Journey to Consolidation - Chapter 1
San Martin BB58 PT5000
Ref. SN008G
This was my first Chinese branded watch I ever had and was the only one in my collection.
Always wanted a Black Bay ever since I watched the commercial for the Heritage Black Bay line back in 2012. With Selah Sue's This World song playing in the background, I was smitten.
But it was too expensive for me as I was in my early years of my career. Been window shopping for the Tudor Black Bays ever since. Personally tried them at the ADs and borrowing one from my supervisor who was also a watch nut.
Didn't want to be on a waitlist, personally don't buy used watches and I wanted the AD experience, silly me. So I waited.
Come 2020, the Navy Blue BB58 was announced in middle of the pandemic. I immediately fell in love with the colour. But I had other priorities to consider, so I waited again.
Settled for the San Martin in Black (so I thought) as I didn't really like the blue version of it.
The San Martin was no slouch. Can't really find significant faults with it as a mechanical timepiece. The quality of the watch was commendable, it served me well.
In early 2023, I finally got my hands on the true BB58 in Navy Blue (ignored the BB54 and the updated BB41). Decided to let the placeholder go and never look back.
Seikopathic Tudorholic Casionutcase.
Congratulations 👏🏻🎉
Patience pays 👍
Congratulations 👏🏻🎉
Patience pays 👍
Thank you.
Good choice! I have the BB GMT, and the BB range are all great! Enjoy your watch, well done!
Good choice! I have the BB GMT, and the BB range are all great! Enjoy your watch, well done!
Yup, thanks.
Nice! I'm currently at that stage of growth and have been hesitant to buy the San Martin homage. I hear it can satisfy the itch, but I've resorted to buying affordable Seiko's instead. Should I take the plunge with the San Martin? I too am in love with the Tudor BB series but am not yet positioned to drop $2,000 on a watch. If y'all convince me, I'll make the move. Just FYI, I do appreciate the quality of San Martin.
Nice! I'm currently at that stage of growth and have been hesitant to buy the San Martin homage. I hear it can satisfy the itch, but I've resorted to buying affordable Seiko's instead. Should I take the plunge with the San Martin? I too am in love with the Tudor BB series but am not yet positioned to drop $2,000 on a watch. If y'all convince me, I'll make the move. Just FYI, I do appreciate the quality of San Martin.
Most would recommend you to buy BBs used as prices have drop significantly. Or stick to Seikos/Orients/Microbrands before dropping money at Tudor before venturing into Omega/Rolex and the holy trinity territory.
No harm in veering off the track to Tudor by purchasing San Martins/Seesterns/Cronos'. And get back on it like what I did. Everyone has their own pace. Enjoy the transition to your desired piece although it might take longer. Or starve yourself of new Seikos and ultimately save for a Tudor. Or settle with the San Martin or buy more of them?
For the price and what they offer, personally I think it's good. Buying it to get a feel although not 100 percent true to the original design. You get to explore strap changes without the fear of ohhh I just scratched my $2000 watch. Do you like the design etc..
In terms of specs, yeah it's commendable. Ceramic insert, sapphire glass, comfortable SS bracelet, AR sapphire, good movements (NH35s). Well the PT5000 on my San Martin, the ETA 2824 copy was good, +2 s/day accuracy on average in all positions.
Mine was a good copy, I had no issues. Do take note that if anything goes wrong with the watch even in warranty, I heard its kinda troublesome.
Because I also like Casios and Seikos, I decided not to go into the San Martin territory. Just my personal preference.
I would say go ahead and get one. See for yourself if it satisfy the itch. The BB GMT/BB PRO variants are not bad too.
The Tudor BB58 in the blue was an instant blockbuster. I remember long AD waitlists for this watch when it was initially released.
The Tudor BB58 in the blue was an instant blockbuster. I remember long AD waitlists for this watch when it was initially released.
Yeah now discounted kinda heavily in both the used and grey markets. Still love wearing it though.