San Martin x watchdives
So what’s the deal & difference between these milsubs then ?
Lume: the SM has applied hour markers & a layered BGW9 coating them. Bright & long lasting.
The WD piece has printed C3 markers , initial lume is bright when charged. Sadly though the lume coating doesn’t quite have the same staying power as the SM.
Case finish on the SM is a little nicer in terms of brushing , screw links in the bracelet remove some of the imprecise feel too & the SM clasp has better machining & no rough edges on its underside (bonus adjust on fly clasp on the TC4 piece)
Crystal - both have sapphire , but the SM pieces do not use blue AR coating & on the white dial (SN006) you get top hat style crystal instead of flat.
The movement: 2 of the SM pieces Here house an NH35 & PT5000 movement respectively.
The watchdives piece uses the NH35 , but at the price point these are unlikely to be regulated.
My opinion for what it’s worth: SM make great watches - no question. Watchdives I think can offer the skeptic of Chinese watches an entry level approach into SM territory , but leaves enough to make you want an SM. I own the pieces pictured & feel they are a worthy inclusion into any collection if you like milsub homages.
Wannabe polymath of watch collecting