“It's Better In Person Than In The Photos” - Were They Telling The Truth?

[@BensWatchClub]

Check FlexiSpot C7 ergonomic chair at bit.ly/4fILLKm and use my code ''24BFC7'' to get $50 off on the C7 ergonomic chair 💺👍

[@TheInselaffen]

Ben, do you also have a super skinny neck? As I can't wear a polo shirt with the top button done up without throttling myself, yet you look like you have room to spare. Time to bring back the fashion channel.

[@jonathand9260]

if you have elbow pain you may want to consider removing the arm rests and resting on your forearms instead.

[@MrSteveESQ]

It's objectively better quality than an other watch under £500.

[@FruitOfHavoc]

You can still get a citizen nb1050 for around the same price, and that's arguably better. It's regulated to be very precise, it has an incredibile level of care put into polishing and brushing, surpassing my Longines, and the duratect process is really incredible.

[@smokinonyourtop5]

​@@FruitOfHavoc I've been eyeing these two watches for a while. I don't know what to get between the NB1050-59A or the San Martin.

[@ursmeloman]

@@FruitOfHavoc but the sm has much much nicer bracelet tho, clasp is a diff league altogether, dial is more interesting as well.

[@iancowan1634]

The Ix&Dao Engineer (ideally with logo instead of brand text) is at least on the same tier. The MOP dials in particular make for an astonishing package, and with a better movement available than any SM. Also shout out to the Cronos Skyline, one of those watches that looks ok in pics but absolutely gorgeous in person. Those two watches are so good that they've basically made me stop caring about buying any more watches.

[@christianaviles2199]

That 36mm is really tempting. I do agree for a true GADA a more subdued color would be nice....perhaps a darker blue. But the orange one is really tempting.

[@johnhunterpPhD]

The orange in 36 mm is such a hit!

[@christianaviles2199]

@johnhunterpPhD Did you pick one up?

[@johnhunterpPhD]

@@christianaviles2199 Yes, that one exactly

[@Dentrassis42]

i got the blue, its not as bright as it looks in photos. i mean, it sings if you get it in the light but from a normal distance in normal light, you mainly see the fume which lessens to reveal more details up close.

[@toxichazard5015]

Just as I think I have enough Chinese watches, and want to move onto saving up for European brands, they do this, and reel me right back in.

[@childrenofalessergod]

Keep saving…

[@PocketUau]

If you want a good watch, stay away from the Swiss. Stick to Germany, England. France and Italy. The Swiss will rip you off and sell you $50 watches for hundreds or thousands.

[@Mystery_Man84]

⁠Same situation😅. It’s ok to admire and like it but not buy it. I’m past my AliExpress watch phase and I won’t go back. However, this is a beauty

[@raymott6933]

Thought I was the only one. Dang you San Martin 😅😅

[@nomos3]

🤣👍

[@WMIYC]

10:45 The off-center date is likely because the wheel on the date disc is misaligned. It’s not a hard fix for someone with watchmaking skills or brave aspirations, but that’s a shame for a new watch. I’ve fixed a few day and date discs. Often you can just nudge the wheel on the disc to center it up and glue it in place.

[@KP-wp5sz]

Just got it in 36mm - excited to get it

[@fractalnature9412]

Ordered the 39mm in red because the bracelet and thickness! Had multiple brands now but imho nothing beats a San Martin…

[@garyboyle695]

The 316 steel wont get beaten up as much as the 904 steel.

[@saltech3444]

The enamelling seems to be based on oil-spot tianmu/temmoku teacups, which were manufactured in the Song Dynasty in my ancestors' province of Fujian/Hokkien. Back then, the Chinese favoured green tea, with the tea leaves powdered down and then added to hot water with a whisk. This caused black teacups to come into fashion; the oil-spot glaze was an iridescence that could occur on the black surface. In later generations black tea came into fashion in China, and thus white teacups became more popular. However, the Japanese always enjoyed collecting the imported Tianmu/Temmoku cups; in Japan green powdered tea remained in fashion, and so did black teacups that show off the green hue. To this day note that the teacups in Chinese and Japanese restaurants still are in different colours.

[@GavinKohAquascaping]

Based on your recommendations, I finally bought myself the San Martin White Desert dial. I got it for a STEAL on the 11.11 sale for only $190 USD after all the coupons were added! Should be arriving in a few days.

[@user-zw1vu2po6t]

I have this same watch in blue and the date is slightly off to the right also. It's disappointing because San Martin's quality control is usually spot on.

[@staceygram5555]

Return it?

[@adk7962]

With the incredible amount of watches that are probably offered to you, the fact that you would buy one and keep it in your rotation should tell everyone everything you need to know about this watch. Thanks for keeping the watch brands out there honest. Cheers!

[@hootonhoot]

Ordered the 36mm orange dial a few days ago - believe it’s going to be a real beauty!🎉

[@Steakkiller]

I really enjoy San Martin's 37mm bronze field watcht. I bought it about two years ago and it still keeps great time and wears really well on my small wrist!

[@AdAce21]

9:49 - from what I've seen, the red dial has the largest gradient of the 3 colors, and that'd be the one I'd opt for. The watch is incredible, and the dials are fantastic all-around

[@caerphoto]

My 39mm red one definitely fades to a very dark red, almost black at the edges. I bought it pretty much as soon as it was available, though, so maybe ones manufactured later have less of a gradient.

[@AdAce21]

@caerphoto yeah, I think the red with the deep fumé effect looks amazing

[@MegaVSable]

The case and the finishing is spot on 36mm is perfect for me im just waiting for a new hands set and dial.

[@ZackHalverson]

Insane that they can offer this quality, let alone with 3 sizes and 3 colors. And they have non-date versions as well I believe.

[@SimonWaddilove]

I think that now they've established themselves through good quality homages,they are now quietly subtly moving up in quality & setting themselves up as a genuine watch maker

[@thomasmathes5019]

I was shocked they shipped a watch with that badly aligned of a date display in the window to a reviewer. I watched another YT reviewer that kept having the locking mechanism of the bracelet fine adjust keeping coming undone. It happened nearly any time he put his hand through the braclet opening before clasping it. That ain't attention to details nor keeping up quality. Even for one-offs it's pretty patheic they shipped such a glaring mistake to Ben.

[@FT__Cool_Stuff______-of5pi]

That watch looks beautiful. I've given up on San Martin though. I have two of them and they feel really well made but after only a year or two the white parts of the bezel have turned quite yellow, and now clash with the white indices and hands. My other watches have lasted much better in ways like that.

[@RollingShutter]

What kind of watches did you get ?

[@borjastick]

Still waiting for mine to be delivered. I ordered the blue version, which has turned out to be a stonking sales success, on October 26 from SKB watches in Germany as I live in France. They have been fairly good with the updates but yesterday the website said deliveries would be from this coming weekend and today they have changed that to 'end of November'. Not sure what that means as they told me after I ordered that there were 300 orders in the queue before mine! None the less I am happy to wait a couple more weeks to get this lovely watch.

[@SujithPrasad-y3z]

Great video, very accurate analysis. In my 4.5 years in the game as a watch collector and enthusiast, I collected a lot from MAMACOO I was thinking I was able to get a blue SD but I'm not vip enough, but I'm not giving up. Hehe. Great video.

[@JuanHernandez-dw4vq]

I prefer that miyota over the Pt5000.

[@amon_ndemo]

I would like to see more quartz watches sometimes

[@PocketUau]

With the high frequency Citizen movement in Bulova watches perhaps

[@mathori-133]

yeah, I kinda dig the Watchdive Explorer homage with vh31

[@chevy4x466]

@@PocketUauI really want a bulova 262

[@MosheFeder]

I'm really torn about which color to choose. This is one of those times when shopping online is extra frustrating. Therefore, Ben, I'm especially interested in your reaction to the orange one when it arrives.

[@FroschBube]

The dial texture reminds me of Glashütte Original! I personally wear my San Martin Submariner more than any other watch, really good quality.

[@Majstroyale]

I have the one with orange dial. It is lovely in person

[@spgk6470]

honestly aliexpress brands were an awesome route to round up my everyday collection with really good watches. Baltany, Hruodland, seestern, steeldive, pagani, all provided awesome looking watches with a quality 3-4 times the price if i wanted to buy products this good from major brands. Casio, seiko, orient provided the rest and now my everyday collection has 12 nice watches with different and interesting dial and case designs i'm really happy with. We live in good watch collecting times, with many alternatives and the construction standards are so high that if you are not a watch snob, you can experience watches that some years ago would be considered "luxury" on the cheap.

[@wyzgyz84]

Where's that 'recent aliexpress comparison' viseo? I can't find it and am interested in the Baltany S4056

[@rafaelsa5416]

Was wondering exactly the same even went to his 2nd channel to check but couldn't find the "recent aliexpress comparison"

[@TheBoujiman]

Got this one for like $250 in the sale. Def a steal at that price.

[@cbeltway]

the straum version is around $1,800.

[@tinyman392]

One of my Signum watches has a very similar issue with the date window. It drives me nuts despite the tiny issue it actually is. I purchased one of these San Martins during the 11/11 sale, so I'm excited to get it. The new size variants were released in the past couple weeks if I'm not mistaken.

[@picklesrgross]

Someone on Reddit claims that the fume dials have been categorically eliminated. I canceled my order because I absolutely wanted red fume with that pattern.

[@realwarriorscholar]

This blue dial 39mm is stunning! I might need another watch!

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

It’s ok, but it doesn’t come close to the quality and luxury of my Spaghetti Scameti watch ❤

[@DANNY35870]

Wow, that blue watch is stunning. Immediately going on my wishlist 😂

[@gatobakuniano]

The bracelet is really similar to the Hamilton Cooper that I have. It looks identical. Only difference is the Hamilton links are slightly shorter. The clasp is very similar too. The case integration is different.

[@SujithPrasad-y3z]

My favorite watch channel without a doubt.I’m happy to spend my money on MAMACOO watches. I’ve never been let down by their products

[@Manduley]

Really looking forward to the review of the 36mm!

[@marexmal]

Waiting for the unboxing of that orange 36mm version!

[@Red_Fox8]

Great video ❤ can u get the other two sizes 36 and 42 in orange and red so u can compare the 3 available colors and sizes 👏👌

[@pktsqr]

I was looking at this one a while back as a GADA option, but I'm waiting for a black or grey dial. I love the blue and orange versions, but after picking up a Clemence Munro with the multi-color "avalanche" dial as my last such attempt, I'm *trying* to be sensible.

[@MarielosDiaz-i5w]

I've recently began my obsession as a watch collector. And i must say- out of all the luxury brands I've been researching, for me the MAMACOO's watches are the most intriguing.

[@Haarlem1990]

I have an issue with the San Martin date window too. For me the problem is a slightly scewed dial

[@clockhunterGermany]

Great value for money - I bought one during the AliExpress November Special

[@CommonSenseBodybuilding]

Same bracelet, give or take, as the SN0130. Unfortunately on the SN0130 they left a huge SEL gap which is almost bad enough I’m considering offloading the piece which I actually love otherwise.

[@Arthurzeiro]

I watch your videos every once in a while and It always catches me off guard how big every watch looks on your wrist, you're really rocking those chopstiks

[@durandsimon5221]

It looks amazing, except I dont like the second hand red tip at all... Should be full silver, or white maybe...

[@harryh536]

I am yet to obtain a San Martin because of the brand name and logo. However the quality is making it harder and harder to ignore.

[@tilio9380]

I knew that design looked familiar. It's basically a Monta noble with some small tweaks for 1/4 of the price. 😂

[@Box_13]

Nice review of a banger of a watch. Absolutely fantastic name drop of Skeletor.

[@edesbalazs]

Talking about the rotor noise, is it better or worse, than the usual Seiko movement they use?

[@nathanaelsmith3553]

waiting for mine to arrive - hope my date window is better aligned...?

[@cappy2282]

Beautiful watch forsure

[@gazzaeabc3805]

How would you know if the Ali Express SM site is providing the lighter or darker dial? I won't order the darker item, or just risk it.

[@Sughra1212Bibi]

Hey Ben, could you check out the Perrelet Turbine? I don’t know if I should get that or leave it.

[@kart182]

That bracelet is bloody gorgeous!

[@SteelAddicted]

Right now, it's $277. that's just crazy to me. An amazing looking piece for sure in the next 3 years what will we be saying about san martin??

[@RandallSlick]

Enamel? I'd be amazed. Acrylic possibly? Looks fantastic regardless. Longevity, or lack of will be interesting.

[@cybermortal1983]

the case and finishing look spot on but that logo and hands.... Like I know they can't change the log, that's their logo, but San Martin would do well to establish a sub-brand to differentiate their original watches from their homage watches.

[@VYT2327]

12:16 on the right is the old dial on the left is the new upgrade dial

[@gilbertoflores7397]

They're both renderings, and the color could end up be almost the exact same color. They updated the dial color because the black fume was too overpowering, and the blue one faded into a yellow hue. So the color shouldn't be that different. They're just trying to use less black, According to them l. Those images are very different.

[@sajatovicz]

I wish the texture of the dial wasn't exactly the same on every single piece of the SN0144-GX. JianZhan pottery has different details on every piece.

[@adventureoutdoorsuk9271]

As I watch this video I'm wearing the Hamilton Aviation Day Date. The bracelet of the San Martin looks very similar, even if the clasp is different.

[@BensWatchClub]

Thanks for the heads up! Not a watch I've tried. How would you say the quality compares from the looks of it?

[@adventureoutdoorsuk9271]

@BensWatchClub On camera it reminds of Certina watches, which are a solid swatch group offering. Of course I am biased, I know the value and quality of my Hamilton, but I'd say from 10 feet away they would look comparible in perceived quality. I was actually really impressed with this San Martin, it got me thinking. The design choices of the Hamilton 'Cooper' are subtle at a glance, this is a watch that pays back as you own in.

[@martinwozenilek485]

My date is also off a bit to the right. A bit frustrating as the rest of the watch is absolutely perfect.

[@freepirate4470]

Next, they'll release a spring drive for $299. Grand San Martin

[@jasongultjaeff9397]

The misalignment of the date window would bug me. It will be interesting to see how all of these San Martins hold up long term, or if they are just more throw away junk where it's cheaper to buy a new one.

[@FF18Cloud]

(just get a hyken chair at your staples-equivalent stores in the UK) It ain't as good as my in-office herman miller aeron chair but it is like, 1/3rd of the price :D

[@Doty6String]

Just waiting on some more dial colors before I buy this watch

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

I would love to see you review some more models from Addiesdive

[@MrsVanB]

Yes, me too! I like the AD2066 and would love to hear his thoughts about it. 😊

[@hakki368]

Dial copies Straum dial via laser printing, while slightly trying to copy Straum handset as well.

[@vaclav_fejt]

If I was just starting, I'd start here. And I could have pretty much ended here as well. Maybe a diver, a chrono, and a dress watch, and I'd be set.

[@chrispoulton8743]

bracelet looks very similar to the trident 600 from CW clasp is very very similair

[@Antek_S]

That bracelet has been copied from Hamilton. From a Khaki Aviation Converter Chronograph is where I know it from, as a friend owns it. But from what I can tell, that bracelet can be found on quite a few of Hamiltons Aviation watches.

[@BensWatchClub]

Thanks for the tip off!

[@johnbutler7901]

imo, this watch has been rushed out for the 11/11 sale. we are seeing miss aligned dates, a few youtube reviewers have said the on the fiy adjustment was moving off its setting when putting the watch on. san martin have said they have lightened the fume on the red and orange models but we dont know if they have changed the blue ones, some people with blue dials have said that the fume fades to an ugly yellowish colour, is this with the old model or new model ? . for me there are too many unknowns at the moment, so i'm going to give it a miss for know.

[@RajitAkintunde]

I have never been disappointed since I became a customer of MAMACOO. Their watches are of exceptional quality.

[@cedarcanoe]

7:55 239 degrees amplitude angle isn’t fantastic for a brand new movement

[@OrdinaryWatchGuy]

San Martin giving free lessons on bracelet technology to Grand Seiko.

[@Antek_S]

That bracelet is 100% from a Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter. Thank Hamilton lol.

[@theomerian6102]

I like the watch, but I have a gripe to add: I do not like a diver-sized clasp on a non-diver watch.

[@punkypink83]

plot twist. they actually cherry picked this one out to send to you because they knew they wouldn't be able to sell it with the wonky date wheel otherwise 😂

[@TheNimbrod]

I have just maybe 2-3 watches left I want from Ali this is one of them

[@swanney75]

San Martin-Make a gray fumé dial and I guarantee you’ll sell more than any other watch you’ve ever made! 😊

[@ykjali]

i just got a kamasu and went back to 0 thanks to it, now I want that white GMT thanks to you

[@brianhenry9669]

A chair with good air flow 😉

[@rafatahmad923]

Very high quality watches

[@asamisato876]

this has a striking resemblance to the Monta Noble!

[@AlichaMier]

Nice to see MAMACOO show a watch that can be afforded by almost anyone rather than these pieces costing thousands and thousands which are out of reach for so many.

[@PoRRasturvaT]

Better in real life but with natural light mostly. Though it has depth in it.

[@ggp4961]

They’re cutting off the middleman if you ask me.

[@harrycee656]

The cost is as much as my SRPE57K and has better spec's. Nice.

[@minirock1980]

I thought its more comparable to a Grand Seiko rather than rolex

[@Unwoken_European]

Which is good, I love Grand Seiko watches.

[@minirock1980]

@Unwoken_European yea they produce some fabulous watches, just shame about there clasps

[@linzitazim]

True, their last few watches were also inspired by GS too.

[@kyledriscollmusic]

the rounded square on the back with the chinese symbols should be their logo

[@edjack1993]

Because they steal IP from other companies (Straum and Grand Seiko in the case of the two watches shown in this video). Also, what do they pay the people who work on the watches and what are their working conditions? No question that many other brands over-charge for their watches, but let’s not marvel at companies that rip-off designs.

[@zillsburyy1]

SM is great!

[@DaveJohnson]

And the proof we needed that Erebus Ascent is made by SM. Its almost the same watch

[@toxichazard5015]

I feel like we've known this for months now?

[@DaveJohnson]

@toxichazard5015 it's certainly been mentioned that they might be the manufacturer, but I've not seen it confirmed. To my eyes, this looks to be the same case, hands and indicies which I would have thought Erebus would own the IP for. Apparently not.

[@hootonhoot]

Every thing is different from the Ascend except the movement.

[@gilbertoflores7397]

​@@DaveJohnson different case, hands and everything. Aside from the dimensions and movements, they're different watches. The San Martin has better finishing too, however the Erebus has much nicer hands.

[@gilbertoflores7397]

This san martin is better finished and detailed than the Ascent. Aside from the hands, the erebus is average, the clasp is also slightly different; so san martin is made from a different factory.

[@pokie6087]

How do they do it? You can be sure that someone down the line is working a 12 hour day for a bowl of rice

[@gilbertoflores7397]

If you watch Marc from Long Island Watches, he explains that most 700+ dollars watch cost like 100-200 to make, and all the added cost for shipping, retailed and vendors add their cost making it go up to that 700+ mark. This company is actually cutting out those extra steps and selling directly to customers with almost little advertisement. That's how they do it, more is put into the watch and less people have to get their profits from selling it.

[@pokie6087]

@gilbertoflores7397 There was a video I was watching which I wish I'd saved, where someone entrepreneur was thinking of cashing in on the booming watch market by creating his own brand.. Whilst doing his market research he visited China and once he witnessed the exploitation and discovered criminal ownership of the factories, he ran for the hills. Ever wonder why many of these Chinese brands churn out high end knock offs of Rolex and Omega etc. That's because they're buying the hardware ready made from a few factories that supply the lucrative fake watch market.

[@Ted_Sd]

@@pokie6087 they just actually do what all the fashion brands claim to do. they cut out the middlemen and get their profit from volume sales instead of high margins.

[@raymott6933]

For that guy working 12 hours a day for a measly bowl of rice, buying that watch is the best way to honor their sacrifice 😅

[@gilbertoflores7397]

@@pokie6087 there are plenty of videos in the San Martin factory, showing you its on the up and up. Same goes with Jody, he went and toured the Factory, showing you step by step the whole process a watch was made. Plenty of youtubers tried to make their own microbrand, and documented the process. The biggest takeaway is that lower quality watches are a thing because the more high end, the more QC you need to pay for. Unless he was actively looking for those MVMT type factories that make watches for like a dollar or 2, it's easy to find reputable producers. It's not a hidden secret that watches have an insane markup. The only difference between a 2k watch and a 10k is the branding, quality maxes out at around 300-400 dollar production cost.

[@MyRetroWatches]

I reviewed this a few weeks ago. It’s decent but still a few issues namely the clasp. The caseback does not say San Martin it’s gets its inspiration from Jian Zhan 1000 year old Chinese porcelain that has the same type of enamel pattern on the dial.

[@adventuresofasimpleton]

Yes it does say San Martin, it’s ancient Chinese writing that says 圣马丁, which sounds like “Sheng Ma Ding.” Which is how we Chinese would pronounce San Martin. Maybe confirm it with someone that can read Chinese before spreading more misinformation. ❤

[@MyRetroWatches]

@ spreading misinformation? Wft are you on about it’s not any conspiracy here. I’ve done 20 minute review on the watch where I take it out of the case and put on the microscope so I know this watch very well. Okay I might not speak Chinese but San Martin did not tell me it said San Martin and I will have had the exact same email as Ben .

[@adventuresofasimpleton]

@@MyRetroWatches ok you “know this watch well” except you don’t since you just said it doesn’t say “san Martin” when it does. Is your ego so fragile you’re not willing to admit when you’re wrong? What do you think misinformation means? Why would it be controversial? Sounds like you’re ignorant and thinks misinformation = politics.

[@MyRetroWatches]

@@adventuresofasimpleton your the one with a problem here getting hung up over my comment and the inability to handle that I responded to you. Replying with a comment comment saying I have an ego? I am probably old enough to be your father. I have no ego, I am just a watchmaker and engineer in my mid 50s . The word misinformation used by you would imply I am knowingly spreading misinformation. I am not. I am happy to accept I wrong, I don’t speak or read Chinese. Should I be able to? As I said in my reply, San Martin didn’t tell me it said San Martin. I assumed as it was in the style of the porcelain makers mark it was the same. You should choose more appropriate English words to form your sentences, especially as you are a linguist.

[@adventuresofasimpleton]

@@MyRetroWatches you know what man you’re completely right I dunno what I’m thinking that is my bad!

[@mordeth1964]

I'm not being rude my pommy friend, but you need to come to Australia for a holiday as we possess this strange phenomenon called "the Sun"..😵‍💫😎😆

[@leflipmo]

Almost identical shape as Tissot PR100.

[@rafaelteixeira2739]

Damn I'm too early, no SponsorBlock segment skip yet

[@eezypeezy2782]

It looks better on your arms then mine 😅

[@droobie827]

Hands and markers are very "Oris Aquis"