Are San Martin watches reliable?
I've been eyeing these SN-0129 models for quite some time but I am unsure about the reliability of these watches over the long run.
I've heard plenty of good first impression reviews but not much about how they hold up months or years after purchase.
I need someone to tell me about their SM watch experience.
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Arjun
Born to enjoy Casio, forced to wear Tissot.
Brunei
Member since
Last active: 2 days ago
It all depends on the movements. But if it’s a Seiko movement, yeah, very dependable.
It all depends on the movements. But if it’s a Seiko movement, yeah, very dependable.
The movement for this watch is the NH34, but I'm talking about watch QC issues and such because I heard their customer service isn't all that great, might be because people don't buy it from the official account on aliexpress...
The movement for this watch is the NH34, but I'm talking about watch QC issues and such because I heard their customer service isn't all that great, might be because people don't buy it from the official account on aliexpress...
From what I’ve seen, they seem to do a pretty decent job on QC. They have a full department for QC that a lot of other Chinese watch companies like pagani can’t really afford.
From what I’ve seen, they seem to do a pretty decent job on QC. They have a full department for QC that a lot of other Chinese watch companies like pagani can’t really afford.
Do u own an SM watch?
Do u own an SM watch?
I do not but I have seen YouTube videos of their factory and it seems very clean and they have a whole team dedicated on QCing every watch before they leave. Their finish is so good in fact that there are talks that this company manufactures some of the super clones that are being sold by luxury watch brands.
I do not but I have seen YouTube videos of their factory and it seems very clean and they have a whole team dedicated on QCing every watch before they leave. Their finish is so good in fact that there are talks that this company manufactures some of the super clones that are being sold by luxury watch brands.
Thanks for the info, I'm gonna have to check this out
San Martin are fine - and the movements are sourced from reputable places like Seiko. However, I don't think it's a brand one buys with the long term in mind. This is not the 1980's, it will likely not fall apart on you, but I would guess you will tire of it before it really becomes an issue, either way.
San Martin are fine - and the movements are sourced from reputable places like Seiko. However, I don't think it's a brand one buys with the long term in mind. This is not the 1980's, it will likely not fall apart on you, but I would guess you will tire of it before it really becomes an issue, either way.
I've had all my watches for at least 2 years, with my gshock being the oldest coming close to a decade of ownership and is half the price of this watch. I'm not saying it should last generations without any damage, I just don't want the indices to come off and bracelet links to dangle loosely after 6 months or a year.
The movement for this watch is the NH34, but I'm talking about watch QC issues and such because I heard their customer service isn't all that great, might be because people don't buy it from the official account on aliexpress...
San Martin honor their warranty.
These videos should answer your questions.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CQSDHu8sVGk&pp=ygUTcm9sZXggdnMgc2FuIG1hcnRpbg%3D%3D
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_T1nob_IrbE
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=quDulgsSQQQ
I've had all my watches for at least 2 years, with my gshock being the oldest coming close to a decade of ownership and is half the price of this watch. I'm not saying it should last generations without any damage, I just don't want the indices to come off and bracelet links to dangle loosely after 6 months or a year.
That was not my experience with San Martin. They are surprisingly well built.
San Martin honor their warranty.
These videos should answer your questions.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CQSDHu8sVGk&pp=ygUTcm9sZXggdnMgc2FuIG1hcnRpbg%3D%3D
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_T1nob_IrbE
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=quDulgsSQQQ
Will look into this, thanks 🙏🏾
That was not my experience with San Martin. They are surprisingly well built.
Thank you for your confident review bro, you've boosted my faith and I'll be placing an order soon. What model do you have?
Thank you for your confident review bro, you've boosted my faith and I'll be placing an order soon. What model do you have?
I had a few (sold them off since) The one I spent the most time with was their Explorer/Ranger homage, here it is next to a current Rolex Explorer at a dealer. Obviously not the same caliber, but really quite a great watch for the money. I don't have any homage watches anymore but I think they are great tools for learning what you want. Enjoy!
I had a few (sold them off since) The one I spent the most time with was their Explorer/Ranger homage, here it is next to a current Rolex Explorer at a dealer. Obviously not the same caliber, but really quite a great watch for the money. I don't have any homage watches anymore but I think they are great tools for learning what you want. Enjoy!
Amazing watches bro 😎👍🏾
Amazing watches bro 😎👍🏾
In fairness, only the San Martin was mine. The other one I had to hand back to the nice lady behind the Rolex counter 🙂 Good luck!
I own 2 San Martins and its only been a couple of months but I was convinced by the quality to get another. People in watch crunch have nothing negative to say about it.
Buy it only if :
You are okay that its an Aliexpress watch
You like the design and you are okay that it won't last forever (I don't think my Seikos will either)
You don't stereotype it to a Chinese watch that is crap.
I have had a SM GMT since December with a Chinese Hangzhou movement without issue. Case finishing seems as good as Squale or Steinhart. My only issue with the movement is it can be difficult to screw back down after time setting.
From what I’ve seen, they seem to do a pretty decent job on QC. They have a full department for QC that a lot of other Chinese watch companies like pagani can’t really afford.
As of lately all SM watches I‘ve got suffer from clearly visible QC issues like uneven color application on the bezel and misalignments. I‘m a little hesitant now to buy any more of them.
bought this one recently and there was an issue with the movement after about 2 weeks, not San Martins fault though. After a bit of complaining they now sent me a new one without me having to send mine back so a great experience ;)
I have owned several over the last four years, and never had an issue with any of them. They use established movements, and their attention to detail and specification is excellent. In my opinion compared to a Seiko (for example) you get twice the watch for half the price.
The watches will last longer than you if you look after it.
Whether the watch will last is likely not the question. Pretty much any watch above $100 can be built to last, using readily available parts.
But will you keep enjoying the design, or will you look at a set of features on your wrist?
The cat in my profile pic is Xiaojie, the most powerful being in China.
My cat on the other hand is stinky and smelly and I'm gonna set her as my pfp now
Love the new pfp pic! Curiosity clearly prevails …
Purchased two, both had movements issues and one of the two had poor bezel alignment. I’d never purchase again.
Purchased two, both had movements issues and one of the two had poor bezel alignment. I’d never purchase again.
Did SM's warranty help? Also did you buy from the official store account or a copy account with thay sold at a more discounted price?
Did SM's warranty help? Also did you buy from the official store account or a copy account with thay sold at a more discounted price?
One was replaced at no cost by WRWatches and the other that was purchased through the official store was a nightmare. Paid a bunch to ship it back, no refund, filed a PayPal dispute and eventually got the money back. Watch was 100 spd off and had a wonky aligned bezel.
One was replaced at no cost by WRWatches and the other that was purchased through the official store was a nightmare. Paid a bunch to ship it back, no refund, filed a PayPal dispute and eventually got the money back. Watch was 100 spd off and had a wonky aligned bezel.
Well the damage is done, I already placed the order. It will be good
Whether the watch will last is likely not the question. Pretty much any watch above $100 can be built to last, using readily available parts.
But will you keep enjoying the design, or will you look at a set of features on your wrist?
I wanted this model because it had both great design and an automatic GMT at such a competitive price point. And yes I am well aware of how reliable SM is from all the comments I received so far, thanks!
I’ve only own these watches for two months, but there’s no issues as to their quality. They hold up extremely well.
I have four San Martin’s and In my opinion you get great quality and specs for your money. You just have to be ok with the homage theme.