My new 36mm San Martin Ranger! I mean, uh, SN0107GX.

This is a tough one. On one hand, that’s some great value. Like really great value. The sort of value that makes you wonder what the f**k Seiko think they’re doing these days. They would have charged 3x more and put crystalized sugar in place of the crystal. 
But on the other hand, I can’t escape the feeling that somebody’s going to come around the corner and ask about my Tudor any second now…

IMO, nobody really cares what watch you wear apart from other watch enthusiasts so wear what you want. It's extremely unlikely that someone will come up to me and ask me about my watch. I've been into watches for five years and not one stranger has commented on any watch I wear, so I just do not care. And you're right about the Seiko point you made! Homage brands aren't really talked about by big watch reviewers (apart from Jody at JOMW) and occasionally Urban Gentry, so not many people know about the huge value proposition they have. San Martin has better QC than Seiko!

Have had two different San Martins and got rid of them. Felt like I was wearing a fake which is essentially what this is. It’s no better than wearing clone…just my opinion though. 

I respectfully disagree with your points but to each their own. Cheers!

Yeah, you’re totally right about wearing what you love. It’s a point I’ve made to many on here, and I fully believe that. It’s just that I personally love a watch less if I know it’s an homage.  I actually own a really great 36mm Explorer looking watch that I never wear. I have no complaints about it at all. Except it’s not an Explorer. I’ve thought of trying out a Seiko branded dial on it…maybe if it straight up said “Seiko“ on the dial I wouldn’t feel it was trying too hard to be something it’s not. 
 

As for people asking me about it?  Well that’s a totally irrational fear I have. Like you, nobody ever asked about my watches. Actually ive had 2 conversations with watch guys at work asking about what I was wearing. But over about 6 years now, that’s it. So it’s not like anybody is likely to ask about my Ranger then be disappointed, but I just can’t shake the feeling…

I understand what you mean! That's what's great about this hobby; there are so many choices out there and different opinions you can side with. I understand if homages/clomages are not for everyone, I see both sides of the coin. To me, this was a spec monster and I prefer the look of this over the original Ranger. Cheers!

And you know what’s funny about this watch?  It fixes one of the two problems people seem to have with the Ranger. It’s 36mm, and lots of people just couldn’t swallow the Ranger at 38mm. I tend to think it’s that size because 36mm “Rolex” cases that will fit an NH35 are super easy to find, but whatever. This is a watch that’s closer to what the watch nerd community says they want than what Tudor actually made. 

Wear what you like man. For that price you can't go wrong. It looks the business. It doesn't have the movement, the TFit clasp or the all important brand name but that's where the majority of the extra money goes. If those things aren't important to you, like they aren't to 99% of people, wear it with pride. 

Thanks, man! At this point in my life, I don’t feel comfortable spending lots of $ expensive watches. Maybe at some point, but not now. That’s why I’m a growing fan of homage watches.

I didn't realize they made a 36mm version.  Which is tempting, but... I stuck my toe in the San Martin pool last summer with their 62MAS model.  I'd heard such great things about their quality.  But I found the quality of my particular piece to be lacking - the second hand would get stuck on the minute hand and the watch would stop.  Seemed to only happen when the minute hand was at a certain position.  Returned it and haven't looked at San Martin since.      

You get what you pay for, I suppose. I'm sorry that happened to you! To be fair, my watch has a few minor issues, too. Next watch will probably be with a brand that has better QC, at the cost of a higher price tag. For $225, I can't complain too much about my San Martin.

Jared, how about a picture of it on your wrist along with your wrist size, so the rest of us can better judge how it may look for us?  Thank you.  Personally, I have no issue with Homage watches, especially ones that seem to be good quality.

Of course! Here you go. My wrist is approximately 6.5 inches.

Great picture!  Just what I'd hoped for.  I think that is very good proportions, good choice!

Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions about the watch.

It looks great - and I think that it looks better than the Tudor ranger - the faux patina on the ranger is just a little too orange. Are you still happy with it - the quality etc. I am thinking of buying one myself. 

Thank you! And I agree; I wasn’t a massive fan of the Ranger when it came out but in 36mm and with white lume? Totally different opinion on it.

When people ask about quality, they mainly want to hear any downsides. I don’t have many with this watch but there are a few.

1. The crown wiggles when you unscrew it. This is normal for lower priced watches with screw down crowns.
2. My main complaint is very strange. Between the 3 and 7 o’clock markers, when the seconds hand is at 12, the minute hand is not aligned with the marker on the dial. Yet from the 8 to the 2 o‘clock markers, it’s aligned just about perfectly. It’s annoying to me but I’m just putting up with it.

I’d still go for it! For $225/$255, it’s a steal of a watch. The movement is quiet, the bracelet is amazing, it just feels quality. I’m eyeballing a Steinhart for my next piece. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Jared, I did get both color ways of the San Martin 38mm Vintage Mechanical Watch SN0107 watch, both sterile.  I could not decide which one I liked more so now I have two.  These are serving as my daily wear watches, are super comfortable and the quality of the build and finish are just so good, especially for the money.  Right now they both seem to be running sub 4 seconds so nothing to complain about.  No one has asked me about them, they look so ordinary, but that simple style is why I like them.

I’m really glad you like them! I must’ve gotten unlucky with my example. My watch used to run - 5 seconds a day but now it’s settled and it’s more like -10/-15 seconds. Also some weird QC issue in regards to my dial alignment. Oh well. Saving up for a Steinhart as a replacement. The style is fantastic, I agree! And despite my issues, the build quality for a ~$200 watch is quite remarkable. You’re spot on! I love holding it and playing with the clasp.

I got this with the faux Tina. I trust San Martin quality. The main reason I got it was to try out the 36mm size with bracelet. I use homage watches for test runs before getting the original. It's like a gateway drug.

After watching a lot of YouTube reviews, today I ordered the 38mm in green. The G3 variant with blue lume and applied markers and logo. It will be here in a few weeks. And I really can't wait.

Dang, that looks awesome! The applied markers are a great touch. Also like how the color darkens closer to the chapter ring. Nice choice!

I live in Germany and apparently my watch is stuck in customs since Wednesday 😭. I wonder how long that takes.

Is arrived today.

I'm very happy with it. It looks amazing.

Looks lovely! I'm happy my post helped influence your choice. Congrats!

I want this in green which Tudor does not offer 😗