When it comes to watches, sometimes we will smack them around for blatant copying of details of a higher-profile, well-known brand. Other times, a brand will obviously reference another watch, but it’s done in a way that doesn’t feel like a blatant ripoff. In my book, that’s what we’ve got here with the Creux Automatic Diamondback.
![](https://i0.wp.com/wristwatchreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Creux-Automatic-Diamondback-25-1024x638.jpg?resize=726%2C452&ssl=1)
The most obvious “homage” detail on the Creux Automatic Diamondback are the fasteners mounted on the bezel, as well as the lug configuration (and, to a lesser extent, the bracelet). Myself personally, I could have done without the fasteners there, but I’m not a watch designer. After a while, I actually noticed them less, and it was actually the pattern in the dial that drew my eye more.
![](https://i0.wp.com/wristwatchreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Creux-Automatic-Diamondback-24-1024x446.jpg?resize=726%2C316&ssl=1)
Here, you’ve got a diamond texture that could be a pixelated approximation of snake skin (hey, fits the Creux Automatic Diamondback name!) but I really just liked how it caught the light, and made a sort of burnout fade look from the center to the edges. In and amongst those angles, you’ve got some rounded edges encroaching, in the form of the golden-ringed small seconds, and the even smaller (almost too small) date window. All in all, it made for a very interesting look on the front of the watch.
![](https://i0.wp.com/wristwatchreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Creux-Automatic-Diamondback-26-1024x683.jpg?resize=726%2C484&ssl=1)
Moving on to the bracelet of the Creux Automatic Diamondback, you could visualize it as the belly of a snake, with how those scales interlock (and yes, it looks similar to a Vacheron design). And it was interesting, when I was sizing the bracelet, these links do lock together in an interesting way. When they do that, the bracelet does not bend out at all – only in, to form the circular shape. Interesting, while the closure is friction fit, they also have a fold-over clasp in place. This felt a little belt-and-suspenders, but I suppose it’s a way to get some more branding in place. Me, I’d delete it, unless they’ve had problems with the friction closure.
![](https://i0.wp.com/wristwatchreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Creux-Automatic-Diamondback-18-1024x1002.jpg?resize=726%2C710&ssl=1)
Around the back of the watch, you’ve got a view into the Swisstech CA24 movement. This is a movement I had never heard of before. Doing some digging, and landing on the site of yet another brand I had not heard of before, I found out that the movement itself is a clone of the ETA 2824. Not sure what that means for serviceability or reliability, but it’s coming from some good bones, I suppose.
![](https://i0.wp.com/wristwatchreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Creux-Automatic-Diamondback-22-1024x682.jpg?resize=726%2C484&ssl=1)
And really, that’s the story of the Creux Automatic Diamondback for me. There’s nothing about it that felt like it was outright a clone, but there are those little things here and there (the design cues, the knockoff movement) that put a question mark in my mind about the watch. And when you’re paying $1,850 you don’t want those questions in your mind.
![](https://i0.wp.com/wristwatchreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Creux-Automatic-Diamondback-9-1024x1024.jpg?resize=726%2C726&ssl=1)
And, frankly, that’s a shame. In my time with the watch, it kept admirable time, the bracelet was a delight to wear (and played with light like you can’t even imagine, like the dial did). This feels like a watch that should be able to stand on it’s own merits, but those question marks just sort of pump the breaks. Had they managed to do this design with a smooth bezel and, say, a Selitta movement, we’d be having a very different discussion about this watch. Past that, there really is a lot to like about the watch – there’s just something about it that gives me the shivers, and would have be giving it a pass. Me, I’ll wait to see what the next iteration can bring along. creuxautomatiq.com
![](https://i0.wp.com/wristwatchreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Creux-Automatic-Diamondback-12-944x1024.jpg?resize=726%2C788&ssl=1)
Review Summary
- Brand & Model: Creux Automatic Diamondback
- Price: $1,850
- Who?s it for? Someone who isn’t bugged by the same questions that were raised in my mind by the bezel design and clone movement
- Would I wear it? Nope, it’s a pass for me
- What I?d change: Make that bezel design your own, and get a non-clone movement in the mix – or at least one that isn’t so opaque about it’s origins
- The best thing about it: How the dial and bracelet play with the light
Tech Specs from Creux Automatiq
- Case Size: 40mm
- Dimensions: 40mm x 47mm x 10.6mm
- Case material: 316L Stainless Steel
- Strap: 316L Stainless Steel
- Clasp: Butterfly Deployment Clasp
- Top Lens: Sapphire Crystal
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM (50 Meters)
- Lume: Super-LumiNova
- Movement: Swisstech CA24-041
- Made in: Switzerland