This is SM's openning volley in becoming a real microbrand. CW has priced me out of their models, but I think I found a new value leader for exceptionally well specced value for price watches.
San Martin has posted today that they are looking at releasing colour matching tropical straps to fit these. They have also confirmed that the next colours will be brown and gold and black and white ones planned later down the line.
I assume my San Martin SN004 L.E was peak display of their skills. Yet they refine even further, offering a higher end bracelet and an improved tool-free rapid adjust clasp complete with chamfers to negate sharpness. Kudos, San Martin and team 🔥 👏
It is a nice looking GADA watch, that $40 discount is super, and that bracelet is Wow! However, I already have several GADA watches and to add another to the collection is financially not smart. I think I might have finally eliminated that watch collecting bug that bit me years ago. 😲
It's definitely not a homage, I purchased it on pre-order without the benefit of seeing a review, but when I received the watch I was pleased with my purchase. Totally agree with the main points you have made concerning finishing and QC excellent in my opinion.
This looks like one of their best so far! Now if they can just do something similar but in a smaller case I might finally get one. The use of the 9015 and the engraved case back are great improvements.
Ordered mine last week from the German warehouse as I live in France. Got a discount and then because they are swamped with orders they gave me a further 15 euros off. Should get it inside 2 weeks and am very excited to see it and enjoy wearing it.
the dial and bracelet are fire.. the bracelet puts grand seiko bracelet to shame.. that's definitely competing against a good number of watches including jody's erebus ascent if you like brushed finishing.
@@mintywebb actually san martin has the same machines that grand seiko uses to finish their watches, San Martin made a GS diver before with almost the exact same quality and finishing of GS, someone who owns a GS did a side by side macro for macro shot and showed how close the quality was. However, SM hasn't continued to make bracelets like that, they were 300 dollar watches and no one bought them.
This looks really good! Reminds me of a Christopher Ward more than an Oyster Perpetual. Glad to see them branching further away from copy watches and that other original design they've milked dry.
That is a very nice looking watch. I wonder how original it is? I still have a little problem with brands producing only copies of more famous originals.
I have one of the San Martin watches that is similar to this one. I absolutely HATE that the largest portion of the bezel is brushed and not polished. I think on the watch you have here in this video, it looks ok, but I have the one that is a homage with snowflake hands and it just kills me. Thankfully I've been able to re-sell it on Chrono. Thanks for the video, Ben!
It sounds as if your life is pretty good if this is your predominant concern. Try thinking about the problems that the people in Palestine are currently suffering, in part, because of our governments actions! It might just help you to get things in perspective!
Looks nice, agree about the logo, I've always hated it. Wish Citizen would hurry up and use the 9000 series Miyota in their watches, they do great dials thay get copied a lot.
Those dials are different. Different inspiration too, SM isn't shying away from their inspiration, Chinese ceramic bowl-making. This pattern is different as it looks like the ceramics finishing of high end Chinese plates. The other dials are from nature and have a more rugged and textured finishing.
@@gilbertoflores7397 I know, but that was where my thoughts went. Heck, there are some Jianzhen pottery designs that looks very close to Straum's Jan Mayen Basalt Radiant Mist dials. Just look for those Jianzhen pottery with spotted patterns with a black background.
Hey Ben I noticed you opened your package with scissors. I'd just like to let you know that you're not a legitimate TH-camr unless you open your packages with a several hundred dollar combat knife (which you bought exclusively for opening packages). Hopefully you'll reconsider this for your next unboxing video so that you may finally become a legitimate TH-camr unboxer. Thank you.
If Seiko made this it would have Hardlex, not sapphire pressed links and cost $600. “oh but Hardlex is better than..NO, NO it’s not-Hardlex is not as sought after as real sapphire. Stop it already.
@@mparti9814 literally every SM video has people complaining about the logo and they had a new mock up made up that they had people voting on like a year ago, they can afford to change it and gain way more customers
Agreed. The applied one is the worst. I’ve got a BB54 homage and the logo is like a giant shiny wart on the dial. Almost makes me want to sell an otherwise great watch.
I don't like the colour gamut on this particular series. Turquoise: always thought about it as more of a female colour. Brown orange ? Nah. Red fumee? Maybe.. if you are already covered with all other classic colours. I think the design is fantastic, but those candy teenage lolipop colours are a categoric pass for me.
Edit: Seiko wouldn't charge thousands because this isn't even Jian Zhan porcelain it's fake made to look like it. You're right Seiko would charge you thousands - because their dials are actually difficult and expensive to make (flinque enamel) as opposed to clay pottery featured in this watch. Please don't conflate cheap clay pots with artisan enamel techniques and pretend like they are the same.
@@pk1342 let's stop comparing dial-wise. Without the dial, wouldn't seiko charge more than 1k with this level of finishing and a very good lookin bracelet?
@@nono-jj4yv any major brand other than a Chinese factory brand would charge over $1000 for this. That being said the dial and finishing are no better than a sharp edge (which is under 1000), but the bracelet is obviously better on the SM The video title is just shameless clickbait
@@CanadianEhHole yes exactly... it's specifically targeted to bring out the Seiko haters and therefore clicks. Ask yourself - why not certina, why not Hamilton, why not longines, why not citizen? It is clickbait. Deal with it.
I think Saint Martin should lean way more into their Chinese heritage. What´s holding them back rn is imho their logo and generic name. I mean look at that watch, it´s so damn beautiful but I would never buy one. I you ask me they could so easily become the Chinese Seiko with some clever marketing.
Can’t beat gold polished Roman numerals that sparkle like jewels in the sunlight. Loving the sun ray dial man that pops!AMZWATCH watches. What a beautiful subtle piece.
Great watch. Click baity title though. You can get Seiko watches like this for about $600. I picked up a sharp edge which is comparable in good condition for $450.
@@davidc3903 l literally said it in my post. I've owned many of both. The comment was directed at the click bait title. Thousands, plural. EveN of you think I'm too low. Ill revise my number to $1000. My point stands
No seiko at 1K USD can give you this kind of finishing. Seikos clasp is shit bro!! Show me your 600 USD Seiko clasp and bracelet, we we will laugh together with you. 😂
Don’t buy one then. Thousands of others will, and be happy with a great product.
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@@goldfools5445 Not saying otherwise, thats why I only talked about me ;). Don't be mad cause someone doesn't like their logo thats a copy not well done from another brand :)
I am not mad at anyone. If you don’t like the logo that’s your prerogative. There are lots of things about certain watches or other products I don’t like. I don’t feel compelled to tell everyone about them though.
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@@goldfools5445 Oh cool, sounded kind of mad, of course this watches are going to sell well, cause they have awesome quality for your money. I really like them, sad that I can't stand that logo :(
@@goldfools5445 Except your comment came off as extremely catty, which it was. The point of a comment section is precisely to comment about the video and things within the video, which they did.... the F are you supposed to talk about here if not for that.
This dial isnt even made of jian zhan porcelain. Seiko would never charge thosands for a fake dial. So please stop with the slanderous clickbait titles. Parrots are already copying your phrase in other videos
Watch makers who don't cater to us lefties, I don't respect anyway. If they did, then I'd give'em the benefit of a doubt. Everything else, I can deal with later. Which is why I bought a Hamilton ⌚️. And though there's some issues with their watches, the issues were miniscule in comparison and it was overlooked because I felt as though at least HAMILTON understood. Why should I wear a watch on my non-dominant ✋🏾 hand and the crown is on the right side of the watch⁉️👎🏾 Hey... You right-handers use your ⌚️ to tell time. We lefties use our ⏱️ to tell YOU... "How VALUABLE Our Time Is"‼️ Every time I see a watch with that crown on tne right instead of the left, then I'll just pass it by indicating to the watch makers to umm... "Try HARDER‼️👎🏾👎🏾 🫵🏾🧔🏾♂️
San Martin is now being sold through Islander Watch.
Congratulations to Marc 🎉
It's going to be a great seller for him.
*But Long Island Watch does not have this model...* *_(yet?)_*
But this watch is not available. Plus the pricing seems more expensive than usual
This is SM's openning volley in becoming a real microbrand.
CW has priced me out of their models, but I think I found a new value leader for exceptionally well specced value for price watches.
San Martin, please release a version with the same dial texture/effect but in green. I will throw my money at you.
Don't. It's chinese.
You know what the joke is?
For once it's not a Seiko movement but Miyota, and that actually makes the watch a lot better by being tinner.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Christopher Martin!
San Martin has posted today that they are looking at releasing colour matching tropical straps to fit these. They have also confirmed that the next colours will be brown and gold and black and white ones planned later down the line.
I assume my San Martin SN004 L.E was peak display of their skills. Yet they refine even further, offering a higher end bracelet and an improved tool-free rapid adjust clasp complete with chamfers to negate sharpness. Kudos, San Martin and team 🔥 👏
It is a nice looking GADA watch, that $40 discount is super, and that bracelet is Wow! However, I already have several GADA watches and to add another to the collection is financially not smart. I think I might have finally eliminated that watch collecting bug that bit me years ago. 😲
This is the first Aliexpress watch in a long time that I'm actually interested in .👌
It's definitely not a homage, I purchased it on pre-order without the benefit of seeing a review, but when I received the watch I was pleased with my purchase.
Totally agree with the main points you have made concerning finishing and QC excellent in my opinion.
Exact Same movement used in Grand Seiko watches.
This looks amazing, I'm looking forward to more dial colours. Green, white, black, maybe even gold or silver.
This looks like one of their best so far! Now if they can just do something similar but in a smaller case I might finally get one. The use of the 9015 and the engraved case back are great improvements.
The writing on the back of the watch is “San Martin” written in Chinese
It’s a Chinese company - what is your point?
Thanks for the info. Good to know if somebody asks me. "Made by San Martin".
I need a gray/white dial version and I'm sold.
Ordered mine last week from the German warehouse as I live in France. Got a discount and then because they are swamped with orders they gave me a further 15 euros off. Should get it inside 2 weeks and am very excited to see it and enjoy wearing it.
It looks like they've raised the price on this. When I click bens link, its 353 with 40 off making it a bit over 300
probably in advance of 11.11 so they can say they discounted it more than they actually did. Seems to happen across the board on ali
Pounds vs Dollars.
In my country prices were way higher. AliExpress also takes the local taxes in the price. VAT in my country is 25%.
the dial and bracelet are fire.. the bracelet puts grand seiko bracelet to shame.. that's definitely competing against a good number of watches including jody's erebus ascent if you like brushed finishing.
Only someone who has never touched a Grand Seiko could possibly think that.
@@mintywebb actually san martin has the same machines that grand seiko uses to finish their watches, San Martin made a GS diver before with almost the exact same quality and finishing of GS, someone who owns a GS did a side by side macro for macro shot and showed how close the quality was. However, SM hasn't continued to make bracelets like that, they were 300 dollar watches and no one bought them.
SM is rumored to produce the erebus.
Erebus is shit bro. 😂
@@mintywebb come on, gs bracelet are poor in their price range
I would love it if they made this with a polished bezel and a lacquer or enamel dial to make it a real go anything do anything watch
San martin please make a 36mm watch with miyota 9000
yes, the ladies love watches too!!
@@rickhammel9541 Tucker Carlson watch is 36
I think they confirmed on another TH-cam video of theirs that there is a 42mm and 36mm version currently being produced. I myself would love a 36mm.
@@rickhammel9541as a man at age of 37, i will buy a 36 mm version of the same watch. Its the classic dress watch size.
I just bought the 36mm in red, can't wait for it to arrive!
Im buying the orange one 11/11 but why male end links?
36mm version is so perfectl
Looks stunning.. Looking forward to your full review. Thanks for your great work!
This looks really good! Reminds me of a Christopher Ward more than an Oyster Perpetual. Glad to see them branching further away from copy watches and that other original design they've milked dry.
Thanks Ben, did you notice that the dial fades into a yellowish color towards the indices?
If it had female endlinks I think it would fit you a little better. That’s the only thing holding me back is I think it’s a little too big
Looks really good on your wrist for a 38+ mm watch
This is insane. That dial with a Miyota 9-series under 300 is actually ridiculous
I would like a deep black enamel dial for a go anywhere watch
San martin you sly dog. I’ll go get my wallet…
That is a very nice looking watch. I wonder how original it is? I still have a little problem with brands producing only copies of more famous originals.
This model is an original but they have a bunch of homages in their catalog
If you don't know and can't find out what you think it might or might not be a "copy" of, then it's not a copy is it
As a broke boy and actual enthusiast who wants watch’s prices to crater, MAMACOO is a good choice.
Hi Ben, just tried to use your discount code on their UK site and it wasn’t accepted. Any thoughts? Don
I believe the promo code is for the official AliExpress store.
@@coinbird44 many thanks, just tried that also without success
That blue on dial looks a little too bright / tacky.
In a british racing green and a little smaller id be interested
I have one of the San Martin watches that is similar to this one. I absolutely HATE that the largest portion of the bezel is brushed and not polished. I think on the watch you have here in this video, it looks ok, but I have the one that is a homage with snowflake hands and it just kills me. Thankfully I've been able to re-sell it on Chrono. Thanks for the video, Ben!
So why did you buy it?
It sounds as if your life is pretty good if this is your predominant concern. Try thinking about the problems that the people in Palestine are currently suffering, in part, because of our governments actions! It might just help you to get things in perspective!
Looks like the GOT’s TV series’ Night King, reborn as a watch, somehow.
Looks nice, agree about the logo, I've always hated it. Wish Citizen would hurry up and use the 9000 series Miyota in their watches, they do great dials thay get copied a lot.
Same dial as a diver and I’m in!
I got the SN0129, and one of my gripe is the lume. This one having the same slim indices I guess it will have the same issue.
very nice … just wish their hand set has more facets, which shall give better depth commenauate with the rest of the watch 🤔
Would love to hear your thoughts on a Militado D12 or the ML07
Truly the only downside is the handset. Still don’t love how big the second hand is. Otherwise gorgeous
I actually love that - and the way they have embraced their country's heritage. It gives the watch an authentic and distinctive identity.
Esa CE no es un certificado de cumplir normas de la Comunidad Europea sino que significa China Export.
The dial looks awesome but having seen the Straum Jan Mayen models all I can think off are damn, nice Straum dials!
Those dials are different. Different inspiration too, SM isn't shying away from their inspiration, Chinese ceramic bowl-making. This pattern is different as it looks like the ceramics finishing of high end Chinese plates. The other dials are from nature and have a more rugged and textured finishing.
@@gilbertoflores7397 I know, but that was where my thoughts went. Heck, there are some Jianzhen pottery designs that looks very close to Straum's Jan Mayen Basalt Radiant Mist dials. Just look for those Jianzhen pottery with spotted patterns with a black background.
Dial and indexes look wonderful, not a fan of the handset though I have to say!
I want to buy a purple dial san martin same series dial watch. But In Indai Aliexpress is banned.
Hey Ben I noticed you opened your package with scissors. I'd just like to let you know that you're not a legitimate TH-camr unless you open your packages with a several hundred dollar combat knife (which you bought exclusively for opening packages).
Hopefully you'll reconsider this for your next unboxing video so that you may finally become a legitimate TH-camr unboxer.
Thank you.
so true. Im here for several hundred dollar combat knives though. Especially if the only use they see is opening packages!
That's true, Seiko would charge $$$.
Citizen 1050 hommage
I want this dial in silver or dark gray. This is such a nice watch but all the colors are too bright.
That is an anordain style porcelain dial.
If Seiko made this it would have Hardlex, not sapphire pressed links and cost $600. “oh but Hardlex is better than..NO, NO it’s not-Hardlex is not as sought after as real sapphire. Stop it already.
I think it looks great on your wrist, just embrace the bigger size
It's a €400 watch, not a $300 (€280).
Ben, can you say something?
Seiko would definitely not charge you thousands...
Like the dial but not sure I’m sold on it
Think I want the bracelet more than the watch...
Tempted by this one. I'm not sure about this handset they keep using tbh, looks a bit cheap compared to the rest of the watch
I mean at this point why not
cmon SM, just change your logo already
People accepted the logo.. We look for more better and OG designs now.
@@mparti9814 literally every SM video has people complaining about the logo and they had a new mock up made up that they had people voting on like a year ago, they can afford to change it and gain way more customers
Logo sucks. CW finally got a nice logo after so many complaints.
Agreed. The applied one is the worst. I’ve got a BB54 homage and the logo is like a giant shiny wart on the dial. Almost makes me want to sell an otherwise great watch.
@@viperlt86same. Not a fan of logo on sn0138 at all
But then it would say Seiko on it not Ali baba.
Seiko do not make it though, its a Chinese San Martin 🙄
MAMACOO！Every time you exhibit one of these watches I become super tempted to get one.
anyone up for making a watch brand called Psycho?
You sounds like ben's watch club🤦♂️
Ben, is that you? Ben……
I don't like the colour gamut on this particular series. Turquoise: always thought about it as more of a female colour. Brown orange ? Nah. Red fumee? Maybe.. if you are already covered with all other classic colours. I think the design is fantastic, but those candy teenage lolipop colours are a categoric pass for me.
In reality the orange is very orange with a slight fume around the edges.
Edit: Seiko wouldn't charge thousands because this isn't even Jian Zhan porcelain it's fake made to look like it.
You're right Seiko would charge you thousands - because their dials are actually difficult and expensive to make (flinque enamel) as opposed to clay pottery featured in this watch.
Please don't conflate cheap clay pots with artisan enamel techniques and pretend like they are the same.
Seikos clasp and bracelet are shame.. Also 1k USD Seiko isnt high beat mvmt.
@@pk1342 let's stop comparing dial-wise. Without the dial, wouldn't seiko charge more than 1k with this level of finishing and a very good lookin bracelet?
@@nono-jj4yv any major brand other than a Chinese factory brand would charge over $1000 for this. That being said the dial and finishing are no better than a sharp edge (which is under 1000), but the bracelet is obviously better on the SM
The video title is just shameless clickbait
@@pk1342 Is it clickbait? You just admitted any major brand would charge over $1000 for this exact same watch...
@@CanadianEhHole yes exactly... it's specifically targeted to bring out the Seiko haters and therefore clicks. Ask yourself - why not certina, why not Hamilton, why not longines, why not citizen?
It is clickbait. Deal with it.
I think Saint Martin should lean way more into their Chinese heritage. What´s holding them back rn is imho their logo and generic name. I mean look at that watch, it´s so damn beautiful but I would never buy one. I you ask me they could so easily become the Chinese Seiko with some clever marketing.
Very, very pretty, and a great value.! Just still has that unfortunate, ugly, logo that is keeping me from buying their watches.
🔥
If Seiko made this it would actually have heritage and soul
🙄
Can’t beat gold polished Roman numerals that sparkle like jewels in the sunlight. Loving the sun ray dial man that pops!AMZWATCH watches. What a beautiful subtle piece.
300 dollars for a chinese watch? 🤣 Whatever they're huffing must be good!
Not with fake miyota movement.
New friend here sending may full suppor MAMACOO 's watch，Worth
Great watch. Click baity title though. You can get Seiko watches like this for about $600. I picked up a sharp edge which is comparable in good condition for $450.
Where?
I’m curious what $1000 Seiko watches that you have handled that can match this SM. I haven’t
Why don’t you compare new to new?
@@davidc3903 l literally said it in my post. I've owned many of both. The comment was directed at the click bait title. Thousands, plural. EveN of you think I'm too low. Ill revise my number to $1000. My point stands
No seiko at 1K USD can give you this kind of finishing. Seikos clasp is shit bro!! Show me your 600 USD Seiko clasp and bracelet, we we will laugh together with you. 😂
Auto pass 😂😂😂
They need to fix that logo, its horrid, until then, cant buy one :/
Don’t buy one then. Thousands of others will, and be happy with a great product.
@@goldfools5445 Not saying otherwise, thats why I only talked about me ;). Don't be mad cause someone doesn't like their logo thats a copy not well done from another brand :)
I am not mad at anyone. If you don’t like the logo that’s your prerogative.
There are lots of things about certain watches or other products I don’t like.
I don’t feel compelled to tell everyone about them though.
@@goldfools5445 Oh cool, sounded kind of mad, of course this watches are going to sell well, cause they have awesome quality for your money. I really like them, sad that I can't stand that logo :(
@@goldfools5445 Except your comment came off as extremely catty, which it was.
The point of a comment section is precisely to comment about the video and things within the video, which they did.... the F are you supposed to talk about here if not for that.
This dial isnt even made of jian zhan porcelain. Seiko would never charge thosands for a fake dial. So please stop with the slanderous clickbait titles. Parrots are already copying your phrase in other videos
Watch makers who don't cater to us lefties, I don't respect anyway. If they did, then I'd give'em the benefit of a doubt. Everything else, I can deal with later. Which is why I bought a Hamilton ⌚️. And though there's some issues with their watches, the issues were miniscule in comparison and it was overlooked because I felt as though at least HAMILTON understood. Why should I wear a watch on my non-dominant ✋🏾 hand and the crown is on the right side of the watch⁉️👎🏾 Hey... You right-handers use your ⌚️ to tell time. We lefties use our ⏱️ to tell YOU... "How VALUABLE Our Time Is"‼️ Every time I see a watch with that crown on tne right instead of the left, then I'll just pass it by indicating to the watch makers to umm... "Try HARDER‼️👎🏾👎🏾 🫵🏾🧔🏾♂️
👌🙄
You sounds like ben's watch club🤦♂️