Why I REGRET Buying This “Black Bay Pro” Homage! | San Martin NH34 Review

Welcome to my YouTube channel! In this video, I'll be sharing my personal experience and honest thoughts about the San Martin NH34 GMT watch. Today, I want to discuss my regrets regarding this timepiece, as it falls into the category of homage watches.

Throughout this unique video, I'll take you on my journey with the San Martin NH34 GMT and explain why I regret my decision to purchase it. As a watch enthusiast, I was initially drawn to the watch's design, which pays tribute to iconic timepieces in the industry. However, as time went on, I began to realize that it didn't live up to my expectations.

In this review, I'll dive into the design elements of the San Martin NH34 GMT and discuss its similarities to the original watches it emulates. I'll share my thought process behind choosing a homage watch and the allure it held for me. However, I eventually came to the realization that it didn't provide the experience I was seeking.

Join me as I reflect on my experience with the San Martin NH34 GMT, offering an honest and introspective assessment. I encourage you to watch this video with an open mind, as it serves as a valuable lesson for watch enthusiasts considering homage pieces.

If you enjoy this video, please remember to like, comment, and subscribe to my channel for more personal reviews and insightful discussions. Your support is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to engaging with you. Thank you for watching, and I'll see you in the next one!

[londonerwatches]

Hey all - thought I’d give you my thoughts 7 months after uploading this video!

Do I still think the watch is a copy? Of course. Is it a great watch though? Yes, it definitely is. For all the reasons I stated in the video.

Reading all of your comments has been really interesting - I appreciate everyone who has given their thoughts. To be honest, my opinion on has mellowed slightly - wear what you want, enjoy what you wear, and of course wear in good health.

I have to say that San Martin have brought out some unbelievably cool watches recently - the SN0116-V5 is a personal favourite. They’re growing, and I’ve noticed an uptick in their activity re creating original designs. Fair play to them. I really want to purchase another watch from them….not sure if they like me very much tho 😳

I’m not really sure if I’m making any sense at all - but just thought I’d share my thoughts with you guys.

Despite all of what I’ve just said, I’m going to keep the video up (for the sole reason that it gets me views and comments👀)

Thanks!

[BeatPoet]

Let's be honest, no one who isn't in to watches has a clue who Tudor are. If you showed them the SM and Tudor side by side they'd likely go "nice watches" and think no more about it. If you think the Tudor will "complete" you then go for it. But we both know, it'll give you a small buzz for a while before you go chasing something else. I know this disease well!

[spasev]

The satisfaction of owning a $250 is the same as owning a $5000 watch, granted you worked and earned it by yourself. The only difference is that one company prices their watches reasonably so they are affordable to everybody, while the other one want you to give you false sense of accomplishment by overcharging you for what is essentially a $500 watch. One company spends millions of dollars in marketing to manufacture public opinion, the other one is virtually unknown to the general public. I own both watches and the San Martin is spectacular and its 20 times cheaper, arguably better finished than my Tudor.

[alecleamus]

I own this watch, because like you you, I fell in love with the Tudor. The difference, though, is that I can afford to buy the Tudor, quite easily. I just wanted to see how I got on with the San Martin first, because, as you say, it’s almost identical.
Having worn it, and adding the new on the fly clasp, that I bought in the sale, I can say that I bloody love it.
It’s just nuts how great the movement is, running at COSC accuracy. Frankly, the Tudor’s thickness is a no go for me, but more importantly, why on earth would I not keep the San Martin? You do understand the cost of just servicing the Tudor? …not cheap with an in house movement and a GMT function.
Now, I wouldn’t ever buy a replica watch. But the San Martin has its own name and logo, not the Tudor logo. It may be close to a replica in many respects, but it simply isn’t one, and it’s perfectly legal to buy.
I own a crazy amount of watches, including four Rolex, five Brietling, and four Omega pieces.
About a third of these were new, with discounts even on the Rolex in 2015! The rest were all used, but in great condition with papers.
The quality of these watches from China is getting better and better. Frankly, if these were available when I bought my luxury watches, I may have gone down a better route.
Personally, I’d keep that watch, and save money for another luxury watch, if you want one. You’ll probably learn to enjoy it for what it is, and realise that no one else cares what’s on your wrist.

[martinharrison]

Got 2 tudors, 2 rados, 2 high end seikos, and a tag heuer. I got this white faced gmt version today, and for £200 it actually questions my sanity in paying 3k for a swiss watch. I actually prefer the san martin to my tudor. Its slimmer and wears better. The fit and finish is close to the tudor, obviously the movement isnt as accurate, but for the money, the san martin is just amazing . And the best thing of all, is not having to think about that expensive servicing that the swiss watch will eventually need. Honestly if i started my watch journey again i would just get a few san martin models and call it a day . The black bay pro is just an homage to the rolex explorer 2 afterall !!!

[drdr]

The way I see it, these companies that charge an outrageous price for their watches--are being taken to town by other capitalist companies that are saying, "Oh yeah, we can make a watch that looks just like yours with high quality materials and movements, at a fraction of what your are charging. You are ripping the consumer off. We are not. We offer a great value."

[j.schaefer]

The San Martin is a very well made watch. It keeps good time and will last a few years. Its a fun watch for not much money. After having 2 IWCs, 1 Omega Seamaster, 2 Submariners and 10 other watches including Seikos Certinas Tudors and Microbrands my conclusion is: a watch is just a watch, no matter how much you spend for it.

[LooptroopRocker]

I enjoy my Tudor black bay 58 and 3 San Martin Tudor homages all the same. Sure, they don’t feel as special since they are copies but offer incredible quality for the money and even improve some aspects of the original models. I love the diversity I get for not a lot of money.

[ubergaard]

At the end og the day.. its a Watch. And it works!
Having had Omegas and Tudors. Its fantastic the first 2-3 weeks, but after that it’s just a watch like everything else. New iPhone.. new expensive car.. The honeymoon period ends quickly..

[danonthestrings]

In my eyes, San Martin like most other “micro brands” so to speak, their business model is make great quality homages that people will appreciate, gain reputation withing the watch community, to then at some point be able to fund the production of their own designs. It’s much easier to sell an already established design but made affordable, than an original design at the same exact price.

[winstonchurchill]

If you bought a Tudor it would just be a matter of time before you were wishing it was a Rolex. Just be happy with the San Martin and know if it breaks you can buy another one for way less than even having a Tudor serviced.

[AlbertoMerelo]

The Tudor version is also a Homage, at least the shape/design. Even the Rolex submariner is possibly a "copy" or homage of the Squale Blancpain, as they claim they came out with that design before Rolex did. My point is that at the end of the day is all about the brand, we perceive a Swiss brand better than an Asian one. And we want to show off, basiclally. But is a fact all brands copy each other in a way. Notice that almost every single brand has their own Diver watch... And all of them look pretty much the same.

[nex.phs]

My first San Martin Watch is SN008 (BB58 Homage). I really like the build quality of the watch and also the green leather circular case that comes with it. I know for a fact that it's a homage but I am happy because I felt that the money that I have spent (USD 270) was justified by what I bought. I guess its up to you on how you will appreciate it.

[andrebann]

Not being a big head myself but I own 3 Rolex watches and have been scared to wear them noticeably outdoors… now I have multiple San Martin’s, Cronos and Octopus watches I switch them day to day and enjoy them even more and don’t have a fear of losing a few hundred quid as opposed to tens of thousands

[drewsykes]

I’ve got this watch and couldn’t be happier with it. Amazing quality for the price, comfortable, well proportioned and 95% of people don’t care or perceive any difference between it and the Tudor whilst I love not having to worry about knocking it about a bit or it getting stolen. Makes my life easier and leaves me more money to invest and spend on experiences that matter more than any material asset. Luxury watches just are not worth it unless you value the opinion of the few that give a ****.

[stevenwillis]

Personally I think the whole point of the homage watch is to be a placeholder for the actual watch. If you can’t get the actual watch for some reason or you’re on a wait list or something, I see no issue with getting a good quality. I’d certainly prefer people to get an homage then get a counterfeit.

[TheRudeboyrebel]

Some would say buying a Tudor is for people who couldn't wait for a Rolex and wanted the next best thing? I personally love the Tudors but can't bring myself to buy one knowing the money involved, and it's so close to Rolex. Weird. I know.

[blackhawk]

"homages" are not new, they have always existed: all watches during the 50s and 60s were "the same" and nobody cared. The SM is an homage of the BB pro but is not the BB pro an homage of the Rolex Explorer? Personally I like homages but not replicas

[johnp]

End of the day it's just a watch. Imagine damaging a 4k, 10k, 20k watch? I'd be paranoid. Rather wear a £200 high quality homage like this.

[Daniel-ypw]

People seem to forget that Tudor was initially often called "The poor man's Rolex" -not to say that it is- but most Tudor designs were homaging Rolex designs like This model which was inspired by Rolex explorer ll. So, when speaking of originality you should first know what Tudor was all about first cuz definitely they were homaging Rolex in ghe first place 🤷🏻‍♂️