San Martin BB558 Retro SN004 Blue Version. Still The best Diver Under £250 On AliExpress?

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

Love that you've convinced yourself that this purchase was because you wanted to review it and not just that you wanted a new watch 😂 I do that all the time! Lovely watch, really solid offering...not something I'm surprised about when it comes to SM

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi Jason. Happy New Year buddy. Yeah, the black and gilt version was really nice and the quality blew me away but fell out of love with the gilt! The blue version IS a different beast. Wears very differently as in it feels more tool- like but the MilSub is the tool watch! Been very disciplined and it was difficult to get the review out without losing context! Thanks for watching and all the best for 2023 :)

[@williamsipe1151]

🤣🤣🤣

[@goldfools5445]

I am wearing this exact watch while watching this. I never unwrapped the bracelet and put the rivet bracelet on that was off my 6200 SN004 vintage diver. I love the way it looks and wears. So comfortable. One of my favourites for sure.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Great stuff. So many excellent dive watches out there. Loved the black and gilt ...for a while. Blue has never been my colour but you can't knock the quality for the price!

[@bensynewsshoedown4999]

John, well done doing a deal in the sales. I agree that many people are a bit skeptical or curious about consistency amongst San Martin watches, or detail changes. So it's a welcome close-up review. This blue BB is a popular one.

[@Crackers2549]

I actually have both watches but bought the blue one first, then the guilt dial version... Outstanding pieces for the money, great finishing... I am still impressed and they wear great on my 7 1/4 wrist... One other watch I have from SM is the GMT stainless bezel and that watch would just stop running when it was brand new, so instead of sending it back I spent $200 to have my watchmaker completely service and regulate it... It keeps fantastic time now of 1 second fast a day but with a cost... Nice video...! GG...IN

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi there. Thanks for watching and sharing. ...a novel way to fix an issue though!? :)

[@Crackers2549]

@@johnswatchjoint Well, my other option was to send it back to China and USPS told me it might get there and might not and it was expensive… that’s the only drawback with buying these watches from China if you have a problem…. So I just decided to spend the money and have a watchmaker fix it because I did like the watch so much…. Thanks for your reply…👍

[@oscarquinteto5431]

Good video my friend. I love san martín watches

[@claycox5285]

Thank you for the detailed review John.

[@johnswatchjoint]

My pleasure!

[@barryvercueil2346]

Great choice in the blue one. Definitely more special.

[@bensynewsshoedown4999]

Happy New Year, John and watchers. Seeya soon for John's scuba skirmish!

[@johnswatchjoint]

It's gonna be good ;)

[@randyreynolds1045]

Its really a great watch. And comfortable too. Close but not as accurate as my real swiss certina.

[@somewhereintimewatchreviews]

Nice looking homage decent quality as usual from SM only issue for me is the 90 click bezel.....drives my OCD mad 😆 60 or 120 Well presented video as always.👍

[@johnswatchjoint]

Cheers Adrian.

[@jacdavis]

I have the black and guilt version and absolutely love it. The only criticism I have about it, is the clasp 🤷‍♂️. I think the logo is way too big and spoils it, so much so, ive swapped the bracelet. I even prefer the S logo on the crown over the newer hex, as its barely noticeable. I did consider the blue version, but the classic look of the black and gilt drew me in. Great review though 👊😎

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi Jac. It is always difficult picking the right combo and the logo is polarising....I really had trouble with it, but the quality is far too good to spoil it. Shame you had to change the bracelet just because of the logo as it is by far the best bracelet on AliExpress for weight distribution, balance and comfort. Thanks for watching and remember to subscribe if you haven't already:)

[@AlexanderB.]

This is a very appealing homage watch and it's good they're giving the option to get this watch with a no-rivet bracelet, because sizing the bracelet using the rivet style screws is a pain. I just they did something about the bezel insert, either choose aluminium or matt ceramic. Speaking of the bezel insert, I assume you used the hot water method to fix the bezel alignment.

[@johnswatchjoint]

It's a great watch, excellent size, nice looks and balance but I agree that ceramic bezels with their high gloss can be off-putting. Much prefer the Matt or brushed finish like you suggest. Have not attempted to re align yet....so many watches waiting for review but will have to do it for a very important video coming up shortly ;)

[@AlexanderB.]

@@johnswatchjoint Looking forward to that! 😊

[@clarenceboddicker7708]

Milsub is betterlooking. I agree. I got the red seestern aswell. I have too many watches 🤷

[@johnswatchjoint]

Haha...it is an affliction!

[@Lundgreen19]

I dont found this model on san martin shop!! Is still on their catalogue?

[@johnswatchjoint]

Just use my links in the description. That's what they are there for. Will take you to the correct page where you can buy your colour of choice :)

[@johnrb9397]

The Chronos Tudor rep looks interesting 🤔

[@georgemole9790]

How does this differ from the San Martin SN-008-G-B, which is also considered a BB58 homage?

[@johnswatchjoint]

I have never had the SN008 G in hand but it is very slightly larger and I believe there are a range of high beat movements available ie PT5000 etc. Best if you go on Ali and bring up both watch tabs to see the precise differences .

[@Dobee1000]

Hi John, Do you know what the shark logo means on my watch? Some has a letter S for SW200 movements some P for PT5000 but or simply a san martin logo. Mine has a shark and no idea what it means. Any idea?

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi there. I am sorry for the late reply. Trying to finish my last vid of 2023 :) I am sorry but I have not seen that crown version and presume it just denotes Dive Watch. Happy New Year when it comes 🎉

[@Dobee1000]

@@johnswatchjoint Thanks for the reply anyways. No worries, just did some research and figured it might just be because of the V1 release. They were made with a shark logo I noticed this is their logo on some of their Diver watch on the back. I bought it second hand and I can't figure out what movement it has I assume it's the NH35. How can you tell by looking? Happy New Year to you too!

[@ragnarone5409]

Thank for this comparsion. I don´t like snow flake hands and therefore I would prefer the Milsub.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi and thx for watching ;). Like you I did not like them. For me they seemed out there but once I wore the Gilt version for a few weeks I changed my mind. They are polarizing! Remember to subscribe for more content:)

[@clarenceboddicker7708]

Milsub is betterlooking for sure. 👍🏻 All the sn004 are glorious.

[@scatterbrain9490]

👍

[@yorkshirewanderer9957]

Re the misalignment issue at 4:20, how can that be fixed easily? I have struggled with this myself. Thanks John

[@johnswatchjoint]

See above but this is at your own risk :)

[@yorkshirewanderer9957]

Thank you.

[@johnswatchjoint]

@@yorkshirewanderer9957 hope it helps. If it doesn't work after a couple of goes then at least you tried :)

[@williamsipe1151]

I was salivating over this one until you said 90-click bezel. 😢

[@goldfools5445]

Should it be 60 click like the Tudor?

[@johnswatchjoint]

Have reviewed many 90 click Bezel watches. Don't have any issue with them.

[@williamsipe1151]

@@goldfools5445 , I'd be totally okay with that, or 120.

[@williamsipe1151]

@@johnswatchjoint , yeah, it's just a personal peeve I have, like ghost date positions or second hands that miss the markers.

[@Warongold]

My 6200 is not aligned right infant it's exactly as your blue it's slightly to the left so how do I fix it

[@johnswatchjoint]

The way I did it was to lay it face down in a tea towel on a warm radiator for 3 mins max. I then put pressure on the insert and rotated it in the direction of the 12 o'clock position until it lined up. Please do not class this as advice. It is just the way I did it. I cannot be held responsible for any mishaps if you try this method :)

[@williamsipe1151]

@johnswatchjoint , I was able do that tweak by heating the bezel with a heat gun and then rotating it slightly. A hair dryer may also work. Bottom line: heat the bezel carefully until the adhesive gets a bit soft and then apply pressure in the direction you need to move it.

[@funkaholic1972]

"No issues whatsoever..."

[@maurseg6588]

Mine after 1 Week does not work

[@johnswatchjoint]

That's unfortunate. Contact seller for replacement...it does happen sometimes :(