New brand from San Martin watches.

They should just keep the logo no words on the dial. Going with their own design is really capturing enthusiast. 👌

We'll see what happens. It'll be interesting to watch their progression over the coming years.

They are pushing the brand as "high end", but the specs are no different to any San Martin that you will find, so they're banking on the originality of the designs to carry them forward. You won't find them on AliExpress though, which may help to take away some of the Stigma attached to Chinese watch brands

Not my style and I hate that crown.

It is definitely original, and it doesn't look half bad. They missed a bit with the sizing, the trend is towards smaller watches, but it's no Invicta and the odd enthusiast will love it.

They could improve the copywriting. Take a page from Boderry's book: If they want to be seen as more than just an Aliexpress brand, they should behave like it.

I'm getting some serious Phoibos Great Wall vibes from this one. Which isn't necessarily a good thing. It's considered a cult classic by Phoibos fans now, but was a big commercial failure for them when it was released.

At least the price is good that's what really did the Great Wall in.

I think the crown could stand to be a bit larger lol.

In seriousness though, I think it’s great they are going to focus on original design!!! I hear so much about their good quality and finishing, looking forward to what they come up with.

Its great San Martin are developing their own micro brand as they have come to be respected for great quality. These will certainly do well (assuming this has the same quality), but it could do better if they drop the name, unless they are only targeting Asia. I'm not sure the West would buy into it fully.

Well, that’s an ”original“ design for sure 😂

Although this one does not appeal to me, I will be following them closely. From a design perspective, they may be going in a direction I may not fully understand/appreciate. There is a good chance I am not the intended customer. I own a San Martin that I enjoy. The finishing is very good and it checks all my boxes. It seems they have focused on quality and value, which will always lead to sales and reputation growth.

Not my style, but love that crown.

Looks like an Ikepod case with welded on some lugs, not gonna lie.

This is going to be tricky. On the positive side they are actually posting pictures, and not only renders. The finishing seems to be quite good, actually. They really seem to have put an effort into it. However, similar to other manufacturers ("Hi there, Sea-Gull!") they are making watches that are likely too big for my wrist.

This one is at the outer edge of what I like wearing at 42mm, so I feel you.

I think this is mistake to be honest. San Martin already is a microbrand, one a reputation for homage watches, but also for quality. They had been coming out with more original designs lately, so I don't see the need for a separate brand.

1. I think it is great whenever microbrands draw inspiration from their country/region/heritage, whether it is Scotland, England, US, France, Russia...etc. Why not China?

2. Separating themselves from AliExpress is a good strategic move, and will allow them to move upscale later on if the brand catches on.

3. Right now, the pricing is not "upscale", so for me -a cheap guy- this is good.

4. I'm REALLY glad they didn't try to make up some goofy, Western-sounding name (Cissden, Lacz Denton, FeelNever, FNGEEN????) without consulting someone who speaks English.

5. I think these watches look cool, although I tend to drift towards a little funkier looks.

I'm not certain I agree. I think it to be less likely for us in the west to buy in to a badly coined Anglocised name than one that takes inspiration from national heritage.

I guess they felt the need to separate their homage brand from their original works. I don't think it will hurt them in any way, but time will tell. Stepping away from AliExpress is IMO a very good idea too.

Show me an affordable watch that is completely unique from anything else on the market.

There is definitely something in what you say, my thinking is really based upon a name that fits western language, as well as describing the Asian message. I'm all for heritage but it would be useful if that was described in a wider understood language. 🤔

https://www.drakenwatches.com/

Which of the four offerings here do you believe shares absolutely no design elements with any other watch on the market today or historically?

It would be great if they followed Phoibos lead and had a warehouse in Europe so we could avoid import fees.

San Martin going from too little originality to too much. That thing is hideous.

I've seen much worse (hint hint Invicta)!

Sure enough, there is no bottom limit to do it even worse. But that won’t help this watch.

I don't doubt it is divisive, but it will certainly attract some.