People often scoff at Chinese quality but just compare any of these watches (or the watches from the last video) with the MoonSwatch people were lined up for. I actually find it kind of insulting that Swatch feels they can offer so little spec wise . Also the unserviceable sistem 51 type movements are creeping into Tissots too. Quality is out of fashion or something?
From what I could find moonswatch are made in La Chaux-de-Fonds, CH. so it looks like these are Swiss made. However Swatch fully achieved their goal with these moonswatches, with maybe low profit but definitely won on marketing
No, but these Chinese "Homage" watches are just are as close to being legal fakes as they are allowed to produce. Until they start making watches from thier own designs, people will treat them as such.
Quite right quality is down to quality control and specifications, doesn’t matter where it is made. Unserviceable movements are nothing to with quality, sustainability though is a different matter….
I never really considered buying a San Martin in the past, but the Explorer, Ranger and Patek clone are admittedly beautiful. I really like the Bell & Ross lookalike and I really like the original of theirs. I'm still saving towards a grail, but I'd consider the Patek. I'll never be able to own it. (If I somehow did and bought it, it's wrist time would be limited, as my wife would murder me after learning of the cost).
Just purchased & received No:5 and it's one of the few instances when I've purchased a watch that's it actually looks better in person than online.Thanks once again Jody. Keep up the good work.
No contest on FM, as I'm pretty sure the only reason it's got hype behind it it because of watch industry backscratching, but there is a difference between taking design cues from other watches (if no one could do that pretty much 80% of watches would disappear) and making one that seems only 'inspired' by a single model. Not a big fan of Bulova in general but many of their reissues are just bigger, uglier versions of Bulovas from the past. I've got no dog in the fight anyways, as long as they don't make straight up counterfeits SM can make the watches they want and people can wear them and it doesn't bother me.
@@peanutarbuckle2879 oh so that’s how it works !! So the Bulova Super seville just takes design cues from the Rolex day date, I mistakenly thought it was the same exact watch. The Baltic HMS is very different than the Longines as well, I see. It’s just very hilarious how people make up excuses and work arounds backed up by the watch industry blogs and websites. The irony is in the double standards. But I wish I cared as much as these people do.
@@Itsmemulder Wow, I've never seen that Bulova before. That's pretty bad, but it's also been out of production for almost 30 years and comes from an era where half the watches on the market were Rolex copies, but cheaper and usually quartz. Context matters. Longines did not invent the sector dial, it was a style of watch that was very popular in the interwar period. Plenty of examples across history including JLC, Omega etc. I think there's even a number of PP Calatravas with white/silver sector dials. The HMS is different enough from all of the above that I wouldn't call it a copy. Again I'm not upset. Even the so called Longines San Martin copy is to me different enough that I wouldn't call it a copy, just inspired by. Enjoy what you enjoy, friend. Who am I to tell you what to enjoy?
I have an updated SN0107-G-X in 36mm with BGW-9 and no fauxtina. It’s absolutely fantastic. It wears a little bigger, than 36mm suggests, but if anyone is in the market for an explorer style watch I can’t recommend it enough. I’m very happy with the NH35 in it. Low cost and high reliability is always a plus. Great go anywhere do anything tool watch. The finishing is spectacular, bracelet excellent, and sapphire gorgeous. You can’t go wrong with it
San Martin's quality may be well above average, but the prices also follow. An example, watch #8 you’ve reviewed (SN067) in Portugal it costs €265. For that amount I prefer to buy a Seestern whose price is below €100 or a Pagani Design whose difference in some cases is more than €120. I agree, the San Martin can even have a better finish but it is still a homage watch and that doesn't justify the difference between other brands, in my opinion.
Number 9, the Ranger style SNO107 is in my cart. Love that dial perfect size. I do very much like that vintage pilot watch. Those blue hands and simple design is sweet.
Ive got a couple San Martin’s. Amazing quality for the price....my only problem with SM is that once you order a watch a new updated version is released right after 😂 .... and sometimes i like the features or looks of a prior version but then its no longer available.
Nice selection Jody but can't help noticing the prices which are becoming very non Aliexpress sale level. I suppose with the finish and quality that you get with San Martin it's to be exected. So many choices to spend the hard earned cash on. Great video as always Jody.👍⌚😎
If San Martin made a SMP 300 homage complete with scalloped bezel, wavy ceramic dial, red logo text, BGW9 on most parts except for C3 on the minute hand and lume pip, date at the 6, a 12 marker exactly like the SMP 300, and made it so there’s far less up/down bezel play, I would buy ten of them.
I like the Bell&Ross homage, with no date and second markers, maybe my second San Martin, the first was the salmon dial with jubilee bracelet, SN0050-G with the orient YN55.
The Bell & Ross homage is right up my alley. I have a small wrist though, so more research will be conducted. I love the BR 05 series though, that bracelet it just stunning. Like you though, I can’t justify paying $5000 for a B&R right now. Might be one for me in the future.
Sorry Jody, have to say my experience with the S M customer service has left me being very angry towards them. They’re not the best finished at all. I had nothing but trouble with it. Bezel out of alignment, cyclops off, screw pins wouldn’t budge and broke my small screwdriver, they sent a new bracelet, denying and ignoring the other issues, with factual photos showing all issues clearly, the end links wouldn’t fit into the lugs. I’m still fighting with them about it. They’re not all that at all! Don’t bother guys.
TETO, my experiences (2 SM watches) have both been good with no issues. My first one was from same store that Jody has linked, second one is from a direct store linked from WUS forums. No issues with either, so I did not have to deal with the customer service but I disagree about statement on the finish, they are very well finished. Sounds like you got a bad one.
I'm looking for a black explorer in 39mm oyster to replace my old Smiths Everest 40mm which I stupidly sold a few years ago. I have the Smiths Everest Expedition in 37mm in cream, the Sir Vivian Fuchs Commonwealth Trans Antarctic Expedition replica made by Timefactors which is wonderful, I want a black one but availability is tough and as a result the watches sell for 50% plus more on the 2nd hand market than they do from Timefactors. So that Tudor Ranger looks perfect
surprised by the lack of bronze options. They are really pushing out a lot of bronze case options lately, it seems. I have a Oris 65 homage from steeldrive and it's okay, but I really like the bronze case.
One watch that caught my eye (which Jody missed) is the SN029-G V2 - San Martin's dirty dozen homage. It's substantially discounted in the sales (£117), making it the cheaper than the non-discounted equivalent Baltany - and it's one of those customizable watches.
Maybe he didn't "missed" it, but didn't considered a good one. I personally find it awful, as it is a Franken mix of a unimatic case with a vintage field dial.
SM watch finishes are some of the best I've seen! They have lovely sharp transition lines and the polishing looks smik! Ive got a ver1 SN020-G3 and personally, I prefer the printed look better then raised. Cheers
Jody this question is for you or anyone? Just purchased the new Pagani Design GMT with the new Seiko NH34. Are the hands the same size as the NH35 movement. I would like to put a pair of snowflake hands on it. Tudor GMT/ Rolex look
I have a San Martin Titanium fleiger/pilot watch that I picked up a couple of years ago. So I know they've done titanium before. Maybe not grade 5, but it is titanium.
Cheers Jody! Amazing video as always! While you recommend the 39mm Explorer, what's your take on the 36mm version they have! Have my eyes on one! Cheers and all the best to you mate!
@@mattrwilkins Does your friend have the 19mm lug width version? Cause apparently if I order from Europe (where I live) I'll get a different version with a 19mm lgl
Myyyy gawwwd. How to choose? They are all amazing. I have the old Ranger and this is a real ringer. And the Tudor subbie with the aggressive bezel. They all are wonderful looking. I’m curious about the cost of the custom logo service. I’m betting that my hunting/ fishing group would buy in on this one. Wonder if the custom service would make a decent JOMW episode? A thought. From Mississippi- where I am delivering babies!
San Martin is a bit of a challenge… almost pricing itself above AliExpress but due to the homages is very unlikely to be carried by a high street jewellery shop, where it would do well…
Many thanks. I really like san martins, but the lack of replacement parts is a deal breaker. I have 62 mas like, and the glass just broke while was on my storage case!! No way to get a replacement glass, wich is the entire soul of this watch. I tried on alyexpres San Martín store, and they ask me a picture but then disappeared.
Also here no bargains anymore from San Martin. Real bargains years ago. In EU it is a few hundred more expensive. The time that I have bought San Martins, is already several years ago.
I hope you don't mind Jody, but I indexed this Vid for you. 1. SN0027 1:46 Titanium Non-homage 2. SN006 3:19 Tudor Submariner 3. SN0101 5:03 Vintage Patek Philippe 4. SN0026. 6:35 Non-homage GMT 5. SN0105 8:17 Longines Heritage Military 6. SN020. 9:49 Rolex Explorer 7. SN0074 11:36 Pale blue Bell & Ross 8. SN067 13:32 Doxa 600T 9. SN0107 14:56 Tudor Ranger 10. SN0065 16:47 Panerai Radiomir California Dial
Over 250 $ I can easily buy a very nice Seiko or Citizen with great specs. Plus serious brand name and worldwide guarantee. Must be idiot to spend over 250 $ for a Chinese clone watch without any service behind. Doesn’t matter how shiny or square it is. It’s still just a Chinese clone and nobody wants it on the second hand market except you sell it for a quarter of it’s initial price. No surprise San Martin uses Jody to motivate potential customers. Looks like they do not sell their watches in volume any more.
The elephant in the room with San Martin is that the day they wants make original designs they dragging the stigma of copycat brand and the people then thinking where is saving costs if they spending paying a designer.
Great! More copy watches. 😐 I think Jody is one of the best watch presenters/reviewers on YT but I can no longer tacitly support shilling for companies that generate profits off stolen designs. Reluctantly unsubscribing.
I know how much you like San Martin watches. I agree that they are beautiful watches and a terrific value, but I question their business practices and customer service. I purchased two Seagul ST3621 movements from them through AliExpress. They shipped out in a timely manor but there were problems with the delivery. The package would not clear customs because they declared a lower value than the actual package. I don't know about you, but I consider that fraud. They were, at first refusing to fix the problem they created, passing that responsibility off on me. It took quite a bit of back and forth to get them to accept responsibility and fix the problem they created. I feel that the company, although they make beautiful watches, are dishonest and have terrible customer service. To make matters worse, they shipped two incomplete ST3621 movements. They didn't include the hour wheel, dial washer and mounting hardware shown on Seagull's website. This makes the movements useless. I am asking you to consider my experience when recommending these watches. Please feel free to contact me for any additional information. By the way, I love your channel and have been subscribed for a few months.
God damn, I would love to be fine with owning knock-off watches. It would be so easy to get a good looking collection, but I presonally find it disrespectful to the original designers and just can’t convince myself. No judging, these watches obviously don’t really hurt anyone EDIT: No flex intended, I dont own all the Rolexes and even Longines watches in the world. Just an honest opinion
@@tempestandacomputer6951 Possible. Also don’t get me wrong, I don’t own hyper-luxury watches that I can simply afford, my most expensive one is under 1k$. I didn’t intend to flex
The problem isn’t with the quality of the watch it is the service. San Martin cannot be reached for issues then they drag it out until Ali Express steps in and drags it’s feet. I returned a watch 10 weeks ago and still haven’t been refunded. It is all “ it is in customs”. Well that is a you problem. I’m out a watch and the return shipping for the wrong watch. 🤦♂️
Yes, San Martin offers great quality for the money. However, their customer service does not live up to the relatively high prices they charge. If you have any issues with the watch, they won't stand behind it at all, and you'll be out quite a bit of money.
Top work there, time to grab a bargain in the sales and plenty of choice with the last 2x days vids. I don't have a San Martin as yet but the pressure is building. Great mini reviews.
I’m with you on the Ranger homage, I’ve been in love with the new Ranger every since I saw it but I thought I was the only one that liked it. According to most reviewers videos they said it was ugly! Can you believe that load of BS?
It's almost literally the only Tudor I've ever considered buying. In fact, I'd kiiiinda decided to actually start trying to budget for one, even though it isn't remotely a practical decision. But now there's one with functionally indestinguishable finishing, for 10% of the price? I face a dilemma!
@@unwokeneuropean3590 i have a vintage Citizen with an integrated bracelet design. It's a 32mm diameter, 40mm lug to lug and that one spoiled me. It wears amazingly well and I'd love to have modern equivalent
Excellent video. I’m a “middle of the road” type collector. Typically Tissot, & Swiss-made Invicta budget & quality. I have been intrigued by San Martin, since discovering this channel. You presented these watches thoughtfully & fairly. Much appreciated.
Just got the San Martin SN0107-G, great little watch, only problem, the band is too short, a common problem with Asian watches, need 24-25 cm, get only 19..., child sized :( and NO you cannot buy loose links :( So been trying for weeks now sending e-mails etc...customer service any one??? HOW HARD CAN IT BE??
My favourite? Definitely the SN0074-G. It's a bit different, in a nice way. The lack of minute markers give it a more relaxed vibe when you're not clock-watching. Yes please Santa🎅, I'll have one, thank you 👍
In the 50’s & 60’s everyone used to scoff at Japanese electronic components…. that is until the world realised that Japan were producing the best on the planet. I think the higher end Chinese mechanical watch movements are likewise underrated & undervalued. I have several in my collection & had no cause to regret any of the purchases. Sam Martin watches are themselves, becoming a name to be noticed. Some great choices here. Thanks Jody.
I wish more brands would try using the Seagull ST3600 which clones the ETA 6497. Beautiful handwind movement, built to last. Some Fliegers, Parnis' and Panerai homages out there but not enough brands are using it.
I just don't get it.They have machinery,movement's...they are making solid watches...why hommages? Is there no one in that firm who could desing something...jesus...employ someone...
Jebus San Martin, how many ETA clones you using. Hangzhou, PT5000, Segull ST. Just stick with S11 movements from Seiko, Or Miyota movements. Never had a epson movement watch. I have had bad luck with Chinese made ETA clones (not Swiss quality). If you want Swiss precision go with a Swiss made movement like Selitta, ETA (if you can find them), etc.
