They LIED To Me?! - The San Martin Watches Dilemma

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Are San Martin watches any good? In this San Martin review video I see whether this homage watch brand is overrated and whether they lied to me with their latest 'non-homage' watch designs. Thanks to the San Martin Official Store on AliExpress for providing the SN045 and SN029 for review.
AFFILIATE PRODUCT LINKS:
San Martin SN004-G: tidd.ly/3z7fJ5w
SN045-G: tidd.ly/3n3mS2j
SN029-G: tidd.ly/3lT1du0
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Ben's Watch Club tends to cover affordable watches like Seiko, Timex, Casio, Citizen, MVMT, Vincero, Bulova, Orient, Hamilton, and more. We rarely feature luxury watches like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Grand Seiko, Cartier, Omega, Audemars Piguet, or Hublot due to their price.

[@BensWatchClub]

Come follow me on WatchCrunch.com - a new discussion platform for watch nerds: bit.ly/BWCWatchCrunch1 🛒 AFFILIATE PRODUCT LINKS: San Martin SN004-G: tidd.ly/3z7fJ5w SN045-G: tidd.ly/3n3mS2j SN029-G: tidd.ly/3lT1du0

[@muzaffarprimkulov3986]

Hello Ben!!! Please, advice me, according to your researches, so, San Martin worth to consider (buy)? Thank you in advance!!!

[@shl24yw89]

I think with San Martin's high quality control, they should go in the direction of paying homage to discontinued watches that no longer available but high in demand. That the kind of direction this company should go. I'm sure everyone will like it so much. There are quite a number of old watches from luxury brand that no longer selling and San Martin is the only one who seem capable enough to replicate those old models in super high quality and selling them at a low price.

[@Mr-R.R.]

YES! i just started getting into watches and the first time I saw a "homage" i didn't know it was one. It was a homage Sugess made for the colorful Breitling and when i found out it was an homage, the first thought that came to mind "I'd but this because it's bringing something back that no longer is available, famous or readily available as it used to be".

[@Rid_Of_Thee]

I would like to see some bullhead designs

[@MarkDanger777]

San Martin has been falling off lately, QC issues, and the price point is just getting kinda high

[@jaex9617]

Here's a thought: everyone at Rolex today is living off and copying the successes of past innovators. Rolex itself makes Rolex homages. The continuity is all in the trademark. No one at Rolex is doing anything more than leeching off the success of their classic designs. No wonder they're so focused on protecting their brand. It's their only unique differentiator.

[@degenerateWA]

Interesting perspective, never thought of it that way but I agree.

[@ElijsDima]

... You make a good point.

[@caspar_gomez]

Thats how I see everything these days, anyone using nostalgia bait is fair game to me. From watches to movies

[@khairulhelmihashim2510]

why need to risk sales and profit designing a completely new watch, when the old designs still in demand, with certain number of people willing to pay more than suggested retail price to own it.

[@jaex9617]

@@khairulhelmihashim2510 From a purely financial perspective, it's hard to argue with that, at least near-term. And I guess in some sense, wrist watches are obsolete. I think there's a risk, though, and becoming purely a fashion brand. But hey, Rolex doesn't care what I think. 😅

[@dimitrisoikonomou3568]

My take is that they should experiment with dials. In that price range there is literally no competition. Seiko starts to pick up with the presage line at 500€ (!) while most dial focused watches are around 700-1200. Dials win me over more than brand name...

[@sonnguyen-iv7gv]

i think i could order a custom dial from local maker to make those look better. Well 150 for the watch and 80 for the dial is still much cheaper than 500$

[@dimitrisoikonomou3568]

@@sonnguyen-iv7gv Defenately!!

[@12801270able]

@@sonnguyen-iv7gv You can get a good custom dial made for just $80?

[@sonnguyen-iv7gv]

@@12801270able you can search for "dialmaker" their custom dial is about 80-100$

[@PocketUau]

But Seiko have subpar cases and bracelets, along with poor cleanliness and alignment.

[@JusttheWatch]

My experience with San Martin has been really good so far too. (Great videography on this review, btw!). The fixed bezel one is totally an homage of Unimatic. Unimatic has actually been making that watch for years, they just have a confusing release strategy. They do limited runs, sell out, tweak it a bit and then do another limited run. So when their site shows that it hasn't been released yet, that just means they sold out of the last batch, and they haven't released the next one. San Martin definitely copied Unimatic and not the other way around. I'd give them a pass on the diver though. There's some definite Seiko inspiration, but I think the dial and hands shows some subtle changes, and the completely different case and bracelet is enough that I'd be ok calling it an original design.

[@Azeria]

I feel like they could probably smash elements of two or three homages together and get something that looks like neither and would still sell pretty well. I mean that’s kinda what took Phoibos out from just being a homage manufacturer after all.

[@bryanstrider]

I've got a Phoibos Voyager, green dial. Absolutely shocking value and performance.

[@kkatpheiz]

This. So those are pretty close to "true" homages, not fully, but acceptable.

[@TheGrenadier97]

I'm very surprised at these pieces, particularly SN004-G. As my father says, "the chinese can do well when they want". I'll definitely consider this one.

[@gilbertoflores7397]

China produces lot of very high end manufacturing too, it's all about what you're willing to pay for the end product. We mainly buy cheaper items, because they can be produced cheaply; however when you pay for something that cost more to produce; you'll get a better made product. Pretty simple. They can produce superclones for like a few hundred more, so good that even rolex staff have a hard time distinguishing.

[@eo8813]

i couldn't agree more, Sugess, Merkur and San Martin are three brands that you cannot ignore. Their quality control and assembly line has evolved during last couple of years.

[@charles_the_elder]

I have 3 San Martin watches. I really like all three. I bought a bronze type a flieger because I wanted to play around with bronze for patina, it's a great watch. I then bought a titanium type a flieger as a gift for my brother. Both of them have NH35 movements, and both are outstanding watches. I received a free San Martin for liking and commenting on one of their videos. It has the same case as the SN029-G that you have but with a black type a flieger dial. I think it is the best of the 3. The one you are showing may look like a Unimatic, but because of the flieger dial the one I have doesn't. I will gift it to my nephew, giving a high school kid an automatic watch should give him the bug early. I am impressed with the the build quality of San Martin watches. All 3 watches are as good as any Seiko I own. (and that's quite a few.) I have taken the back off of my bronze flieger, and I noticed that it used a metal movement holder. Finding a metal movement holder on a watch that at the time cost $115 is a pleasant surprise. Seiko doesn't do that, even Cartier uses plastic movement holders. I also like the customer service. I've never had any problems with any of their watches, and the shipping was prompt. I received all 3 watches within 2 weeks. Of all the watches I own, I would say that the San Martin company builds the best watches dollar for dollar. My Tudor is a much better watch with better build quality, but I could have bought 15 San Martins for the same price.

[@ElijsDima]

As far as quality goes, san martin is surprisingly reliable. I've had a number of their watches, and they have been much less problematic than others (including seikos and various other microbrands).

[@magilla808]

if you noodle through their website, they do have some legitimately original designs. they've got a bronze piece with some baroque engraving that I haven't seen anything remotely like anywhere else. Agree with you on these two not being as original as claimed, San Martin definitely has some funky originals in the catalogue. I'd love to see your thoughts on them.

[@ericsmit5351]

The Unimatic U2 is actually 5 years old. I purchased mine in 2017. This new release has just a different dial.

[@joeyhemlock]

I think their SN026 ("the square one") is pretty original. Not that there aren't some elements used in other watches like the pie-plate dial, but overall I think it's beautiful (subjective, I know) and I'll be getting one soon.

[@calmnight208]

It reminds me of a Nixon time teller but with different lugs. I'm a fan of both personally.

[@Godotlv5000]

I have it and it's STUNNING!

[@RichDunn51]

It's a Unimatic clone/ homage. It's not original.

[@Godotlv5000]

@@RichDunn51 he's talking about the square one, not the one in the video.

[@RichDunn51]

@@Godotlv5000 oh, you mean the one that looks like the Bell and Ross BR05 series then 😝

[@ShadrachN7]

It's great that San Martin take QC so seriously, I'm guessing the only problem is the QC staff are also doing the product design in their lunch breaks

[@harryh536]

It's like Seiko but reverse. Seiko make their designers handle the QC at lunch breaks.

[@bruh_oly1370]

😂

[@mattclarke8791]

Their QC allowed either a broken watch, with parts missing to be shipped to me. Either that, or they allowed a watch to be shipped so poorly packaged that the crystal and bezel were damaged in transit. They then spent days asking for ever more video and photo evidence of the damage. Oh, and they shipped a watch with the wrong dial too, so forgive me if I'm skeptical about their QC...

[@jonasjung256]

@@harryh536 okay now that was funny 😂

[@murph8411]

@@mattclarke8791 they shipped me a watch with the rotor spinning wildly when it was wound and that wouldn’t freely rotate in both directions. Even trying to make it spin in one direction with rodeco would hardly work. It either didn’t move or made a grinding sound and moved a little. They kept asking for videos and then said this was normal. I bought another from wrwatches and it had a similar problem with the sellita movement inside. At least they accepted it back and repaired it although it cost me quite a bit to send it and pay vat and handling on return for a second time. No way I would risk another San Martin

[@PabloMontero1976]

I got one of their PT5000 powered Climbing series. It's 36mm and I love it. You might like the new version with double domed sapphire. Great video as always. Cheers

[@rickrounds5150]

Rolex wasn't the first watch manufacturer so I'm tired of all other watches being accused of an 'homage' to Rolex. Great video, thank you Ben.

[@TheGrenadier97]

Everything (or almost) is a "homage" to everything. Some watches are obviously homages to the Submariner, for instance, but if we go picky enough we can say that Submariner itself is a homage to Blancplain Fifty Fathoms.

[@samwang5831]

To design a watch that is completely original is like designing a car without wheels

[@yellownine]

Dial arrangements are incredibly common and it's nearly impossible to design something "never done before" - unless you deliberately break some utilitarian design rules. For dive watches in particular, there is a logic to it that is far from arbitrary. Take for example the classic "triangle at 12, batons at 3,6,9, circles for everything else" dial layout. The triangle at 12 is there so you can know where 12 is as a reference point regardless of your orientation in the dark, and 3,6,9 are batons so you don't need to count how many dots your hour is away from 12. On a separate note, originality for its own sake is dangerous - i've seen many microbrands that obsess over not copying the slightest design element, and they end up with something terrible. Remember that classic Simpsons episode where Homer designs his ideal car?

[@jasondoe2596]

Well-said.

[@quality_times]

great video ben - I have to admit that I’m a big fan of San Martin watches. As you mentioned, their quality, finishing and QC Control are insane for the price that you’re paying. Personally I don’t mind homage watches that much. And I think that they really do care about their customers as well. One thing, they upgraded their packaging couple of weeks ago.

[@rangersmith4652]

Originality doesn't matter to me. I enjoy wearing a variety of watches of good quality at reasonable prices, and whether the company who built a given watch spent a fortune designing it or "borrowed" successful design elements from some other company is neither here nor there. This "borrowing" takes place in many industries and is neither nefarious nor lazy. It results in buyers having a greater range of alternatives, and I fully support it.

[@Edua1111]

@Ryan Kenaley Yeah... more competition in the 'copy segment'. Instead of tasteful, unique styles - they claim to be original by shuffling different other brands' case/indices/arms designs...

[@antman674]

Totally with ya there. Especially when it comes to dive watches in particular. The design is so ubiquitous anyway.

[@Kamala__Harriis]

Sorry, I am not with you. For the same money you can buy Tissot, Hamilton or a Russian mechanical Chrono full of character, history (and possibility to resell). Why a premium replica?

[@rangersmith4652]

@@Kamala__Harriis Being a "replica" isn't the same thing as having borrowed design elements. I bet you can't name very many things that don't have some borrowed design elements.

[@vladimirsadovski2974]

Hi Ben. I worked 6 years in company importer of Chinese PC related products. Chinese used to send much better samples for initial evaluation and after that their quality may drop.

[@mattr5095]

I don't doubt that's true, but if you read reviews and forums from normal customers they will pretty much back up all the claims about San Martin QC. I have the vintage diver and it's absolute miles ahead of any other $200-250 watch in my collection

[@mattclarke8791]

@@mattr5095 I'm a normal customer, and San Martin made such a hash of my order I will never buy from them again

[@EverydayWatchGuy]

That third San Martin field watch really reminded me of the dial/hands from a Sinn 809. They look like well-built watches for the price.

[@antman674]

Thanks for the awesome review! Just happened upon San Martin while browsing watches for my upcoming work anniversary. After sifting through the many options from Seiko, Citizen, Hamilton, and the many Swiss options, that vintage "inspired" diver from San Martin seems to check all the boxes! And sounds like these are some pretty high quality pieces. Was worried these may be just another cheap no-name or fashion junk brand. But now I think I've settled on the SN004 for my next watch! 👍

[@oktc68]

There are a few Chinese brands that are very similar, some of their Seiko inspired pieces aren't merely "homages" rather they build on the original and you get something that completely outclasses the original. They're not just made with better materials and finished to similar or higher standards but I've never had an NH35A powered one that doesn't run at more than +5 secs per 24 hours (on wrist) I wish my Seiko with exactly the same movement could match that but it can't. Once a hardcore Seiko fan, now that I've got some personal experience of these Chinese brands, I only buy a Seiko if I can't find a decent homage. I appreciate homages aren't for everyone but I'd buy one of their original designs if I liked it, they really are well made, they're outstanding value for money, likely the best watch at the price and better made than established brands with their vastly over inflated prices and meh quality. I don't care who makes it, I just want the best one. Dials, San Martin aren't the best example for dials except for perhaps their MOP ones. I think Seestern are possibly the best albeit without the widest selection, Heimdallr also do a high quality dial on some of their models. That said looking at my £400+ Seiko's I think the featured San Martin models can hold their own. The prices given are a little high too, I've never seen the more expensive original design for more than £180 on AliExpress.

[@jollyjoker6340]

I bought a Heimdallr Seiko Monster homage with a prettier red dial than any real Seiko had. Afaik the movement is exactly the same and even made by Seiko. The 1950's Rolex homage in this video also seems fine as a copy to me. Can't be confused with the original if those are 70 years old.

[@Chrissepisje]

I hate to put it this bluntly, but hommages are an embarrassment, plain and simple. If you don't like Seiko's QC, I invite you to buy a Citizen, Orient, Tissot, Boldr, Hamilton or anything along those lines on a budget. Nicking someone else's design and slapping your own logo on top is just vulgar, no matter how good your QC is. As for me, I really don't care if what you're showing me is made from a solid block of unobtainium that was Zaratsu-polished to utter perfection, stealing someone's design is stealing someone's design. Watchmakers are in the jewellery and art business, and not even bothering to even try to design something of your own is just lazy and trite, and I fundamentally don't take the wearer of said item seriously.

[@Crazy09starkillor]

@@Chrissepisje are you a reddit mod by any chance?

[@Chrissepisje]

@@Crazy09starkillor Nope. Are you telling me I'm missing out on a brilliant career? 😁

[@chrismcdonald6942]

I have no problem with homage watches. In fact I like that they punish companies that try to coast on designs that are more than 20-25 years old, the time when a design patent would expire. Patents run out for a reason, to keep innovation moving forward and to allow existing ideas into the mainstream market. The submariner came out in 1953, the Daytona and Explorer in 1963. Time for these big names to reduce the marketing budget and put some into R&D

[@nickquang1996]

There's no "punishment" here. Make no mistake, no one who's looking to buy a Rolex will stop just because they can get a PD or a San Martin for cheaper. People looking to buy thousand dollar watches aren't buying just specs.

[@Keeperofthekey13]

G'day Ben, Yes mate, I agree with you. It is a shame that a company that takes such obvious care in their build quality & QC, has neither the imagination nor inclination to produce a unique "San Martin" signature design. It would be great to be able to merely look at a dial & say "ahhh... yes, San Martin! Great brand. Those dials are unique" RZE out of Singapore have been able to achieve such recognition in a very short two years. One look at their watches & there is no mistaking it for any other brand. Love your POV Ben & your content. Thank you dear sir & keep up the good work.

[@martintanz9098]

I recently bought a San Martin that is almost the same as the fixed bezel one you reviewed here, except with a California dial. Good build quality but the design leaves me unimpressed. Though the case is only a 38, it feels clumsy on the wrist, so while I will try to learn to love it, so far it isn't looking good. In a nutshell, the watch lacks refinement. Maybe when they are just knocking off Rolex, it is easier to get the details right, IDK. Also, the buying experience from Ali Express wasn't wonderful. Pay for a watch the beginning of November, thinking it should arrive by the Holidays? Nope. Early February. By that time I had already purchased several other watches and rather wished I hadn't bought it in the first place. So unless some really amazing original design jumps out at me from San Martin, I don't think I will be buying another one.

[@KMV007]

The Unimatic brand is highly likely to source their cases in China, just like San Martin. They are only assembled in Italy, not entirely made there.

[@redmond38]

I'd genuinely love to see them inject some Chinese personality into some of their designs. People love Vostok for being uniquely Russian despite questionable quality. I'd really like to see San Martin take the risk of making some watches with their high quality but with some Chinese inspired design elements. if I'm going to buy a Chinese watch I'd much rather it look like it's from China rather than trying to look like a European luxury brand. I can understand why they do what they do though, there's clearly a huge market for these homages

[@Zzzzalazar]

Chinese original watches are mostly dress watches, and they use living colors in "strange " matching not suitable for western taste that's the main reason why they do homages,for some reason they aren't able to imagine a casual design watch,normally they pick elements from existing watches and matched together, they called then 'Original'

[@redmond38]

@@giloro85 stick with fake rolexes if that's what you like

[@moreplatesmoreface]

@@Zzzzalazar technically, every watch has been based off previous watches. Every watch designer basically takes elements from older watches. Even if a designer doesn't consciously look for watches to inspire their new ones, they have still been permanently influenced by every watch they've ever seen. Also, most brands, as has been mentioned in another comment, just recycle their own designs. (Also, are things like the sea-gull 1963 not suitable for western taste? I don't think that's a very valid point. You also probably meant western culture's taste instead of westerners' tastes. I mean to be pedantic if English isn't your first language haha sorry)

[@lobdsk]

There are Chinese watches like Shanghai. You can find them on Ali express

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Chinese designs tend to be massively fussy and baroque to European eyes.

[@tmfrs2]

It's got better alignment than my two seikos 🌝

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

With the field watch, I get where you're coming from. However, with the diver I do think it's a little harsh to call it a homage. Otherwise perfect summary, we should really be talking about the quality they provide that other large brands aren't when charging sometimes double

[@frankdux5693]

Of course it's a homage. It's clearly directly taken design elements of the Willard.

[@casualsuede]

I don't care if the watches are homages or not, I care about whether they are quality, if it looks good and if they are of good value. No one will run up to you with a rolex and accuse you of wearing homage. I judge a watch on it's own merits, not if they looks similar or very close to another watch. And no, I never owned an ali express watch, not because of the watch itself, but because I don't support the CCP. A personal decision.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

San Martin often makes "homages", that look better than the original, often vastly overpriced and hyped, originals. Good quality too, Now if they only had a working customer service.. So that I could order a spare link :(

[@MrMadvillan]

Very Impressed at the the lengths the Chinese will go to be completely unoriginal.

[@redbarchetta8782]

I have one of their Vintage Divers and find it one of my favorite watches. And it's a third of the price of my Seiko Alpinist.

[@andrewd7586]

I’ve now bought several San Martin’s. I based them on their initial appearance & the fact they were homage watches! The build quality as you stated Ben is a tier or two above! I’m more than happy to put one on my wrist knowing the quality is there & it’s looks bloody good! 👍🏼😎🇦🇺

[@MarkDanger777]

Hows the accuracy?

[@Zzzzalazar]

Yes,San Martin is the best Chinese watch brand on Ali Express but...although the QC seems to be good if you have bad luck with a defect watch they make it very difficult to solve your problem, were they come short also is with the movements they should keep with pt 5000 or other Chinese movement if not Swiss.

[@serenityinside1]

What’s wrong with the seiko movements? Swiss movements?!! Who’s going to pay more for that ?

[@Zzzzalazar]

@@serenityinside1 nothing wrong with Japanese movements but they are using exclusively nh35 movement and it gets boring with time. I would like for them to be 100% Chinese this way we get some value if they continue to make good watches.

[@SniperKing029]

Seiko are you listening?

[@Master-Baiter]

The unimatic u2 has been around for years, it just each time they release it its a limited run of a limited edition color, hence why you thought that they were releasing them later this year, they are just releasing the next limited run later this year

[@winstonlanda7731]

Ben! Love your channel! You're valuable to the watch community!

[@zillsburyy1]

their flieger has excellent lume

[@yishiontan4706]

Make updated Daniel Wellington killer vid

[@TheWatchtowerWatchReviews]

I don't think you're correct with the Captain Willard comment. It's like a mishmash of a couple of Seiko models, the email one being the marine master.

[@Mr-Safology]

San Martin are the best Chinese brand. I have a bronze case, green face pilot watch. The hands are batons, PT5000 movement and are bright at night. 👌🏼

[@davidinghram2494]

I have two San Martin watches, a new model bronze diver, and an A dial pilot bronze. They are both quality built watches that keep good time. The diver really did it for me, it`s just a beautiful watch that checked all the boxes for me. I wear it every day.

[@jesperpedersen3430]

The new SN013-G is a beautiful and unique watch even though it has styling cues from AP Royal Oak.

[@jim2950]

I am like you I have a small wrist. I just purchased a 1973 Omega 1012 Deville. I just got a few hours ago. It is a 23 jewel automatic 28800. This is the newest watch I own” 1934-1973. Many watches today don’t match These specs. This watch is a 36mm. I would not want a bigger watch. This Omega is the biggest of my vintage Omegas. I could never wear an Invicta or some of the other monstrous watch out. That is why I have kept to vintage Omegas . Plus when you think I wear watches on a daily basis that are really old and they work great!

[@gunjja13]

Nice review and to be fair they shouldn't have lied, but let's be really honest. How many brands are actually making really and I mean really original watches these days. Even big brands are copying each other. Not that there aren't any original designs these days but we all know how less. Especially considering how many of those few are actually affordable... Just MHO.

[@evgeniichekunov5377]

I have always been in two minds if I should buy a homage (like the San Martin you have nicely reviewed!) but all the time stopped myself. One day I'll get the original.

[@jabezhane]

I have bought the odd homage as a cheap 'tester' to see if I like the design. They then go back on Ebay for £10 less than I paid for it and maybe buy the real thing.

[@FrankieTech]

Terrific video Ben! I actually purchased the San Martin Rolex Homage you had in this video, and I do agree the build quality is actually impressive for what you’re paying. Sadly I feel the whole “homage” thing just kills it for me once you get the real thing, so I’ll probably be offloading mine soon. Keep up the great work!

[@djzrobzombie2813]

So you are wearing the real thing now ?

[@FrankieTech]

@@djzrobzombie2813 I'm wearing the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight gilt black dial. I'm happy 😊

[@nspr9721]

Sorry Ben, back at you again old chap. I have just seen some excellent watch offerings on WMT (Watch Experimental Group) and a very nice vintage skin diver recreation by a nice brand named Imperial. I bought both, and they are very good too. However I get equivalent or better specs plus equivalent or better movements, paying substantially less, buying a Steeldive or San Martin. As long as that worrying release of a 500 USD San Martin doesn't become the norm...I will go to them every time, homages or not! And having used their watches in boundary conditions I can confirm that they are robust and work well!!!

[@VictorDude98]

I honestly feel like someone just needs to make a Patek Philippe Aquanaut homage, I don't think there's anything like that on the market. Atleast one that isn't just a plain copy, made by a good company like Steinhart.

[@damianwims]

The Unimatic has very weird lugs, there are more similar Tandorios for example, but the SM one looks curved and much more wearable. Definitely "some" inspiration taken though, no denying that....

[@UnburdenedByWhatHasBeen]

Correct, the SM fits much more comfortable.

[@Kalfior97]

to be honest that comparison to seiko was a little bit of a stretch, they are a little bit similar but not close enough to "homage", but great review as always man keep up the good work

[@kennedymcgovern5413]

What separates that "SN004" and the "6200" they are pitching now?

[@Dondaddyh]

In the end all new watches are going to resemble some previous models, how many variants of a watch dial can you come up with, as long it’s not exactly the same , it’s all good. And if it’s a year’s discontinued model, I’m a 100% good with it.

[@jpsrandom6943]

I have a couple of SM watches, to be honest they offer amazing value, great customer service and sometimes they put unique stuff, recently they are offering more original designs and even the packaging is getting better. I see no issue or harm because they DO NOT hide their branding, I love that.

[@antman674]

So, I went ahead and got this San Martin diver. Been wearing it the last week. And I love it! I even like the quirkiness of it with the ghost date and the variety of logos all over it lol. Gives it a certain kind of charm. Overall the quality of the watch really speaks for itself over all its quirks. It even keeps better time than my Hamilton - so far I've been getting +1‐2 seconds per day or so. And totally a strap monster too! Going to be my daily for the forseeable future. Thanks again for the thorough review! Oh and just as a side note, I contacted San Martin to see about logo customization options. Just wanted to say their customer service is really good! I got a genuine personal response within an hour! They let me know that if you prefer the octagonal logo, you can order that as a custom logo for the dial. Just contact them in advance. And also moving forward I guess they are going to be going with new crowns that also have the octagonal logo for all their models.

[@TheTownWatch]

Good stuff Ben! I'm glad to see San Martin coming out with more original designs!

[@marcosziadi9059]

Hi Ben! Do you know where i can buy the San Martin SN004-G version you showed in the video? because i can only find the updated version

[@NotAnotherWatchChannel]

I have the deep sea "ghost" and absolutely love it

[@dongargon763]

Rolex used to sell watches that they had very little to do with design wise ,apart from choosing some size and finish options and where on the dial and how big the logo should be .But those off the shelf models where an original design, just not theirs.imo these homage pieces are fine if you enjoy them and they are of decent quality although it can be a bit like a tribute band that can’t really play but, look ,dress and act like the real deal

[@irishwatchenthusiast6647]

Yeah, I think you are being a tad harsh on SM - and a little click-bait-y with your suggestion that the company has lied to you. Elements of similarity are there, but not the kind of wholesale copying that would make your accusation/question fit. FWIW, I think SM are producing amazing watches - homages and the odd 'original' - worthy of anyone's consideration. I own a Rolex and a SM (the same 6200 you purchased), and get a little more enjoyment out of the SM because it has the aesthetic of the vintage Roller AND is cheap enough to allow me to wear it care-free. I'm always super-conscious of the Milgauss on my wrist, so I baby it and keep it in its box, rather than get the use out of it the purchase price should demand.

[@TechBaffle]

Getting Tag Heuer logo vibes from the SN045-G 😄 If this company could be a bit more creative with design, paired with QC, I would buy one in a heartbeat!

[@haratoo636]

Honestly I think homage watches are great. Cause let's be honest, I am not willing to drop 2k+ minimally for a watch. Although it comes with the class and prestige, it just isn't smart financially (in my current state). So a homage watch works, it has the looks of the 'original' but doesn't come with the hefty price tag. And at the end of the day if those who own homage watches don't try to act as if they have the original or worse sell it as the original like some carbon copies out there, what's the harm

[@ask00001]

A Chinese replica watch that costs as much as a nice original made in Japan Seiko? Pass with extreme prejudice. 😂

[@CLaop68]

I have just joined watch crunch. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@AlFrash84]

I like a lot of your videos Ben but I think this one is just the wrong side of sensationalist for me. Plenty of supposedly 'untouchable' brands like Seiko and Casio have released blatant homages of other classic watch designs and nobody really criticises them for it. You even have the Swatch Group using lower tier marques like Certina to produce more affordable imitations of their premium brands like Omega. Yet here we have a manufacturer in the Far East putting out spectacularly well specced and finished watches for money that wouldn't touch the sides when buying something more mainstream. Homage watches aren't for everybody, but for me it's credit where credit's due.

[@BensWatchClub]

Hi Alex, I get where you're coming from but I think there are a couple of nuances you're missing. Firstly, the likes of Casio, Seiko etc have a huge range of other original designs, with 'homages' only accounting for a small portion of their repertoire. San Martin (and alike) on the other hand seem to exclusively produce 'homage' watches. As such, when they release models that claim to be original (yet still aren't), I'd say that's much riper for criticism, wouldn't you? As stated in the video, these San Martin watches are very well made, no question about that. I'd say I definitely gave credit where it was due, not sure you made it that far into the video perhaps? The brand has since reached out with other 'more original' designs, so hopefully those actually live up to the description. I will check them out at some point 👍 Cheers, Ben

[@AlFrash84]

@@BensWatchClub I did watch it all and am aware you make that point at the end, I was just trying to say that (relative to the video title at least) the overall quality of the package to me supersedes the lack of creative originality - in a sense, it's part of the 'agreement' of buying one of these. I do agree with what you say about bigger brands almost earning the right to create homages based on the rest of their catalogue, so it's a fair point there. In general I think it's great that you're covering these angles of the watch world so thank you and keep on going; my recommendations for more of the San Martin neck of the woods would be Cronos, Heimdallr and Seestern. Ta!

[@watch-box]

You should get a female end link kit (from San Martin) for your original sm watch. For a small wristed guy they’re awesome! Great video Ben.

[@SharapovaFan]

Big fan of San Martin watches. Most of their models have insanely good quality for the price and they definitely have jacked up lume. If you've seen a Pelagos, you know what I'm talking about. The main issue it seems is that because these are usually shipped in a small package from China, there's a definitely possibility of the watch suffering from "shock"-related damages from the shipping -- and mechanical watches aren't very good when it comes to being dropped.

[@tobiasc5691]

They are not so cheap! For being a homage watch! I would never ever pay 500 bucks for a homage watch! I can get a quality brand for the same money.

[@JohnSmith-gs4zv]

What camera and lens do you use for the macro footage? I looks super good and detailed!

[@Sergeant_Fury]

You would think that there's not much you can do with numbers from one to twelve, but when you look at something like Island Watch, then you realize that by saying "what if we tried..." and stretching your creativity, you can come up with something compelling.

[@timelesssneakersandwatches]

Great review Ben, not a watch brand for me. But I can see why collectors enjoy these.

[@ktanner438]

Don't be too hard on San Martin, Ben. They're a younger business who NEED to make revenue and profits in order to keep expanding. So that means making models that sell - and the consumer wants copycats. Why deny the customer what they want? As they expand I fully expect a much more robust range of offerings.

[@jim_bocho]

4:19 exactly. I'm looking forward to the day of own designs with the same logo across all watches (starting with: The same logo on the SAME F***** WATCH). I'm currently on AliExpress detox, however it's like that a San Martin will at some point join the watch box.

[@iluvj00]

You can literally google these two terms: Seiko + (any famous watch model). Like Seiko Santos. Why do people give Seiko a free pass on their homaging? Seiko explorer. Seiko Reverso. I prefer a Pagani Design over any Seiko that is not a grand Seiko. Now Seiko is doing street fighter Seiko 5 watches. I have watches over 1k dollars. Some Tissot and Gshock. But I love my Pagani Design pd 1694 (check it out). It keeps almost 0 secs a day. It's my beater. I got a San Martin sn 004g with red leather dial and sword hands and it's pretty but the bezel is not centered, neither on the Pagani Design. It bother me but they are just beaters. So it's ok. I recommend anyone to get any of their watches, taking them as tools that work very well. I even prefer to use them over my Gshock, a real beater.

[@ATIWatchReviews]

The first one is gorgeous, its still a homage though IMHO. However, they are a serious homage watch supplier and its what many people want considering the luxury ones are so expensive and so unattainable for the vast majority

[@kokliangchew3609]

I have a few San Martin watches, and as you noted, their build quality are second to none. It would be nice if they had some truly original designs, but I suppose it still takes time for them to develop their own original designs. I would probably think that given another year or so, they would be able to do that. However, I note that most watch makers have been offering homage models of varying price tags and designs for many years now. For e.g., my wife has a Seiko watch that’s an exact homage of my Rolex day-date watch, and I have a Citizen watch that’s an exact homage of a Seiko Cocktail Presage watch.

[@yellownine]

it's honestly a problem to do with what sells as well. If San Martin never gained reputation from selling homages, they would never have built up the scale and capital to risk making original designs. Long Island Watch (Islander watches) have had a similar progression - start off with homages, give people what they want, and once you're established and have a loyal customer base, you can branch out into original designs.

[@jackj1694]

Can you do a review of the San Martin explorer homage please? Preferably with the SW200 movement, thanks

[@jaer.6540]

The new SN004-G Now has the 1953 Submariner hand set and female endlinks making it even better

[@scottmorrison147]

Nice! I'm looking into the pencil hands version.

[@crespohuerta]

own that vintage diver, love it

[@GailitisPrintmaking]

I would love to see a video on Bliger watches (Explorer).

[@LimitedWard]

The Unimatic-like one doesn't look like an homage to me. That design is pretty common for sports watches, and considering the inundation of microbrand watch designs in that category, avoiding overlap is nearly impossible.

[@hectormonclova7563]

Thank you for the info. What can you tell me, please, about their rival, Steeldive?

[@Faenwolf]

Do you think they also might have checked the three watches more thoroughly, since they knew that you would review them?

[@brandondacquisto8514]

The last watch looks like a Seiko 62MAS case with an SKX Sub-Style mod dial.

[@seanpie5481]

I’m just looking at the San Martin store on Ali. The variance in logo design is just strange. A number have sterile options too, taking the confused or even insecure brand identity a step further. I do like their watches though. Can you post the links to the other original designs they suggested. Cheers.

[@snacklofter]

I would love San Martin to do an ocean vintage military 39.....

[@UnburdenedByWhatHasBeen]

Unimatic has made that model for some years now. They release them periodically. The case of the san martin is slightly different. The SM forms to the wrist a bit better than the unimatic.

[@troynasello2085]

Exactly. The San Martin is more like a 62mas case without the rotating timing bezel.

[@dubester1982]

I love San Martin! Id never buy the watches that they are based on so these are right up my alley. Excellent quality for the cost

[@Amin_2k]

Dont see the resemblance with the seiko willard honestly. It makes me think of a Tag heuer diver

[@SomeOneOneOne]

Any infos on the new casio a1000 models? Casio had them in shop (only in shop) yesterday but today they have been removed again...

[@AlejandroGonzalez-fs5ez]

Got their Sub homage V1 F love it! Been using it for almost 2 years straight if i'm not wrong But yeah they should venture into new original desings

[@koen7648]

Everyone copies the big brands. Islander watches started as hommage only, nobody complains about that. San martin now has several original designs with a clear own style. I own the SNp116 in blue and payed 270 including dutch taxes. Americans don't have those taxes and can get it for about 210 (euros). This watch is in so much ways better than my Seiko King Samurai. The bracelet has taper and quick adjust. The SM has sapphire on a 200 euro watch. With Seiko tou have to go to the prospex line of a model that most of the time starts at 500+€.

[@richardkidd21]

Does the 3rd one look a little like a Seiko 5 sports compact? There is one design that looks really similar.

[@danlutter8061]

Background music brought to you by Gent Scents. :)

[@ChromeMan04]

San Martin is not a real watch brand

[@andrewe.8321]

Personally, I don't mind their homage core competency. Steinhart, Invicta, and the like all emulate classic/popular big-brand designs, be it Rolex, Blancpain, or Patek. To have a viable, quality, alternative to watches that can cost upward of 50k is not only cool for practical enthusiasts, but is also a slap in the face to brands that may be resting on their laurels in terms of quality and design.

[@NotoriousK_I_T]

The handset of the SN045 is actually from a Seiko marine master, not a Willard.

[@GreCon85]

I would be pleased if you would review a watch from Dissing watches Denmark. Sold as luxury own brand watches.