San Martin Didn't Apologize, They Sent Me THIS Instead!

Are San Martin watches any good after this crucial change? In this video, I analyze whether or not this famous AliExpress brand is worth saving up for by reviewing two of their new 'original' watches. One is the SN044-G, while the other is the SN026-G. Did they lie to me again?

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Disclaimer: The San Martin Official Store on AliExpress provided the watches for this review. I retained full creative control over the content and have not received monetary payment for it. All thoughts are my own.

🎬 Chapters
0:00 Are San Martin watches now worth buying?
0:50 San Martin lied to me
1:09 Deja Vu?
1:30 San Martin watches unboxing
2:19 Unmasking & Pricing
2:49 Case Finishing
3:14 Dimensions/sizing
4:15 Bracelets
5:03 Bracelet Issues
5:37 Crowns
5:51 SN044 Movement
6:03 SN026 Movement
7:03 PT5000 Accuracy
7:22 Oh Dear Miyota!
9:11 Design
11:27 Are these original enough?
11:44 Shipping improvement
12:06 Don't wait for this

🚨 Disclosures

#sanmartin

🎼 Music

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]

Hi everyone.
To speed up my production (so you don't have to wait forever between videos), I've started working with a video editor. This is the first project we've done together, and I'm looking for feedback if there's anything you particularly liked/disliked about this video - we know it's probably not perfect.
Your suggestions will be useful in steering us in the best direction possible.
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ALSO: Thanks to viewers, I learned there are spring bar tools beneath the foam inserts in the boxes. The insert is incredibly difficult to remove (at least the two inside my boxes were). No extra straps are present, but at least the tools are. This needs to be MUCH more obvious for new customers, as I didn't realise even after having them here for months - the insert is way too tight. 😅

[KitWatch]

Just so you know Ben, the tools aren't absent, they're at the bottom of the case along with the warranty card. You'll have to remove the watch holding foam to find them at the very bottom of the cylinder.

Although I realize it's a stupid and un-obvious place to put them, especially without any labelling to let you know they're there. But just for the sake of misinforming potential customers, they are indeed there. Just at the bottom of the packaging.

[TheElly]

They're doing a good job honestly. It feels like they actually want to adress the issues raised by reviewers and consumers and not just be another "hommage" chinese brand.

[OmairArif]

The Miyota stutter is technically a "feature". The idea behind it is that if the second hand gets obstructed it can disconnect from the movement so time keeping isn't affected. The issue is that how much force is required for this mechanism to activate varies wildly and for some units the weight of the second hand itself at the right angle is enough to engage it, resulting in the stutter.

[Shri_V]

There are tools inside each box! Check underneath the foam.

[dominicchuaa]

Hey Ben! I suggest you check underneath the foam: the tools you mentioned above (that was lacking) can be found there - all complete and accounted for.

[corsinivideos]

Damn, I feel you about the branding. I am actually a designer and I reached out to Mr Liao at San Martin in an attempt to try and work with them on their logo/branding/packaging etc. Sadly i think they are reluctant to work with people outside the company but I really wish they could improve their branding, there's so much potential there.

[sanjay]

I have the black 37mm SanMartin Rolex explorer homage, and I was really hesitant to pull the trigger on an almost $300 Chinese homage, BUT I’m so glad I did. I own Orient, Traska, multiple Seiko, multiple Casio, but I keep going back to that 37mm SanMartin. Why? The clasp is literally the best I have used in an under 1000$ watch (maybe even over that), the bracelet finishing is amazing (and has screw links), the case finishing is superb, the crown is easy to manipulate and screw in, the winding feels great (PT5000), the indices are well applied, Lume is better than I would ever dare to hope and rivals my seikos (may be better), it keeps amazing time, and the way the light plays with the AMAZING top hat sapphire crystal just seals the deal and makes the whole dial pop. With it being a “cheap Chinese homage” too, I’m not afraid to just live life in it, so I use it whenever I can as a true tool watch, and this devil-may care attitude that I don’t even have with my G-Shocks has made the entire experience super enjoyable. I have no desire to fill in that “Rolex explorer tool watch” position in my collection anymore because this fills it. 8/10 maybe 9/10 watch, ONLY held back by the fact that this is a Chinese brand. If this was made by Swatch co. With a ETA derivative or SW200, this would easily be $1000 or greater in price. Do not regret this purchase at all!

[AwkwardHorology]

Purely on specs alone San Martin offer incredible value for money. But you’ve got the ‘X’ factors like guarantee, customer service and branding and company history which sways so many buyers (just like me!)

Great video as always Ben!

[dr_tv]

I'm an owner of two San Martins. SN020-2G (70's Explorer 39mm Homage) and SN021-4G (BB36 Homage) and can report they are absolutely quality watches. Yes absolutely worth for the price even after import tax.

[WATCHingJames]

Another great video. Thanks Ben. Also was awesome to see my PT5000 thumbnail. 👍

[lumibrite]

They are basically Seiko of china but way luxurious feeling lol

[JasonTheWatchGuy]

Another note to take in is the ever growing pricing of a San Martin. They've become less of a bargain over the years and are really pushing the market at the moment

[spring]

Aren't the tools under the foam at the bottom of the new container ? Usually are .

[Chris-dujc]

I agree. The new packaging is such a waste of money and plastic. I’d rather have a fiver back in my pocket and the old (useful) case.

[OmairArif]

If you pull out the foam from the new packaging, you'll find a compartment containing a spring bar tool, sizing screw driver, and a nicely finished metal keychain.

[waltwearswatches]

For what it’s worth, I have five San Martin watches and I have been happy with all of them. No movement or qc issues. They are among the highest of the Ali Express brands but in my experience this higher price has been justified by the quality of the product I have received.

[BrittPearceWatches]

Can we talk about how amazing Ben’s editing is?!

[jacc]

People often complain about the price of SM watches, however their level of finishing is exceptional for the price. I guess this can only be truly appreciated through a loupe or macro lens. I would say you get more watch for your money than either Seiko or even Orient for an equivalent price.

[simonbutler]

the orange bezel reminds me of a yema. they look better than the earlier ripoffs, but the problem i have with them is from the side, the cases look very unrefuned, think of what cybertruck is to car design. they are blocky, harsh angles. sort of like they couldn't be bothered to streamline the side of the case to the lug.