I got the sn0138 in hand this week. It actually blew me away. I dont think im going to be taking it off for a while. Size is perfect. Absolute strap monster. Legibility is so so good. I honestly cant praise it enough.
Great thing is that San Martin along with few others got better in watchmaking, improving year after year, listening to the customers building a serious fanbase. For around 300 USD they offer very same finish quality, as well as movement, where some boutique brands offer same specs/quality watch for 600-800 USD. Gooooood times !
I love San Martins , they have become one of my go to watches . Screwed bracelet links too , so easy .Those misaligned markings are easily fixed with a hair dryer .Annoying but fixable . Up there with Seikos , but only just .
I purchased the sn0138 for my dainty daughter and it looks fine on her wrist. She has never really liked a dive style watch before, but she loves this one and I do too.
Did you get a content match strike on the SN0116-4 GMT bezel sound? It's totally silent on my end. As much as I admire the work they do on the case and bracelet, I feel nothing for their dial work and the way they put random movements that create ghost positions. It's like their people that work on case and bracelet are ISO certified to the highest level, while someone at the office copy paste the dial work on a 15 min coffee break. If the SN0115-G was not costing as much, I would consider buying it to do a dial swap. It really has some great potential.
Not a bad one in the bunch. I’ve said SM’s 115,116, and 129 ranges are some of the best watches on sale period, not just some of the best SM Watches for sale. Great reviews as always and congrats on the 8K subs. Keep the subs coming folks! Molly!
Thanks John for another great review. Nice bunch of watches from SM. The SN0115 is the pick of the bunch for me. It looks great in all 3 colours and it's refreshing how it is not a homage watch
I got the watch. Not sure what is it about it but it fails to excite me. Dull is the only word I could find. The colours I suppose. The hands are spaced in a strange way too. Height is not bad but noticeable. Besides that it's pretty good. Very well executed. To me, it's still the best option out there, I am not disappointed, still it doesn't quite scratch my itch except for functionality that I need (size, screw down crown, rotating bezel, adjustable clasp).
Great review, it is interesting seeing the 0115 and 0116 back to back, I like the way they have completely changed the look of the watch by altering the bezel/crystal and bracelet. The sn0116 is still may favourite, which is lucky because that's the one I bought 😁
Ah shame you couldn't get the root beer version of the SN0116 (accidently got the SN0129 and SN0116 missed up last time). Really like the SN0116 as well but gonna hold out until March sale. The review made me smile as you had the 10 o'clock (22) at the 12 o'clock position for a lot of the review of the SN0116 which is exactly how I have my bezels set on my GMTs as I'm normally using the bezel to track UK time living in Finland. Hard to look past San Martin if you are in the market for a diver.
That is a very nice trio of watches and a very fine review. Of the 3 I'd go for the BB homage. The bezel color works quite well. As for bezel alignment - maybe San Martin hired some Seiko personnel for their quality control department - ? I have purchased a few San Martins and not a dud in the bunch. Great looks and superb value.
On the 0138 I think the bezel insert is supposed to color match the dial. The reflection on the sapphire makes it hard to see. A glossy insert would have destroyed the vintage look. A printed logo would have worked better here, but that's really minor
That BB 54 homage is the star of the show here. I think I would go for the blue one, but I love the size of this thing. I think people are crazy that are saying the bezel looks off. I think that is what makes the watch. With the black bays, you have to have a matt bezel for it to look right in my opinion.
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but the new GMT’s are lacking a pip or something to mark the time w/the bezel like a diver’s watch ??! I love the new designs but I don’t know how to get past this
Another great video John. The sn0138 looks really good. I recently had a look at a Seamaster NTTD at an AD and that bezel was all over the place. San Martin really do seem to be producing some excellent watches.
I got the SN0138 a couple of weeks ago and it's lovely but...the logo is too large for the dial and sometimes looks like the hour hand. The bezel on mine moves far too easily and the crown is a pain to use. Are San Martin releasing too many watches and their QC is suffering as a result?
Thank you for the review! I have a question regarding the bracelet size of the SN0138: All shops state how LONG it is and all reviewers tell about how many links they took out for their personal wrist size. As I only have about 15cm wrists, is it possible too mage the bracelet SHORT enough to fit? I would really appreciate your help as I couldn't find the information anywhere on the internet :) Thanks in advance!
Hi there and thanks for the question. I no longer have the watch but having went back and checked the images it seems that there are 5 removable links. I think you would be close. It seems that most bracelets these days fit 6.25 inch to 7.5 inch wrists...however the otf clasp ratcheted all the way in might just do it. If you buy from a store with free returns and it doesn't fit you have nothing to worry about. Hope this is helpful :)
@@johnswatchjoint Thanks for the fast answer! 15cm (5.9 in) would be a tight fit right behind the wrist bones so I think 6,25 should be fine for a comfortable fit 👍🏼😊
Hi John, you have reviewed both this and the Cronos BB54 and I wondered which one you prefer. I'm leaning towards the Cronos as it is cheaper and has the PT5000 but I would really value your opinion. Which would you buy if you had to have one? Thanks
Hi Sarah. I am afraid I cannot answer that for you. Both are excellent watches and you are leaning towards one already. Being neutral and having nothing against either then the choice has to be yours :)
I have one San Martin, it's a lovely watch, but it doesn't have a rotating bezzle to comment about, but everything else is all good. However I can't say that their offerings are worth way more than some of the other replica offerings available right now?
My pick of the bunch would be the GMT. I do like the third one, and they seem to be onto something with this design. As for the *cough* not a Tudor *cough* , lovely size, and I'll put aside my complaints about straight up copies ( no judgement here, don't send me a death squad, people ) but I expect an NH38 from San Martin, they're up there in the Ali market.
Not a fan of the gilt markers on the bezel for the BB54 homage. Matt ceramic looks better than the glossy ceramic one used by Cronos but aluminium would have been much better.
San Martin finishing is great, but I'm 2/2 on bad QC. First SM had misaligned bezel and even worse misaligned 9 marker. Second SM had a misaligned bezel and a portion of the case back unfinished, which literally scratched my skin. I had to smooth it out with 1000 grit sandpaper. I've had better luck with QC on cheaper watches.
Great reviews just received BB54 homage black dial Just took 8 days to arrive. Stunning watch but a screw has fallen out of bracelet. I've tried to contact San Martin but no reply as yet Are there customer service normally slow in replying? Keep up the good work
On your order. Hit contact seller button and explain you need links/ screws. It may take a few days with the Chinese New Year break. If you don't hear back, initiate a claim through your order. Some watches arrived with loose links for sizing but SM not known for that.
Don't get me wrong, I do prefer matte ceramic bezel inserts but this approach by San Martin looks nothing like a BB54 with that washed out bezel colour. Maybe the blue one looks better, it has some "shrunken blue BB58" vibes. That said, out of these three I do like the third one most. It has a glossy bezel insert, but it has a somewhat rounded profile that gives it something special and refined.
The 115 has been on the wishlist for a while. I think i may go off piste and get the teal/blue version. Seems to be out of stock but hopefully back for the March sales. Think it would be a good first San martin purchase.
The San Martin logo has yet "pick a fight" with me. I don't own one. The thing that strikes me is that the dials always seem to look clean and neat. Always uncluttered unlike many other brands, perhaps SM have a better idea of aesthetics. Price is a big factor for me, being a pensioner limits my budget somewhat, and the Aussie dollar is not what it used to be. Great videos nevertheless, that I can't really afford SM, doesn't stop me from liking them...😁
"perhaps SM have a better idea of aesthetics" Funny... their logo is almost intolerable, the applied logo they use now certainly is. Besides that yeah, no random words from the english dictionary.
First world problem incoming: With this sort of design, they really should follow Tudor's example and add a protruding tube for the crown to sit on/screw into. Well... either that or install a slightly oversized crown or something. My 0109 is a bit larger but it has the same basic design and a crown to match it and it's rather fiddly to screw the crown in or out because your fingers will always hit that coin-edge surface on the rotating bezel. Other than that: I'm a bit disappointed that they simply went with the "Honey, I shrunk the BB58!"-approach instead of sticking closer to the 54. I actually prefer the 54's bezel insert with no red paint at the lume-pip and silver lettering instead of gold.
I ordered one with red triangle at 12, printed SM logo instead of applied and white markers on the bezel... perfect combination to me. I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't matte.
@@johnswatchjoint fair point, but you don’t have delux written on your living room wall when you put the paint up. You’ve got to look at that bloody awful hexagon all the time if it’s on your wrist!
same here, it took me over a year to order my first chinese watch, I ordered it from the EU warehouse so I can return it if I find the logo intrusive...
Thank you John for Another Fantastic Review! Great Selection but my watchwinder cannot cope any more😮
I hear you haha!
lol who puts San Martin’s in a watch winder?
I got the sn0138 in hand this week. It actually blew me away. I dont think im going to be taking it off for a while. Size is perfect. Absolute strap monster. Legibility is so so good. I honestly cant praise it enough.
Glad you like it :)
Great thing is that San Martin along with few others got better in watchmaking, improving year after year, listening to the customers building a serious fanbase. For around 300 USD they offer very same finish quality, as well as movement, where some boutique brands offer same specs/quality watch for 600-800 USD. Gooooood times !
I got mine delivered today and it is a masterpiece. Great lume, on the fly adjustment, perfect 37mm case.
What’s your wrist size?
6.75 inches 🤗
Thanks John for sharing your thoughts on these San Martins. Great to hear that you’ve cracked the 8K subscriber milestone too 🎉
Thanks 👍
I love San Martins , they have become one of my go to watches .
Screwed bracelet links too , so easy .Those misaligned markings are easily fixed with a hair dryer .Annoying but fixable .
Up there with Seikos , but only just .
Three lovely watches, id be happy with either
I purchased the sn0138 for my dainty daughter and it looks fine on her wrist. She has never really liked a dive style watch before, but she loves this one and I do too.
Great stuff Lyman. Thanks for sharing that ☺️
Great watches, great reviews. Thank you ... but most importantly congratulations on 8k subscribers!!!
Thank you very much! 😊
Did you get a content match strike on the SN0116-4 GMT bezel sound? It's totally silent on my end.
As much as I admire the work they do on the case and bracelet, I feel nothing for their dial work and the way they put random movements that create ghost positions. It's like their people that work on case and bracelet are ISO certified to the highest level, while someone at the office copy paste the dial work on a 15 min coffee break. If the SN0115-G was not costing as much, I would consider buying it to do a dial swap. It really has some great potential.
Not a bad one in the bunch. I’ve said SM’s 115,116, and 129 ranges are some of the best watches on sale period, not just some of the best SM Watches for sale. Great reviews as always and congrats on the 8K subs. Keep the subs coming folks! Molly!
Cheers Albert ☺️
Thanks John for another great review. Nice bunch of watches from SM. The SN0115 is the pick of the bunch for me. It looks great in all 3 colours and it's refreshing how it is not a homage watch
It has a good aesthetic :)
Keep up the great work John, love the reviews!
Thanks...Glad you like them!
I got the watch. Not sure what is it about it but it fails to excite me. Dull is the only word I could find. The colours I suppose. The hands are spaced in a strange way too. Height is not bad but noticeable. Besides that it's pretty good. Very well executed. To me, it's still the best option out there, I am not disappointed, still it doesn't quite scratch my itch except for functionality that I need (size, screw down crown, rotating bezel, adjustable clasp).
Great watches John. I look forward to your reviews first thing every morn.
I appreciate that Steven 😊
Great review, it is interesting seeing the 0115 and 0116 back to back, I like the way they have completely changed the look of the watch by altering the bezel/crystal and bracelet. The sn0116 is still may favourite, which is lucky because that's the one I bought 😁
Nice one Duncan :)
The watches are all well and good, but omg that CAT!!
More more more!
Ah Molly does make the occasional appearance 🐱
Ah shame you couldn't get the root beer version of the SN0116 (accidently got the SN0129 and SN0116 missed up last time). Really like the SN0116 as well but gonna hold out until March sale. The review made me smile as you had the 10 o'clock (22) at the 12 o'clock position for a lot of the review of the SN0116 which is exactly how I have my bezels set on my GMTs as I'm normally using the bezel to track UK time living in Finland. Hard to look past San Martin if you are in the market for a diver.
Thank you for this !!!
No problem 😊
That is a very nice trio of watches and a very fine review. Of the 3 I'd go for the BB homage. The bezel color works quite well. As for bezel alignment - maybe San Martin hired some Seiko personnel for their quality control department - ? I have purchased a few San Martins and not a dud in the bunch. Great looks and superb value.
Ty john
On the 0138 I think the bezel insert is supposed to color match the dial. The reflection on the sapphire makes it hard to see. A glossy insert would have destroyed the vintage look. A printed logo would have worked better here, but that's really minor
That BB 54 homage is the star of the show here. I think I would go for the blue one, but I love the size of this thing. I think people are crazy that are saying the bezel looks off. I think that is what makes the watch. With the black bays, you have to have a matt bezel for it to look right in my opinion.
I got it already and the black bezel matches the dial perfectly. It's absolutely stunning ;)
@@jesusmartinmusic how is the lume?
Great idea to see these watches side by side. A lot to take in, but if you're considering one it's good to get comparisons.
Definitely!...but bloody hard work haha 😅
What date is the sale you mention of John? Any aff links?
The links are already in the video description :)
...below the video
@@johnswatchjoint cheers 🍻. When does the sale you mention start? Love the 2nd watch reviewed
All to come in good time ;)
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but the new GMT’s are lacking a pip or something to mark the time w/the bezel like a diver’s watch ??! I love the new designs but I don’t know how to get past this
They are not used that way so no pip required.
@@johnswatchjoint thank you I figured it out, it took me a minute lol
Which do you say has better bezel/dial color matching - the SN004 v2 or the SN0138? Also, is the finishing quality similar or are there differences?
The 004 has better colour matching but the more modern watches definitely have better finishing with none of the sharp edges of the earlier models
Another great video John. The sn0138 looks really good. I recently had a look at a Seamaster NTTD at an AD and that bezel was all over the place. San Martin really do seem to be producing some excellent watches.
They do most things right ;)
Congrats for 8k subs
Thanks 🔥
Just picked up the matte black diver for $155 USD during the sale. Heckuva watch at that price!
Nice one. Well done ✅
What do you like best that new bb54 or the sn004 limited edition bb58?
I like them both.
I got the SN0138 a couple of weeks ago and it's lovely but...the logo is too large for the dial and sometimes looks like the hour hand. The bezel on mine moves far too easily and the crown is a pain to use. Are San Martin releasing too many watches and their QC is suffering as a result?
Sounds like you got a sub par unit so I would suggest returning it if you are unhappy.
I was really curious how the 37mm San Martin performs in the lume department... do you recall how it fares on your 0-10 scale?
It performs the best out of the three as the hands have bigger lum plots. I believe it was a good 8
@@johnswatchjoint Thank you!
@libertyisparamount1443 🤗😼
Thank you for the review! I have a question regarding the bracelet size of the SN0138:
All shops state how LONG it is and all reviewers tell about how many links they took out for their personal wrist size.
As I only have about 15cm wrists, is it possible too mage the bracelet SHORT enough to fit?
I would really appreciate your help as I couldn't find the information anywhere on the internet :)
Thanks in advance!
Hi there and thanks for the question. I no longer have the watch but having went back and checked the images it seems that there are 5 removable links. I think you would be close. It seems that most bracelets these days fit 6.25 inch to 7.5 inch wrists...however the otf clasp ratcheted all the way in might just do it. If you buy from a store with free returns and it doesn't fit you have nothing to worry about. Hope this is helpful :)
@@johnswatchjoint
Thanks for the fast answer! 15cm (5.9 in) would be a tight fit right behind the wrist bones so I think 6,25 should be fine for a comfortable fit 👍🏼😊
Congrats on the subscriber tally!
Thank you!!
You can’t go too wrong with a SM
Really impressed with these but worried San Martin mis-aligned bezels are as commonplace as another major players haha!
Hi John, you have reviewed both this and the Cronos BB54 and I wondered which one you prefer. I'm leaning towards the Cronos as it is cheaper and has the PT5000 but I would really value your opinion. Which would you buy if you had to have one? Thanks
Hi Sarah. I am afraid I cannot answer that for you. Both are excellent watches and you are leaning towards one already. Being neutral and having nothing against either then the choice has to be yours :)
I have one San Martin, it's a lovely watch, but it doesn't have a rotating bezzle to comment about, but everything else is all good. However I can't say that their offerings are worth way more than some of the other replica offerings available right now?
They are good quality Homages. I don't have replicas on this channel.
I agree, they are nice watches, but not worth the premium IMO.
3 stunners for sure :)
Hi buddy 🤗
My pick of the bunch would be the GMT. I do like the third one, and they seem to be onto something with this design.
As for the *cough* not a Tudor *cough* , lovely size, and I'll put aside my complaints about straight up copies ( no judgement here, don't send me a death squad, people ) but I expect an NH38 from San Martin, they're up there in the Ali market.
Not a fan of the gilt markers on the bezel for the BB54 homage. Matt ceramic looks better than the glossy ceramic one used by Cronos but aluminium would have been much better.
San Martin finishing is great, but I'm 2/2 on bad QC. First SM had misaligned bezel and even worse misaligned 9 marker. Second SM had a misaligned bezel and a portion of the case back unfinished, which literally scratched my skin. I had to smooth it out with 1000 grit sandpaper. I've had better luck with QC on cheaper watches.
Ohyeah, BB54 homage is hot
Great reviews just received BB54 homage black dial
Just took 8 days to arrive. Stunning watch but a screw has fallen out of bracelet. I've tried to contact San Martin but no reply as yet
Are there customer service normally slow in replying?
Keep up the good work
On your order. Hit contact seller button and explain you need links/ screws. It may take a few days with the Chinese New Year break. If you don't hear back, initiate a claim through your order. Some watches arrived with loose links for sizing but SM not known for that.
@@johnswatchjoint
Cheers mate
I've hit the contact button but forgot about chinese new year thanks for the info
Don't get me wrong, I do prefer matte ceramic bezel inserts but this approach by San Martin looks nothing like a BB54 with that washed out bezel colour. Maybe the blue one looks better, it has some "shrunken blue BB58" vibes. That said, out of these three I do like the third one most. It has a glossy bezel insert, but it has a somewhat rounded profile that gives it something special and refined.
Cheers Alex :)
Shame the bezel alignment on the bb54. I ordered one on watchdives. If it’s misaligned will be asking for a discount on watch
Aye, they need to sort this out!
The 115 has been on the wishlist for a while. I think i may go off piste and get the teal/blue version. Seems to be out of stock but hopefully back for the March sales.
Think it would be a good first San martin purchase.
Nice 🙂
The San Martin logo has yet "pick a fight" with me. I don't own one. The thing that strikes me is that the dials always seem to look clean and neat. Always uncluttered unlike many other brands, perhaps SM have a better idea of aesthetics. Price is a big factor for me, being a pensioner limits my budget somewhat, and the Aussie dollar is not what it used to be. Great videos nevertheless, that I can't really afford SM, doesn't stop me from liking them...😁
Thanks Kenneth. I appreciate your thoughts :)
"perhaps SM have a better idea of aesthetics" Funny... their logo is almost intolerable, the applied logo they use now certainly is. Besides that yeah, no random words from the english dictionary.
First world problem incoming: With this sort of design, they really should follow Tudor's example and add a protruding tube for the crown to sit on/screw into. Well... either that or install a slightly oversized crown or something. My 0109 is a bit larger but it has the same basic design and a crown to match it and it's rather fiddly to screw the crown in or out because your fingers will always hit that coin-edge surface on the rotating bezel.
Other than that: I'm a bit disappointed that they simply went with the "Honey, I shrunk the BB58!"-approach instead of sticking closer to the 54. I actually prefer the 54's bezel insert with no red paint at the lume-pip and silver lettering instead of gold.
Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing :)
I ordered one with red triangle at 12, printed SM logo instead of applied and white markers on the bezel... perfect combination to me. I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't matte.
Eeny meeny miny moe, I know which one I would have.
Haha 😆
I was interested in the BB homage until you said NH35 and 13mm thick. Hard pass.
?
They make such nice watches, but I just can't stand the logo (or the name for that matter) unfortunately.
I can't stand the name Dulux but it's great paint :)
@@johnswatchjoint fair point, but you don’t have delux written on your living room wall when you put the paint up. You’ve got to look at that bloody awful hexagon all the time if it’s on your wrist!
Haha. I get what you're saying 😅
same here, it took me over a year to order my first chinese watch, I ordered it from the EU warehouse so I can return it if I find the logo intrusive...