About Cadence
Founded in 2002, Cadence produces watches in a variety of styles. Their mission is to deliver quality timepieces at reasonable prices, avoiding middle-men and instead focusing on distributing direct to their customer. They often mail out sale offers via their mailing list.
Cadence is known for their Reddit watches, as well as other fun watches. Recently, they have been offering a larger variety of styles and functions.
HOW WE REVIEW WATCHES
Our reviews are based on our first-hand experience with the watch. All photos and media are created by us (unless otherwise credited). Learn more about how we review watches.
Review Summary
If you want a low-cost sport watch that comes with all the functions you need (chrono, alarm, timer, etc) the Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2 is a solid choice. We picked this one up for less than $20 and have nothing but good things to say about the watch and Cadence’s customer service.
Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2 Technical Specifications
- Model Number: Wrist Rocket WT2
- MSRP: $25
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Alternate Models: n/a
- Movement: BN045 digital, Seiko AL21 quartz analog
- Complications: Day/date display, chronograph, alarm, LED backlight, dual movements
- Battery Life: Approximately 2 years
- Water Resistance: 50m/165ft
- Crystal Material: Mineral
Setting the Time
The watch itself arrived with no box or manual (the owners manual can be found on their website. Using it is as simple as using your old Timex that you had when you were a kid: the buttons are all labeled, and all do exactly as their label suggests. No free-thinking is required here.
Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2 Aesthetics & Design
If you buy a $20 sport watch and are concerned about how it looks, I only have one question: what gives?
Sure, the WT2 is attractive in the sense that it doesn’t look terrible, but that’s far from high praise. The case is bulbous, the dial is an inexpensive LCD screen, and the strap looks like it’s made of plastic (hint: it’s polyurethane). It very much looks as if it’s meant to be thrown around in a gym or the final leg of a half-marathon.
But, you don’t buy this watch for how it looks. You buy it because it’s a $20 digital chrono with an alarm that also happens to tell time and you need something like that for the half marathon you’re about to run. If we’re eschewing design in favor of utility, I have to admit that the WT2 is pretty good in that regard. The backlight is almost as good as a Timex with Indiglo, and the various functions are clearly labelled on the case.
The strap and clasp are basic but fitting for the watch. I mean, why not? More black, more silver. More plastic. What do you expect for $20?
Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2 Build Quality
Where this Cadence surprises is in its build quality, which is leagues above what its $20 price tag would suggest. It may not be the most polished or tightest build, but overall it’s built fairly well. It can take a beating, that’s for sure- this one went through a complete wash/dry cycle and came out spotless… and still working.
Ours Arrived Dead on Arrival… Sort Of
Unfortunately the Seiko analog movement that powers the physical hands arrived dead. The hour/minute hands functioned fine, but the second hand simply vibrated in place. No amount of face tapping and watch shaking rectified the problem either. Having run out of options, I reached out to Cadence.
Cadence Saves the Day
I sent an e-mail off to Cadence and was told to ship them back the watch and they’d send me a new one. I replied asking if the return shipping was on my dime or theirs, and the next thing I knew I had a warranty form to fill out (I did, took two seconds) and a tracking number in my inbox for the replacement watch that was now en route.
A few days later I was now in possession of two Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2’s, with the replacement functioning just fine. I’m not sure if that’s how Cadence normally handles it’s warranty issues, but I have to say that I was pretty happy with how quickly a new one was put in the mail for me.
More About the Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2
Movement
The Wrist Rocket WT2 is a dual movement device… sort of. It has a Seiko quartz movement that powers the hands, and then a digital display powered by what I imagine is a simple computer.
I am not familiar with either movement used, though my experience with other digital watches is that they work as they’re supposed to.
Value for Money
The watch is $20. If you need a digital chrono, dual time, day/date functionality, wicked back lighting, and you only want to spend $20… well, here it is.
The Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2 is perfectly average in almost every way. It looks like a $20 watch, feels like a $40 watch, and has been my faithful gym companion since I bought it. I’m happy with the purchase as it performs its intended function exactly as I expect it to.
Photo Gallery
I,ve had 3 of these watches stop working. the digital works but the analog just completely stops . one was to replace one that stopped working before. has anyone else had this happen or. is it my bad luck. their under warranty , but out of stock. one was brand new and the other one worn once
The first one we ordered in arrived broken. An e-mail to Cadence had a new one on my wrist less than 4 days later.