2 Years on... Still the Best Value?! - San Martin Ghost Diver V3 follow up review

[@austinmorris981]

I bought the same model & put it on a Barton sailcloth black strap. I am also wearing it in preference to other pieces in my collection, because it looks & feels perfect.

[@hyper_channel]

I think your point is correct. Its biggest strength is also its biggest weakness, identical from a distance to that one brand. Thats why I think the one to have is the Tudor BB58 homage. Same quality, looks great but will fly under the radar easier than this one. Also do you have experience with the custom logo thing? I think you can order it even without any logo at all. Not sure how the custom logos look, would be nice to have examples

[@ALPINAs]

It's almost 3 years. You bought it in september 2020, I checked it now, looks like I remembered correctly.

[@ShinyThings]

You are very observant 🙂 I settled on 2 year title because I used this watch for about 65% -70% over the 3 year period if that makes sense. Thank you for watching 🙂👍

[@neilbotha3527]

Great to see a long term review

[@louis111]

I have this watch for around two years now and I am very happy with it too. It proved to be reliable and it has a beautiful shine on it that I love. Every time I pick it up | am still amazed about it's beauty and quality.

[@chrisp.5272]

I have a Steeldive 1953, really solid build quality, reminds me of a Seiko with better QC. I got a Addiesdive Submariner as well, with the Miyota 2115 Quartz as a beater, but the QC on that isn’t great with misaligned cyclops and bezel.

[@Sicarius888]

I also bought it around 2-3 years ago, before vat change. Now I wouldn't for +23% more. Not bad but too small for me and I hate caseback. I worn it maybe half a year without problems, but it lost to Seiko homages, Sugess chrono and Addiesdive big red PT500 Tudor.

[@onemorewatchplease]

This is a great watch, I bought mine this week and can't wait to review and compare it with my SD 1953 😀

[@yoshikobayashi7643]

I just took delivery of the SN017-G-V3 today and on top of everything stated in this review, they added an on the fly microadjust and from what I can tell they have taken the sharpness off the bottom of the case and links. This is my first San Martin and I am very much impressed.

[@rickhammel9541]

I just got the SN019, and I'm blown away by the quality. Unreal craftsmanship, especially when you consider the price.

[@WillyMcCoy50]

I love symmetry so I purchased the SN004-G vintage diver. It's a great size that would be considered small by today's standards. It is much larger than my old Air-King which was a very good watch. But now I am older and a date feature would be welcome .... but I would prefer to have symmetry still. The San Martin has come out with an original design called the SN0116-G/GMT. The date is at the 6 position and the bezel has been toned down with a satin finish rather than the glossy finish that is out of place on my old vintage diver. It also comes with a Beads of Rice bracelet that is spec'd with their new on- the-fly clasp. I love the oyster bracelet but always liked the Beads of Rice because the military pilots and ground crews would have them on at the local Naval Air Station during the Vietnam War era. BTW I wouldn't tell those Naval Pilots and ground crews that their 34-36mm Rolex's and Seiko's were considered women's watches. No, I just wouldn't. Good video and long live the shark crown! ❤

[@RicardoValdes-r6w]

Excellent reviews on ‘ Shiny things ‘ !! Flitz polishing paste with soft polishing cloths by Waka and a few drops of water with a little bit of Flitz plus the Waka cloth will remove most very thin minor scratches and this combination will leave your watch stainless steel looking quite nice. Thank you my friend for such outstanding well presented reviews that score always 100 percent ..!! Rick in Florida for Shiny things and his host..!!

[@jims4539]

I had a Sub no-date for a few years but sold it. It was a too bid (heavy)for my wrist. I have the V2 SM and a Cronos green bezel, both great watches but just as heavy (for me.) Waiting for a titanium homage with articulated end links. If this type of homage would come from SM (please) the quality and finish would be great - a sure buy.

[@ShinyThings]

Thanks for sharing 🙂👍

[@karlsenula9495]

I just got the V3 Cronos with PT5000 (L6005), fully lumed bezel, applied indices and logo, glidelock in the last sale around $216. It is a wonderful watch - I would say on par with San Martin (of which I own three but not the sub).

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

Please help me decide between the San Martin sn019 (or sn017) and the Cronos l6005. I love the Cronos due to the fully lumed bezel and glidelock but if the San Martin is objectivity better quality I will go for it. I also feel like the San Marin looks closer to a Rolex sub? What do you think ? How do you like the Cronos so far? Thanks

[@Pal-us9uv]

@@Ott0vonBismarckI have Cronos 6005 and 6015. They are amazing. Both San Martin and Cronos makes great watches. Between the watches you mention I would go for Cronos, because of looks, logo, the Lume and on the fly clasp. BUT now in 2024 I would go for SM SN0121, or SN111, or SN004 v3.

[@omarsalim9562]

are thier water resistant legit

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

Can you please review the Cronos submariner l6005? I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Thanks!

[@1SaG]

I wish they'd still sell this one or the SN 019 with that bracelet.. current versions both have less taper (18mm at the clasp) and much wider end-links. I *so* wanted to get the SN 019, but after SM's very helpful customer service snapped a few pics of their current model for me (complete with measurements), I went with the Cronos instead. It's still in the mail, so I can't tell if I made the right call, but I was kind of bummed out I couldn't stick with the brand for my "modern Sub-homage"-needs. My first ever SM (0109) has been nearly constantly on my wrist since I bought it in late April ... such a great watch!

[@ShinyThings]

Thank you for sharing! 🙂👍

[@kenamaro3942]

Well done, honest review. It's clear you enjoy that watch by the visible amount of wear. This watch has me thinking ...

[@ShinyThings]

Thanks for watching!

[@Ben-yw8be]

I just bought the “Hulk” version of this watch. I almost bought the Sugess/Seestern Seaman but the price they were charging was way more. Yes, there’s an adjustable on the fly clasp, but I could careless. San Martin has a uncluttered dial as well. It doesn’t say, “Seaman”. 😂 We obviously know what this watch is homaging. San Martin made the right decision not putting “Ghost Diver” on the dial.

[@davidmarsden305]

I bought this watch in June 2024, it cost £120 delivered and taxes, highly recommended, wasn't sure about the polishing to the side, no issues, great watch, absolutely no regrets

[@ShinyThings]

Thanks for sharing!

[@aussie8114]

I should get one of these, along with the better clasp. Waiting to see what the next Monta Oceanking looks like.

[@sinjinadams2862]

I own this watch but I'm a big fan of the no date Sub so when Cronos came out with their no date version with the glide lock clasp, I immediately bought that one and it is now my go to Sub.

[@ShinyThings]

Thanks for sharing! 🙂👍 It is always a dilemma for me: clean no-date dial or date for practicality but no symmetry and a cyclop 😳🙂

[@ryannewby447]

I would be very interested to see if that new glide clasp fits. When I ordered one I asked about it fitting and they said it wouldn't fit. Which didn't make sense as the dimensions felt like it could. Hope you do a video on the clasp when you get it, as I think this would help a lot of people out.

[@ShinyThings]

Thank you, a short video on a new clasp sounds like a good idea 🙂

[@Michal_Ciok]

Bought it recently. Very pretty and good looking.

[@tonyserneels]

Does the new clasp fit the SN017G?

[@jhoag2577]

Get the MOP one the dial is outstanding and no one will think it’s a Date Sub. I got the SNO111 with sword hands and adjustable clasp .❤

[@Ott0vonBismarck]

Please help me decide between the San Martin sn019 (or sn017) and the Cronos l6005. I love the Cronos due to the fully lumed bezel and glidelock but if the San Martin is objectivity better quality I will go for it. I also feel like the San Marin looks closer to a Rolex sub? What do you think? Thanks

[@dhnguyen68]

I have just ordered one piece ( the green version). I am a scuba diver, I will try to dive with the watch. I will keep you informed.

[@ShinyThings]

It would be interesting to know your dive experience with this 'Water Ghost' 🙂

[@bahiaanis331]

Hi dude please update

[@SandovalRoldanR]

how it went with the dive?

[@shirodaditya09]

Is it better than Sugess submariner? Especially in the bracelet

[@deanmignola5448]

I bought the V2 of the San Martin Diver and after about 10 months the crown no longer screws down so the watch is useless. I bought an Orient Diver so I don't have to worry about that kind of quality control issue.

[@davidsonviray1403]

What's your wrist size?

[@philliprackow7153]

Got the Cronos for about 2 years now since I prefer the branding. Just ordered the new Black-Bay Pro homage from them to but I'll definitely pick up the Chrono from San Martin on the next sale ^^

[@jaysterling26]

Review coming of the other SM watch in the video?

[@Watch_your_Money]

Outstanding brand..beautiful watch and great reveiw.

[@douglascheesman]

Did you end up installing the new clasp? I have an SN017 as well and tried to buy a new clasp, but it didn’t fit. I was wondering if your clasp worked and which one you ordered? I would appreciate a short video on the changeover and link to your purchased clasp if indeed it fit.

[@thomascowart3]

This!

[@paradoks7487]

NICE Watch, but the sugess had the much better clasp and is way more on the original sub.

[@michaelforde4373]

Have one 3yrs very cheap only issue is very sharp case edges .

[@chriskelly509]

I think this will be my next watch.

[@idletime]

G'morning my friend ☕☕ 😇 . Great video, I like my Orient Ray ll & Seiko 7002-700a for much the same reasons. I just realized it's been a kil' over 3 years since I got into this hobby & I still don't own a San Martin or a pagani. I probably need to change that soon, Thanks 🤠 ..

[@ShinyThings]

Pagani Design got a lot better in the last 3 years, and SM still delivers solid quality for a good price, so the time was on your side in this case 🙂 👍

[@rauliorga3823]

For my build, 40.5 is a women's size , so my girl wears a V2 i believe. Great watch, the PT5000 is very accurate and better built than SW-200 ( even after recent improvements ) , the only complaint is regarding the lume pip, wich decided to just fall off. A bezel replacement is not a big issue.

[@ccw5886]

Go for the Baltic diver: Gorgeous!

[@Medo46]

I just bought this watch on sale for 147 euro!

[@jrbj2000]

Wow! You’re brave leaving it in the sand as the wave hit it 😂

[@haping1]

Rocksolid as a Rolex I guess. Enjoy.

[@pzwolski]

I think Invicta 8926OB gives you the same for just $100.

[@ShinyThings]

Thank you for sharing! 🙂 Invicta 8926OB is a good piece of kit for the price, however they cut a lot of corners compared to his SM: Mineral crystal, hollow end links, pressed clasp, poor lume, bezel action is very average, etc... I did a review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4S2ZnueqKuYsJI

[@TheYoungMontana]

The 8926OB got me started on the watch hobby for sure and it gives you the same feeling as other homages. I still wear mine from time to time for sentimental reasons, for it was my first automatic watch, and the average person still thinks that it's a Rolex whenever I wear mine lol.

[@jonasnaeyaert3738]

What the host said. You can get the Invicta cheaper however. If you find it for 60-70 euro; it’s a good deal.

[@Agent-vj3ns]

Sn019 is better and more accurate to the 126610 subs

[@thegorn]

You need to explain the "awkward situations" a bit more. Who cares what anyone else thinks about watch you wear? Not me.

[@JohnDudley-l7x]

Sand Martians ars goods watches 👍🍸

[@bernardbarroga1497]

My Watchdives looks the same for less than a 100$.

[@9426sunny]

Too much Rolex looking..

[@Fosi94]

Remove the cyclops and voilà!