Buy Pagani Design Instead of San Martin | Two Reasons Why

Hello friends and welcome back! Today I am highlighting two reasons why Pagani Design should be considered before spending hundreds more on a San Martin. I am featuring two watches, both are listed as PD 1692 with different dial versions, and both are on for an incredible deal right now at 82 CAD (that's 60 USD!)
You can purchase either version from the video here: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dmq...
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Please consider using the following affiliate links. When you use the links or discount codes to make a purchase a small finders fee is given to the channel. Thank you so much, I appreciate your support!
Aliexpress:
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkV...
Farr and Swit:
www.farrandswit.com/?ref=FoXW...
Spinnaker:
www.spinnaker-watches.com?sca_ref=2680098.lCU5L3f6bv
Discount code: CHRISMIRRLEES20
Avi-8:
www.avi-8.com?sca_ref=2687555.gi3PlCl8BW
Discount code: CHRISMIRRLEES20
Nubeo:
nubeowatches.com?sca_ref=2680265.QcWAgiPuCZ
Discount code: CHRIS15
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My Favourite Aliexpress Watches
Addies Dive Pilot Watch
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDf...
Addies Dive Seiko Turtle Homage
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dn3...
Benyar Rolex OP Homage
www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...
San Martin Deep Sea Dweller Homage
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCW...
Cronos Submariner Homage
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDT...
Gallant Reverse Panda Mecaquartz
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBk...
Pagani Design Rolex Milgauss Homage
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFz...
Pagani Design Explorer II Homage
NH34 s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmO...
Pearl s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dkt...
Pagani Design Rolex GMT Master II Homage
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBm...
With NH34 www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...
Pagani Design Tudor Heritage Chronograph Homage
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DED...
Pagani Design Daytona Homage
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dkt...
Steeldive SD1970 Captain Willard Homage
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCM...

[@KP-wp5sz]

Completely agree. I am on AE to buy inexpensive watches. If I wanted to drop 300-500 usd I would simply go to Seiko or any of the dozens of micro brands. Keep pumping out good content.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Agree 100 m8 thanks for watching!

[@WatchtheTime]

I can’t say I agree bro but I completely understand where you’re coming from and respect your opinion based on your experience. I can’t say I’m massively keen on them commenting in the way they did tbh. Keep up the good work 👍👍

[@MirrlyonTime]

I understand Simon, I’ve not had the best experience with San martin, and despite the qc issues that are expected with pagani I have only had one bad experience out of over a dozen purchases, and when they are 78 bucks like this example it’s a no brainer for me. Thanks pal!

[@RabbitWatchShop]

I've purchased one PD, and I will not purchase another. Atrocious lume, clasp, and crown. I own one San Martin, and it's one of the most refined, best watches - if not the best - I have purchased around $200. I am interested in one more San Martin, the Pepsi GMT. Conversely, I may not purchase another due to reviewers complaining about an uptick in QC issues - issues that SM seems to not be interested in resolving. I detest poor customer service.

[@MirrlyonTime]

The newer paganis like the ones in this video are getting better lume wise. Not great but not terrible which is better, they still have a ways to go. I was not expecting this from San martin at all based on their reputation. My other watch I bought from them was pretty great but it did have stiff links at the end link that ended up effecting how the watch wore. Anyways, twice bitten, not gunna happen again. These paganis featured in this video, are very good and only 78 CAD

[@KillingTimeWithNorman]

The SM response is gold. lol Great looking PG pieces!!

[@MirrlyonTime]

Yeah gold, lol, priceless really eh?!

[@BCallum]

Thanks for the video. For the money, PG is a great value. My wife has the 369 watch and loves it. Cheers from Atlantic Canada!!!

[@MirrlyonTime]

Thanks Bill, I’m a big fan of pagani design for that reason and for that reason was looking forward to San martin because that’s all I have ever heard they are so good for the money they are even approaching some luxury pieces te finishing is what I heard. Definitely not my experience

[@brianmsahin]

Excellent video and I agree to the extent that if you're going to pay SM prices you should expect a perfect watch. As for Pagani, for a long time I wasn't interested but having taken a chance on a Uranus Moonswatch stainless steel, I've become a convert. Quality is extremely good for the price and exceptional when compared to the plastic original (which I also got, and got a, refund because of a blue stained wrist!). I have had my eye on Air King homage so will stick it my basket right now!

[@MirrlyonTime]

It’s very good. Only issue I have and I have talked about this before, the clasp micro adjustment on these style of bracelets by pagani is horrible. They need to switch to on the fly or actually have micro adjust holes. Occasionally the tiny diver extensions that opens to allow access to the pin to adjust the micro adjust is also very tough to open, sometimes. But for the price of 78 CAD you just can’t complain when you consider the specs the watch comes with. But….if you can get an air king homage by addies dive or steel dive for around the same price get theirs, they are similar in quality and their lume blows almost everyone on aliexpress away

[@bluecollarwatches7048]

Oh, at least you got a response from them, I did get a response from my 3 start review I left stating they would be reaching out to me to which I responded “still waiting” I think they are resting on their laurels of high praise from others. Only response I have received from them is sending me more watches to purchase through messenger.

[@WATCHingJames]

They offers some great watches and great prices. I’ve also had good customer service from them too.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I haven’t had an issue with them, for the price, and the only time I did it was a friends watch that was loaned to the channel and the bracelet was faulty, was sent a new one almost right away

[@MrPINKFL0YD]

The lume is terrible on Pagani design and the QC is very hit and miss. I'm not a great SanMartin fan but I have 2 and they are excellent.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I’ve had far better luck wirh pagani then sm, which is not the norm I do get that but I can only speak to my experience. For 78 bucks I can live with some minor issues, with these watches, no issues at all they are fantastic. Thanks m8!

[@WATCHingJames]

PD are great especially for the price. It is disappointing that you had such a bad experience with SM.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Yep, seems to be the exception not the norm but I can only speak to what I have experienced

[@luismasanchez9367]

I have Two SM 019 and 033, so far so good, and a Pagani "missión to Alaska", Also fine, but the perceived quality between them justifiy the price difference to me.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I hear ya, when the spread is 200 plus dollars for me I gotta put the brakes on considering what I have experienced. Thanks for watching and commenting m8!

[@sivanstar]

Im glad to see you enjoying your pagani watches. Unfortunately i purchased one pagani, a citizen ashtray homage, after few months i noticed that hand winding became tougher. So i decided to open the caseback and have a look. It had some unknown movement, deff not an nh35. I wil not purchse SM either bc of their ghost date position. On the watches i like.. I recommend seestern, they do have a miss once in a while but mostly hits. I highly recommend sugess, its under the same ownership of seestern but their watches are incredible and affordable. I have a sugess moonphaser master and besides the leather straps that it came with, that watch is awesome! Have a great weekend! 😊

[@MirrlyonTime]

I have a sugess chrono on my radar with the beautiful manual movement display caseback in my cart and on my radar. Shocked to hear about that happening to you. Wow. Thanks m8

[@sivanstar]

@@MirrlyonTime seagull st1901? Beautiful movement, dont have one yet. Try getting one with the swan neck regulator those are stunning!

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@sivanstar that’s the one! Draco London a microbrand is also developing one

[@sylvainb.coternbsc.n4896]

Great Review. I humbly think Pagani Design should put a better lume. I like the fact that PD just put their logo on the dial. Keep up the good work my compatriot. Bonjour from Montréal !

[@MirrlyonTime]

They are improving in the lume department but still have a ways to go, they definitely need to make it as good as sm, or addies dive and steel dive for that matter. Thanks m8!

[@karlsenula9495]

Why choose? Just mix and match like I've done 😉

[@MirrlyonTime]

Oh I have a mix match believe me haha!

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

I think Pagani Design are an excellent option as long as you select the right pieces but also the purchase price. Always buy a good sale price, dodge the inflation and don't buy on release

[@MirrlyonTime]

Yepper! Definitely on the same page as you, why I say avoid pagani bezels if you are wanting a good watch. They are definitely hit and miss, and everyone complains about the lume, and rightly so, but I paid 78 CAD for these pieces. And the lume is getting better though it still has a ways to go….what is your fav pagani, or most recommended one?

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

@MirrlyonTime another good line is manage your expectations, you're buying a sub £100 watch, often much less. My favourite has always been their Daytona homage in rose gold and meteorite. Usually pick them up around £50 here, theyve refined the model over years and it's just an ultimate budget piece I think. What's your favourite?

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@JasonTheWatchGuy def Daytona homages for quartz watch and the explorer ii gmt for my fav automatic. I think they also need to get an on the flu adjustment added to their Rolex style clasps to make it a step up

[@sivanstar]

@@JasonTheWatchGuy hey Jason! Love your channel buddy.. 🙂

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

@@sivanstar Hi pal, thank you so much, I appreciate it

[@supplementalhorsey4510]

Can't watch the video cuz YT hates my adblocker now and I used up all my "free" video views, but congrats on the great channel success! I remember when you were doing giveaways for the 150 subs or something like that. 😎

[@MirrlyonTime]

Thanks supp! Yeah it’s been quite a journey and that’s weird about adblocker is that something new?

[@supplementalhorsey4510]

@@MirrlyonTime It used to be possible to block YT commercials with one, but they're cracking down on it now. They still let you watch a few videos per day or something, but after that, it's blocked. I'm okay with it, since I'll see less stuff to buy, but it can be annoying sometimes. 😐

[@M123OCT]

That is driving me mental! 😠

[@alialawady7307]

I love pd so good for the price

[@davidsherrick898]

I agree, my datejust homage is the best Pagani design watch, my Gmt the worst, if you breathe on the bezel it moves. Plus it is only unidirectional. Not what a Gmt is supposed to do. Sad San Martin did that, really that they commented like that. I'm not going to lie I just bought another one, my 5th one. But still love my Pagani design. Great video review.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I understand most people don’t have any issue with San martin, I’m the exception to the norm but I can only judge based on my experience. I have a subby homage whose bezel is quite good, and a gmt Batman whose bezel is the same as yours so loose and flimsy. Ugh, consistency would be nice with pagani for sure

[@davidsherrick898]

@MirrlyonTime I'm surprised that San Martin acted like they are watch 'Gods' they... are Far From Perfect. They are just another Homage brand that might spend more time and money on the finish of their watch, but still have a NH35 movement. Unless you want to spend $$ My Glycine and Tissot Swiss automatic are much more nicer and only cost a bit more... plus have a Swiss heritage, backed by a better warranty. I haven't watched all your videos. But I'm going to subscribe now and go through it all, thanks for your review and reply! I'll put a thumbs up twice. I need help with my Alfa Romeo Milano. Not a watch, but a nightmare of a vintage car!

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@davidsherrick898 thanks pal! I def want to get a combat sub at some point incredible value for dollar on that and I do have a Tissot seastar on my radar as well. Appreciate your support.

[@davidsherrick898]

@MirrlyonTime I'm poor, especially with a money pit 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano automatic, I just couldn't let it die, I really wanted to be at 52 watches, for a complete collection, one watch per week, for the year. AliExpress helps with great value watches. BUT, BUT have some garbage.... I threw away a Paulareis and a Corgeut. Actually a couple of my cheapest watches were decent, but my 1945 Vintage Hamilton from my Great Grandfather's is by far the only watch I'd never sell, being a family heirloom.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@davidsherrick898 wow I would love to see a picture of that vintage Hamilton shoot me an email [e-mail] Does the vintage Hamilton still run?

[@adk7962]

100% get what you’re saying. Dollar for dollar Pagani kicks SM’s butt. But I don’t know where you get the finishing you get for around $250 with a SM. Although other brands like Seestern and Baltany are getting close for closer to Pagani money. Thanks for showing us the watches.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Well in the case of the San martin I did receive that I did a previous video on the finishing was horrible go check that video out if you haven’t yet. The first one I ever bought was the Tudor heritage chronograph homage, cost me just over 400 CAD and it was nicely finished but not 300 dollars better than a pagani. Anyways, definitely not going to be buying another San martin

[@adk7962]

@@MirrlyonTime Yup. I saw your previous video on SM also. And you’re absolutely right. It’s not $300 better finishing than a Pagani. But then again a Tudor isn’t $5000 better finishing than a SM, but it’s what you’re willing to pay for. Which I am of course not willing to pay for in a Tudor. Thanks again for your insight. 👍🏼

[@James20013]

Have you seen the Specht and sohne aviator? It is they’re homage of the Cartier santos it’s almost a 1:1 IMO. Wondering if you’d be into that one.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Have seen the brand I got their earth moon mars speedy homage. Cartier is a brand I’m not particularly into but I will check that one out for sure thanks m8

[@hoppysport2872]

Excellent video! I have the Pagani Design PD-1692 Air King Homage, purchased in July of 2020. I've worn it about ½ of the year and it's a great watch. I paid $86 USD. I liked the Rolex Air King, but not enough to spend $8,000. The PD-1692 is really solid. If course there are compromises. The bracelet is nice, but forget about micro adjustments. The Seiko NH-35 is a great movement, but not regulated. That said, I lose 8 seconds a day. The oyster case and gloss dial are very impressive, as is the crown. I'm always looking at the watch, because I can't believe how nice of a watch I received for the tiny money spent.

[@MirrlyonTime]

My point exactly hoppy! I sure do hope that pagani does one of the following soon: on the fly adjustment in their clasp or put some actual micro adjust holes in the side of the clasp. The latter would be fantastic, holes on clasp would be ok, anything other than the current! Thanks for watching m8!

[@hoppysport2872]

@@MirrlyonTime Spot-on! The bracelet is actually nice. So is the clasp...except for the impossible-to-use micro adjust and divers extension. I tried to use the extension but quickly gave up. I didn't want to destroy the bracelet. Honestly, for between $14-$20, I can buy a glide-lock clasp if desired.

[@jasonbostock408]

This is just terrible customer service, mistakes happen with every product, the bigger question for me is how they don't address this, they make good watches but not great, their prices are high and they are positioning themselves as a premium brand on Ali express I have 3 all are good none are perfect the same can be said of Pagani (there loom is terrible). A company is judged on how they deal with problems and asking you to completely replace a stem is ridiculous if i tried this fairly sure I would be left with several extra bits left after the process(that's what I end up with when I try to fix everything)some people are able to do this not me . Overall you are being fair you gave them the chance to fix it they chose not to.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I’m with you! I tried to regulate one of my Seiko watches after watching a KZbin video. Looked east enough, destroyed the movement lol, so yeah wasn’t going to try and do a replacement myself, no thanks. Thanks for watching m8

[@scatterbrain9490]

👍

[@obeypay2659]

Nice watches!

[@MirrlyonTime]

They are fantastic for the price I got them for thanks m8!

[@davidsherrick898]

Cronos is decent. I'm double dipping.

[@NaNByZero]

If you just want an affordable, good looking watch, you cannot go wrong with Pagani. If you need useful lume, you better go for San Martin. Or maybe for Heimdallr or Steeldive. San Martin are really a bit overpriced. If they have no problems and that is their way to solve a problem, they really have a problem. 🕐⚙️🍸

[@MirrlyonTime]

You bet Nan which is why I say Steeldive or addies dive over pagani if you get a comparable price because of the lume alone! Thanks m8

[@dunderhay9169]

Have you tried emailing San Martin directly? I used the contact on their website when I modified their silver dial dress watch by heat bluing the hands, I wanted to show them how much more legible it was. I received a very friendly reply within 24 hours and they even said they would honour any warranty issues despite me having dismantled the watch. I have recently bought the sn0116 blue dial GMT, it's a great watch with no QC issues, a crisp 24 click bidirectional bezel, great lume, beautifully finished case and beads of rice bracelet with on the fly clasp and most important to me an original design. All companies have QC issues and I personally have had very bad customer care from Rolex.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I contacted them through the aliexpress message system. They did respond fairly quickly and told me they would send me parts. Their response to this video sums it all up for me, nor worth dealing with. Be interesting to see if they follow up at all after this video, and what if anything they will propose. Thanks m8

[@dunderhay9169]

@@MirrlyonTime I do agree, sending you parts wasn't sensible, you shouldn' t have to be a watch maker to buy from their store.

[@rappers5719]

It's all about the speed at which the problems are rectified that show their true intent. Imho.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Well I have yet to hear anything from SM so we shall see what happens

[@henrypesky6746]

Pound for pound Pagani definitely better value.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Totally agree thanks henry

[@SpaceG95]

This seems to be a problem with large mass produced watches. QC can get lost on the obscene amount of watches they put out.

[@MirrlyonTime]

That’s a fair point, which is why when I spend 78 bucks a minor qc issue isn’t going to bother me so much but not at 250 plus dollars no way, that’s a bother and I have some issues with San martin unfortunately

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

How does PG sell a watch for $68 shipped? Insane 😮

[@MirrlyonTime]

Crazy isn't it. I did say it wrong but corrected with subtitle, it was 78 dollars, but still, 78 a piece for these watches, unbelievable

[@karlsenula9495]

The biggest drawback to Pagani is in my opinion the lum.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Absolutely but they are improving, the lume on these ones isn’t great but it isn’t terrible either, wore the green one to bed last night and I could tell the time real easy.

[@karlsenula9495]

@@MirrlyonTime... good to hear ... I have some going back 5-6 years and that was always their biggest weak point.

[@MirrlyonTime]

@@karlsenula9495 don’t get me wrong it still is, but it is definitely much better than it was but they still have a way to go

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi buddy, I have to say I am on the opposite side on this one. I will no longer buy a PD watch because of the litany of issues I have had with them including very poor customer service. I cannot in good conscience recommend them to my subscribers. Also Pagani Design is Trademarked and it is makes selling items with that name akin to selling fakes and we all know YT does not like that so it could open you up to getting your channel deleted. However I have often found initial responses from San Martin very frustrating BUT I never take their first solution as it is usually a fob off, just like any other initial query with other brands. I have had the last 5 SM divers arrive with mis-aligned bezels (sorry SM fans, this IS a problem now) and have settled with partial refunds even though those solutions were not offered originally. In terms of quality SM are way ahead of PD and I say that honestly even though I am not a fan of the brand and how they tend to fob off queries initially. Just giving my tuppence on the bigger picture. Congrats on the 3K subs :)

[@MirrlyonTime]

Thanks John! I can only speak to my experience with both brands, pagani design has been good for me, San martin on the other hand has not, and my two cents, no way San martin is worth 200 dollars more in quality or in value just no way. I’ve purchased over a dozen of them and most of them for around 100 CAD often less as in the case with these ones for 78 CAD the ones featured in this vid have incredible value for dollar spent that San martin will simply not beat at 200 dollars more. Sorry it’s a no brainer for me. On another note I’ve heard about the trademark issue, and not sure what’s going to happen in the future with that regard Thanks John

[@MirrlyonTime]

Also I’ve now had two responses from San martin including the one in this video, and both were abhorrent. I won’t give them a third chance. I had one issue with a pagani bracelet for a wafch that a friend of kind purchased and loaned to the channel. Contacted them and they sent a replacement bracelet just like that. Their official store on aliexpress. So yeah, value for dollar and one good experience with customer service pagani is the winner imo

[@goldfools5445]

I have 14 SanMartin watches, I really like every one of them. I have bought 5 Pagani design watches. I have given 4 of them away because they are a total disappointment. The SanMartin is three times more expensive because they are three times the watch. The Pagani quality for the price is quite good but the compromise of putting up with bad lume, bad bezel’s, really bad bracelets in some cases, some are ok. Not a patch on San Martin bracelets though. If it’s all about money and things are tight, then Pagani probably ok. If you can afford more go for SanMartin. If you can afford more than that get a Tudor or something.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I do respectfully disagree that they are three times the watch, but I also recognize that my issues seem to be the exception not the norm when it comes to the brand. Most like yourself haven’t had an issue but I sure have. For 78 dollars, these pagani are fantastic. For 200 more I would start thinking outside of aliexpress and go for a name brand or a microbrand

[@bluecollarwatches7048]

Not a San Martin fan, it’s still an AliExpress watch and overpriced in my opinion.

[@MirrlyonTime]

I don’t disagree my friend! Not with the experience I’ve had with em

[@dazzlerjohnwatchman8215]

My friend I couldn't back you more! San Martin Sux, i repeat San Martin sux. As an overpriced Chinese Brand amongst the homage land of Ali Express I have had two returns and one no show out of five orders. The other two that made it here intact I quickly sold due to QC issues. Pagani Design on the other hand is good value for the price, I have three in my collection. I like the way you back your claims with proof. Keep up the in depth feedback and buyer support, it really helps.

[@MirrlyonTime]

Thanks pal. You have had the same luck (well worse) then me when it comes to sm. Vast majority of people I know don’t have any problems, but eventually they will if they keep buying, and that’s what really got me….San Martin’s response, we’ve made thousands of watches with no complaints…..how bout dealing with the one you are getting. Never again for me, thanks for watching m8!