Original Designs at San Martin
I recently watched a review video for some original designs at San Martin. What do y'all think? Are homage brands coming into their own?
51 comments
Sort by
Yani Tsakos
I've been collecting relatively inexpensive watches for years. New to watch making though! That's a whole 'nuther deep rabbit hole to fall down! Sooooo many tools...
Peekskill, NY, USA
Member since
Last active: 13 hrs ago
19.05 cm
I don’t know about all homage brands but San Martin for sure is getting more awesome as time goes on. I’ve seen them using real Swiss movements in affordable watches so even the snobs are running out of ways to look down on them 🌈
Hopefully the money they (homage brands) acquire via their homages are put into their own original designs. That would be interesting to see.
I like them. I have seen a fair few reviews also. What puts me off is the price, as it's one of the higher for an AliE watch, and that brings in a lot of competition. I have never seen one in the flesh and by all accounts very well made and decent spec.
I see SM trying to get some traction with their original designs. It feels like they get squeezed by what enthusiasts say they want to see more of and what enthusiasts actually open their wallets for but kudos to SM for trying to forge a non-homage identity.
The company soared with their strong homage executions which had an evolving premium fit and finish but of course new and unproven designs will be more risky.
I think their association with Ali Express is a negative as they are often judged by the company they keep and there is much that feels sketchy on that platform.
I've owned and handled several SM's and this is by far my favorite original design.
SM SN007-G-JS Chrono w/ Sea-Gull ST1901 manual winding movement.
I use it as my "beater" chrono though I think it looks good dressed up or down. This is all I paid for such a well executed mechanical chrono.
Hopefully the money they (homage brands) acquire via their homages are put into their own original designs. That would be interesting to see.
They do. Phoibos used to make Sumbariner copies. Now they're 100% original.
I just ordered the one in the random Rob video above. My first san Martin. Will arrive in a week or so.
Low key- we're in the Golden Age of Chinese watch making. Just ride this wave, brother.
I just ordered the one in the random Rob video above. My first san Martin. Will arrive in a week or so.
Looking forward to your impressions!
Low key- we're in the Golden Age of Chinese watch making. Just ride this wave, brother.
Just so!
I feel like San Martin needs to be more creative, but that’s my criticism of the affordable watch industry in general. I’d like to see design innovation like some of the worn & wound collabs and timex, etc. but i suppose they stay with tried and true designs because of the smart watch market. Tenuous times for old school watch brands.
I feel like San Martin needs to be more creative, but that’s my criticism of the affordable watch industry in general. I’d like to see design innovation like some of the worn & wound collabs and timex, etc. but i suppose they stay with tried and true designs because of the smart watch market. Tenuous times for old school watch brands.
Are we actually seeing that? Are smart watches eating into the wristwatch market that substantially? I'm not saying you're wrong. I honestly don't know.
I just ordered the one in the random Rob video above. My first san Martin. Will arrive in a week or so.
I got a San Martin SN0129-g with silver sand dial last month. I have to say, I am very impressed. The quality is top noch. Feels like a very expensive watch. Im sure you‘ll love yours too.
Are we actually seeing that? Are smart watches eating into the wristwatch market that substantially? I'm not saying you're wrong. I honestly don't know.
The YouTubers I follow TGV, TeddyBaldassarre, etc. seem to think we have a second quartz crisis ramping up. But I feel like there is a microbrand boom going on as well. So, time will tell. I like mechanical watches, but I also prefer old vacuum tube guitar amps. I feel like technology on the wrist might eventually become too compelling to ignore. I used to have an Apple Watch Ultra—super useful. I only dumped it because I hated charging it, and it’s appearance, graphics, and color schemes are unforgivable (imo). when my whole phone can be worn on my wrist, there may not be room for an old mechanical watch.
I got a San Martin SN0129-g with silver sand dial last month. I have to say, I am very impressed. The quality is top noch. Feels like a very expensive watch. Im sure you‘ll love yours too.
That’s a beautiful watch
someone at San Martin definitely understands color theory and design
Some of their original designs are questionable but others are spectacular.
Here the first San Martin original design I bought and it's stunning. Absolutely love the design. The build quality and finishing is as good as any of their homages. Unfortunately the new version of this model has less interesting hands and this one isn't available anymore
Agreed! And I am super jelly about those hands you have there lol!!
It's not a brand I have any interest in, whatsoever, but I'm happy to say that's a really attractive watch, and anyone looking for that kind of thing would be well served by it.
someone at San Martin definitely understands color theory and design
I thought so too and really fell in love with the year of the dragon watch, but I can’t get over the red bezel. Looks like a firetruck
Agreed! And I am super jelly about those hands you have there lol!!
Looks fantastic on that strap!
I do have a couple homages and I think they are great watches, I've been curious about the San Martin's, how are the movements in terms of build quality, longevity, etc?
They tend to use Seiko movements which are cheap but reliable. I'm not 100% sure but I believe they regulate them and all the ones I've bought have been very accurate. You can get a watchmaker to swap out the movement for under $100 all in, or do it yourself with little effort for under $50.
They tend to use Seiko movements which are cheap but reliable. I'm not 100% sure but I believe they regulate them and all the ones I've bought have been very accurate. You can get a watchmaker to swap out the movement for under $100 all in, or do it yourself with little effort for under $50.
Sounds good to me I'm new to collecting so I didn't know you could swap movements so definitely a good idea, I have a good relationship with my jeweler as my wife loves her diamonds and rose gold haha but they do watch servicing as well, thank you
Some of their original designs are questionable but others are spectacular.
Here the first San Martin original design I bought and it's stunning. Absolutely love the design. The build quality and finishing is as good as any of their homages. Unfortunately the new version of this model has less interesting hands and this one isn't available anymore
Wow yeah that one looks incredible 🤩
Homage is the way to go. I know I'll never be wealthy enough to enjoy a $500,000 collection of watches but I (now) know that I can either build a really nice +/- $200 watch with a time-tested reliable movement or I can just buy a $100-$300 built watch that is as nice as I personally need it to be. Obviously, I would rather have 50 MB&F, Greuble Forsey, and F.P. Journe watches but I still enjoy my 20 watch collection just as well - and I'm not afraid to wear them. I build a watch every month or so and it's a fun hobby. I get a lot of satisfaction from doing so. Just making a call, blowing Alabama's annual budget, and waiting around for a year seems boring to me.
I do have one issue to mention with my 'limited edition' Avocado GMT 🥑
Myself and at least 100 others are proud owners of the One of 100 - IE They may have printed out 100's of them with exactly the same number out of 100 on the caseback. So not individually numbered.
I just feel it needed to be mentioned here... Otherwise the darned thing is amazing
I have some of your cousins over here...
Agreed! And I am super jelly about those hands you have there lol!!
Where did you get that strap? (Link if possible)
They tend to use Seiko movements which are cheap but reliable. I'm not 100% sure but I believe they regulate them and all the ones I've bought have been very accurate. You can get a watchmaker to swap out the movement for under $100 all in, or do it yourself with little effort for under $50.
Honestly, for most intents and purposes the NH series movements are quite accurate and adjustable. Not sure there's a need to swap them out!
Honestly, for most intents and purposes the NH series movements are quite accurate and adjustable. Not sure there's a need to swap them out!
Swap them out after 10-15 years if it's cheaper than a full service is what I was referring to. 👍
Swap them out after 10-15 years if it's cheaper than a full service is what I was referring to. 👍
THAT makes sense!
Where did you get that strap? (Link if possible)
Amazing FKM straps, affordable and of surprisingly high quality
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqheKVC
Amazing FKM straps, affordable and of surprisingly high quality
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqheKVC
aaaannnnddd...I just got a red and a grey one...