the San Martin sub homage 40mm version 3 is my favorite as it is the only watch that has the proper shorter end link. i think this makes a huge difference to how the watch wears and looks, particularly if you have a smaller wrist.
On the issue of Lume, I've been sleeping with a Tritium tube watch. Tritium tubes is a game changer for anything lume related. We need to get Gary one for review.
I was all for the ultra value watches like pagani’s but since my 1st San Martin they just won’t do. I’m just in love with the all round build quality of a San Martin watch. Still yet to own a Cronos which is madness!! I need to buy one! Great video Gary👍🏻👍🏻
Awesome watches and video as always. I really like that Cronos GMT. If only they changed that clasp and take the date farme off. What a watch that will be!!! In the mean mean time I run over to Aliexpress to look at that new Cronos sub you had pictured in the video. I think that applied logo looks very interesting and it could probably be the best sub homage yet. I might not be able to resist this one.
Great roundup Gary. I’ve had an Escapement Time Flieger in my wish list for ages, really like the look of those and I really fancy a Sugees chronograph which is basically a 40mm panda dial version of the Seagull 1963 with that gorgeous display case back showing off the ST1901 movement 😍🤤 But I’m saving for an Oris so I’m trying to be good and not buy any affordable watches for a while. These AliExpress sales don’t half make it hard 😂 The only thing I cannot resist is temptation 💸
I'll unfortunately have to skip this one. The EU changes its import tax system on July 1st and I'll wait till the dust settles, don't want to be a guinea pig. Just for the record, people always mention the Pagani Daytona, don't forget the Pagani Max Bill! It's really nice and costs half of the former.
Great list Gary, I have the Heimdallr Monster.. (Red dial) can I also highly recommend this watch and people to use your link . It is an incredibly good watch, with lume like a torch! I am looking at getting either a bronze case watch or a yellow dial diver! For some reason I have a hankering for bright yellow !! Maybe you can find a decent one not too expensive in your next videos!
You mentionen two watches that are among my favourite watches in my collection, the Escapement Time dress watch and the 1963! Love both watches! I recently noticed Cronos only seem to have Submariners with polished middle links left. Thats odd, because I can't stand those on Subby homages. Probably the only have bracelets from their fist run they want to sell them off now. At least I appreciate how clear they are on this.
Great choices, interesting that more companies are using the PT5000 now. The Cronos Datejust homage looks like a proper luxury watch on your outdoor video.
Gary I know you mainly source from AliExpress, with some AliExpress watches such as Cronos and San Martin getting up to or exceeding microbrand prices, how do you think their quality is comparably? Seeing 200-300usd watches coming up, I always wonder if it would make more sense to get a more originally designed microbrand at that price. I guess I always viewed AliExpress as the even more budget option.
Have you seen my comparison series...I show the San Martin subby homages against the Tisell and Heimdallr....the San Martin and Cronos are miles ahead in terms of finishing. I also compared a Steinhart ocean one 39 to a San Martin and the San Martin was once again better finished... the factories that make the San Martin and Cronos watches make cases and parts for Swiss brands I’ve been reliably informed so they are impressive. Do the macro shots in my videos help? Check out the comparison series..
I use eBay but I have a selling scheme for patrons where I create a video promoting the watches Patreons want to sell…feel free to join Patreon to use that?
Hi Gary! Do you know of any chronograph watches that can measure 10ths of seconds like the bulova lunar pilot? the bulova movement and dial in a more conventional watch is basically my dream. thanks for the aliexpress tips! Much appreciated
@@ilikewatches Thank you! Having tenths really makes a chronograph stand out from just timing something with a non-chronograph watch, which you could do quite easily . Thats why I like them atleast
I’ve just spent 2 hours on AliExpress to prepare for two videos I’m making and honestly, I found nothing…I looked at all the good brands and I’m not sure there is one! That’s not good….I hate to be defeated but I did so many searches…I don’t know how else to look…I’m so sorry!
@@ilikewatches That's such a shame, seems like an untapped market to me! Theres always the other bulova chronographs using the same movement as the lunar pilot, but they are overpriced and lacking basic necessities on 350usd+ watches such as sapphire crystals. I guess i'll look at other holes in my collection such as fliegers for the time being, the escapement time ones look like such good value! Thanks again, really appreciate it!
About the lume on the cronos. Its incredible and probably the best lume on aliexpress. If i had to say one that beats it easy in the same price +- ( if you buy on kickstarter ) also in bronze is the wicked watch. The bgw-9 Lumicast is on a whole other level.
@@ilikewatches www.wickedwatch.ch/Store Both models are still in pre order. At around half the price retail will be. They use a process called Lumicast which is 3d printing of the lume on the dial mixed with ceramic. These are only seen in a few high end brands from 2k and above. The lume is beyond anything you have ever had in your hands i garantue it to you and i know what you had in your hands ive seen all your vids ;] PS : about the bgw9, they also have the c3 lumicast option.
@@ilikewatches you gotta admit that its such a minimalist watch and that its one of the best on aliexpress for the price and the movement decoration is beautifull
Really hope Cronos will introduce their new bracelet on their Subby homage before the sale ends! The picture they posted on their instagram looks like a Glidelock clasp..
Hey I love you channel, and I’ve been waiting/looking for your review on San Martin’s date just watch, but it’s nowhere to be found. Was it all deleted with your old channel?
The image at 10:47 is why I'm really put of watches with coloured ceramic bezel inserts. The sunburst dial looks glorious but the bezel is dull by comparison. That would bug me forever. The black bezel look good but I'd like a bit more colour.
Unboxed it and not really gone back to it so perhaps I need more time with it and it's supplied on a rubber strap so maybe doesn't have the same wow factor....hard to say really, there are sooooo many amazing watches that on another day, may have made the list.....
@@ilikewatches :) I know, I just expected to hear from you that it is on the way to your home for upcoming unboxing. Not the 36mm we expected, sadly again an NH35... I wish at some point they could get the Citizen 9000 series to move the game up.
Most of that is getting better, 2-3 weeks again. And when you buy the more expensive stuff, they ship a little faster, at least from my experience, under 3 weeks.
Ah, perfect. Just in time for June 21. I think I'm almost sold on the green San Martin SN017-G. Still just not sure if I want V2 (with the plain text) or V3 (with the applied hex logo) though.
What's odd about the font they use, while being really plain looking in the pictures. It's actually grown on me alot and I now love the text/font. It's simplicity is just nice looking. I have the v3 and I've also grown to like the hex logo. So you can't go wrong with either. I think the differences between the 2 was the beefiness they added to the v3
@@gilbertoflores7397 I thought it was a signed crown and the bigger lume pip that were the only differences. The actual size/dimensions increased from V2 to V3? I’m leaning towards the V2. I think I would personally be bothered with the hex logo, but it’s hard to tell without seeing it in person.
@@mikes41720 yeah, I think the clasp is chunkier, the bracelet is slightly thicker or something. I think someone made a video on the differences between the 2 side by side in hand. I ended up like the v3 more, and went that way, but I also have larger wrist and prefer the heft of the v3. I too didn't care for the hex, but now I don't mind it, and enjoy it.
Yes, they show the current prices but also the discounted prices too, you can also check your coupons and you’ll see the coupons that will be available from Monday….watch my AliExpress tutorial video…it really will help you get the best prices
Daily driving the San Martin retro diver and loving it. Been eyeing the new San Martin SN045 but a bit disappointed it didnt make it into the list :( Any particular reason Gary?
I might just be a bit stupid, but with the bronze Cronos diver, what's the difference between the green one with logo and the green one with logo labelled: CT Green R2?....🤔
Hiya, I’ve taken a look and I’m not seeing what you are seeing, if you email me a link or screen shot I’ll look into it for you…oldmantimegary@gmail.com
As far as San Martin is concerned, look at their bronze Tuna. It doesn't have a bronze case although they claim it does. You can clearly see from the back that it's got a steel case and case back and only the Tuna outer protective ring and bezel is actually bronze. The Cronos bronze Tuna is less money and actually has a bronze case. So if you've got a contact at San Martin, kindly tell them to stop misleading people.
Bought a Sea-Gull Ocean star myself very nicely Finished watch but had problems with the manual wind mechanism spinning the rotor when hand winding, seagull didn't want to know
That's odd, I replied once already and the message has gone....You have three options really, Bliger, Pagani Design and Phylida...Hands down my choice is the Phylida, great brand and they make fantastic watches too.....less WC issues than the others.....I put an affiliata link below
YT keeps removing my link that I am trying to send you so if you want it so you know where I would suggest buying it from you will have to email me at my oldmantimegary email address....sorry
Hiya, I replied once already but my message has gone? All blue version is my choice.....Not worth the extra for the red bezel. I have the all blue and it's a great watch. here is an affiliata link
YT keeps removing my link that I am trying to send you so if you want it so you know where I would suggest buying it from you will have to email me at my oldmantimegary email address....sorry
@@ilikewatches cheers Gary...I will definitely give it a go but not holding my breath....if it all goes tits North then It leaves me with either the Ocean star or the Orient Triton...your pick would be????
I had no idea anyone ever left an item in an online basket for over 30 days. I'm not sure if I've ever lasted 30 minutes between putting something in the basket and pulling the trigger.
Instead of making Ali Express sale videos about more expensive and cheaper watches, I would prefer if you would make original design and homage Ali Express sale videos...
Do yourselves a favor, buy frm a reputable store on Ali. Read the reviews, look at the number of products and followers and what they're store reputation percent is. It's worth it to pay a few bucks more and get from a reputable store. There are way too many stores who aren't reputable on Ali.
Ahhh if only I’d known this earlier, just bought an Escapement Time SKX about a week ago at full price. But oh well, it’s not that expensive of a watch to begin with
Anyone else expected better discounts? $10 off or less from a $200+ price isn't very attractive, especially for a big sale advertised all over Ali site. Looks to me like if I really want something, just grab it whenever and don't bother waiting, and if I'm not sure, such a small difference is not enough to tip the scales.
Have you watched the video I referenced in this video. I think you are missing the $3 off for every $30 spent so in addition to the discounted prices you would get an additional $18 off a $200 watch and AliExpress usually give you a $20 coupon to use during the sale plus you can get $2 off for following the stores so this means you could pick up a $200 watch for £150....That' $50 off. This is why I made that video because I do agree that the sale are not clear and the discounts don't look great at a glance but they can be if you know how to use the coupons etc...
@@ilikewatches Thank you for the clarification. I quickly checked my bookmarked items and didn't notice $15 coupon or $3 off every 30. Now it looks more interesting. I think I will get a San Martin or Cronos green Sub.
@@Sicarius888 you need to have the app. They mark it clear, they even show you the sales price over current sale price in the cart. So you see the immediate discount, and if it qualifies for the 3/30 discount when the sale happens. Ali also gives a few extra coupons like 10 off 100. Gary also has his store coupons for an extra 5 in the description. So you will be able to stack a really big discount on a few items. During the last sale I think I got the v3 San Martin for like 167 total, taxes included.
Gary, I love you brother, but on all the bronze watches, you are missing the absolute best, which is the Chrono's Turtle. $40 less than the San Martan Abalone but with a PT5000 instead of the NH35 and less than $300 with an SW200. It is a monster deal. www.aliexpress.com/item/4000296913162.html
Just passionate about great value watches and videos like this help because you can't go to a shop to see these watches so getting the opinions of people who have had hands on experience helps....
