San Martin is one of those watch brands you tend to see a lot of folks gushing over on watch forums. They tend to be viewed as one of those sleeper watch providers that only fellow horological neckbeards know about. Search around and you’ll see tons of comments talking about top notch build quality, great quality control, and all for a great price.
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Common Questions | Specs | Case | Dial | Strap | Movement | Overall
All the hype has to be bogus, right? I kept saying that to myself after getting burned in the past by other sleeper watch forum darlings. I needed to see if we were dealing with another case of hype over reality. So I received this San Martin Watches (the Pilot Dial A) from one of our incredible fans in order to find out first hand what we were dealing with.
Commonly Asked Questions About San Martin Watches
Where Are San Martin Watches Made?
They are made in Dongguan, China. They manufacture a wide range of quartz and automatic watch models that include a number dress watch, chronograph, GMT, and diver watch models.
What are the prices of San Martin watches?
On average a San Martin Watch will costs anywhere between $100 – $400 USD depending on the model you purchase.
What movement is in a San Martin watch?
San Martin models will feature a variety of movements. The movement you get will depend on the model your purchase. Featured movements may include the following:
- SW200
- PT5000
- YN55 (non-branded Orient F6922)
- NH35 (non-branded Seiko 4R35)
- Swiss Ronda 6004
- Swiss Ronda 715
- Miyota 9015
Is San Martin A Good Brand?
While some may struggle with this, I believe it may be more appropriate to designate San Martin Watches as a good watch manufacturer as opposed to a “watch brand.” A watch brand connotes a legacy of design and/or innovation or at the very least the imparting of a unique horological perspective and vision.
Are San Martin Watches Any Good?
Yes – despite not being a traditional watch “brand,” the manufacturing of their timepieces is high quality and available to consumers at very reasonable prices and using high quality materials like sapphire crystals, ceramic bezels, and enamel dials.
To be candid though, I would not call these ”luxury watches.” These are affordable, niche-driven enthusiasts wristwatches.
San Martin Watch Specs
| Case Dimensions | 39mm x 50mm x 12mm |
| Case Material | 316L Stainless Steel |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Movement | Ronda 715 |
| Crystal | Sapphire Glass |
| Warranty | 2 year warranty |
Surprisingly High Quality Case Construction
The quality of the stainless steel case is what initially made the strongest impression on me. It’s surprisingly high quality for the price (depending on the time of year/any sales going on, you can pick up this model for around $100 USD). It’s engineered with solid precision and it feels very sturdy on your wrist.
This San Martin Watch model features brushed finishing on all surfaces. It creates a very firm but subtle aesthetic presence, which is ideal for a classic pilot watch like this. The fixed bezel on top of the watch adds a lot of depth and presence since it’s quite tall, but by no means is the case bulky or too thick. The thickness here is only approx. 12mm so it wears with incredible comfort.
Sometimes on watches in this price range you can get some sharp edge finishes on certain angles – that usually just comes from a lack of QC and low quality finishing. However on this San Martin Watches model I’m reviewing, case edges and transitions are incredibly smooth and very finely finished.
The lug to lug is around 50mm, which for a 39mm diameter watch may sound like a lot. However the San Martin Watches’ lugs curve slightly towards their protruding ends which creates a very comfortable fit around your wrist. Nothing about this watch feels bulky but everything about it feels solid and sturdy.
The case and screw down crown, much like the rest of the watch, feel very high quality. There’s a very smooth feeling and sense of security when you work the screw down crown. With some slight edge beveling and very nice sizing of 7mm in diameter, the crown is very comfortable to operate. Not like other watches in this price point that tend to have tiny crowns that you often have to fight with (and can sometimes break).
San Martin rates this watch as having 200m of water resistance. To be fair, I wouldn’t trust that. This is not a dive watch. You can probably get stuck in the rain with it, but I wouldn’t swim with it on or anything where the watch would get submerged in water.
Clean, Flieger Type-A Dial With Minor Issues
Behind the AR coated sapphire crystal is a very classic and true to form execution of a Flieger Type-A dial. Based upon designs from the first set of Flieger dials to be produced back in the 1940s, the San Martin Watch doesn’t deviate from what’s expected of this iconic and very clean design. It’s clean, legible, and to the point.
The markers and hands feature green lume and they tend to shine pretty bright with only a bit of sun on them. The only issue is that seemingly the lume has been painted thicker on the hands than on the dial, so the hands tend to shine brighter than anything else. Also the quartz ticking seconds hand doesn’t have any lume at all.
The quartz ticking second hand doesn’t perfectly line-up to the markers, which can be a sticking point for watch collectors. For me, in this price range I’m not going to be too bothered by it. The quality of work, materials, and overall execution make up for any little issues like that.
Quick-Change Leather Strap
When I first fastened this leather strap to my wrist and got a good feel for it, I had to double check that it was the actual strap that came with this San Martin Watch. It’s surprisingly nice. In terms of quality the thickness of the strap isn’t too thin (i.e. cheap feeling) or too thick (i.e. uncomfortable). It’s the perfect balance of the two.
In addition to that it’s quite soft and pliable while still feeling really high quality. It’s genuinely a pleasure to wear this watch due to the strap. You should also understand how odd that is for a watch in this price range. Generally speaking, straps for watches that cost this much are generally just throw-aways. But not in this case.
The edges are also finished very nicely and the stitching is done very well. The hardware even matches the brushed metal of the watch case. This is also quick change strap, which is such a valuable feature for any watch. There are several types of additional straps offered by San Martin as well in case you wanted to swap them around.
Standard, But Reliable Ronda Quartz Movement
San Martin uses a huge variety of movements across the watches they manufacture. This pilot model that I’m reviewing here seems to feature the Swiss Ronda 715. This is your pretty standard fare Swiss quartz 3 hand movement that you’ll see in a lot of watches.
Like most quartz watches it hacks (seconds hand stops when the crown is pulled out) and it features an accuracy rating of -10/+20 seconds per month. This movement actually includes a date wheel. However there’s no date window on the dial thereby creating the infamous “ghost date.” It’s a small annoyance but one that’s easy to overlook.
The great thing about using a ubiquitous and easily available movement like this is that if you ever have any issues and the movement needs to be replaced, it’s only $10 – $15 for a new one (not counting labor obviously if you have a technician install it for you).
Estimated battery life here is 60 months.
Final Verdict
If you know me, I tend to really nitpick and be very critical of watches that “seem too good to be true,” – check out the Tiger Concept review or even our Vincero Watches write-up. I was prepared to give the San Martin Watches Pilot here the same type of negative treatment. But I can’t.
I do really believe in this case here the hype is real – for the money you pay, San Martin is putting out a great quality watch.
But there is the elephant in the room that needs to be addressed. Does San Martin provide homages or straight-up copies of iconic watches?
Some of you may have the viewpoint that homages and copies are one in the same, but for the sake of this write-up let’s say an homage is a watch that takes an iconic design as inspiration for its own design (and pays homage (i.e. offers a design nod) to its design predecessor). A copy is something that’s trying to deceive you (or someone else who sees your watch); it’s not taking an iconic design as inspiration – it’s trying to fool someone into thinking it IS the iconic watch.
It’s difficult for me to say what San Martin’s overt intentions are with their watches. It’s worth noting though that San Martin does feature original designs like SN085-G, SN026-G, and SN044-G (also AliExpress is technically their official store so keep on eye on them there for new arrivals and limited editions if you were interested).
But after really taking a look at them, something just feels “off” or just slightly wrong. Maybe in certain cases the hands don’t really go or maybe the bracelet just seems like the wrong choice, but these original designs just reinforce to me the fact that their iconic inspired designs are what they really excel at.
But does that make them a brand? The point I made in the beginning of this watch review is that a brand offers a product that is supposed to execute on a unique vision or mission driven purpose. The fact that these San Martin Watches are design after iconic designs (as opposed to unique designs) signifies to me that this isn’t a brand, it’s a watch manufacturer.
But let’s return to and end with the controversial question, is this a watch manufacturer that’s making homages or copies? Let me know in the comments.
All I can tell you for certain is this, the build quality on this San Martin Watch is very good – as an object, it is manufactured very well. So if you’re just focused on whether or not the watch is high quality for the price, you should have no worries there.
Co-Founder and Senior Editor
Kaz has been collecting watches since 2015, but he’s been fascinated by product design, the Collector’s psychology, and brand marketing his whole life. While sharing the same strong fondness for all things horologically-affordable as Mike (his TBWS partner in crime), Kaz’s collection niche is also focused on vintage Soviet watches as well as watches that feature a unique, but well-designed quirk or visual hook.
I’ve just bought a Laco GENF.2 40 and this looks very similar. Seems like a good value proposition, but without seeing it first hand, it’s difficult to be sure.
huge mistake. only. why buying ”homage” watches of some chinese manufacturer , instead of other watches from respected makers for the same money ?? or even vintage for the same money,(for the vintage watch lovers)
mon dieu quel snobisme !!!
mais les fabriques horlogères suisse se copient en permanence !!
en effet les chinois qui fabriquent plus de la moitié de la production mondiale copie les grandes marques et alors , ce qui compte avant tout c’est l’esthétique la qualité de chaque piece, et le service après vente , vous trouvez normal que AP puisse coûter sur le marché gris 130 k plus qu’une Porsche ?? , en temps qu ingénieur mécanicien je vous garanti que c’est une escroquerie
alors aucune honte a acheter chinois pour du bel ouvrage pour des prix inférieurs a 1000 dollars
cela permet d avoir une belle collection de jolies montres et ça c’est agreable
laissez les montres suisse aux snobs et aux gens extrêmement fortunées les 4 mousquetaires
Folks —
In the past two years i have added two San Martins to my collection of Tissots, Rados and Orients. They are both, without doubt, my favorite watches to wear simply due to their stunning production quality. While i generally find leather straps more comfortable, the bracelets on San Martins are exceptional; far better than these other brands for example. The dials — also a step above — are more finely constructed than any Tissot or under-$2k Swatch group brand. While i miss the 80 hr PR of the ETA Powermatic/C07 movements, i value the easy regulation and maintenance of these well-made PT5000, ETA 2824 clones. Mine are under COSC too.
All this well under $400, shipped, is something i will happily accept the difficulty of out-of-country warranty/overhaul service to obtain. These are great watches to wear, giving the experience of many classic watch prototype styles that mere mortals can never afford; you can even get the dials customized for a reasonable fee. In my case i will never afford a DateJust or Oris Sixty Five, but i can experience a quality close corollary with San Martin. “Yes” i customized them too; just try and get Rolex to do so on a DateJust!
— gary ray
Waiting on my first San Martin 39mm 20Bar SN030-Q Men Automatic Mechanical Diver Watch YN55A to arrive.
At the price point, worth the gamble.
Thanks for the expert review, and well-written.
After reading this article, I was encouraged enough to give San Martin a try. I’m fairly new to watch nerdery, so I don’t have a lot to compare it, to, but I’m pleased.
I got a $300 homage/copy of a 36mm Explorer I with a PT5000 and I feel like I got what I paid for.
I think everything about it is better than I would get for a $300 Seiko automatic, but I wouldn’t put it up next to, say, my Christopher ward for a few hundred more.
If I had to nitpick, I’d complain that it took a month to get to me, but so far I’m happy. It feels like a $600 watch for $300, feels great on the wrist and scratches an itch I wouldn’t otherwise be able to scratch.
You chose the wrong San Martin watch as your first experience. This particular basic flieger quartz model is not even close to à great representation of the brand. You need to try their vintage 1016 explorer homage or their Vintage Diver. I also just ordered their new Tudor Ranger homage and am expecting nothing but top notch quality. Even with watches in the $4-5,500 range I consistently wear the San Martin watches, especially the vintage explorer. And since they no longer make that watch, it’s not possible to feel guilty.
I have bought the Tudor black bay 36 copy and I must say it is excellent build quality looks great. I don’t like buying copies really as I feel like Tudor, IWC, Rolex etc have put the time into design and development and should get recompensed for this. But, let’s be honest these watch brands are over charging us for the reputation of the brand and should bring their prices down to be more affordable like Stowa or Timefactors. I would like to see San Martin compete by designing and develping their own watches in time.
In November 2022 will be two years my warranty will be up about 2 months ago my dial stop tightening up these are threaded dials maybe for water proofing I think the treads in the bezel are stripped anyhow it still runs but my dial is now bent they don’t want to honey the warranty they want to charge me $30 for a new one there’s no way to contact aliexpress to complain I’m done buying Chinese
I’ve had a couple of San Martin’s.
They’re not good quality, they are cheap Chinese knock offs. They are on the higher end of Chinese watches, but that’s not very high.
I had a problem with one of mine, it appeared that the hand winder wasn’t correctly aligned. I decided to re set the crown stem, not difficult on an NH35 movement.
I took the back off and could not believe the rubbish in the watch and on the screw threads of the back plate. It was like a waxy paper. I carefully cleaned the threads and picked out the debris from the movement.
They really are thrown together on the parts that you don’t see.
All working fine now. I won’t be buying any more though.
Buy a lower end known brand, better made and better engineered for around the same price.
I am a dial-maker, and a pretty well addicted watch modder. I’ve been through every phase of watch nerdery and more: vintage, Russian, Seiko, Citizen, Swiss, buying and selling, even nearly launching my own brand. Today I have a watch collection of over a 100 pieces.
I own 3 X San Martins.
1 X ST19 Speedy 57 panda-dialed bicompax SN103 – G -JS
1 X 6105 Willard-style with the enamel blue dial SN0047G (my word), and
1 X original design San Martin SN045G diver.
All three are absolutely amazing. The dial on the SN0047 is Swiss quality, probably better than anything I’ve ever seen under £4000; gorgeous.
All three have the same – not a copy of – the exact same milled clasp as all Oris divers (San Martin either use, or are, Oris’ clasp supplier).
All three arrived regulated to within +/- 5secs per day. All have sapphire crystals. The two divers have ceramic bezel inserts, and the bezel action is perfect. Zero QC or alignment issues . Both divers run on NH35a movements, and the bi-compax uses a Chinese ST19 column wheel chrono. The chrono hand hits smack in the middle of the zero, every time.
Having opened up all three, the inside on all was absolutely spotless, movements were oiled, all seals and gaskets were in place, and of excellent quality. These watches are incredible value.
Re the brand v manufacturer question. For me, they’re a brand. I’ll briefly state why. Historically, brands emerged as a means of assuring quality: buy Hovis bread and it’s guaranteed not to include plaster, and likely won’t kill you.ebry loaf is the same as the last. San Martin conforms to that definition. See, if I see a style I like, I know that if I buy San Martin it will arrive with high QC, regulated, spotless, with premium finishes and materials, and it will represent unbelievable value for money. Ergo I trust the brand, so that’s what it is: a brand. On other words, the brand’s reputation (and thus commercial success) is totally reliant on the quality and consistency of its product. San Martin hit that right on the head.
In sum, if you’re reading this and fancy one, just buy it, you really won’t be disappointed. Even if you own Swiss models, I promise these compare favourably. And, compared to Seiko: no contest poind for poind. If you’re still unsure, then I’d advise picking up a used model on eBay to dip your toe in the water. I guarantee that your first SM won’t be your last.
Final note: I took my ST19 Speedy 57 homage to a friend of mine to check it over out of interest. He poured all over it, stripped it down, and gasped when he opened the back and discovered it was running on a Chinese ST19. ‘Where did you say these are made?’. “I didn’t, but since you ask, China”. He couldn’t believe it: he’d assumed it was a new premium Swiss startup that he hadn’t yet heard of.
His job: warranty work for Omega UK.
It sounds like a couple of people who have purchased San Martin watches may have ended up with potentially counterfeit San Martin watches, as the issues do not sound like San Martin.
I have a largeish watch collection and from a variety of Swiss and Japanese brands including Vacheron Constantin, Rolex, Grand Seiko, Omega and Oris amongst others. Some very well made watches in there. In the last few weeks I have picked up a SN0107 with a blue gradient dial and applied indices, that is lets be honest a homage of the Tudor Ranger – although the dial execution is better than the Tudor Ranger and closer to my Explorer than the Ranger. I have just also received an SN0129g, with San Martin taking on the brave move of homaging (to a degree) GS Evo 9 GMT. The finishing on this watch that has just been released in particular is mind blowing for the price of just over £200 GBP. Genuinely taken back as I have watches that I have spent thousands on that do not match this. No matter how good San Martin gets it shall most likely never replace my luxury watch buying, but can definitely co-exist. And for buyers that do not want to spend a large amount on a watch, or not able to, the reality is for some of the models you are not giving away much in quality but saving thousands of pounds.
This is a brand that is improving quickly, and is evident from reviews I have seen on line so bear in mind when buying the later designed models will ultimately be better. Personally I also do not like 1 to 1 homage watches, but San Martin have enough models now where they have taken a good design and added some unique touches.
San Martin doesn’t have to make original watches to be a watch brand. Designing variations of classic designs is a form of watchmaking and the more the prices of vintage watches increase, the more such watch brands we will see on the market.
It’s unfortunate that their customer service is appalling!
An order of in-stock items confirmed and 24 hours later an email, with FedEx consignment code, saying the goods are “on their way”. A week later Fedex still do not have the package, on chasing I am told “no stock” and dispatch will be “soon”.
Totally unacceptable. All further communication has been ignored.
Please do not endorse this untrustworthy company/brand.