I consider buying a San Martin

I have a couple of San Martin watches and the quality is really good on both of them. I am starting to think of San Martin as a brand separate from AliExpress, owing to several factors. First, they are really among the top tier on AliExpress, comparable to Sea Gull and Baltany. They now have their own website and are starting to offer their own original designs. I would say they are comparable to Islander in terms of homage/original design ratio anymore.

Regarding the design, it is just not for me. I am not a fan of the BB, and it is really that I do not like the snowflake hour hand. I much prefer the Ranger to the BB, and would be getting one of the San Martin Ranger homages if I didn't already have the Islander/Urban Gentry Rangemaster in my collection. That is just my own opinion on the design. If you like the BB design, go for it. You won't be disappointed with the quality of San Martin, at least in my experience.

oh you got the islander urban gentry rangemaster? congrats, it's beautiful!

yea i prefer the BB design mostly because im not into printed numerals tbh

I can understand about the printed dial. Honestly, that is the biggest moan or niggle (pardon me for quoting Jody 🤣) about the Rangemaster. If San Martin can do applied indices and arabics on their Ranger homage, why can't Islander or even Tudor? I am still considering the 36mm San Martin Ranger homage for that very reason. Or maybe the Islander 36mm Manhasset.

i'm looking at the San Martin ranger with the applied indices right now and it feels a bit off tbh

i mean applied works wonderful with the rolex explorer but for the ranger? maybe printed is the way to go with this one.

and like i sayed im usually always for applied indices!

I have 3 SM watches.2 of them bronze. Top quality for the price.The model you're looking for with enamel dial.300$ for enamel dial watch!Its a bargain.

I do like that shade of green. I don’t like the snowflake hands though.. had they been something else, I’d be tempted as well!

luckily i actually like the snowflake hand as long as its no chronograph!

the snow flake on the BB chrono covers the sub dials most of the time 😅

I do like them.. on a Tudor 🤣

I mean they’re still just rip-offs. Not „homages“ copying a design is not equal to paying homage to something

I bought two San Martin SN021-G-B3, one in black and one in blue. Both had misaligned markers. Both times San Martin support said it's within production tolerance. While I agree with that statement concerning the misalignment on the black one, the misalignment on the blue version is a f****ng disaster.

For the black version they sold me a a replacement dial (~35€) because I bought it at a known seller (Watchdives), for the blue version they refuse to sell me a replacement dial because I bought it at a reseller in Europe (skb watches). Both watches are very well made apart from the misalignment.

Although I really appreciate their approach and their overall quality, I struggle to spend more money on their products because of the QC issues I experienced.

This might be an interesting thread for @SanMartinWatches

of course, i just don't like 1:1 design copies that much, at least they came up with something on their on with this one while obviously still paying homage to tudor

oh yes me to but if i would feel comfortable wearing a watch costing over 10x of what this one costs i would not make posts like this 😅

I dig that design with square markers!

interesting, first time hearing something bad about san martin!

thx for sharing

I like that watch especially the green. I own two Tudors so obviously I like the snowflake. I would say go for it the specs are good, the movements sound and it's good value. I have nothing against homages.

That looks like the exact same case and bracelet as my SN0107. If so, I highly recommend it. It’s easily the most worn watch in my modest collection.

I can't speak highly enough regarding the quality-to-price ratio in a typical San Martin. And I think the pale green dial is beautiful. Personally, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with the hands, which are so, so recognizable. It sounds like a silly distinction, I guess, since I love my Ranger-alike, which could be argued to be a well-known look among enthusiasts. I can't explain it, each person draws the homage line in different places. If I probe at my thinking, I suspect I fear the greater likelihood of having to explain the more recognizable homages to civilians, rather than to only an enthusiast, who could have a more nuanced view.

If you want it, and you're comfortable with the design, get it! They do fantastic finishing, on highly wearable watches.

So my only issue with this watch is the same issue I have with one of my Pagani Design watches .... The Hour Hand!

I love this watch for what it is, it gets a lot of use.... but the damn hour hand bugs me, I apologize to the Tudor crew🍻

Go for it...San Martin makes credible affordable homage watches with reasonably good quality components for the price.

I'd say San Martin and Seestern make some of the better watches on Aliexpress.

You may want to wait for the Aliexpress sales so that you can get the watch for the lowest possible price...definitely look for Aliexpress coupons...they usually have some for first time buyers. Just Google it. Hey, every few dollars saved is worth the couple of seconds.

I have a couple in the collection and I am very happy with them...

San Martin watch give you a similar look without the heritage or Swiss movement. A good way to try out the look. I have a BB39 and Pagani homage and you can tell the difference, but I don’t think it’s a £3k difference. I woukd get the san Martin.

I get that yeah, but it's how you think about it that matters. Spending 3k+ is no joke. But if you saved it every week until you could pay for the watch then you've earned it, and that makes all the difference.

yea these are also SN0107 models, as far as i know they share the same everything except the dial

i like the snowflake! but yea it covers the subdials on a chronograph, that sucks

With so many great micros and independents out there, I do not like homages. I mean at the end of the day all round watches are pretty similar but just add a little of your own design. Take a look at the A5 and A7 from VAER. They may have a nice alternative for the style of watch you want. Choice of bracelet design, dial colors and 40 or 36mm case design.

i get your point, i love micros!

that VAER doesnt really appeal to me sadly.

i really like the Tusenö Windseeker but at 800€ its almost 3x the price of the San Martin...

Also Nodus is out there. There are just so many options from these micros it’s hard to even know what is available in the market.

yup many cool micros out there

I love Alternatives plus Homages👍👌😊❤🙏 I would get me the White Dial🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

The Ranger dial looks better proportioned in 36mm than it does at 39mm. San Martin beat Tudor to it. With the recent Black Bay 54 coming in at 37mm (and looking fabulous), it would not surprise me if Tudor is looking at the Ranger next for more vintage sizing. With a 6 3/4" wrist, I'm all for it.

You know, this happens frequently on AliExpress. Tandorio beat Seiko to the market with a 37mm GMT using the NH34 movement.