This $225 Watch SHOCKED Me With Its Quality!

[@WaterJake]

If only they could shrink that rehaut! It's one if the biggest problems/tells for most watches using NH movements. San Martin has done what it can with the chapter ring, but it's just a problem with the movement. The clasp and bracelet are looking fantastic. The changes seem small, but taken together, they've pushed the bracelet up anothwr tier or two!

[@johnswatchjoint]

They have indeed 🙂

[@ikarugamoo]

I love a big rehault like that personally. Class look. Didn’t realise it was a design point folk don’t like!

[@johnswatchjoint]

Each to their own as they say 🤗

[@JBellman]

I have a previous version of this with the silvery white sand dune dial. Beautiful watches!

[@notmypresident4066]

I agree with all your comments. That orange dial is very tempting. Good observation on the chamfered edges going down the bracelet. Someone over there is paying attention to details. Impressive.

[@johnswatchjoint]

It's top notch. As you know I don't lavish SM with praise but this merits it.

[@WATCHingJames]

I’m really keen on the blue SN0144X. But was a bit worried the bezel was a little too chunky.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Yeah I'm not sure about that one...male end links too 😕

[@ladykoala208]

I quite like the purple version of this John. I have so many SM though that I need to show restraint. Wonderful review, keep them coming

[@johnswatchjoint]

Many thanks. It is very vibrant...I'm sure you can rock it 😉😎😹

[@markmahood3093]

Stunning watch but i don't like the colour which is a fantastic result as i won't be tempted to buy it! Awesome review as always.

[@AlexanderB.]

This is a great watch indeed. There's no turning bezel that can be potentially misaligned. And it's a date watch you don't have to put up with a ghost date position. I just can't help to think how beautiful this would be without crown guards.

[@johnhunterpPhD]

I actually prefer the crown guards. A 3 O'clock date without crown guards would look weird. And I don't like 6 O'clock dates. Also crown guards makes it look more interesting and masculine. Too much symmetry is not a good thing although some people let themselves get carried away with that idea

[@rodiow369]

Loooking good John,...That dial is giving me some form of chocolate foil wrapper vibes, yum!

[@ericbouza854]

Baltany and San Martin are hitting it out of the ballpark.

[@tonydilucente2342]

I'd like to include Boderry on that list as well.

[@Skurtle]

I have the blue version, since I always wanted SM to make a proper blue 129… The dial is just lovely, looks like it’s flowing! I like the new bracelet, this chamfer adds interest to the bracelet, but I agree with the quick release springbars, even tho I don’t change the bracelet around much… For me, I like the new clasp, where the mechanism is a simple Rolex clone, but its downside is, that you can’t shorten the length while on the wrist, on the old one you could. But I agree the button was/is bit of a hassle to adjust… 7/10 for the lume, I totally agree! Thanks for the review!

[@johnhunterpPhD]

I have the black one and I'm thinking about getting the blue one. I wonder if they're too similar?

[@johnswatchjoint]

Cheers buddy. I'm not one to overly lavish praise on them as you know but this watch delivers in spades 😎

[@RenghisKhan]

I like what they've done with the bracelet. The tiniest bit of bling to match the case, fancy. I do however prefer the applied logo over the printed one. A bit of case color on the dial. But yeah...they are surely making some sugar sweet eye candy.

[@worthwhilewatches]

Thanks for the review! The San Martin red desert texture SN0129 is probably my favorite watch of this year. Even though mine doesn't have the new style bracelet, which looks great!

[@johnhunterpPhD]

@@worthwhilewatches That's my favorite watch as well

[@johnswatchjoint]

That's a strange one. I bought it on eBay and flipped it as I wasn't impressed. The dial and the crystal were flat. Maybe why it was on eBay already?

[@worthwhilewatches]

@@johnswatchjoint Flat dial and crystal? That does sound strange. My crystal is slightly domed, just like the one in this video, and the dial is nicely textured. Maybe someone modded it for some reason?

[@johnswatchjoint]

Sorry...you misunderstood me. When I said the dial and crystal were flat I meant they left me feeling flat. The textured dial just looked cheap to me and the crystal had an opaqueness to it...unlike this watch. It just didn't give off a quality vibe.

[@worthwhilewatches]

@@johnswatchjoint Ha! I get it now. Well, it’s great that we have so many styles and options to suit all of our tastes and preferences.

[@watchalot919]

I have two in my collection, and the overall quality for the money is crazy

[@AnyoxB.D.]

I’m very tempted by this watch, but the black version. It would have been great with a Miyota 9000 series or I wish they would offer it on a silicone/leather strap and drop the price by $20 for us never bracelet guys. Some people have been stating that this is an original design, however it should be known that this is essentially a GS evolution 9 homage with slightly different hands, indices and dial patterns. Still a great looking watch but hardly an original design.

[@wtechdude]

You might be interested in their new SN0144, which has a Miyota 9000 series inside, much thinner, but much more expensive and no black dial (yet). If the SN0129 is stunning, then the SN0144 is stunning.

[@eezypeezy2782]

I got the grey one, definitely one of the best dials

[@dunderhay9169]

Great review 👍. That is a good looking watch, my only complaint would be the date would be nicer at 6, but that's it.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi Duncan. I'm either or. Some watches do suit a six o'clock date but I prefer 3 as I'm more used to it 🙂

[@CoolWatchesOnly]

Super nice, I would prefer it without the date or with the date at 6 instead, other than that looks awesome

[@luist.1919]

Great strap choices! This definitely looks like a strap monster.

[@johnswatchjoint]

It is indeed 🤗

[@danspanos]

San Martin has always been one of my favorite Chinese watch companies. I have 7 the last time i counted, and I've never gotten a bad one. This one is a beauty as well! Is this taking the place of the salmon Octopus, or are you keeping that one? I still need a salmon watch in my collection!

[@johnswatchjoint]

You devil... undecided. The PD made way for the Octopus and the Escapement time may make way for this though I'm disappointed that I put a scratch in it after shooting...right down the case side. No idea how I did it either. Changing out my cleaning cloths just in case a burr in one 😔

[@danspanos]

@@johnswatchjoint Ugh... That sucks. I hate getting scratches on my watches, but it's kind of inevitable I guess.

[@johnswatchjoint]

@danspanos it's a bummer but as you say, it's part of owning a watch! 🤗

[@aethelwulfwarlord1475]

The bracelet is the star of the show on this one. It's of a quality you'd find on a £3000 luxury Swiss. Yes its that good

[@Jim69472]

Lovely piece, just wish it was thinner. Gives off formex essence 39 space gold vibes

[@johnswatchjoint]

With the turned down lugs and bevelled edges on the underside it certainly doesn't wear thick 😊

[@felo6035]

An absolutely amazing watch by SM. Fantastic review as usual my friend. Thank you for sharing.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I thought you like this one...I wasn't sure until I saw it in the flesh. It is a stunner 😎

[@michaelcoleman7260]

Beautiful! Great review, thanks.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks for watching!

[@bernardbarroga1497]

Handsome watch! Great review as always.👍🏼👍🏼

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thank you kindly

[@adk7962]

This watch is stunning. I can’t wait to see what they are putting out in five years / ten years time. Are you going to review their SN0144? The one with the Miyota movement? If I didn’t buy Jody’s Ascent, this watch or the SN0144 would be in my watch box. They may still end up in there. Thanks for the great review as always. And I speak a little Seagull, and they were just surprised. “That’s a Chinese Brand?!” 😅

[@johnswatchjoint]

The birds were cackling, dogs were barking then the neighbour came out with his lawnmower, took one look and said "too soon?" He obviously knew I was getting frustrated. Really lucky as he's a funny guy! I won't be reviewing the Miyota as I have a backlog of watches to sell...I'm not sure I should review the Ascent either. Better selling it new with a chance of recovering some losses. I don't like it...there's something putting me off with it.

[@adk7962]

@@johnswatchjoint Yikes. I hope you’re successful in unloading your watches. I don’t think the Miyota one is any better than this one anyway. Just a better movement. As for the Ascent, I like mine, but maybe it’s too blingy for you. I bought it with the intention of it being my dress(y) watch so I’m ok with the bling. Thanks for all the great reviews John. I for one really appreciate the honest and straightforward content.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Cheers Albert. I have had one or too crappy comments calling me out for being an SM fan boy. Haha...they obviously haven't watched the channel for long. I do give them stick because they deserve it. They should do it like this all the time...but they often let things slip...and I call them out...unlike the real fanboys 😉

[@thesolver1970]

@@johnswatchjoint interesting you say this about the Ascent. I have the purple fume on jubilee and I love it to bits, it truly is excellent quality for the price, but, I'm struggling to wear it and I just don't know why.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I can't honestly fault the watch..Had I seen it in person at a boutique or AD for example, I simply wouldn't have bought it..It's really blingy and the dial and crystal to me are not as vibrant as I anticipated . It's kinda lost something from seeing it online. Weird 🫤

[@SuperDojdoj]

This bracelet looks to be much better than the underwhelming bracelet on my sn0129.. i wonder if it would fit?

[@johnswatchjoint]

Send them a message and ask. It should if the case is the same but best to check 🙂

[@ikarugamoo]

They are smashing it. My only issue here & it’s similar for a few of their recent releases, something about the case looks like something is missing. Maybe they look like divers and the lack of bezel is making it slightly awkward. But, let me just say, beautifully finished as they have been for a while now and in the flesh. No issue with the NH35 but it would be great if they started to branch out in this area. San Martin are really starting to trouble mid range brands now in my opinion - movement and sterile case back aside. Great vid as always mate.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I'm with you on the case. It hasn't excited me too much either but this dial, the watch it is pressed, the colour palette and the extra touches to the bracelet and clasp set it apart.

[@ikarugamoo]

@@johnswatchjointit’s just lacking a certain something to lift it from very nicely finished, but not a keeper to very nicely finished (and according to another channel up there with the very best brands!) and a keeper. I think 12 months and San Martin will utterly nail it. And I can’t wait.

[@johnswatchjoint]

@ikarugamoo We shall see. They still have to sort out occasional sticky links and have to address misalignment issues on divers bezels....let's see if they listen 😏

[@NotoriousK_I_T]

I bought Gary's (I Like Watches) one of these after he completed his review. When it arrived, I realised the 12, 6 and 9 indexes were misaligned. Lovely watch, but back on eBay it went.

[@johnswatchjoint]

...but Gary said it was brilliant as he does all San Martins .... That's really not good and that's why it pays to stay objective. I give the brand a hard time but there are 4 or 5 notable exceptions in the range.

[@RandallSlick]

Very nice indeed. Would you consider a head-to-head with your recently reviewed Octopus Kraken? That could be interesting.

[@johnswatchjoint]

It might happen but I am snowed with watches just now 😭

[@RandallSlick]

@@johnswatchjoint Snowflake? 😂

[@tonydilucente2342]

I wish they had this in a polar white dial.

[@johnswatchjoint]

That would be great...you never know as SM are renowned for adding new colours to successful ranges 😉

[@РусланРоманов-ю2ф]

100%

[@PhineasPhlob]

Great watch, great review!

[@johnswatchjoint]

Glad you liked it ☺️

[@952651869]

It looks nice, they are beautiful watches. The quality on the case looks Awesome it would put something swiss brands to shame

[@johnswatchjoint]

I'm not a San Martin enthusiast. They have a handful of supreme watches. This is definitely one 🙂

[@costa7060]

I have seen them and handled them and agree the quality is very good. But I just can't get past the name or the Warner Bros style logo.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Warner Bros? I think you've been looking at the old Watchdives logo...this is San Martin.

[@originalboondi]

Case looks like a direct rip of my aqua terra. All except the crown guards.

[@johnswatchjoint]

So it's not the same then? 😏

[@originalboondi]

@@johnswatchjoint They did just enough with the crown guards to be able to say its not a direct copy. 😁

[@violinmke]

$310 in Canadian Canuck bucks w exchange. Nope sorry. Very nice

[@drebarthelotte5712]

I'm a Canucks and this is my 11/11 sale saver.

[@mutawi3i]

Nice watch but no heritage

[@johnswatchjoint]

I didn't know a watch needed heritage to tell the time? What happened before Rolex...did we just guess until heritage came along 😉

[@zillsburyy1]

SM is excellent!!!

[@AndrewClayton999]

Applied logo only please San Martin

[@johnswatchjoint]

You're the first to ask for that...most want the printed logo 🙂

[@AndrewClayton999]

@@johnswatchjoint I much prefer the applied John. It elevates the watches far more than a printed logo. I also like the logo. I don’t really see it as the tag rip off that some people think.

[@johnswatchjoint]

@AndrewClayton999 Each to their own...I'm the other way round and would prefer San Martin to change their name completely but they have proved that you don't need a good brand name to make and sell good watches. Thanks for your support Andrew 🙏

[@HoroHigh369]

🔥🔥🔥

[@waltermeili9952]

I hope you do not die of your shocks..😅!

[@RabbitWatchShop]

The new clasp is nice, but not innovative. Clearly, it uses Rolex’s glidelock architecture. This clasp appears to have the same issue with the older rapid adjust clasp: not enough adjustment. They have all that unused real-estate inside the clasp. What a shame. And SM still has no half links.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I do not own a Rolex so couldn't comment but fitment wise there are zero issues. Plenty of adjustment.

[@RabbitWatchShop]

@@johnswatchjoint While I respect you and enjoy your videos, I’ll have to disagree with you on the adjustment amount. It’s not enough. Especially with those long oyster style links. Thx for the review

[@johnswatchjoint]

@RabbitWatchShop no problem but there is no issue 🤗

[@RabbitWatchShop]

@@johnswatchjoint before I go, I have one question: does it offer more adjustment than the older ‘on-the-fly’ rapid adjust SM clasp?

[@johnswatchjoint]

I test all of the watches I review for around three days. That includes testing the bracelet for sizing to the extreme ie max links out with one adjustment hole or add a link back in for more adjustment. I found it to be as amenable as the last version. I did however have issues with the first iteration of the clasp. No matter how I tried I could never get a decent or comfortable fit. It seems they have addressed the adjustment hole lengths. It was a dream to size and As you know I am awkward most of the time. I can only talk to my wrist size of course as that's all I have to measure with 🤗

[@leoberg2390]

The logo breaks the deal for me

[@johnswatchjoint]

...It's a little better than Seikos drunk Superman logo surely? 🤗

[@leoberg2390]

@@johnswatchjoint if they just write San Martin in a straight line like the older models, i think it works perfectly

[@johnswatchjoint]

Unfortunately it's the most subjective thing and I am on the opposite side. To me the name brings up images of cheap plonk with a pirate sticker slapped on the bottle! Some of the best watches...(some from SM) on AliExpress have names that are just awful but... Great watch for budget money...or watch snob...we have to decide 😉

[@leoberg2390]

@@johnswatchjoint maybe they can do something like pagani design? A logo above and small written text under it. That looks good don't you think?

[@johnswatchjoint]

@leoberg2390 They toyed with a couple of things over the last couple of years and I think this is now settled. Much like Rolex......what did that mean at the time haha!

[@springbay1]

I'm sorry John. I just don't get it. I think the dial just look tacky. It's like, I see all these watch channels get all moist in their wrists while talking about the latest SM releases, and I wonder what the heck is going on.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I'm not an SM shiller like some but you have to see this one. The dial is textured but it's completely flat and polished like under a smooth glaze. The way the printing sits on it looks amazing. Honestly this one does merit praise..Unusual for me as I'm the one usually pointing out mis aligned bezels, sticky links and poorly finished clasps from them where others ignore them!

[@springbay1]

@@johnswatchjoint John, you know I value your opinions to the fullest. And you are so far away from being a watch shill as one can get. My comment was more of a statement of me standing on the outside looking in at an SM party, and not understanding why the music is so loud and how all people could get so drunk on so little booze. But hey, I've Autism, and I've been used all of my life to look at stuff and not really understand what the hoot is all about. That being said, I will keep both my SN0129 Year of the Dragon GMT (the only SM "original" that ever spoke to me) and my Benrus clomage. They are both solid

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi buddy. I took no offence and I really value your opinion. I have to be honest and say I didn't expect this one to be so good either haha 😆. It's the complete opposite of the Erebus Ascent where I thought it looked great but in the flesh it just doesn't look right at all. I'm not even going to review it as I don't like it 🫤

[@springbay1]

@@johnswatchjoint Goodie. I get what you mean with pictures vs in person. My Helm Miyako arrived yesterday. Even if I had spent a fair amount of time looking at loads of pictures and reviews to decide on my configuration, nothing could at all capture the holographic effect of depth in the center of the dial that appears when looking straight at the watch, while you see the wave pattern when looking at the watch from an angle. I'm glad that i went for the green fume for Jody's gada. It filled a gap in my collection. I'm not at all please with the bracelet though. It has too many sharp angles, and I feel the quick adjust clasp is real fiddly 😅

[@johnswatchjoint]

Your Helm sounds awesome and to be honest I think I chose the wrong J style bracelet with the burnt orange colour. I was thinking black and O style....lesson ..never second guess yourself! Been sorting through all of the watches reviewed / to be reviewed and putting together a vid for my main collection...I have over fifty watches in the house...aaaargh! 23 will be listed next week for a start. I need the cash!!!! Take care buddy and always feel free to voice your opinion. 🤗😺

[@edwardsjohnpaul]

Gotta be honest, these watch reviews have gone from "formulaic" (which is, to a degree, to be expected) to "irrational" (as in, not based on any reasonable objective measures). At this rate, in 3 years you'll be promoting a >€500 San Martin because "there's no sharp edges here" and "there's a beveled edge all along the bracelet", "double domed sapphire protruding slightly and protecting the bezel". There's no objective definition of a watch's price against it's value, as all these things are found on watches in the range of €1000. I appreciate the reviews so we can all see clearly in advance what we are buying; but the value placed upon them with the descriptors ("$225 shocked me!") are getting ridiculous. As a review video, very high marks; as a hype machine, it's starting to turn me off.

[@johnswatchjoint]

No hype my friend. Thumbnail is factual. It's a $225 watch by a brand that I am quite often hard on. I don't subscribe to them being the best brand as they are not BUT they are capable of doing very good things. This is one of the best watches I have handled. The video details why. My videos are not formulaic as I am not made that way and could not do it. Sorry but all I can suggest is that if you don't want to watch honest videos then just unsubscribe. It takes three days for me to test shoot and stitch each video together. I wouldn't dream of telling you how to do your job and I suggest that you think before insulting someone.

[@aldob5681]

too much

[@johnswatchjoint]

Too much what?