San Martin is insanely good value! But it has issues too… (Brand Overview)

[@AbnormalAspirations]

The San Martin bracelets are a revelation at their price point. If you care about bracelet quality there really isn't any brand competing with them at that price.

[@lloydmeadows3471]

they're good but after purchasing several I'm very bored of the clasps.

[@AbnormalAspirations]

@@lloydmeadows3471 Bored? Because they all have the same design?

[@lloydmeadows3471]

@@AbnormalAspirations exactly. Just the same clasp every single time. Yes, it's executed very well but some variety would be nice!

[@my2l]

@@lloydmeadows3471 would u rather have a shitter grand seiko bracelet for variety? haha

[@mclovinhawaii3905]

You put San Martin on the radar for me, and I have to say at a first glance they are really eye-catching for their value for money. For the price of a nice Longines, you could get ~10 San Martins. But I think the question for is: Would you want the heritage and quality of a single Longines which you'd wear every day, or would you prefer a box of San Martins? My answer right now is actually somewhere a third direction...as I'm early into my watch collecting journey, I'd like to try out different styles of watches to see what I like before dropping $10k on a Rolex or something. Homages act as a cheap way to "feel out" a watch before committing to the purchase. Thank you for your content Rudi!

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Really appreciate the comment! And yeah I’d say they’re a great entry point, quality of an entry level luxury watch for the price of a budget beater, can’t really go wrong with one!

[@rickhammel9541]

I love a Rolex Submariner. I'm finally at the point in my life I could easily afford one. I was told to check out the San Martin 019, and that the quality is unreal for the price. It has scratched the Sub itch for me, and I'd rather put the 10k in Apple stock. The law of diminishing returns applies big time to watches. You definitely are paying a lot. for Rolex's marketing and sponsorship of a ton of sports events. My only negative is that they make too many men's watches under 40mm.

[@giantusa]

I have seen plenty of reviews from people who own multiple Rolex but still love collecting San Martin for its insane finish and proper movement regulation. Seiko watches under $1000 are garbage in comparison. One of my hi-beat San Martin runs within +1s a day, others within 5s. It looks quite expensive too on the wrist. It is a golden age for being a watch addict.

[@Dirtywesterner]

@@giantusa My san martins are all nh35's,or 34's, and it seems that sometimes they need to be regulated , but it's much easier to do yourself than most would think

[@Fred-nv8gf]

I love that San Martin make sub 40 mm watches. Their owm designs are great. In 20 years they too will have history,

[@Ellarose6]

The craziest thing is that there are still probably more Rolexes in the market than San Martins. They might become extremely expensive a few decades from now. If it doesn't turn out that way, you won't have lost much money anyway.

[@geneparadiso6258]

They aren’t “fakes” they’re similar.

[@nicocalimero]

History and narratives are just marketing tools. Personnallly I have some Seiko and Orient, but I am not interested by Swiss overpriced watchs, and Seiko is overpriced now too. Branding don't works on me. When you see people buy plastic moonswatch at 250€ you see that people just want too show off, when you compare to San martin watchs for this price.

[@ramspencer5492]

You spent a long time showing usa watch to isn't a copy talking about copies.... That gmt is one of the better watches... Maybe not the most creative, But still not a copy of anything. I'm not saying the points weren't real... Just strange editing

[@watchalot919]

I reviewed the SN0131 which is an original design. It's an incredible watch, and NOT just for the money. They are starting to make more of their own designs now, and putting slants on existing models. We mustn't forget, even brands like Seiko homage other manufacturers designs

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

The clips are just footage of the watches to look at while talking they’re not specific to what I’m talking about sorry lad! My editing will get bette in the future!

[@watchalot919]

An orange version sold on eBay the other day for £164. I actually think that is the nicer colour. It was an auction and that was the starting price. I wish I had bid. A few days later a yellow/green one went for £244. Strange place eBay

[@9118693223]

the sellers of all these ''homage'' watch brands must consider put the youtubers that talk about these, on a payroll ... as for the watches, they might look nice from outside, but what about their movements ??? are they really any good??

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

The movements are third party and reliable so seiko nh35 and ST5000 are the most commonly used, so yeah San Martin movements are great value! I mean a £450 seiko presage has the same movement that a £150 San Martin does!

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Also I’m not on a payroll, I wish I was lol

[@9118693223]

you are too many . they can't afford to pay all of you . @@WatchConnoisseurClub

[@daleyfamily2179]

Yeah because they top off their rip of with a name brand movement lol.

[@Kevinjimtheone]

Every watch is basically a homage at this point. No matter the brand, unless we are talking about something exotic. There are extremely few new pieces that are cruelly new. Also, anyone saying the Rolex is the pick of horology is either ignorant or delusional. Making everything in-house doesn't mean much if you basically made the same watches for a quarter of a century, if not more. Chinese brands are great for what they are. Nobody who was going to buy a Rolex buys a San Martin instead of a Rolex. Giving people a fantastic watch for a very affordable price is great for the hobbyists out there. Further more, there are a couple of brands that build on the San Martin success and do their thing with real homages, like Baltany.

[@omoniyikaye]

Homerages are not fake watches. San Martin, Pagani Design and other are great watches in their own rights I will rather buy them than by fake replicas of Rolex and other expensive watches.

[@motouno3778]

Most so called Swiss Made watches & Seiko's under about $1500 usd have their cases , crystals & bracelets made in china .... so why pay the premium . Also any watch brand now owned by swatch has lost that heritage ! Cheers

[@ceskyler]

I have the 🥑 one and is just amazing & waiting for the full grey one SN0129 which looks stunning too.

[@rxvengz]

San Martin is starting to price itself out of its on niche market. I only wore my SM 3 times and 2 bracelet pins fell out. Now their prices have been pushed past $250-$300 mark.

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Depends on the model, they’re still all sun 300 usd which is the price range discussed today and their quality is unmatched in that price, but as I went over in the video that doesn’t necessarily make them the best pick

[@Uneducatedopinion57]

Buy them on a sale

[@scotthayes2652]

So you’re reviewing a watch brand you have not held, just clips from others.

[@danschic]

While you were talking about San Martin making mostly homages, you were showing footage of one of their original designs (the GMT watch, 3:00-4:00).

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

I know the footage is just randomly placed xD I don’t pay much kind to it, but my editing is getting better

[@Dirtywesterner]

my phone likes to call people anytime I start to badmouth them

[@mark314158]

That logo is horrible. I just can't get used to it - no matter how much I try...

[@johanvandersandt8904]

They are really hard to beat! Not just for the money but in general. I would go with "heavily inspired" or "greatly influenced by" other watches. 😁 I agree with you. I would rather have a San Martin than a Seiko. Orient has another trick up their sleeves... An in house movement. Glycine is dope too! I like the San Martin Avocado! Would make a great summer watch! Have a great one bro! 💪🏼💪🏼

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

And you my main man! Always look forwards to you next comments!

[@johanvandersandt8904]

@@WatchConnoisseurClub 💪💪

[@TillSwims]

Another San Martin video praising their watches. Most watches have sharp cases and bracelets .

[@jazz1ba]

My Certinas have sharp bracelets and cost three times more.

[@martintanz9098]

I tried San Martin twice in the last 2 years. Well made but both watches felt off in terms of design. Both watches are gone now and I won’t be buying another. By contrast, I have a bunch of Seiko that despite their flaws I still like enough to keep.

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Fair enough! I dont mind either

[@Terion-82]

I personally don't care about the heritage or history of a brand, All I care about is quality, looks and price. If San Martin (Which I own a couple of watches) gives me better quality and price and a look that rivals big brands, I don't care it's Chinese or that it's homaging something else. I have some watches from brands like Longines, Mont Blanc, Tag Heuer and Frederique Constant, and honestly San Martin is always an eye catcher and a conversations starter where as those other brands go unnoticed most of the time.

[@daleyfamily2179]

There is always one person who says I own all the name brands but prefer my clomage rip off. LOL GTFO. Yeah I will wear my clomage over my Tudor ok, lol sure.

[@mr.eswatchreviews]

I agree with everything said 100%

[@pokie6087]

I'm not sure San Martin are the king of the cheap knock off brands. Since I heard about them I've been checking prices and on the UK market they're coming in used at about the same price as used Seiko SRPD. You'll argue of course that you get more with the SM. I'll pass though. I'd rather have the real thing even without sapphire

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Yeah but that’s why the debate is, just depends on which type of collector you are, would you rather have an original watch of lower quality or a knock off that’s higher quality, depends on what sorta person you are! :)

[@pokie6087]

@@WatchConnoisseurClub These watches aren't higher quality.

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

@@pokie6087 I’m afraid yes they are, sapphire crystals, much higher level finishing, comparable-slightly better quality control etc.

[@pokie6087]

@@WatchConnoisseurClub Absolute garbage. Using sapphire doesn't make the overall quality better and stating that the quality of finish is better is just plain lying.

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

@@pokie6087 nope I’ve held seiko and San Martin and San Martin have much much better finishing, and sapphire crystal isn’t the only point I made, plus yes actually a sapphire crystal does make a watch higher quality as it’s not so fragile lol

[@PeanutPundit]

03:02 It is disingenuous of you to be talking about homages while displaying a San Martin original design.

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

They have 2 original designs both of which take heavy inspiration from already made watches.. it’s not disingenuous to show the original when talking, that’s just videos in the background of the brand while I talk is all!

[@paulvon2378]

Homage= copycat. Pure rubbish

[@Andy-ys8sj]

So tudor are rubbish to then as they've just brought out a sub homage?

[@paulvon2378]

@@Andy-ys8sj wrong again lad

[@Andy-ys8sj]

@@paulvon2378 take it your from Liverpool kid, was on county road for ten. Please enlighten me why I'm wrong, don't get me wrong I buy Swiss and Japanese watches, don't have a a San Martin but I like what their doing, and it's not like their sticking rolex on the dial, and for the money you are getting 95 percent of the way there. back up your statement lad

[@malikshabazz7596]

Rolex is the King of all watches. The top selling watch for a single brand by dollar value is Rolex, at more than $7 billion. I love Homage watches, l don't see why l should pay in some cases more than a years Salary for a watch. I think it's unbelievably wrong. I have been into these watch Boutiques tried on Lange and Sohne, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex. I see no reason why they should cost more than $10,000 at the most. Imagine you can get up and work for one whole year and still can't buy a watch. Yet you have paid your mortgage, utilities bills,food,car, and may have gone on vacation but can't buy a watch.

[@runkle8106]

They're not meant for people that have to work for at least a year to afford it.. Same as supercar

[@malikshabazz7596]

@runkle8106 lol l hear that but l think its so wrong, super car there's much involved.

[@ikeman5774]

I think warranty considerations are also important in choosing a brand, as well as, what brands will fulfill said warranty.

[@Ghosy01]

True but on the flip side they use seiko movements so they should be easy to repair .

[@orangeyellow-me1pz]

Lol, I love my Invicta watches. I like thick watches up to 47 mm. I especially love the Swiss made autos. One is bead blasted, brushed, polished, sapphire, milled clasp all for $150. It beats the pants off my Seiko that cost me over double the price.

[@glenh4971]

San Martin as a brand may not have the history that the expensive brands have. But, they have a very good reputation for great quality and value for money. San Martin is for every day people. They are attainable. They are a respectable brand among many watch nerds and those that are in the know about watches. San Martin is a viable option. I recommend the brand.

[@Robespierres_Ghost]

I have 8 San Martin's. 3 have misaligned bezels. Their QC isn't great in this area in my experience. Still pretty good value for the money.

[@samwang5831]

Rolex even copied the Mercedes logo. 🤣

[@jazz1ba]

TBH thats why I cannot stand any watch with mercedes hand.

[@leaningtower73]

Although I love collecting brands with history and heritage like Rolex, Omega, Longines, Hamilton, Seiko etc I got a pair of San Martins as beater/daily drivers. They have got superb finishing and bracelets

[@Tbone51]

Speaking from experience, I absolutely agree. I have several Seiko's that came on a bracelet and none of them are still on the watches because of their poor quality. I also have several San Martin's and their bracelets are not great, but much better, and I use them. I have no problem with a "homage" because, with owning a lot of watches, it is a minor investment to wear something interesting and very "similar" to a style/look that I like. I think of the time my wife said, "Sure, let's get you a Rolex. The thing is that you will need to wear it all the time." My response: "Why would I do that? I have too many watches I enjoy to wear only one." BTW: I also have a number of Citizens, a few well-known mid-range brands, and various micro-brands. This allows me to be a watch enthusiast on a modest budget.

[@zitengwang136]

Omega and Swiss heritage, is to change rules to win competition and stop hosting competitions after losing. So sad seiko did not fully destroy Swiss watch industry.

[@Tbone51]

Yes, get watches you love to wear. It doesn't matter what others think.

[@westendwatch]

recently got my first San Martin the SN0136 for around £200 and it's exceptional value and easily good enough to use as a daily wearer. Of course they'll never compete with Seiko on heritage but Seiko and Citizen and Tissot are making you pay to be part of their tradition 😀

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Yup! Depends if you value specs or heritage more, I generally like both so I spend a little more but I know many aren’t in a financial situation for that so it’s good to have options!

[@rickhammel9541]

the only negative for me is that they make too many watches under 40mm, I guess they want to make unisex watches? They make such gorgeous dials, it's a shame when they're so small and have no wrist presence.

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

I’ve gotta disagree, I think that they have enough in 40+, and for me and most of my watch friends 36-39mm is preferred, but that’s fair enough some people just like bigger watches!

[@younusimam-thesalamproject6340]

Having gone down the route of buying Seiko, Orient and microbrands, I wish I had chosen San Martin instead. These Chinese brands are incredibly well made. I had to mod my Kamasu to actually enjoy it. The Bambino is an exception, it is still incredible and worth getting.

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Kamasu is still a great watch, and the bambino is still one of the best made dress watches in the price range even including Chinese brands, but yeah they really impress me these days

[@rickseconds7676]

I have a Glycine quartz diver, it's a great watch.

[@adistancu6545]

Is a good answer to those expenses brand watches ,good looking watch ⌚️ and nice quality….would be on my list …..

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Should be! It’s amazing quality and value for sure

[@moneymikz]

I got the blue and teal GMT, should be here in nine days can’t wait to try it on. I live in Florida so the colors are great for endless summer

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Sweet my man!

[@redbarchetta8782]

My only complaint with San Martin is they overuse NH movements.

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Yeah though they also use pt like the pt5000 but still. Some miyota 9000 movements would be nice

[@watchalot919]

I own four San Martin watches, and when I reviewed the SN0131 I described it as ridiculously good. Fortunately they are making more and more of their own designs, and I would class all four of mine as originals. From a value for money point of view they knock spots off of any high street brand. I should point out they are sold through several selling platforms, NOT just Aliexpress. It's true some people are very concerned about heritage, I don't give a toss, a watch is a sum of it's past. Let's not forget Rudi, plenty of brands (including Seiko) copy other brands designs

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Agree with that! As I say though it just depends on what type of collector you are, I’d personally recommend atleast one San Martin for every collection to feel that quality for the low price, and their avocado gmt original design I actually really really like

[@Matthew-wn8oq]

San Martin beats Rolex in finishing and bracelets if your looking at the top of their line

[@jazz1ba]

Whats top of SM line to try one?

[@neoroxx]

ahh...china copy cat watches, what's not to like? 😂🤭

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Well the point of this video is to show the goods and bads, there’s no question they’re some of the best made watches for the price range in terms of finishing and quality, however as I also argued they are mostly homages and there’s the debate of giving money to the ccp though everything we buy gives money to the ccp anyways, it’s a whole debate

[@unwokeneuropean3590]

Im a big fan of San Martin. The better value than my first automatic watch that was Seiko 5.

[@ultrasonicradiation]

San Martin is a perfect demonstration how much markup luxury steel watches have, and what they are really worth at the end of the day.

[@EricZ726]

I’ll buy a SM if they change that horrible logo

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

I kinda like the logo lol

[@StjohnPope]

Can buy without logo I believe