Great review! I can see your clasp is not central on your wrist. One thing I would recommend is to keep the same number of links but move one (or maybe even 2) from the 6 o'clock side to the 12 o'clock side. The clasp will sit flatter on the wrist and you may even be able to remove a link and expand the micro-adjust. In the past I've always made both sides the same but found recently that always making the 6 o'clock side shorter increases comfort and stops the watch head sliding around the wrist so readily.
This guy gets it! I've seen/heard many people saying to have the same number of links on each side - but I could never do that. I've got a couple of bracelets with 2 more on one side than the other to get the clasp sitting nicer. But I guess it maybe depends on the shape of your arm and mine's a bit weird...
I have a similar "issue" with my SM on a similarly sized wrist (17cm/~6.7 in). It's not as pronounced because I only have their current double-pusher clasp which is shorter than the on-the-fly adjustable one. I think the problem is that they don't include half-links with their bracelets - at least my SM didn't come with any. All the other oyster-style bracelets I own do have half-links and I've had no problem finding a more centered position for the clasp on those. With the SM, I tried playing around with the links but when I adjust the bracelet to shift the clasp's position, it'll just end up sitting too far off-center to the other side. I even went and measured the position and it's pretty much exactly half a link off a "perfectly" centered position on the wrist. It's not a huge deal with this clasp - based on this video, I'd say it's more noticeable with the longer on-the-fly clasp.
You're absolutely correct about SM's propensity to manufacture watches with sharp edges on the bottom of the case. I bought this watch in stainless steel at the same time I bought the 'Pelagos' homage from Octopus (which I absolutely love, BTW). The Octo-10 has beveled edges on the bottom... simply brilliant, and guess who does the same thing? Yep, Tudor on the Pelagos. Between this and the light-weight of the titanium, the Octo virtually disappears on my wrist. I would hope San Martin takes my hint, because I really love their watches (I own 5 of them). Keep up the good work!
Thank you! I just saved $230 bucks! I had your video on the background while putting things away but as the review went to talk about cons, I listened closer and closer, no wonder you're the realest! Great job man, I appreciate it.
Very detailed review about what appears to be a perfect design for me. I really like the Octopus Kraken 39 titanium Pelagos homage and that one is the one to go for if you want a close copy, but the date and the matte dial really appeals to me. So keen on getting one of these. The only thing I'd miss is perhaps the PT5000 movement.
Great video! I bought the Seestern version of this watch because it came out first but I think I like this watch better. It definitely has a better clasp. I did buy the San Martin SN0111T in grade 5 Titanium. Amazing color to that Titanium. It looks like Stainless Steel. I do agree with you on the sharp case edges on San Martin's. They really do need to fix that.
I hear you on the sharpness at the inset of the bracelet. If it’s a beater watch like this; you take a Dremel w/ a buffing wheel of medium density & run it along both sides of the inner links to the bracelet … absolutely works w/ zero marring of the finish.
You're right about the sharpness, if I take it off and put on a decent quality watch, it's like taking off hob nail boots and putting on trainers. I have this watch in SS, that's sharp too. Why not put the price up £20/£30 and sort the rough finish out. Overall, for the money, San Martin produce OK watches. They could be so much better though with a little attention to detail. Good review, thanks.
I don’t understand how they continue to overlook the sharpness problem. Their case finishing is top notch. Punching well above their price point. But the bracelet sharpness is something they should have resolved by now.
I have a Rolex Seadweller (bought new from an AD) that is sharp on the 9'o'clock under edge of the case and the ends of the lugs. It's just how they finish their cases.
Very detailed look at the pro's and cons of the watch. I have the SS model in Black bought it within days of its release I was so excited to have a Pelagos homage this good. I prefer the blue but wanted it as a pure tool watch and have several blue dial watches. Great shade of blue its better IMHO than Tudors. The black execution is superb - the dial color and matt bezel match perfectly. I find the bracelet better than past SM watches with less sharpness and polished sides but its not the same as a other mid priced watches. Also as you point out I get wear marks between the end link and bracelet and near adjustable clasp - both of which shouldn't happen given its on half of their watches now. SM should really invest a bit more time and effort and get this oyster style nailed given its on 3/4 of their divers. I will order the fitted rubber strap for the watch and likely rock that most of the time.
I’m tempted to get the black one, maybe in SS. It’s such a well proportioned watch. When the original Tudor Pelagos was released, I could never imagine a homage this good with a smaller case size would be available in Titanium and Steel! You are bang on about the San Martin oyster bracelets. They are lacking some minor details that could refine their brand. I would say sharpness, half links and improve the clasp and it’s a winner. Even their jubilee is more comfortable and fits this case.
So many people think that titanium is some sort of "metal of the gods" when really it is fairly humble as an element and not precious. Though being stronger than steel but much lighter, very corrosion resistant and hypoallergenic is pretty special.
The shade of the blue and matt treatment is top notch! Matches so well with titanium metal. I don't mind the crispness (sharpness) of the bracelets. Toughen up princess :P
You’re bezel doesn’t look that smooth. mine did varie when it arrived some times it was good and then occasionally it got sticky then was ok again. I spun mine around a bit and that did improve it a little but I resorted to wearing it in the shower and span it while it was being soaked and now it’s pretty good. My crown is really gritty but it’s getting better. The bracelet is very wobbly but was very easy to change links. My on the fly adjustment works fine, it’s the only part that I interact with that hasn’t got issues. It is sharp but I don’t consider that an issue. Basically it feels like they don’t do any qc but it’s very well made for the money. I bought it because I’ve wanted a smaller pelogos but I really don’t like tudors baby pelogos.
Re "gritty" crowns. In my experience this is a commonly stated complaint against many mechanical watches but what most have not figured out is this: The watch is winding when you screw it in!
I have both, and actually the Tudor is sharper. The 12 o'clock side of the clasp can be used as a weapon/knife/cutter. This San Martin for external execution is comparable to the Tudor, of course the movement is another planet. Oh, the hands lume is better in the San Martin.
You don’t push the pusher to close up the bracelet adjustment. I call it operator error on you operating the clasp. Just hold between your finger and thumb and push the “press” and bracelet out at the same time with your thumb. 👍
For closing the adjustment, your right about pushing the bracelet back into the clasp without pressing the button. But for extending the bracelet, it is difficult to press the button as it does not depress much and it feels gritty as the links move out of the clasp. Thanks for the comment!
The models with GA at the end have the Tudor Pelagos 42 style of notched chapter ring. GB has the simple, Tudor Pelagos 39 style chapter ring. The models with T are Titanium material.
Yes, it does feel a bit sharp around the edges. It can get uncomfortable over the course of the day. It’s not as bad as their Stainless steel bracelets. However, my main concern is that I’m unable to get a good fit using the adjustable clasp. It’s either too loose or too tight. It needs a half link to provide better adjustment range.
i think the Heimdallr is grade 5 Ti. i am CONVINCED that all the chinese watches claiming to vbe made from grade 2 like my Thorn or this SM, are, in reality aluminium with a Ti oxide PVD finish. Ti is really really really difficult to polish. the SM and my thorn are polished which aluminium with a PVD IS easy to polish. YMMV.
I don’t have a Tudor to compare. However, I have seen some very scratched up Tudors on the forums. I don’t have any reason to believe this SM will not scratch up like other Titanium watches. The only Ti watch that has really impressed me in terms of scratch resistance has been the new Citizen Challenge Diver. I have been wearing it daily for several months and it’s barely showing any scratches.
The San Martin Ti "Pelagos" watches are grade 2 Ti alloy, the same as Tudor, which surprised me as grade 5 is considered the best. The Tudor version by all accounts scratches fairly easily too.
Just got mine, and boy does it ever have sharp edges, even on the coinage, it's ridiculous! But then I have yet to receive an Aliexpress watch (10 and counting) without sharp edges that needed filing or sanding down to make them bearable to wear. My copy also has double male links that fit loose on their pins; plus, one of the end links is a tad too long, binding against the next link. Its bezel action is very loose, with lots of play and tinny-sounding clicks, my $60 cheaper Cronos sub homage is way better in this regard. Brushing and polishing are top-notch though, and the bezel insert and dial are perfectly centered. This is going to replace my Cronos as my daily grind watch because I prefer the lightness of titanium watches, but my Cronos is a better-made watch and a better value, even when compared against the SS version of this San Martin.
Thank you for the video. If you’re willing to accept some feedback about your video, presentations, speaking, etc. I’ll offer it. Go back and listen to your inflection of many sentences. Particularly at the end of each sentence. A high percentage of your statements sound like questions. This isn’t a big deal, but something that when translating to presentations and job interviews may be frowned upon.
Yes, you can perform a specific gravity test but there is no point really, it's not exactly a precious metal. Here's how it's done, this is for silver but the test is the same for all metals. You will need also to find a chart of the SG for metals incl Ti: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TeXl5Qurqik.html
No it isn't. I have a number of them and they are excellent VFM. The only issue is that there are some slight variations in the NH35 movement but 9 times out of 10 they can be regulated to within COSC parameters.
