SAN MARTIN SN008-G. Black Bay homage detailed review. Have San Martin made their best watch yet?

[@thehorologychannel]

And after 5-10 years the movement can just be replaced for ~80$ witout necessity to service it. If it will be hard to find - just order st2130 or even sw200 for a little more money

[@Trex100]

For the money, I think it’s worth it, despite the stigma of it being manufactured in China. You made some really nice observations and criticisms in this review. After spending some time looking at the original BB58 compared to this, i have to admit you’re right about how the bezel should not be glossy. On the other hand, i like it when an homage isn’t a copy, so it loses and gains points on that criterion. Thanks again for the lovely review!

[@karlroberts580]

Love this watch and it’s next on my shopping list. I’ve become a huge San Martin fan recently after buying the 62mas followed by a v3 water ghost. The build quality and finish is better that most of the Seiko’s in my collection. They’re incredible

[@felo6035]

Hello Dan, Outstanding review as usual, thank you very much. I think this is overall one terrific watch. I'm particularly impressed with how well the PT5000 runs!!! Even the hexagonal logo is growing on me... I do wish they made the change you suggested to the bezle. Money wise it is getting a bit high for an AliExpress homage, and as I say this, the specs and quality are extremely good. I'm tempted on this one, but waiting to see if it goes on sale..... Thank you again and all the best my friend. Cheers

[@noonancolm]

I order this SM today.. I'm sure i will love it 👍 I like the contrast between the bessel and the dial

[@watchmewithwatches]

Enjoy it

[@andrebarthelotte2194]

Thank you. I love all my San Martin watches. Never a bad one. Just it hurts to see there prices go up but I will save for them

[@briancolyer8483]

Loving these videos brother, camera work is superb....Both look fantastic, prefer the blue though....they are well made and I believe these are currently the best BB homage currently available....unfortunately I can't really afford to pick up any watches this year, gutted, so this will have to go on my list....🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚

[@KabobHope]

You love the macro shots on this video and ended up watching it again to see if I wanted to purchase this watch during the AliEx sale. I like this gray/black dial of this SM a lot, but ended up getting something completely different along with a Benyar Tudor homage which is not nearly as nice as this one, but is a bit less expensive and has a not-quite-as-smooth movement and some other sacrifices. That blows my watch budget for awhile, and I can enjoy wearing them while I finish quarantining. Great vid. So nice I watched it twice. Keep up the good work.

[@bigbearddahuzi1036]

If they had printed their logo instead of having it as applied, this watch would look really sharp. Just can't get past the logo. Really well made video mate

[@robworthington7431]

Gorgeous watch and really helpful review - love the grey dial actually. I think the price is well worth it for the quality on offer here + the high beat movement.

[@AlexanderB.]

You were right pointing out some of the issues of the black version like the mismatch between the deep black glossy bezel insert and the matt greyish dial. I think on the blue version these parts work together better. And & found the BGW9 lume on my blue version to be very good, even better than on the SM Submariner homage whitch itself is no slouch when it comes to lume. I was easily able to tell the time throughout the night. When resizing the bracelet I used the small blade of an old pocket knife to hold the screw on one side of the bracelet. It was much easier that way, I highly recommend it. This was an excellent review, cheers Dan👍

[@aaronbiddulph1442]

Really love the look of this watch will buy when got the money. Think your review was very fair. Although I do think it would look better with a Matt black bezel insert I’m glad it’s not aluminium. Just love San Martin watches there so well made. Looking forward to the blue version review👍🏻

[@watchlife_reviews]

Great Video brother! Love to support these smaller Chanels like my own.

[@Jacked153]

I recently got a San Martin SN004G and I can't agree more the bracelet is the most tedious thing on a watch ever. Thought I hated pin a collar systems, then I tried this.... honestly the rivets are so heavily torqued in there on my watch it was close to impossible to remove on of them. Word to the wise, be careful using the threadlock if you intent to sell the watch. You could make it impossible for the next owner to remove links

[@JB-qt8eh]

The new SN019 sub looks amazing.

[@JohnBuckmaster-sw3wm]

Another great offering from San Martin. I agree with you on ‘a nice to have’ would be a mat-finish bezel insert. I’m looking forward to seeing the PT 5000 in many more watches of this type. Little house and then you Fasher to make the watches thinner and much more wearable! Thanks for the great review!

[@mikesheehan5946]

Top job mate. Great review. Show me the blue!

[@the_9ent]

Seriously considering this for the end of month sale

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

Love the vintage feel of this one! They always seem to nail it over at San Martin!

[@watchmewithwatches]

I think this whole vintage trend is working for them. I wonder whats next?!

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

@@watchmewithwatches I'm hoping vintage Zenith but that'd be slim to no chance haha

[@andrewmccurdy9325]

@@watchmewithwatches they said on Instagram that they’re doing a vintage Rolex explorer but in 39mm instead of the 36mm like the Smiths

[@watchmewithwatches]

@@andrewmccurdy9325 if only it was 36mm!

[@ulysses14101966]

the best Tudor homage i've ever seen. great review!

[@NhatLinhNguyen82]

It is Tudor Black Bay, not Hamilton though. Or am I tripping?

[@ulysses14101966]

@@NhatLinhNguyen82 OMG... my bad... spoke before having my first cup of coffee :(

[@elmoelms2743]

Mine arrived yesterday (Saturday) I also got the black version. So far it’s a lovely watch but it is early days. As the sale is on at the end of the month I might even be tempted to buy the blue

[@the_9ent]

Did you have to pay customs?

[@elmoelms2743]

@@the_9ent strangely enough no! I paid my £241 plus free postage and that was that. I was expecting too

[@robertmarshall72]

Fantastic review again with you on the changes you said that would make it a killer watch. Think I'm into the blue version looking forward to your video on that one. 😎👍

[@funkmon]

I wasn't sure what it was that looked off about these but it's definitely the dial and ceramic bezel. I got tired of waiting for the homage people so I bought a proper one. -.-. it's actually really nice. In terms of playing with my watches, oh yeah for sure. Constantly. I don't touch the bezel though, mostly just take it on and off over and over. Maybe that's why my straps all break...

[@AlexanderB.]

You bought a proper BB58? It's one of the most beautiful watches ever, full stop👌 Enjoy this watch!

[@funkmon]

@@AlexanderB. it's quite nice but it's actually not my style. It's about as close as a dive watch will get, but I'm much more of a flashy minimalism guy. Hard to explain that. While I do wear it, it's getting much less wrist time than even some cheaper watches I have. They at least have the date. :P Check out Dufrane Barton Springs. That's my shit, yo. $500, Swiss movement but assembled and regulated in the USA, both flashy and minimalist. Very nice.

[@HVG67]

There's just a few things killing this watch for me personally. Number one: it's an homage (which isn't an issue in itself). Number two: the pricing in regards to point 1. Three: the overcomplicated bracelet (yes you do it only once - hopefully). I wish they just had a NH38/NH35 version. Short answer: if this wasn't a Aliexpress watch but a microbrand I'd be more inclined to buy one.

[@minchrono24lover27]

I was actually glad it wasn't another piece of crap nh35/38. God I hate those movements.

[@acrewdog]

I think the reason they could make the watch so thin was this movement. The svelte thickness of this watch turned me on to it much more than when I first saw it.

[@HVG67]

@@minchrono24lover27 I have 80 watches and at least 45 are Seiko movements. Never had a bad experience with them yet. They're reliable workhorses.

[@wed265]

Great review as always my friend. I like you you seem like a great guy. Can you get the blue version in I just ordered that one. I got it in the sale for $266. You can't beat that with a stick. LOL Ray 🇺🇸

[@garyk8285]

I agree on bezel and dial tone should be closer matched. I have this same issue with my Seiko SBDC061, which no one has ever mentioned online.

[@nintendokings]

Great review. Unfortunately I think the blue version suffers from a too glossy bright blue bezel

[@multipl3]

Excellent review man! Subbed

[@watchmewithwatches]

Thankyou! Welcome aboard

[@MyAlan999]

Great review Dan , agree with all your points and feel exactly the same - a darker dial with matte black bezel insert , female endlinks and for me the could do away with the rivet screws as there just too much of a pain in the ass to size :) set mine last Saturday and been wearing it most days/nights at work , run's a few seconds slow but i started leaving it dial up when sleeping , currently it's only -4 seconds over the whole week , not bad at all lol , my first San Martin and apart from the bracelet sizing I've been very impressed

[@watchreviews4k]

Interesting review. Regards.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Thank you!

[@donnyboon2896]

Yes

[@timefliesby-jleo474]

I would buy it right away if they did the female end links.

[@tarekalsharif4014]

Am still waiting for the same with white dail or orange I couldn't find good collection from those two colors

[@Novit3R]

I'd buy it if the crystal was more raised as it is with the bb58. Also I'd like they made the diameter of the bezel and insert a bit smaller. For my taste this would make the watch more proportional and more eye pleasing.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Excellent points, I agree!

[@extradimensional8818]

I watched this to watch watches✌️🧐🇬🇧

[@gs8287]

Pagani have just released their version of the Black bay, looks good. That San Martin is a real beauty!

[@michaelperry9261]

The Pagani Design BB58 looks nicer to me. The waffle dial, square hr markers & female end links. The San Martin has a better movement, but that's it IMO.

[@karlroberts580]

Also interested to see what the Pagani has to offer. Looks good in the photos

[@nintendokings]

Looks cheap in the real photos imo

[@AlexanderB.]

@@michaelperry9261 Trust me, the quality & feel of the Pagani Design is nowhere near San Martin. Plus the PD it's a 42 mm watch. Not great imo.

[@shawn1928]

if you're also buying this for the lume quality, it's San Martin all day (not Pagani)

[@johnmuthan286]

Warning about the pt5000 : BIG warning about the pt5000. I have already my new bb58 with issues (handwinding mechanism stucked) , so does another youtubers (slightly different issues) and you , and a friend of mine has issues with the Cronos, that is 4 issues with this movement in no time!!!

[@watchmewithwatches]

Thanks forgetting me know. Have you seen my new review comparing this to the blue one. My blue one has reverse gear being stuck issue.

[@johnmuthan286]

@@watchmewithwatches yeap, and also said you on the blue version video I had an issue :)

[@brianmsahin]

Excellent review....

[@dunderhay9169]

Great review 👍. I do like the watch head a lot, but I don't like the bracelet, the rivets and male end links ruin it for me. If they did a cheaper one on a rubber strap that would be my choice. The movement is impressive, but you've ruined the watch for me, now I can't unsee the dial/bezel mismatch 😂 well spotted!

[@vincidicaprio298]

In 2018 their rivet bracelets did have a female end link. Much better indeed!

[@NhatLinhNguyen82]

would you review the blue one before Aliexpress Anniversary Sales? I can't decide between blue and this

[@Visitor555]

What date are these sales?

[@NhatLinhNguyen82]

@@Visitor555 Starts on 24th. Runs for few days I guess

[@superaktiv33]

Cool video! I like your voice a lot :)

[@johnmuthan286]

Just received mine, I don't understand the fuss about adjusting the bracelet, it took me no time to remove 3 links (2 from a side, 1 from the other) and screw back these screws pins. You guys must have 2 left feet instead of hands and fingers !!!!

[@watchmewithwatches]

I have 6 fingers made of butter

[@johnmuthan286]

@@watchmewithwatches 😅🤪😁

[@buijs1967]

I am waiting for a gmt version

[@paultollervey2635]

Are they making one, or is this just a wish?

[@buijs1967]

@@paultollervey2635 just a wish

[@Godotlv5000]

I'm waiting for a day-date homage with champagne dial. Hopefully they do it, I love san martin watches and their customer service.

[@johnmuthan286]

They are doing a GMT vintage sub homage already

[@buijs1967]

@@johnmuthan286 I know, but not a Tudor version

[@Tangylives]

The bezel/dial texture and colour difference is enough for me to not want this colourway. I would've liked the lume to be slightly more cream and less yellow. At the end of the day, when SM are pushing into this price bracket they really need to win me over. This just doesn't quite do it for me.

[@andrei-cosmin.popa85]

Excellent review! 👏🏻 Personal tjoughts : there's too many shapes on that dial. Square indices mighty have done the trick on this model.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Great idea!

[@avavaviv1]

Consider slower aperature for your macro shots. The shots as now are very not sharp with a lot of fringing.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Hi, this is before I upgraded ny macro lens. Thanks for the tips !

[@paultollervey2635]

When are you expectIng the blue version? Really interested to see the two side by side before taking the plunge.

[@watchmewithwatches]

I'm working on the review as we speak!

[@paultollervey2635]

@@watchmewithwatches Excellent , thanks. Would be great to see both before the March sale. Loving your work by the way.

[@garyk8285]

Would be great if it had a Date function on the watch, perhaps at the 6 o'clock.

[@possumsam2189]

Not really. I'd seen Microbrands with a similar layout and the date window in the 6 o' clock position. It is unique but doesn't work for this style of watch in my opinion.

[@williamb8764]

Too expensive for an AliExpress homage as far as I’m concerned. At that price tag you can get a great time piece from a brand with horological heritage, with an in house movement and those are things I value more than a specs sheet. But hey to each his own !

[@watchmewithwatches]

Great point. For £240, what watch would you recommend with those specs? I want one!

[@williamb8764]

@@watchmewithwatches You can’t have everything, what I said is that at this price point I’d rather get an original time piece like the Orient Kamasu than a super speced homage :) But then again, I totally get why people love these. It’s a lot of watch for the price tag !

[@watchmewithwatches]

@@williamb8764 great point! The orient Kamasu is such a lovely watch. I only sold mine to fund more watches! Lol

[@tuzu1758]

I would have liked to have seen printed rather than applied.

[@michaelhargis7036]

Printed over applied? I don't think I've ever heard anyone ever have that preference.

[@johnmuthan286]

That is the main reason I bought this one over their vintage sub, because it had applied instead of printed :)

[@terryaustin7140]

I fiddle with my watches as well.

[@ABCDE710]

I don't mind homages but this one is straight up a copy of the Tudor watch.

[@udojager2673]

It's an interesting watch. However, the price is very high. Almost 300 euros. And then there are customs and taxes. You are priced at a Steinhart watch.

[@xxGravyBabyxx]

It beats the actual tudor price though and the tudor version has a aluminum bezel at that price!!

[@e28forever30]

You know you can get San Martin watch shipped from Belgium? So, no taxes..

[@KabobHope]

Yeah, they're too expensive now. I'll just save a little more and get a Seiko.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Its a risky move creeping the prices up so high.

[@Jikaninja]

Be honest......after tried many Aliexpress brands....Phylida, Bliger, Corgeut, Pagani Design, and recently after all the hypes on Steeldive.....My experience with them are all negative and those brands are all sucks one way or other! The “Only” affordable Chinese made brand I bought and leave me great experience and service is San Martin. So, ppl, don’t waste your time, money and cause yourself all kinds of anxiety wishing that watch you just bought from Aliexpress and hope the watch is not a crap....then stop. Save your money and go for San Martin.....I don’t work for them, this is just my true testimony after wasted so much of my time and money on those other crappy brands....if you going to buy Chinese, San Martin should be the only brand you spend your money on! Period. Oh, and don’t buy San Martin on Aliexpress, buy directly from their website. Glenn from San Martin is fantastic and great to deal with!

[@alexprendido2023]

Uff 👌

[@andrev4683]

Hands are misaligned, you can tell at the begining of the video, it's 3 minutes past the hour, but the hour hand is not at 6 o'clock yet...b

[@watchmewithwatches]

Omg, I didn't notice!

[@neilwhite8131]

Well spotted.

[@laserwave6012]

Absolutely love what SM are doing with their watches but the logo is a big turn off for me, it's gotta be one of the ugliest out there.

[@johnleonard3951]

I think all watch braclets should be female end links. Not a fan of that jutting out look

[@watchmewithwatches]

I totally agree, they look nice, and always allow for a nicer fit.

[@sneekerstattoo]

I do like these San Martin watches….until I see that damn shark on the crown,puts me right off😩

[@watchmewithwatches]

Got some more coming soon with a new design on the crowns.....

[@trailerparkboysbestshow3327]

too bad the male links makes this watch HUGE :(

[@watchmewithwatches]

It does wear well still. Maybe a smaller wrist would show the lug to lug more though.

[@garyk8285]

I disagree on female end link. Male is better, it gives more definition at the lugs. Female end links tend to look cheap.

[@dr885]

It would be much more beautiful without that ugly logo.

[@ojsimps701]

Blatant rip off of swiss tudor rose design!

[@IverKnackerov]

…which was a direct copy of the 1958 original …. Get over it

[@kobe5rings]

Imagine making a 15 minute video and only putting one picture on wrist.... 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@watchmewithwatches]

Shocking!

[@ojsimps701]

Dont buy chinese!

[@drgeek100]

Personally I think this is a very cheesy BB58 wannabe.