Do San Martin Watches Actually Suck?

Joe's Mega (Don't Bother)

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[Dirtywesterner]

aliexpress has never failed me and amazon charges more for the same product for someone else to deal with aliexpress and sure the san martin logo is not their strongpoint but I do find it refreshing for a host who doesnt disdain the date complication lol

[nilsweers]

I own a San Martin "retro diver" which is somewhat of a mix between a bond sub and a bb58. To be completely honest it's probably my favourite watch to wear, especially with the new glidelock clasp. Next sale I will pick up one of their original designs (the skindiveresque GMT).

[chuuchuub]

Bought the Pagani Design Day Date (light blue) from Ali Express. It's gotten so many compliments and works fine. It's 750 times cheaper than the Rolex version that can cost around €75, 000. I don't think a Rolex is 750 times better...

[davidinghram]

As I sit here, I am wearing my San Martin new model bronze diver. A couple of days ago it got soaked in lemon juice and is just like new again. The rough leather band is thick, supple, and very comfortable to wear. The watch is beautiful, reasonably accurate at -3 a day, and has become my everyday watch.

[glen]

I have 5 San Martins currently. I must have some pretty good luck with regards to fit, finish, and alignment. Frankly, Ive been pretty amazed at their quality. Ive got some Seikos on the otherhand that were double (or more) the cost, that do have bezel/chapter ring alignment issues. In fact, i wont even buy another Seiko unless its at a brick and morter store where I can examine it first. Dont get me wrong, there are some things i would like to see SM do different on some of their watches. For example, I have the "Joemega" and I agree with you that applied branding on the dial would be better than the script.

In any event, sorry to hear about your experience with SM. I do appreciate your honesty, perspective, and reviews. Looking forward to hearing more about that Bulova too!

[czguy]

I had the San Martin Tudor-ish with an off white dial and black/red insert... pretty nice. The brushing wasn't 'perfect' perfect but it was very good and nothing was sharp at all. Bracelet was nearly perfect. Felt very quality. All alignment was perfect and I'm pretty sure the logo was applied. Ended up selling it to a coworker who was in love with it. Recently bought a used San Martin Explorer homage... SUPER nice. For the $175 shipped I paid, absolutely zero complaints. Obviously with strong homage watches, each person needs to decide if they'd rather have a loosely inspired watch or the really strong homage. I'm indifferent. An original Orient Ray is the dive watch I've worn the most and I think it's a fantastic value but that San Martin Explorer... might be nicer for the $$$. Supremely happy with it.

[richardprice]

They are excellent quality and not 'just for the price'. I just picked up a SN006-G2 and it's outstanding.

[NikolasAsikis]

I actually like how the logo isn’t applied on my Studor. (😂) I think since there’s not much room on this dial, they had to put just those two lines of text below the pinion and not have heavy reflective logo on top is a good way to keep it balanced IMO. Plus, having only the time telling elements being reflective makes this a very legible dial in direct sunlight reflection.
Also my bezel is ever so slightly misaligned but not as noticeable as yours.

[simonwright]

I have 3 different san Martin models, all of mine have perfect functionality and alignment. I own several luxury pieces and in my opinion the build quality is extremely good on the latest san Martin watches.

[watchalot]

I own a Rolex, Tudor, Ball, 4 Chris Ward watches and a Glycine watch. I also own many inexpensive Micro brands as well watches made by mushroom brands. I presently own two San Martin watches, and in my belief they are fantastically well spec'd and well made for the money. That said, I don't think they have got their branding right. A Seiko (for example) made to the same standard would cost four times as much, and let's not forget, Seiko homage watches as well. It's a shame that bezel doesn't line up, but I have owned several Swiss and Japanese watches with misaligned bezels. Have a look at the SM 38mm vintage diver, it really is excellent. Sorry, the Invicta is very inferior, A crap bracelet, clasp, mineral crystal, and poor lume etc

[MrMOA]

OMG, I pulled the trigger on a San Martin last week from I was blown away at the quality. I can tell you this, I will never be able to justify spending thousands of $$$$ on a Rolex, Tudor or Omega, so I love these homage watches. Most people don't know this, but alot of these Swiss watch makers use Chinese watch don't tell anyone.

[willmarshall]

My alliexpress strategy is to only purchase the more expensive brands, (San Martin, Cronos, Sugess, ) when I buying a staple watch. For instance, I have a black San Martin submariner. When I’m buying watches I’m just kind of interested in I go with Pagani, pernis, cadisan…etc. You make a good point about Islander.

[Fahrenheit]

I get your point about the Islanders, I just wish they'd make a damn watch that I liked the look of. I just can't stand any of their designs so far

[stevehenrytagami]

San Martin are usually very good with no misalignment. You were very unlucky but i think the BB58 Studor is very good . I have had QC issues with Swiss Watches

[davidsherrick]

I just bought a Glycine automatic for $350, I have a Cronos, 2 San Martin's, and several Pagani design watches, a Tissot Le loche automatic, a Cartier Ballon blue, And a 2016 Rolex sub..that I bought brand new from my RAD... yes, nobody ever calls them that.. from Clarkson Jewelers. I'm a waiter, yes a SERVER! At a restaurant. But I'm old, a have beat up my San Martin. After wearing my Rolex to work, most my fellow friends at work think I spent thousands on each of the watches I wear. But I'll beat up my San Martin, and save the Finer watches for no work duty..

[glensimblett]

It's so refreshing to see an actual thoughtful critique on San Martin rather than the myriad of gushing YouTube reviews that always seem more like adverts than reviews. Thanks for taking the time to assess three different pieces sourced like any buyer. Great to see you back.

[Pwj]

I purchased the SN-19G “ghost” Submariner black dial with Cyclops date and Selita movement in fall 2021. It’s been spot on and I’ve had zero problems. The fit and finish are perfect, everything lines up. The only negative is, I seem to have the old clasp on scissor bracelet which is brushed stainless and has scratched over time . I purchased mine directly from San Martin. I think my next homage will be an Islander from Mark

[tcapd]

I prefer a ghost date to a date window. Did you know, every time a watch is made with a date window, somewhere a sailor drowns? Yeah, there you have it 😜

[dor-si]

I bought the San Martin Tudor Chrono version about two years ago, and the brushing was scuffed and uneven in places. I recently bought two more San Martins that were perfect - the Tudor Pepsi GMT and the Tudor Explorer white dial. Based on my own experience and other reviews, it seems their QC is getting better. It may just be that the less popular ones are older stock.

[AleCardenasRealtor]

I have the pirate bay with the butter bracelet and I love it, I get complements on it