seconds hand, long and arrow-tipped, injects energy and ties together the watch’s red highlights.
Branding is restrained — the IXDAO logo under 12 and discreet text above 6. The lume is impressive: bright blue, evenly applied to numerals, hands, and even the arrow tip, charging quickly and lasting through the night.

Summary

The IXDAO Chronograph delivers a rare mix of aesthetics, mechanics, and tactile satisfaction at its price point. With its VK64 movement, sapphire crystal, and functional bezel, it’s more than just a pretty chronograph — it’s a serious hybrid tool. The sharp lug edges are the only oversight in an otherwise near-flawless design. For around two hundred dollars, this piece rivals the refinement of watches costing many times more — making it one of the most complete chronographs currently available on AliExpress.

Specifications Table

IXDAO VK64 Chronograph – Rotating Bezel

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