Just Like the Steeldive 1970 Captain Willard Homage ist the absolut best automatic for roundabout 70-90$. Stainless steel, sapphire glass, 120 click ceramic bezel, NH35, milled clasp…
I purchased one of these based on your review and I have to tell you I am beyond impressed. The quality of finishing and features of this thing are way beyond its price point. I got one during the 11:11 sale and I wish I would have purchased more than just one.
Glad the see San Martin getting a fair shake on your channel, Dave. The quality of Chinese watches has levelled up significantly this year, they’re really giving bigger brands a run for their money.
Seems like you have really changed your tune on these Chinese watches. Good on you! Value matters and these brands give you the most value for the money. Love the channel and keep up the good work!
They missed out on putting a 24 hr scale on the chapter ring. If they had done that, then you could run the watch as it should be used - with the GMT hand actually on GMT, and then you see two other time zones - the central main hands, and a third time zone via the offset from GMT via the bezel. Why this is a mystery to so many manufacturers is also a mystery - to me.
Another great watch choice Dave, I purchased the Casio lineage M700D from Japan when you did a video on that , it's a fantastic watch and probably the most worn watch in my collection :)
I actually own this watch! I bought it a couple of months ago when Jody recommended it. I have a large (107) watch collection and this is truly one of my favorites. I am wearing it now! I recommend it because of the specs and because it is very comfortable for my 8" wrist.
I got my first Chinese watch in '20 and haven't looked back as far as buying strictly Seiko dive watches about every 3-5 years because getting one serviced might cost the price of the watch! China has kicked in the proverbial door of the western watch industry , Luxury companies must be terrified at the prospect of a rapidly shrinking market as their market ages out . I have a single luxury watch and ten san martins or similar, from what Ive seen so far I am going to always own several Chinese watches .and no I didnt get paid to say that lol I live in the US
Personally, I wouldn't be sad if the Chinese manufacturers create a second "crises" for the Swiss manufacturers - not for quartz technology, but just build quality at great prices.
Im so close to pulling the trigger on this one. Its absolutely stunning. I just wish the black one had an enamel dial like other SMs, or the sand dial with a 120 click bezel and an oyster bracelet. But maybe im asking too much....
Great review! I prefer a timing bezel with a GMT or a 24 hr bezel with a non GMT. It’s too bad the bezel was at least a 60 click so that it could be mentally used as a timing bezel even though hour indicators are on it. Let’s collaborate soon.
I bought it based on your review! Very happy, the only thing is that the link in the video for this watch it’s not for the San Martin official store .. it’s the diver watch factory store.. still a good source I believe
I own a few SM watches because I love collecting affordable watches and don't have the money (nor would I buy more than one if I did) for luxury brand watches! The quality is insane and they are totally reliable, I have various models on my wish list that I'll be ordering as and when finances permit 👌🏻
The only reason I don’t have more San Martin watches in my collection. It’s because I’m always torn on the homage thing… Nevertheless, I have three.. hey sumo homage with a strap code jubilee bracelet on it and I love it… A samurai Hamache and A 62 Maas homage… I believe this is the third attempt at a original… But both of the first two drew from other designs and Mormor all day combination homage… I like this one… Love the pizza price bracelet… And I’ll be adding this is my fourth from the brand .
The watch is great, and it's presented in a professional video. The design is original, and definitely worth the buy. I don't agree it's not exciting design, it is an awesome design. San Martin upped the game here. This is now a design worth higher end movements, not only Seiko movements. One thing I didn't really like is the clasp which scratches very easily just by holding your hands on the table, which makes me think that clasp steel i softer than on other watches, but I might be wrong. Also the clasp should be more snug to the bracelet on the side with quick release (7:17).
Really nice watch, but I think this San Martin GMT is even nicer: "San Martin Luxury Men Business GMT Dive Watch NH34 Men Automatic Mechanical Date Watch". I'm not a big fan of the large bezel; I like a more understated representation of the 24-hour markers, and this other model has that in spades. Problem is, I already have a Seiko 5 SSK GMT watch, so I'm all set for a "caller" GMT. And earlier this year, I bought a Zelos Mako 300 GMT, which is a true GMT movement. So I'm becoming a GMT snob. Give me that other San Martin GMT with a true GMT movement (presumably the Miyota 9075) for maybe $400, and I'm all over it. Thanks for the review, Dave.
I was looking to get a GMT watch and this came in at a tolerable price point. The crown is a tough pull out. It came in a plastic Tupperware style container, which included warranty card, instructions, and a tool I don't recognize. Edges of lugs are sharp, but haven't felt it on wear. Second hand sweeps nicely. I wish the back had had a design. Thank you Dave for showing me an affordable way to try a GMT. It's even a Seiko.
@georgetorres1739 Nice to hear. I have now also bought my first San Martin, you get a lot of watch for your money. the whole package of a 1500$ luxury brand watch. but affordable. I have the latest V2 GMT with the lapiz lazul dial. on sale for 280. but it feels and looks like a 1500 watch
My biggest beef with this watch is how small the dial actually is. Not the case but the dial itself. On top of that, the bezel action has a weird high pitch ring to it. Other than that, it's a beautiful and quality watch
@@victorutomo7244 I mean, don't get me wrong, the color choices and the layout (and specs) are spot on but the legibility on this watch is really lacking, it's a real shame if you ask me.
Hello everyone Can someone explain to me how do I get the watch he is showing in this video ? The watch he is showing has the hour and minute hands in white and black colours but in AliExpress there is only in silver I just cancelled an order of this watch because I realised the hour and minute hands are not same colour as this video shows Please help Thank you
I know they were going for the 70's theme, but i really would have loved if the off white yellowish color accents were just a stark white, the watch would have really popped and been an even better summer watch. Still, really a nice watch :)
Is it really a 48 click bezel? That would be great, but it sounds like a 24 click bezel (which is also what is reported on the San Martin shopping site).
Encouraging that San Martin is trying to create their own design rather than homages, but I’m not sold on the brand. Price is good, but I’d spend a bit more and get a bit “less” on paper and get a Lorier
Got a Cronos GMT and Two San Martins, of which one is the latest seiko GMT engine. The quality is very good and impressed and shocked my co-workers who wear AP, Rolex and Tudor. One said why I am I buying £15k+ Rolex 🤷🏻♂️
It's very interesting to see the Chinese manufacturing and design beginning to chip away at the Swiss incumbents. Reminds me of post-War Japanese engineering and design: it was seen as inferior in every respect to Western manufacturers. See how far they have come. I think China can be original and creative; but it will take another 20-30 years of excellence to change opinion. As for me, after a 20-year gap, I bought a Seagull 1963 this year which opened up the floodgates for various other watch purchases.
I think the Seagull 1963 is a very important watch for Chinese horology. Since they bought the equipment from the Swiss. It was a Venus calibre originally right? Exactly, it will take time. Them making their own movements will be absolutely necessary if they want to compete with Switzerland and Japan. In the decades to come. I've always wanted a Seagull 1963, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Can't own every watch you like I guess. I bet it's a wonderful watch to own!
At 11:06 you say this watch isn't original. It is very original both, by not being an homage, and by also not looking like anything else. What watch does this look like ?
can the case back be swapped for an exhibition one? is anyone aware of one that would fit? the watch is a great looking one - except the super boring back :/
with these chinese watches offering 200$ with superb specs, I am starting to believe that sapphire and ceramic are not that expensive at all. which makes me wonder why seiko still offers mineral glass on there sub 500$ watches
Yeah, on paper every Chinese brand is a monster when it comes to specs for money. The devil is in the details - it may have a domed sapphire crystal, but it still looks like crap because it's not a real double domed one and has a garish purple coating on it, the lume on the hands and the dial is mismatched, the links on the bracelet get stuck etc. A good execution, like San Martin, costs much more than $100.
Was just looking for a 39m not too thick case with beads of rice bracelet and your video came up. Now I have to figure out how to buy from San Martin. I'm in US.
San Martin keeps coming no doubt, but this looks suspiciously VERY familiar. It’s very similar to Islander Port Jefferson for one. I’m not mad, just annoyed.
@@shaunmclaughlin5167 I bought the San Martin because it was a 40 and the Islander was a 42. How is your experience with both? I am still kinda looking to get the Islander 😅
San Martin is great, got a San Martin SN0107 Ranger. Only one negative, the band was way too short, only two extra links, so still too short, and NOPE you can not order loose links.. So you got to ask all your friends etc...Find a Hobbit friend... SAN MARTIN, SELL LOOSE EXTRA LINKS!
I'm a recent owner of 2 sm watches. Both came with inferior chinese movements > I have had pt5000 failure and two st17 movement failures. sm needs to lower their prices, use nh movements, use exhibition case backs. And improve immediately, their quality control. Both of my more expensive sm watches came with defective SS bracelets that impacted being able to size the bracelet (one had a stripped screw preventing removal of the link, the other a defective pin, impacting sizing). 2 watches, 2 failures. Buyer BEWARE.
Haha. I just noticed the Zune. I loved mine. Best color too. I don't need a GMT other than to keep track of my brother's time zone (lives in Tokyo), but if i did, this would be a good one. I just bought 3 watches in the 11.11 sale. I need to slow down. Lol
I dont like china but I have to give them a lot of respect for how far the country has come. I am just amazed how advanced they have become from when I first went there around 2004 to the last time I was there 2019. There is no country in history that have adavnced so rapidly than china with the help of traitors within the US government of course!
I don't think the color of the bezel and dial work together. It looks odd. And the overall design is really lacking something to not look boring. Maybe a great price for great quality, but nothing I would pick up.
There's also a huge double standard imposed on Chinese watches. Western brand like Squale and Steinhart seem to get a free pass when it comes to originality. Just western chauvinists being western chauvinists, I guess.
I for one, do not want an original design Chinese/AliExpress watch. I buy Chinese watches specifically because they make great affordable homage watches. I believe I am not alone in this. I think most people want the homage watches.
calling a chinese clone a "luxury" watch is just stupid.. for a 300 usd this is a rip off. im no specialist or not even enthusiast but i know this is using a movement from seiko... id rather spend 300 on a genuine seiko 5 gmt.. you could buy a Tandorio for half of the money if you want an homage to a renowned design such as GS or HAMILTON ... Tandorio is the king of clones for less than 100 usd these are some models using a NH35 movement and a Sapphire glass
Because Seiko has a TON of very good original designs while SM are just skilled copyists? Agree that Seiko's pricing became qustionable few years ago, but there are still gems to be found in the graymarket.
Support from other brands with the same or worse quality product for the same price often costs more than the Chinese watch itself. You'd have to be a fool to not consider this first.
@@quocphu2826Chinese brands and manufacturers using Chinese factories are entirely different things. Buying an iPhone from Apple means you have an American company with a reputation for customer service, warranty, and support. China can make good products when they’re either paid to do it well, or really want to do a good job. But good luck calling up Mr Dong Feilong for customer service, and then sending your watch across the ocean to Guanzhou for warranty support.
@@ihmpall A Swiss watch by definition is not made in China. It’s illegal to call your watch Swiss made if at least 80% of the watch isn’t made in Switzerland. However, if I wanted a cheap watch I’d just buy from Seiko, Citizen, or Timex.
san martin has great machining, but their original designs are still a work in progress. theres just always something a bit off about their designs. they could benefit from hiring a foreign designer with some know-how and paired with their manufacturing prowess they could make some truly amazing value watches with hopefully a more refined design to rival western brands
