San Martin SPB058 Review
This is my 1st review! I chose to review this watch as it is a little known piece that represents an extreme value for money.
Let me state that I currently own 4 Rolexes (1 DJ, 1 Explorer and 2 OP’s) so I am very familiar with original pieces. I will draw some comparisons to Rolex, but that is not the point of this review.
Features:
Oyster style case with screw down crown and 100m water resistance. 36mm x 43mm x 12mm. Plain case back with Rolex style crenellations for removal.
Black sunray dial with lumed applied indices. Conventional Rolex style stick hands. Also lumed.
PT5000 movement (Selita available on request).
San Martin signed crown.
Sapphire crystal with cyclops at 3:00 and date window also at 3:00. Blue AR coating applied on the underside of the crystal (how many coats etc is unknown to me).
Solid SS jubilee bracelet 20mm tapering to 16mm. Milled clasp with milled folder. Equipped with dual pushers.
Weight 114 grams sized for my 7.5” wrist.
Impressions:
This is a very solid, high quality piece. The fit and finish are outstanding in every way. I can find no quality or finish issues of any kind.
Every aspect of this watch exhibits very high attention to detail and quality.
It wears beautifully and definitely feels like a luxury item. I certainly feel luxurious when I wear it.
It performs like a high end watch. I had my doubts about the PT5000 movement, but seeing as it performs so well (Timegrapher trace below) that concern was put to rest.
Overall this watch compares very favorably with its Rolex counterparts in my collection. In fact, it exceeds them in a couple of ways (AR and lume). In fact, it comes way closer than it should.
Are the Rolexes better watches? In a lot of ways, yes. Are the Rolexes 3000% better (based on list price of a new DJ vs price I paid for this piece)? No. Not even close.
Would I buy another one? Absolutely. Would I buy another Rolex? Yes, absolutely as well.
Should you buy one of these? If you are looking for a very close approximation of a DJ while still retaining the luxury feel, then yes.
San Martin SPB058 Review
Yes
No
- Outstanding quality and value.
- Has unmistakable luxury “feel”
- Excellent accuracy and performance.
- Clasp could be a little nicer.
- A quick adjustment for the clasp would be great.
I have been collecting watches for over 30 years. I like expensive watches, inexpensive watches, vintage watches, homage watches and everything in between!
That is a great review.😎
I'd never read a San Martin review and that DJ looks great 💯
I'm not purchasing any more but I still love the research.🥰
That is a great review.😎
I'd never read a San Martin review and that DJ looks great 💯
I'm not purchasing any more but I still love the research.🥰
Thank you!
San Martin is the arguably the best value for money rn. I own an explorer like in 36mm and with pt5000 as well. And i agree with you, the watch feels very premium, the “feel good factor” wearing it is the same as a luxury watch.
But about the movement, mine is banging +4 seconds a day too, what is awesome, but it feels stiff/rough to manually wind and screw down the crown, how is yours?
San Martin is the arguably the best value for money rn. I own an explorer like in 36mm and with pt5000 as well. And i agree with you, the watch feels very premium, the “feel good factor” wearing it is the same as a luxury watch.
But about the movement, mine is banging +4 seconds a day too, what is awesome, but it feels stiff/rough to manually wind and screw down the crown, how is yours?
I have that same watch! I got it with the Selita in it. You have excellent taste sir.
As to your question, yes, the PT5000 seems to wind up faster and not as smoothly as the Selita. This doesn’t seem to affect its accuracy or power reserve etc.
I’m guessing it has something to do with the mainspring they chose, or it’s lubricant. Just a theory.
I have that same watch! I got it with the Selita in it. You have excellent taste sir.
As to your question, yes, the PT5000 seems to wind up faster and not as smoothly as the Selita. This doesn’t seem to affect its accuracy or power reserve etc.
I’m guessing it has something to do with the mainspring they chose, or it’s lubricant. Just a theory.
Sometimes i regret not picking the sw200, do you think is worth the extra bucks?
Sometimes i regret not picking the sw200, do you think is worth the extra bucks?
The Selita is almost twice the price, but it doesn’t run or wear twice as good.
I have both, and the Selita runs a little cleaner trace on the timegrapher, but it’s not twice as accurate etc.
It’s really just personal preference.
I have a duplicate of this watch in Tiffany Blue with the Selita in it. But there is really no way to tell the difference other than the dial!
I love them both the same.
Nice review! I have a San Martin GMT coming soon in delivery! Looking forward to receiving it!
Nice review! I have a San Martin GMT coming soon in delivery! Looking forward to receiving it!
Thank you! Post some pics when it arrives!
Thank you! Post some pics when it arrives!
Will do 👌
I might have to get one of these. How is the movement still? Little hesitant on buying a non Japanese or Swiss movement but from your review and some YouTube videos I found it is very much on par with the sw200
I might have to get one of these. How is the movement still? Little hesitant on buying a non Japanese or Swiss movement but from your review and some YouTube videos I found it is very much on par with the sw200
So far, the PT5000 has performed very well. It’s not quite as smooth as the Selita, but it’s an incremental difference. Not an exponential.
For the price I think it’s impossible to go wrong. Any minimal negatives are vastly outweighed by the positives I mentioned above.
If you get one, please post a pic here and your impressions. I’d love to see if our experiences are similar!
I appreciate your review and that you really like this watch, but rating-wise, this is a solid 5 even next to your other watches? Genuinely curious. What ratings would you give your DJ, OPs, Explorer?
I appreciate your review and that you really like this watch, but rating-wise, this is a solid 5 even next to your other watches? Genuinely curious. What ratings would you give your DJ, OPs, Explorer?
Thanks for your response!
It’s a solid 5 for a watch in its class and price range. I mentioned in the review that I wasn’t directly comparing it to its Rolex counterparts.
However I have to state that it is WAY closer than it should be to them also.
By the same token, if I was comparing my Rolexes with others in their class and price range, I’m not sure I would give them 5 stars. As much as I love them!
Thanks for your response!
It’s a solid 5 for a watch in its class and price range. I mentioned in the review that I wasn’t directly comparing it to its Rolex counterparts.
However I have to state that it is WAY closer than it should be to them also.
By the same token, if I was comparing my Rolexes with others in their class and price range, I’m not sure I would give them 5 stars. As much as I love them!
Thanks for writing back. I really enjoy insightful and detailed reviews like yours. I have nothing against SMs—I have a few myself. I’ve had a few QC issues, but I agree with you that what you get vs what you are paying for compared to other brands is a lot.
Thanks for writing back. I really enjoy insightful and detailed reviews like yours. I have nothing against SMs—I have a few myself. I’ve had a few QC issues, but I agree with you that what you get vs what you are paying for compared to other brands is a lot.
I’m with you. I think the point of SM is a great watch at a great price. And somthing you can wear regardless of risk of damage or loss.