The Astounding San Martin Vintage Explorer Homage SN020-G - Perth WAtch

[@watchsixto]

Stunning Rolex Explorer homage looks well built San Martin has stepped up there game

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks - I enjoyed reviewing this one!

[@NathanChisholm041]

I bought mine two weeks ago and it's stunning! Its finishing is better than some of my Swiss watches and it's running +1 per day! Cheers...

[@PerthWAtch]

That’s amazing!

[@kenrankin5814]

I have had mine since July and its been a daily wear, just love it.

[@Jesterian]

How's it holding up? What color did you get?

[@NathanChisholm041]

@@Jesterian I have the same one and its keeping great time about +4

[@japd7897]

I do not need any new watch, I could live just with reissues. Tribute, Heritage, ... are words that sound like music to my ears. Seiko, if you read this, I want a Pogue reissue.

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha nice one! I would like a Pogue!

[@TheRealChetManley]

Damn man, that looks better than expected. These brands have really stepped their game up.

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha thanks - well I think this is pretty close to the best you can get for around the $200 mark

[@anthonysmith2982]

Thanks for the review. I'm going to pick this up in the Nov. sale. I'm going for a custom dial too. Simply using my own 'brand' name and logo. It's not a perfect watch, as you said, but what you get for the $ with this brand is quite outstanding. I also have a Tisell Explorer 214270 MKII 'homage'. That runs a Miyota 90s5 and a glide-lock clasp. It sells for > $250USD. It's a great watch, despite me not being the biggest fan of watches homaging modern pieces, or even homages full stop, sometimes it's the only way someone like me will be able to experience something approaching the watches that are being copied. Cheers and Best. ✌🏼️

[@PerthWAtch]

That’s awesome man, thanks for sharing those thoughts, most appreciated :)

[@dinner_workingsly]

I’m sorry Ivan but if I’m gonna buy a watch the spin factor is paramount. The watch isn’t my flavor, but if it had spun well…..then who knows, maybe it would have been the one I needed.😉🤣

[@PerthWAtch]

Damn it I knew I left something out! My deepest apologies :(

[@dinner_workingsly]

@@PerthWAtch lol…I think if I search out the deepest depths I could find room for forgiveness…🤣. Nah you good man, always great reviews my friend.

[@PerthWAtch]

Phew 😅😆

[@stevefox8605]

Recently bought a San Martin,(unimatic style) but ended up giving it to a friend because I couldn't cope with it being a homage - tho I was very impressed with the build quality and materials. A well made watch, I just can't do homage watches. Good review, Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻

[@PerthWAtch]

Interesting… you mean you weren’t sure how you would like homages before you bought it?

[@stevefox8605]

@@PerthWAtch yes, not had one before - bought it because of the spec/value and it was a bit of an obscure homage and not just a generic sub copy. Didn't think it would bother me in the slightest, but clearly it did..... Strange 🤷🏼‍♂️ Cheers Ivan 👍🏻

[@burrir3d615]

The 36 mm version, with PT5000 it's a good option also. Recommended.

[@PerthWAtch]

Nice one!

[@WATCHingJames]

Great looking watch. San Martin really do make some lovely watches.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks :)

[@thomasont]

Hi Ivan, a good review on this homage vintage watch this is. I have seen this model having a BB41 / 36 divers config dial at one time as a limited edition. If anything, I prefer flattened crystal with a bezel height to match. I have fears of chipping edges when it comes to these tall crystals shape. Also, I liked applied indices as well. Best regards.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for sharing those thoughts my friend! Glad you enjoyed the review :)

[@thomasont]

Likewise for the video, Ivan @@PerthWAtch. 😎⌚👍

[@craig2100]

Great looking watch for the price if you can purchase less than $200. Also, spelunking would need to identify if its 24hrs/ night and day since you're lacking daylight access. Perhaps pioneer or voyager would make more sense, just IMHO. Great review and a good share. Thanks

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha nice ones, I like it! :)

[@commentjedi]

Nice watch. It is a 1016 homage and therefore would not look good with applied indices. But they should do a non-patina version in 39 mm.

[@PerthWAtch]

You mean it would not look like the original… but it *would* look good!

[@commentjedi]

@@PerthWAtch , maybe your on to something. There's nothing like that on the market.

[@karlost23]

@@commentjedi there’s always this if you don’t mind a big Timex quartz ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXOrhpVjn6-gbKs

[@commentjedi]

@@karlost23 Thanks man. Interesting! It's for Ivan, though. I actually still prefer printed indices on these 1016 homages.😁

[@karlost23]

@@commentjedi I agree, but it's a Timex combo of 1016 numbers (but applied with the 'modern' shinyness), bigger size (for those of us with flat wrists), and a date. I cant make up my mind if it's too homage-ey or too frankenstyle. All I know is that it's my most used "grab-n-go" 👍

[@crvols]

I bought this on the "End of Summer" sale for $199 and have been throughly pleased with it. I find the SM or Cronus price/value and quality equation is hard to beat under $200. I was recently with a friend who was wearing a 36mm Explorer he bought in 1972 and the old radium lume looked exactly like my SM. However, over $200 and I tend to think microbrands like Axios offer more value and original designs. ( waiting for my Pathfider) So, the key for me on SM is to wait for a sale. Ha! Thanks for the reviews.

[@PerthWAtch]

I thought Axios is over $400? Quite a different price level…

[@crvols]

@@PerthWAtch pathfinder is $225

[@crvols]

Correction, $250 which is my point about SM over $200. The Axios is a unique design and the quality has been excellent for amazing specs. And, if you compare a SM Diver with the Swiss movement like the Axios aren't you close to the $400 mark now. Also, if you bump into a friend wearing the real thing (admittedly rare) you don't have to explain your $200 "homage". I have over 30 watches and many take queues from historical examples but, I think watches like the Pathfinder and Wicked Watch's Pearl Diver are more interesting design choices in the $200 to $400 range even if I have to wait 7 months for them on Kickstarter 😕 Again, thanks for the reviews as they are the only way I learn. Just one collector's choice.

[@PerthWAtch]

Wow that’s a great price!!

[@jamessmith6402]

I think this San Martin watch is excellent for the money 👍 thanks Ivan good review

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks - most welcome James!

[@simonwright6882]

Very tempted to pick one up for work. If they do one with white lume I'm on it.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah white lume version with applied indices would be a winner!

[@watchalot919]

I recently purchased the SN2021 with the 37mm case, PT5000 movement, and subby stile dial. I was lucky enough to buy a nearly new one for £170 from an eBay seller. If it were a Swiss or Japanese brand, it would have cost four or five times as much. The finishing is outstanding, the bracelet and clasp brilliant, and is outstanding value for money. I should say that your video title states it is an SN020-G, and you say it is a 37mm case. The SN020 is actually the 39mm version, but correct me if I am wrong

[@NathanChisholm041]

Its 39mm at the case and 38mm at the bezel!

[@PerthWAtch]

I spoke in English and I said that the case is 39mm… I don’t know how else to explain this…!

[@watchalot919]

@@PerthWAtch My mistake, it is the SN021 that is 36mm.

[@548vikings]

No spin test? Great value for the price considering the real McCoy will cost 9k.

[@PerthWAtch]

Doh, I know I forgot something!! 🤦🏻‍♂️ The real vintage McCoy in good condition would cost considerably more than $9k!

[@watchreviews4k]

Interesting review. Keep up the good work on your channel. Regards, #WR4K

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks 👍

[@1SaG]

I'm currently eyeing their 36mm version with the PT5000 real hard. Fell in love with the Swiss original when I had it on wrist a few weeks ago but, given the difference in price and availability, the San Martin looks like a very tempting alternative. I just wish I could get my hands on one before buying. In your opinion: How does San Martin quality compare to Steinhart or Christopher Ward?

[@PerthWAtch]

I reckon their quality is excellent and while it might be still slightly below Steinhart and CW, it’s so close that the price point makes it a winner.

[@1SaG]

@@PerthWAtch Thanks! :)

[@the_bigbadwolfff]

That's a nice watch the best alternative rolex explorer so far. Look good and cheap to service.

[@PerthWAtch]

There are a number of other alternatives I think, perhaps foremost of which is from Steinhart (Swiss made, higher price point).

[@philspencelayh5464]

Quite a good homage, they got the colour of all of the lumed bits right, if the crystal had more rounded edges it would look better. I don't know if you can get the acrylic profile in sapphire. The clasp isn't at all right but I suppose if you go too far it stops being a homage and becomes a counterfeit. About 100 times cheaper than the real vintage Rolex so a good job done.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that Phil, good insightful thoughts there!

[@danielthompson803]

Heritage Expedition is the name I've chosen for my customized dial on this watch.

[@PerthWAtch]

Nice one!!

[@darrenfry4695]

Steeldive and San Martin are making top quality watches for little money ,imo you can't go wrong with these brands

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah I might try to review a Steeldive sometime

[@davidobrien9362]

I'd never buy an homage watch, but that looks bloody nice, can't find it online at all, and I'm 2 months after this clips posted.

[@PerthWAtch]

Did you checkout my links?

[@eliezerarce4699]

Great review! I bought one of these about a year ago and it quickly became my go-to watch for just about any occasion. A big part of its appeal is its high quality construction, understated design and elegant simplicity. I just love the look of this piece. I agree that applied indices and a signed case back would be improvements but I love the clasp as is. Might have to try the 36mm San Martin or a Tissel. Cheers!

[@PerthWAtch]

Thank Rolex for the design and elegance. The quality construction at budget price - now that we can thank San Martin for.

[@roybrolsbeak]

I agree they have to come up with names instead of numbers and fill the dial with it. Expedition would be cool for this

[@PerthWAtch]

Taken by BOLDR, but yeah it would fit :)

[@paulgeddes7384]

Looks awesome

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks :)

[@Zzzzalazar]

I have 4 SM watches and I have noticed I have become very picky with their watches, there is always something I am not happy,the different logos on the dial/crown/caseback are my biggest complaint ,apart from that they are beautiful watches with good value for the money, good review 😊

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha I think that speaks of how good they really are!

[@denisdaly1708]

Great review. And value watch

[@PerthWAtch]

Agreed!

[@ernestoloza8129]

Love san martin they put so much in to there pieces.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yes they do put a lot into their pieces

[@garyk8285]

Very nice piece.

[@PerthWAtch]

Agreed :)

[@wristcandy5451]

I'm loving it

[@PerthWAtch]

Nice!

[@Trex100]

Ohhh. Don’t show me this! I have too many watches. Thanks for your great review Ivan! I enjoy your work.

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha my commiserations to your wallet :)

[@alexsdg3441]

Absolutely the best price to quality ratio, China-branded watch company. San Martin. There is no other brands in China that makes this type of quality pcs with low-budget cost. Pagani is trying very hard, but still Pagani QC is very sketchy. I have owned few San Martin watches since last few years and as you said, they are all quality watches with exceptional finishing for the price. Especially, I was quite impressed with their customer service. When I emailed them about any issues on the watches, they get back to me within 24 hours with very favorable replies. If I had to pick out one thing that I hate the most (well... I guess it is personal opinion), I do not like their current choice of logo on the dial. I rather have San Martin written out on the dial like this Vintage explorer than that octagon logo which make the dial looks bit cheap. But again, that is just my opinion. I believe that San Martin has firmly established their reputation and it is about time for them to venture into some other original designed watches, or at least variation of homage...etc. And coming out with their own distinctive style of clasp should UP their reputation. Thanks Ivan and have an Awesome Sunday night in Perth.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks Alex - yeah I'm finding that also, SM is at the head of the pack at this level for sure. PD gives great specs for half the price or sometimes even less, but they are still behind in areas, especially QC. Great to hear about their customer service, that's something that so many many cheap Chinese brands lack, so just having that puts them far ahead of the vast majority! If they come up with an original design... now that's something I will be clamouring to get!

[@jwags24]

Really nice! It would be perfect for me if they dropped the sizing to 36mm and slimmed it up with a miyota movement. My smiths Everest is one of my favorite watches, but I wish it had a true competitor.

[@watchalot919]

It has, look at the Borealis Adraga

[@PerthWAtch]

Interesting models - I might check those out!

[@jwags24]

@@watchalot919 borealis is great! But their cases are 39.5mm. I’d like to see those shrink up a bit.

[@NathanChisholm041]

They do have a 36mm and the San Martin is every bit as good as a Smiths! Besides, it's not run by a nutcase owner!!

[@burrir3d615]

They have the 36 mm, I received mine a couple of weeks ago and it is a beauty. For a small wrist, it's a nice option.

[@ojsimps701]

Getting there but no spring bar holes and dial could've been waffled diamond pattern to be different maybe some gilt and really vintage size

[@PerthWAtch]

Interesting suggestions!

[@Ecoat65]

If only it had a date. Love the watch though. Great review as usual.

[@PerthWAtch]

I don’t mind the no date

[@Ecoat65]

@@PerthWAtch I know it's just me. I'm lost without the date.🙄

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha I can understand!

[@brettmeikle]

Wullie wouldn't need a date when it's always been 1940!

[@Ecoat65]

@@brettmeikle 🤣🤣

[@c.s.4273]

With a quartz movement I would buy it.

[@PerthWAtch]

Really? What about with steel case and steel bracelet?

[@c.s.4273]

@@PerthWAtch Wanna some fish?

[@PerthWAtch]

I’ll take fries with that thanks

[@pablorages1241]

Seems like those boxes would have a good spin factor ... but I don't like the fancy font on the logo ! :(

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha yeah darn it I forgot to do the spin!!

[@ramspencer5492]

If it had applied indices.....

[@PerthWAtch]

That’s what I said :)

[@TheDonCucaracho]

Hi my man with that deep voice Do you have first hand experience with Mathey Tissot? They also make some rolex homages and also have some designs of their own, that interesting thing is that they're swiss made watches at a reasonable price on jomashop. The one that could come close to this is their Mathy I; 42mm, sapphire crystal, ETA 2824 based movement (4hz), solid stainless steel bracelet, swiss made for $290

[@PerthWAtch]

No haven't had any of those in hand but have heard of them - incredible prices on Jomashop however that's a grey retailer so not necessarily comparable... I see the retail is far higher though.

[@TheDonCucaracho]

@@PerthWAtch I'm about to pull the trigger on their Evasion model, since I want to scratch the Patek/Genta itch at 0.01% of the price with something that's not a homage. Still looks too good to be true at $135 and no one has reviews on them, idk where's the catch

[@TheDonCucaracho]

@@PerthWAtch now on a different note, have you heard of Sternglas? It's a German microbrand with a lot of bauhaus aesthetics applied to different styles of watches. They just released literally today a GMT field watch that looks so damn good and also have an all stainless steel dive watch with a green sunburst dial, looks like nothing else but it's a bit north of my budget

[@PerthWAtch]

Yep, I have reviewed Sternglas - check it out :)

[@edwardgreenaway1808]

Thanks.

[@PerthWAtch]

Welcome.

[@fbaresi1681]

I do not like the yellow indices. It's a fail from me. Why not just have a black dial with white indices?

[@PerthWAtch]

Because it’s an homage!

[@dmks2146]

it looses so much of the cool understated design when it's blown up to 39mm. at least on average sized wrists. 39mm explorers are the devil. begone.

[@PerthWAtch]

I like 39mm :)

[@MrWansty]

very nice you should check out the goodspeed scout

[@PerthWAtch]

Interesting!

[@Milofchg]

My view on Homage watches.... Pros: Price, design, build quality, obtainable, affordable, and everything else that's positive. Cons: It's not the original or a genuine example of _____ brand.

[@PerthWAtch]

So, basically it’s all pros 😉

[@jbb483]

Is this for sale? I do not see it on the website?

[@PerthWAtch]

Use my links?

[@CaptainKirk0017]

Do you know the dial diameter?

[@PerthWAtch]

The diameter of the crystal is 33.5mm

[@davidfoster1762]

Not available at the moment , maybe forever , with the patina’d hands/ markers. ******!

[@davidfoster1762]

Correction, is available but with the top hat glass which is not for me.

[@PerthWAtch]

Top hat glass? What’s that?

[@theredspoon1763]

Looks pretty good, but their logo is still a deal breaker to me.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah some people really dislike that!

[@scorpianbliz]

It's the clasp for me. If they had the oyster style flip lock on these homage pieces I would be absolutely buy...these San Martin pieces

[@PerthWAtch]

Why is that flip lock such a big deal?

[@scorpianbliz]

@@PerthWAtch I prefer the look and it's more secure. However, I mistakenly assumed, the 1016 had a folding clasp and does not for the most part

[@roybarker1290]

🤔 Think of the fun...getting beaten up for one of those .

[@PerthWAtch]

Dear me… where do you live? Also… would it more fun if it was a Rolex?

[@Freco1967]

Expedition?

[@PerthWAtch]

Taken by BOLDR, but yeah it’ll fit :)

[@Freco1967]

@@PerthWAtch If one wanted to follow the Ford Motor Company's lead from Explorer to Expedition, the next model up was the Excursion which appears already taken by Invicta and Stauer. We might have to go with Spelunker after all...

[@PerthWAtch]

😂😂

[@szilarddietzel9071]

First :) nice homage

[@PerthWAtch]

Indeed :)

[@musik4u343]

Nh35??? For that price lol come on. Get a tisell that has the same great finishing..is slightly less and has a better high beat movement. San martins are over priced.

[@PerthWAtch]

If you can actually get one, that would be a good comparator. So what other watches at this price have a Miyota 9015? Do you know any? NH35 is considered acceptable at this price point.

[@musik4u343]

@@PerthWAtch you're slightly missing my point. The fact that Pagani design exists and they use nh35...san Martin price isn't justified in my opinion. I've had both watches side by side and the San Martin is SLIGHTLY better for double the price...it's just silly. And u can get a tisell. I just ordered one and I'm f Glad I did over the san Martin.

[@PerthWAtch]

You’re slightly missing my point - perhaps you can try answering my question and see? I’ve done a few videos and reviews and at this price Seiko NH35 is fine and is accepted by the majority of enthusiasts (see how no one else has said the same as you?). I’ve had a dozen Pagani and I would say San Martin is more than “slightly” better… not twice as good but I should not expect 2x good for 2x price (it just doesn’t work that way). Also, do you mean Tisell Explorer for GBP295? Coz that’s what it’s listed for and that’s not actually less…

[@musik4u343]

@@PerthWAtch well since you refuse to actually address my point then the rest of this is useless. I guess you dont have an actual answer lol. Keep your conclusions and I'll keep mine. San Martin over priced. I'd spend a little more and get a better watch with better movement if anything. Not worth it in MY opinion 🤷

[@PerthWAtch]

Dude your point has been 100% addressed - not sure how anyone can address you any further - however you will have to actually read the responses to understand it 😂😂 And what do you mean I don’t have an answer lol - I’m the one who asked a question, did you not read? Lol

[@michaelbedford8017]

I'm sure Rolex are quaking in their boots. Not a fan of Rolex but this will lose them Zero sales. To which PWC will reply that it's all about getting the word 'Rolex' on your thumbnail. And so it goes tediously on, and on...

[@PerthWAtch]

Simply incredible insight! Second to none!

[@DlStreamnet]

Not a homage it's just a fake.

[@PerthWAtch]

Not fake, it’s real homage ;)

[@ragnarone5409]

you ride a dead horse