Great comparison for both watches! I've ordered my San Martin. Though both divers, they each have their appeal. Steinhart does the sub case with crown guards really in a way that is well proportioned at 47 lug-to-lug. The San Martin version of the crown guard case is 49mm, making it wear larger, which my skinny wrist unfortunately can't accommodate. (lovely piece though) The San Martins also have the option to customise the dial! I did 2 watches with a custom dial for my partner and I, with hers using the SN021 (36mm explorer) and mine based on this SN004. Can't wait to get them. Thank you for your reviews. It was one of the many that helped solidify my decision to get the San Martin. You've got 2 great watches there, enjoy them both and keep well! :)
Not 100% sure about that. I find that my 39/40mm SM Tudor Pepsi GMT (case is 39mm, bezel is more like 40mm) sits on my 17 cm/6.7in wrist more comfortably than my Ocean 39 Steinharts. The SM probably is a slightly larger watch and its crystal/dial are 30mm where the Steinhart's are 28mm or so, but the Steinhart's case- and lug-shape mean that it looks and feels more like it's sitting on top of my wrist. The SM OTOH conforms a bit more to my wrist. Even my Ocean 39 with its flat crystal and height of around 13mm (same as the SM) doesn't sit as snugly on my arm as the San Martin. It probably also helps that, adjusted for me, the SM weighs around 10 grams less than my Ocean 39s (~135g vs ~145g). All in all, I think the only reason why I can pull off the 39mm Steinharts is because they are relatively small. I owned two 42mm Ocean Ones before and had to sell them on because with their case-shape and lugs, they looked like saucers on my arm. :)
I have the San Martin new model bronze diver with the PT5000 movement. It is a beautiful watch and keeps good time. The suede like strap is thick but supple and is very comfortable on wrist. A couple days ago I ordered an Erika`s strap in black with a sand stripe.
Great review! I have sold 2 Steinhart watches I had and bought San Martin and Ironwatch. Simple reason... thry are much better watches for less money. PT5000 works perfectly... actualy it is a clone of ETA and the parts are the same. The thing is watch needs to have original pt5000 movement from h.k precidion technology and san martin is using the right one. It is oiled and properly and does not sound like its broken when you wind it like it was a case in my Steinhart. Overal from my own exp. I woukd say it is much better watch than Steinhart and if it had swiss at the dial people would give 3x more money for it that they are asking...
Steinhart generally do a better job with the dial details and script, IMO. They seem to "get" the vibe the watch should give off and how many and what kind of elements there should be at the 12 and 6oc. I also think their fauxtina color is more convincing - SM's often looks too yellow and urinal-cake-y. Case in point: The new SM "Mil Sub" homage which simply uses some kind of standard dial design whereas Steinhart's OVM mimics the original's look much more closely. Plus the SM uses modern elements such as applied indices or a ceramic bezel insert - which don't really fit the whole Mil Sub look, IMO. Some of the Chinese brands still have to catch up when it comes to these small details. They do seem to catch on quickly though: On watchuseek SM have stated that they're looking at making more watches with aluminium bezel inserts.
Good review. Of course…..the Steiny is what……twice the price. My Steinhart is the 39 mm Ocean 1 Vintage GMT. I’ve had it for almost 2 years. Motor is Elabore grade ETA 2893-2. A 90 series ETA in a sub $800.00 USD watch….wow! And it really is a luxury watch to me. BTW…..300 M dive watch :-)
Both watches have their pros & cons. Just shows how difficult it is to choose. This is the downside to buying without trying on. The wearing experience may be completely different which would influence the decision.
First video I have seen from you and I have to say I think you scored these 2 watches very fair. Both companies are hitting well above there price point. Also agree with you on the pt5000. That movement has not proven itself yet being so new making the price on it a bit high. You sir have earned a subscriber. The name of your channel, I see what you did there
You picked the wrong San Martin to compare I would say. They make that same watch in a 369 dial like the Steinheart. I think that would have been more even a comparison.
You are rating the PT5000 way to low. It's actually an improvement over the ETA 2824. Watchmakers who have taken apart the movement say it lacks the hand winding issues of the ETA. Many users have reported accuracy within chronometer standard. That's no reason to get the sollita.
Kinda like pencil hand instead of the mercedes. What do you think, would it be a mistake? I guess it would be less popular if I would eventuallly sell it.
I actually prefer the pencil hands as well but there was no option when I ordered mine. I say go for it! I don’t think it will be the less popular version. People are getting tired of Mercedes hands
Wow the San Martin is 580€ for me and Steinhart still 530€ which one should I go for ? I prefer the design of the SM but the Steinhart is Swiss made and cheaper
That’s very strange that the San Martin has such a high price tag for you. Are you looking at the AliExpress listing from the San Martin Official Store? There is a version with the PT5000 movement for around $300 US, and a version with the Swiss made Sellita SW200 for around $450 US. I honestly prefer the San Martin. It has better build quality that the steinhart, at least this specific model does. The finishing is the best you’ll find at this price point, and the materials are all incredible quality. Both watches are really great though, so there’s no bad decision. It mostly comes down to whether you care that you’re wearing a Chinese watch. I personally don’t
HI: Steinhart says 100 meters WR on the dial NOT 300 meters so SM doubles that and is still much thinner. Reviewer uses that as excuse for Stein thickness but not true. Once you figure price into the equation, there is not much to recommend the Stein over the SM.
The face says 100m but the case back says 300m and the book says 300m and most any other Steinhart of this style is 300m. I read something about this but it was a while ago? Maybe the watch it pays homage to, only had 100m?
I think it only looks cheap because the color of the numbers on the bezel are just not the right shade of yellow. But overall it’s a phenomenal Watch. I’ve been very happy with mine. I’ve worn it more than anything else since I bought it
I just don't understand why people find Steinhart a good watch. It's all about looks from the top, the wearablillity is impossible with those flat lugs.
He said Steinhart was hard to find? Ordered mine on a Friday and received it Monday! Can you get a SM that fast?
The San Martin has yellowish markers before which matched the bezel well. When they went to white lume, they should have changed the bezel to match.
Nice thought-out comparison. I’m edging closer to the San Martin Retro Diver with each upgrade they bring out.
Great comparison for both watches! I've ordered my San Martin. Though both divers, they each have their appeal.
Steinhart does the sub case with crown guards really in a way that is well proportioned at 47 lug-to-lug. The San Martin version of the crown guard case is 49mm, making it wear larger, which my skinny wrist unfortunately can't accommodate. (lovely piece though)
The San Martins also have the option to customise the dial! I did 2 watches with a custom dial for my partner and I, with hers using the SN021 (36mm explorer) and mine based on this SN004. Can't wait to get them.
Thank you for your reviews. It was one of the many that helped solidify my decision to get the San Martin. You've got 2 great watches there, enjoy them both and keep well! :)
Not 100% sure about that. I find that my 39/40mm SM Tudor Pepsi GMT (case is 39mm, bezel is more like 40mm) sits on my 17 cm/6.7in wrist more comfortably than my Ocean 39 Steinharts. The SM probably is a slightly larger watch and its crystal/dial are 30mm where the Steinhart's are 28mm or so, but the Steinhart's case- and lug-shape mean that it looks and feels more like it's sitting on top of my wrist. The SM OTOH conforms a bit more to my wrist. Even my Ocean 39 with its flat crystal and height of around 13mm (same as the SM) doesn't sit as snugly on my arm as the San Martin. It probably also helps that, adjusted for me, the SM weighs around 10 grams less than my Ocean 39s (~135g vs ~145g).
All in all, I think the only reason why I can pull off the 39mm Steinharts is because they are relatively small. I owned two 42mm Ocean Ones before and had to sell them on because with their case-shape and lugs, they looked like saucers on my arm. :)
I have the San Martin new model bronze diver with the PT5000 movement. It is a beautiful watch and keeps good time. The suede like strap is thick but supple and is very comfortable on wrist. A couple days ago I ordered an Erika`s strap in black with a sand stripe.
Great review! I have sold 2 Steinhart watches I had and bought San Martin and Ironwatch. Simple reason... thry are much better watches for less money. PT5000 works perfectly... actualy it is a clone of ETA and the parts are the same. The thing is watch needs to have original pt5000 movement from h.k precidion technology and san martin is using the right one. It is oiled and properly and does not sound like its broken when you wind it like it was a case in my Steinhart. Overal from my own exp. I woukd say it is much better watch than Steinhart and if it had swiss at the dial people would give 3x more money for it that they are asking...
Ja sam nabavio jeftiniji San Martinov retro diver koji ima NH35. Obožavam taj sat kao svakodnevni diver za posao i razonodu.
Steinhart generally do a better job with the dial details and script, IMO. They seem to "get" the vibe the watch should give off and how many and what kind of elements there should be at the 12 and 6oc. I also think their fauxtina color is more convincing - SM's often looks too yellow and urinal-cake-y.
Case in point: The new SM "Mil Sub" homage which simply uses some kind of standard dial design whereas Steinhart's OVM mimics the original's look much more closely. Plus the SM uses modern elements such as applied indices or a ceramic bezel insert - which don't really fit the whole Mil Sub look, IMO. Some of the Chinese brands still have to catch up when it comes to these small details. They do seem to catch on quickly though: On watchuseek SM have stated that they're looking at making more watches with aluminium bezel inserts.
Love my Steinhart!
Good review. Of course…..the Steiny is what……twice the price. My Steinhart is the 39 mm Ocean 1 Vintage GMT. I’ve had it for almost 2 years. Motor is Elabore grade ETA 2893-2. A 90 series ETA in a sub $800.00 USD watch….wow! And it really is a luxury watch to me. BTW…..300 M dive watch :-)
Both watches have their pros & cons. Just shows how difficult it is to choose. This is the downside to buying without trying on. The wearing experience may be completely different which would influence the decision.
First video I have seen from you and I have to say I think you scored these 2 watches very fair. Both companies are hitting well above there price point. Also agree with you on the pt5000. That movement has not proven itself yet being so new making the price on it a bit high. You sir have earned a subscriber. The name of your channel, I see what you did there
You picked the wrong San Martin to compare I would say. They make that same watch in a 369 dial like the Steinheart. I think that would have been more even a comparison.
You are rating the PT5000 way to low. It's actually an improvement over the ETA 2824. Watchmakers who have taken apart the movement say it lacks the hand winding issues of the ETA. Many users have reported accuracy within chronometer standard. That's no reason to get the sollita.
Kinda like pencil hand instead of the mercedes. What do you think, would it be a mistake? I guess it would be less popular if I would eventuallly sell it.
I actually prefer the pencil hands as well but there was no option when I ordered mine. I say go for it! I don’t think it will be the less popular version. People are getting tired of Mercedes hands
@@watchinout8832 yeah, I'm getting bored of the mercedes hands and I think the pencil hands suits the watch pretty well. Thanks for responding.
Wow the San Martin is 580€ for me and Steinhart still 530€ which one should I go for ? I prefer the design of the SM but the Steinhart is Swiss made and cheaper
That’s very strange that the San Martin has such a high price tag for you. Are you looking at the AliExpress listing from the San Martin Official Store? There is a version with the PT5000 movement for around $300 US, and a version with the Swiss made Sellita SW200 for around $450 US. I honestly prefer the San Martin. It has better build quality that the steinhart, at least this specific model does. The finishing is the best you’ll find at this price point, and the materials are all incredible quality. Both watches are really great though, so there’s no bad decision. It mostly comes down to whether you care that you’re wearing a Chinese watch. I personally don’t
HI: Steinhart says 100 meters WR on the dial NOT 300 meters so SM doubles that and is still much thinner. Reviewer uses that as excuse for Stein thickness but not true. Once you figure price into the equation, there is not much to recommend the Stein over the SM.
The face says 100m but the case back says 300m and the book says 300m and most any other Steinhart of this style is 300m. I read something about this but it was a while ago? Maybe the watch it pays homage to, only had 100m?
The San Martin seems amazing but the face (dial + bezel) looks a bit cheap, or is it my imagination?
I think it only looks cheap because the color of the numbers on the bezel are just not the right shade of yellow. But overall it’s a phenomenal Watch. I’ve been very happy with mine. I’ve worn it more than anything else since I bought it
Does the steinhart have ghost date?
Yes, but they removed the date wheel
I just don't understand why people find Steinhart a good watch. It's all about looks from the top, the wearablillity is impossible with those flat lugs.
made in germany or made in china ... no question !
China is making some amazing watches these days. If you never experienced a San Martin I promise you would be shocked how good the finishing is.