What a bold title! I have ordered one. In transit now. There are many excellently finished watches under $1000. The reviewer really really loves this watch.
@@alwaysbestcareseniorservic1000 bold indeed...but I stand by it...of course I haven't handled every watch under $1K but of the ones I have, this one gives me the wow factor the most. Enjoy it!
The bracelet is to short for my 8.7 inch wrist, so I asked them for some extra links. They denied my request and offered me an additional bracelet for 70 Euro . So I decided to buy the Erebus Ascent (Orange Fumé dial). Btw: Both are produced in the same factory 😎
This is a good demonstration of how far San Martin can push the finishing which I assume is by machine. I completely agree that they could do with considering other non-coloured dials and certainly an aventurine dial would go down very well. For me, I’ve now reached my limit of dress/Sports/colour dialled watches. I do like what you do with a strap changes Stephen, I think you are the only UA-camr that does this which really helps the enthusiast to visualise the watches full potential beyond stock, as pretty much everyone of us will swap out the strap for something else less an integrated bracelet of course. Keep up the great work.
@@johnm9285 I appreciate it man. Thank you. I always say, I'm going to try to not use click bait titles or thumbnails, and I'm a better reviewer than I am an entertainer/UA-camr....so that doesn't play into getting more subscribers either....and I'm OK with that. As long as my content is being appreciated by someone, I'll keep it going. This is all just for fun
@ Glad you’re okay with that, because I think you’re right that clickbait works. Other channels I subscribe to use it, some mercilessly, and as I’m sure you’re aware, clickbait’s tiresome. Appreciate your no nonsense approach
@johnm9285 yup...."x watch brand is doing great things" while showing only a side profile or the bracelet...I get it, but I hate it, so I try not to do it.
Missed opportunity to do something special with the hands like the Erebus Ascent instead of the generic, thin hands we've come to know. Wish the bracelet had negative articulation for placement on my nightstand; my CW Twelve has very tight links, but can still lay flat. Excellent review! Definitely going to pick up a 36mm!
agreed...I'd LOVE for them to reimagine these hands and indices. brushed tops and polished chamfers on all of them would really step up the dial appearance. it looks good as is, but it COULD look great.
Pre ordered this watch and really wanted to keep it, but it wore too small for my 7.75 inch wrist. Very cool that they are offering different sizes. I will be ordering the 42mm 11/11
Another great review, love your closeups and unbiased commentary. The one thing I wish San Martin would add to this watch is a more substantial handset to really set this one apart (not really digging the flat handset). Maybe something similar to your Erebus? I love the hands on that one. Just one man's opinion 🤣
I hesitated buying this one because of my small wrist but now that there’s a 36mm version I am weighing up whether top buy the blue 36 or red 36. Great review Steve
I love my Ascent (I have the exact same one you do), but if this watch came out before with a gray or white dial, it would have been a very difficult choice for me. Oh and John from John’s Watch Joint reached out to SM to get a 36mm in, and they don’t have any nor do they know when they are going to get them. Typical… thanks for the great review!
So, having only very recently reviewed the Monbrey MB2 which is definitely one of the Microbrand competitors in a somewhat similar (of more dressy gada) space, I'm really curious how you'd compare the two, to get a better measure on what Sam Martin (at its best and most original) is like. I'm sure everyone will have their styling preferences, but it's a bold claim to say 'best under 1000', while also we can generally agree that brands like Monbrey use similar movements, stay under 1000, and also offer impressive value, but they're not as 'low cost' as this. So how does it compare in terms of quality of execution?
Great question. the monbrey is great, it's well done, the finishing is dang close to the san martin as well. the bracelet is not as tight toleranced as the san martin is, the SM dial seems ever so slightly cleaner and clearer and more crisp, but that may just be the design differences. the clasps are both excellent, but the SM is slimmer and not as chunky as the monbrey. it's hard to quantify how much better the san martin is...they are very close and I'm sure some of the differences just can't be shown on camera. but if the SM was a 10, the monbrey would be a 8.5. and this goes for a lot of the microbrands I've reviewed or owned in that $600 range...Wise adamascus is AWESOME, but it's bezel is useless it's so tight and I can't comment on the bracelet. the Heron Marinor again, is probably an 8/10 but has the added hardening coating which is cool. the NEW Phoibos and Spinnakers are a solid 8/10 as well which is impressive given their price points. just goes to show you that what San Martin has done with this watch is damn impressive especially since these are under $300 right now.
@@EscapeWheel wow, now that's an enormously helpful and insightful reply. Nonetheless, I cannot help suppress a slight disappointment that premium micros do not consistently reach the same levels as, essentially, a factory brand. I do agree that San Martin seems to slowly graduate into something that can be more properly regarded as a brand that has an identity. I still do not quite connect to their designs, however, even if step by step they get more interesting. Certainly the bracelet here with the raised centre links looks genuinely great, and I'll take your word about the clasp. After all, Monbrey's is probably only a customised version of a standard product that has been around for a while (personally I would prefer a butterfly for the style of watch). Wise Adamascus is interesting to mention, too. The bezel seems to depend a little on which generation or model you got. Some seem pretty much perfect, and if needing to choose, I'd personally prefer a tighter over a looser action. I'll soon get to experience Wise, so we'll see! I'm surprised you rate the Phoibos and Spinnaker so highly. I don't have experience. Generally they're not quite my jam. The best finishing on a micro I have experienced probably is between Pitzmann (at 1000), Direnzo and Straum (just under 1000). The Pitzmann II's crown had a slight sharpness to its logo, as Peter Kotsa also reported, but otherwise difficult to meaningfully fault. The brushing on the Straum Opphav (intentionally?) had two different levels: one for the bezel and one for the side, and more as a design detail, the crown was not as ergonomic as one might ideally desire (slight critique and not truly about finishing). Considering Erebus comes, purportedly, out of the same factory, one will have to assume that they pay markup for being an outsider, while being kept from the very best level of finishing available. At the price, one has to agree it is impressive. It's thus arguably a pity that if this is possible at the price, that at the additional margins of external (micro)brands the same is not offered or achieved. That said, regarding Monbrey, the MB2 is still a prototype. One should therefore normally expect a slight improvement for the final version still.
@benjaminvis good points on all accounts. I heard good things about Pitzman, I have been in contact with them and should be getting their next release when it's available. Both Direnzo and Straum look very nice, but their designs haven't spoken with me yet.
With the level of finishing they keep on delivering, i think it would be an excellent bonus point for them to add anti scratch coating But even as it is now it's such a high standard for every other brand, not just from aliexpress
@@Sneka97 100%. They are doing wonders right now for the price, but adding $100 even and giving a hardness coating and quick release springbars....I'd probably still buy it.
In the future can you please also add the dimension of the dial? It would help to give a perspective that just because the watch seem a bit big it can fit really well with average sized wrists.
I can give an approximate dial diameter from here on out. I've got a few reviews set up in "the hopper" already...but any new review I do, I'll mention it. thanks for the suggestion.
That is an excellent suggestion. The dial-size is, for many watches, even more of a factor than case-size in how big or small a watch will look. I find inner-bezel diameter to be a more accurate representation than measuring from/to any features on the crystal itself, e.g., any bevels near the edges.
Could you please do a one-to-one comparison between this watch and the Ascent? I still feel that they are at the same level of finishing, and the Ascent is more beautiful in terms of design: hands, indices, logo, and overall look. One more detail: you can find these SM elements on a lot of other SM watches, while the choices of the Ascent, though motivated by some others, are kind of more unique.
I think it's good they are softening the fume. I'm usually a fan of fume dials, but this one is overkill. The only thing I wish they would have done is add quick release to their bracelets. Great review as always, Steve!
thanks, Dan...hope all is well. absolutely, adding quick release would be the final check in my wishlist boxes. watchdives is going to be adding it to their watches, so I feel like it's only a matter of time until San Martin gets on the bandwagon as well.
I really like this watch, especially the bracelet. I just wish they'd do some more subdued dials . Sunburst dark blue or champagne or silver, just flat w/o the pattern... I'd jump on that.
I have a blue from preorder back in September. But if at that time they were presenting the new dial gradients I would have definitely go red. wow! The blue is still very nice though.
The problem is that the clasp isn't universal. the links that connect to the bracelet have to be made custom for the bracelet they are going on...I guess you could get it to work if you do some sort of machining but it won't be a direct swap for most bracelets out there.
@ they have a 3 link oyster with the new clasp. It’s on watch dives. Female ends. It will probably attach to my SN004 L.E V1, because they seem to have the same ends. The watch you reviewed here appears to have, yes, proprietary endlinks for this new bracelet.
Great review, beautiful watch and I think fairly priced. Another reviewer had trouble with the clasp adjustment changing while putting the watch on, has that happened to you?
All San martin's i see lately have the same hands and minute markers, just different dials and bezels. Not much variety. I think the hands on the Erebus Ascent are far superior. I do love the case finish with polished chamfers on case and band, the dial is gorgeous.
@@musik4u343 Having both I’d say: no it is not. Some aspects (bracelet, clasp, finishing) are better, some are worse (indices, hands, case, spring bars, presentation) and some are equally good (dials, dimensions, comfort, movement).
Agree on the looks. I must acknowledge that female end-links contour better. However, in terms of looks, the male end-links (assuming both are finished to at least a good standard) look better, more expensive, more substantial.
@ 🙂 Let me put it like this: if you want to wear a watch head wide enough to basically cover all your wrist width, then you need end links that turns down right at the lugs. Otherwise male links work just fine. But I think you should not wear a watch of that size at all, because it looks ridiculously big anyway. So female end links only help people wear watches that actually don’t suit them. That’s just a personal opinion about style of course. If your style is to wear oversized, then go for it.
Thanks for the thorough review, as always. Watch has lots of positives, but some key negatives: - Perennially, the insignia. Hexagon, if they're married to it, is fine, but that childish fitment of the letters inside the hex is just unstomachable. In their earlier days, they did some watches with the letters spelled/printed out, applied. They should've stuck with that. Is "San Martin," from a Chinese watch brand a stellar name, to be seeing on the dial always? No, but, even so, seeing it spelled out, applied, is far more preferable to the childish name fitment inside the hex. - Lack of boxed crystal is tolerable. The lack of even a single-bubble? Not acceptable. They should have used a double-bubble. That would've looked right on this watch. A flat crystal makes the watch look undeservedly cheap. - The lack of any beveling on the hands of these new models they're putting out, as well as the paucity of the same on their markers. The flat surfaces impart a, again undeserving for the watches, sense of cheapness. - Although not applicable to this particular model, the completely sterile casebacks on their relatively recent releases, slightly older siblings to this model, the GMTs, the GADAs. Obvious steps to cut costs, as are the lack of beveling on the hands, markers. On their $200 and above models, they should at the very least etch/press some minimal specs on to the casebacks. This model is fine. High-quality-looking caseback with the pressing/finishing nicely done.
They are switching all the dials to be more like the blue one, I show a couple pics in the review of what you can expect....new sizes as well which they announced AFTER I published the review.
@@msk3905 I'm saying watches I have actually seen, I have seen and handled Tissot, owned a couple Hamilton's, etc..my one Wise (AD8) is beautiful, but the finishing is simple....yes it's well done, but it's all polished....hard to mess that up.
I actually like it...makes it more wearable. an all red/orange/bright blue dial would be distracting. this is a little more subdued. but they are lightening up the gradient effect a lot as shown in the video and in the updated link in the video description.
@@au18ert yes, I agree. The Erebus dial indices and hands have more going on for them, and they are really nicely done...just the rest of the watch can't keep up with the SM...I was expecting SM level finishing since that's who made it, but got slightly lower quality finishing.
Cathy Mitchell’s ‘Skillet Pasta & Beef Dinner’ Ingredients: 1 Pound lean ground beef One 24 ounce jar pasta sauce 2 cups hot water 2 cups uncooked rotini pasta 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1. Place ground beef in a large skillet with a cover. 2. Add 2 cups of hot water and jar of pasta sauce and salt and garlic powder 3. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to break up ground beef 4. Stir in uncooked rotini, reduce heat to medium and cook covered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until rotini is tender 5. Remove from heat, sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let stand until cheese is melted. Overall, I think it’s a great dinner recipe to eat while looking at your watch collection. I’m currently thinking of buying the Baltany Datejust Homage for the 11/11 sale so I might need to up it a notch. Maybe Cathy’s ‘Ramen Joy’ I heard ‘Grandma’s ramen apple pie’ recipe is to “die” for.
Received mine in 39mm yesterday. Disappointing. The dial is the big thing for this watch. Well, the porcelain "jian Zhan" look is not really evident. Its just a red fume'. Its pretty "meh." The quallity and finishing is very good. Disappointing dial.
Ah, the San Martin SN0144-G-X-the watch that's trying so hard to be impressive it probably has its own motivational poster. It's like a "homage" watch that graduated with honors from Generic Design University with a major in Trying to Be a Grand Seiko. Don’t get me wrong, it does have some impressive finishing for under $1k, but it's a little like putting a gold frame on a paint-by-numbers. The finishing might be the best you’ve seen in this price range, but it’s also a little too perfect-it’s as if they polished it up to distract you from the fact that it’s still a San Martin, a brand known for "borrowing" design cues from the big leagues. Sure, the quality is up there, but deep down, you know it’ll never actually be the Grand Seiko it so desperately wants to be. And let's talk about that logo-it’s trying so hard to look premium, but it's a little too busy for its own good. The same could be said for the dial, which has the aesthetic appeal of a really good knockoff Rolex you’d find on Canal Street. In short, the SN0144-G-X is like the kid who shows up to school in his dad’s oversized suit: he's put in the effort to look grown-up, but at the end of the day, he’s still faking it.
@@EscapeWheel Thats nice. But for me it is more like psychological block. I wouldn't pay more than 100-120 dollars for chinese brand. But I already own 3 pieces (1x SM, 2xWD). ;)
@@kocourPBSo you just feel better mentally by paying an extra amount of money to a middle guy/brand. Because at the end most watches or their components are made in China. Including Swiss brands. We just go directly to the source
@@EscapeWheel Do you agree though? The flat, brushed bezel catches the eyes. It's worse than the dress-kx and the blackbay 36. Those watches always looked bezel-less to me.
MAMACOO's always amazes me how much beauty and precision are added to the parts of watch 99% of people will never see.
Great review👍🏻. Thanks, by the way San Martin just released 36mm & 42 mm versions of this watch
@@sultanalshahrani709 lol, I saw that too late to incorporate it into the review. But it's awesome to see
Wow 36! I’m glad I waited.
@bigriceburner yeah, kind of came out of nowhere!
36? For real? Wow! I need to get one!
@@sultanalshahrani709 the 39mm looks best IMHO.
I think that’s the best bracelet I’ve ever seen tbh
@@multipl3 it's super cool and interesting.... definitely stands out among all the oyster style 3 links.
if they can release this with an Inky enamel black dial and or the same with a blue dial, I think this easily scratches the itch of an aquaterra
What a bold title! I have ordered one. In transit now. There are many excellently finished watches under $1000. The reviewer really really loves this watch.
@@alwaysbestcareseniorservic1000 bold indeed...but I stand by it...of course I haven't handled every watch under $1K but of the ones I have, this one gives me the wow factor the most. Enjoy it!
You could have waited for 11.11. discount.
@@Čangrizavi_Cinik True. Might save a couple of bucks, but I got it for $303 and it might sell out before I could get it on 11.11
The bracelet is to short for my 8.7 inch wrist, so I asked them for some extra links. They denied my request and offered me an additional bracelet for 70 Euro . So I decided to buy the Erebus Ascent (Orange Fumé dial). Btw: Both are produced in the same factory 😎
I think you'll be happy. but maybe your wrist deserves the new 42mm SN0144? the Erebus wears smaller than this 39mm just FYI
@@holgermuller3597 San Martin’s bracelets are on the short side, that’s something I’ve noticed too. What a bummer to deny your request.
AMZWATCH Stunning watches stunning video you are special i love it keep it up
This is a good demonstration of how far San Martin can push the finishing which I assume is by machine. I completely agree that they could do with considering other non-coloured dials and certainly an aventurine dial would go down very well. For me, I’ve now reached my limit of dress/Sports/colour dialled watches. I do like what you do with a strap changes Stephen, I think you are the only UA-camr that does this which really helps the enthusiast to visualise the watches full potential beyond stock, as pretty much everyone of us will swap out the strap for something else less an integrated bracelet of course. Keep up the great work.
Always enjoy your focus and your reviews, one of my go to channels. How the hell you only have 17K subscribers is beyond me. Keep up the good work.
@@johnm9285 I appreciate it man. Thank you. I always say, I'm going to try to not use click bait titles or thumbnails, and I'm a better reviewer than I am an entertainer/UA-camr....so that doesn't play into getting more subscribers either....and I'm OK with that. As long as my content is being appreciated by someone, I'll keep it going. This is all just for fun
@ Glad you’re okay with that, because I think you’re right that clickbait works. Other channels I subscribe to use it, some mercilessly, and as I’m sure you’re aware, clickbait’s tiresome. Appreciate your no nonsense approach
@johnm9285 yup...."x watch brand is doing great things" while showing only a side profile or the bracelet...I get it, but I hate it, so I try not to do it.
Looks superb. I reckon the 36mm will be even better.
Real nice finishing, I'm not a fan of the dial colors at all but I get the appeal
Missed opportunity to do something special with the hands like the Erebus Ascent instead of the generic, thin hands we've come to know. Wish the bracelet had negative articulation for placement on my nightstand; my CW Twelve has very tight links, but can still lay flat. Excellent review! Definitely going to pick up a 36mm!
agreed...I'd LOVE for them to reimagine these hands and indices. brushed tops and polished chamfers on all of them would really step up the dial appearance. it looks good as is, but it COULD look great.
I want 36mm but not at price 400+ EUR I see on aliexpress now (my country has a crazy VAT of 25%).
That’s one reason why I consider the Erebus Ascent still the superior watch, especially in the more elaborate dial variants.
@ulig12 they definitely have the nicer dials. More elaborate and difficult dials at least.
Pre ordered this watch and really wanted to keep it, but it wore too small for my 7.75 inch wrist. Very cool that they are offering different sizes. I will be ordering the 42mm 11/11
It was a great idea to release this in more sizes. Enjoy it once it arrives!!
The dial texture is subtler than I thought. I would prefer it to be more visible... Maybe WatchDives will be a nice competition soon.
looks amazing on a black strap
Another great review, love your closeups and unbiased commentary. The one thing I wish San Martin would add to this watch is a more substantial handset to really set this one apart (not really digging the flat handset). Maybe something similar to your Erebus? I love the hands on that one. Just one man's opinion 🤣
@@daynevickers1079 100% agreed. They erebus' indices and hands are done much nicer
I hesitated buying this one because of my small wrist but now that there’s a 36mm version I am weighing up whether top buy the blue 36 or red 36. Great review Steve
@@ladykoala208 thank you and enjoy which ever you choose! Thanks for watching!
If you ever wanted to get into red watches - this is the time.
I love my Ascent (I have the exact same one you do), but if this watch came out before with a gray or white dial, it would have been a very difficult choice for me. Oh and John from John’s Watch Joint reached out to SM to get a 36mm in, and they don’t have any nor do they know when they are going to get them. Typical… thanks for the great review!
@@adk7962 you can buy the 36 and 41mm versions now...maybe they are in assembly phase now 🤷
@ Hmmm. Interesting. Good to know though thanks!
So, having only very recently reviewed the Monbrey MB2 which is definitely one of the Microbrand competitors in a somewhat similar (of more dressy gada) space, I'm really curious how you'd compare the two, to get a better measure on what Sam Martin (at its best and most original) is like. I'm sure everyone will have their styling preferences, but it's a bold claim to say 'best under 1000', while also we can generally agree that brands like Monbrey use similar movements, stay under 1000, and also offer impressive value, but they're not as 'low cost' as this. So how does it compare in terms of quality of execution?
Great question. the monbrey is great, it's well done, the finishing is dang close to the san martin as well. the bracelet is not as tight toleranced as the san martin is, the SM dial seems ever so slightly cleaner and clearer and more crisp, but that may just be the design differences. the clasps are both excellent, but the SM is slimmer and not as chunky as the monbrey.
it's hard to quantify how much better the san martin is...they are very close and I'm sure some of the differences just can't be shown on camera.
but if the SM was a 10, the monbrey would be a 8.5. and this goes for a lot of the microbrands I've reviewed or owned in that $600 range...Wise adamascus is AWESOME, but it's bezel is useless it's so tight and I can't comment on the bracelet. the Heron Marinor again, is probably an 8/10 but has the added hardening coating which is cool. the NEW Phoibos and Spinnakers are a solid 8/10 as well which is impressive given their price points.
just goes to show you that what San Martin has done with this watch is damn impressive especially since these are under $300 right now.
@@EscapeWheel wow, now that's an enormously helpful and insightful reply. Nonetheless, I cannot help suppress a slight disappointment that premium micros do not consistently reach the same levels as, essentially, a factory brand.
I do agree that San Martin seems to slowly graduate into something that can be more properly regarded as a brand that has an identity. I still do not quite connect to their designs, however, even if step by step they get more interesting. Certainly the bracelet here with the raised centre links looks genuinely great, and I'll take your word about the clasp. After all, Monbrey's is probably only a customised version of a standard product that has been around for a while (personally I would prefer a butterfly for the style of watch).
Wise Adamascus is interesting to mention, too. The bezel seems to depend a little on which generation or model you got. Some seem pretty much perfect, and if needing to choose, I'd personally prefer a tighter over a looser action. I'll soon get to experience Wise, so we'll see! I'm surprised you rate the Phoibos and Spinnaker so highly. I don't have experience. Generally they're not quite my jam. The best finishing on a micro I have experienced probably is between Pitzmann (at 1000), Direnzo and Straum (just under 1000). The Pitzmann II's crown had a slight sharpness to its logo, as Peter Kotsa also reported, but otherwise difficult to meaningfully fault. The brushing on the Straum Opphav (intentionally?) had two different levels: one for the bezel and one for the side, and more as a design detail, the crown was not as ergonomic as one might ideally desire (slight critique and not truly about finishing).
Considering Erebus comes, purportedly, out of the same factory, one will have to assume that they pay markup for being an outsider, while being kept from the very best level of finishing available. At the price, one has to agree it is impressive. It's thus arguably a pity that if this is possible at the price, that at the additional margins of external (micro)brands the same is not offered or achieved.
That said, regarding Monbrey, the MB2 is still a prototype. One should therefore normally expect a slight improvement for the final version still.
@benjaminvis good points on all accounts. I heard good things about Pitzman, I have been in contact with them and should be getting their next release when it's available.
Both Direnzo and Straum look very nice, but their designs haven't spoken with me yet.
With the level of finishing they keep on delivering, i think it would be an excellent bonus point for them to add anti scratch coating
But even as it is now it's such a high standard for every other brand, not just from aliexpress
@@Sneka97 100%. They are doing wonders right now for the price, but adding $100 even and giving a hardness coating and quick release springbars....I'd probably still buy it.
In the future can you please also add the dimension of the dial? It would help to give a perspective that just because the watch seem a bit big it can fit really well with average sized wrists.
I can give an approximate dial diameter from here on out. I've got a few reviews set up in "the hopper" already...but any new review I do, I'll mention it. thanks for the suggestion.
That is an excellent suggestion. The dial-size is, for many watches, even more of a factor than case-size in how big or small a watch will look. I find inner-bezel diameter to be a more accurate representation than measuring from/to any features on the crystal itself, e.g., any bevels near the edges.
Could you please do a one-to-one comparison between this watch and the Ascent?
I still feel that they are at the same level of finishing, and the Ascent is more beautiful in terms of design: hands, indices, logo, and overall look. One more detail: you can find these SM elements on a lot of other SM watches, while the choices of the Ascent, though motivated by some others, are kind of more unique.
I think it's good they are softening the fume. I'm usually a fan of fume dials, but this one is overkill. The only thing I wish they would have done is add quick release to their bracelets. Great review as always, Steve!
thanks, Dan...hope all is well.
absolutely, adding quick release would be the final check in my wishlist boxes.
watchdives is going to be adding it to their watches, so I feel like it's only a matter of time until San Martin gets on the bandwagon as well.
It’s great, time to release a black or white dial neutral color variant.
have you uploaded the Ascent review video yet?
No, I have too many promo watches needing review first
I really like this watch, especially the bracelet. I just wish they'd do some more subdued dials . Sunburst dark blue or champagne or silver, just flat w/o the pattern... I'd jump on that.
@@eoon agreed. The colors are awesome, but not very "Daily"
I have a blue from preorder back in September.
But if at that time they were presenting the new dial gradients I would have definitely go red. wow!
The blue is still very nice though.
Does anyone know if the new 42mm version has the lighter fume red dial?
yes, they do
Watch looks sick. I kind of wish they had some more traditional dial color options.
@@justinc8157 you And me both
Love that new clasp. Hope it ends up on Watch Dives separately. I have one San Martin, and love what they do. Hope they continue to ascend 👆
The problem is that the clasp isn't universal. the links that connect to the bracelet have to be made custom for the bracelet they are going on...I guess you could get it to work if you do some sort of machining but it won't be a direct swap for most bracelets out there.
@ they have a 3 link oyster with the new clasp. It’s on watch dives. Female ends. It will probably attach to my SN004 L.E V1, because they seem to have the same ends. The watch you reviewed here appears to have, yes, proprietary endlinks for this new bracelet.
Great review, beautiful watch and I think fairly priced. Another reviewer had trouble with the clasp adjustment changing while putting the watch on, has that happened to you?
@@dunderhay9169 interesting. Hasn't happened to me on either of the watches I have with the new clasp.
@EscapeWheel Thanks, that's good to know 👍
All San martin's i see lately have the same hands and minute markers, just different dials and bezels. Not much variety. I think the hands on the Erebus Ascent are far superior. I do love the case finish with polished chamfers on case and band, the dial is gorgeous.
This San Martin is def better than the erebus.
@@musik4u343 Having both I’d say: no it is not. Some aspects (bracelet, clasp, finishing) are better, some are worse (indices, hands, case, spring bars, presentation) and some are equally good (dials, dimensions, comfort, movement).
@ulig12 I strongly disagree
I really don’t understand the obsession with female end links, and thank you San Martin for using male ones! Just looks (and wears!) so much better.
Agree on the looks. I must acknowledge that female end-links contour better. However, in terms of looks, the male end-links (assuming both are finished to at least a good standard) look better, more expensive, more substantial.
My wrist of 15.5 cm knows why female end links are better.
@ 🙂 Let me put it like this: if you want to wear a watch head wide enough to basically cover all your wrist width, then you need end links that turns down right at the lugs. Otherwise male links work just fine. But I think you should not wear a watch of that size at all, because it looks ridiculously big anyway. So female end links only help people wear watches that actually don’t suit them. That’s just a personal opinion about style of course. If your style is to wear oversized, then go for it.
Thanks for the thorough review, as always. Watch has lots of positives, but some key negatives:
- Perennially, the insignia. Hexagon, if they're married to it, is fine, but that childish fitment of the letters inside the hex is just unstomachable. In their earlier days, they did some watches with the letters spelled/printed out, applied. They should've stuck with that. Is "San Martin," from a Chinese watch brand a stellar name, to be seeing on the dial always? No, but, even so, seeing it spelled out, applied, is far more preferable to the childish name fitment inside the hex.
- Lack of boxed crystal is tolerable. The lack of even a single-bubble? Not acceptable. They should have used a double-bubble. That would've looked right on this watch. A flat crystal makes the watch look undeservedly cheap.
- The lack of any beveling on the hands of these new models they're putting out, as well as the paucity of the same on their markers. The flat surfaces impart a, again undeserving for the watches, sense of cheapness.
- Although not applicable to this particular model, the completely sterile casebacks on their relatively recent releases, slightly older siblings to this model, the GMTs, the GADAs. Obvious steps to cut costs, as are the lack of beveling on the hands, markers. On their $200 and above models, they should at the very least etch/press some minimal specs on to the casebacks. This model is fine. High-quality-looking caseback with the pressing/finishing nicely done.
I got the blue 1, but your 1 fume dial is darker
They are switching all the dials to be more like the blue one, I show a couple pics in the review of what you can expect....new sizes as well which they announced AFTER I published the review.
That bracelet!!
I don't know why but I am getting a spider/ black widow vibe with this watch.
Big fan of SM but better finishing than Wise? Bold statement knowing for under $1,000 you can get watches like Tissot, Hamilton, Certina, etc.
@@msk3905 I'm saying watches I have actually seen, I have seen and handled Tissot, owned a couple Hamilton's, etc..my one Wise (AD8) is beautiful, but the finishing is simple....yes it's well done, but it's all polished....hard to mess that up.
Thanks for the review, I've just ordered the new 36mm - can't wait to see how it wears
@@aethelwulfwarlord1475 that's awesome. Enjoy it!
Why gradient tho? It just looks unusual.
I actually like it...makes it more wearable. an all red/orange/bright blue dial would be distracting. this is a little more subdued.
but they are lightening up the gradient effect a lot as shown in the video and in the updated link in the video description.
The Erebus is a better looking dial and hands. Both are made by SM anyway..
@@au18ert yes, I agree. The Erebus dial indices and hands have more going on for them, and they are really nicely done...just the rest of the watch can't keep up with the SM...I was expecting SM level finishing since that's who made it, but got slightly lower quality finishing.
So sad the bottom side of bracelet is still razor sharp…😢
It's not THAT bad...lol. could be better, yes, but it's still comfortable
@@EscapeWheel I guess mine is exceptionally sharp. I talked to San martin, they said they will have a model with chamfers on skin side of bracelet.
42mm!
Think this is nicer than the Erebus?
No, it´s not. But this is just my opinion.
@ you own both?
@@eugenevedensky6071 No.
I mention it briefly in teh review...the Erebus is a NICE watch on it's own...but it's not as nice as the SN0144-G-X
@@EscapeWheel Your opinion, not mine. But thats ok
Cathy Mitchell’s ‘Skillet Pasta & Beef Dinner’
Ingredients:
1 Pound lean ground beef
One 24 ounce jar pasta sauce
2 cups hot water
2 cups uncooked rotini pasta
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1. Place ground beef in a large skillet with a cover.
2. Add 2 cups of hot water and jar of pasta sauce and salt and garlic powder
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to break up ground beef
4. Stir in uncooked rotini, reduce heat to medium and cook covered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until rotini is tender
5. Remove from heat, sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let stand until cheese is melted.
Overall, I think it’s a great dinner recipe to eat while looking at your watch collection. I’m currently thinking of buying the Baltany Datejust Homage for the 11/11 sale so I might need to up it a notch. Maybe Cathy’s ‘Ramen Joy’
I heard ‘Grandma’s ramen apple pie’ recipe is to “die” for.
Nice watch not a fan of the color options though. No white dial or black dial? Thats a no go for me…
That's anotjer banger from SM, that brand is very good, thanks for sharing your thoughts 🤙
You bet, thanks for watching!
Received mine in 39mm yesterday. Disappointing. The dial is the big thing for this watch. Well, the porcelain "jian Zhan" look is not really evident. Its just a red fume'. Its pretty "meh." The quallity and finishing is very good. Disappointing dial.
Ah, the San Martin SN0144-G-X-the watch that's trying so hard to be impressive it probably has its own motivational poster. It's like a "homage" watch that graduated with honors from Generic Design University with a major in Trying to Be a Grand Seiko. Don’t get me wrong, it does have some impressive finishing for under $1k, but it's a little like putting a gold frame on a paint-by-numbers.
The finishing might be the best you’ve seen in this price range, but it’s also a little too perfect-it’s as if they polished it up to distract you from the fact that it’s still a San Martin, a brand known for "borrowing" design cues from the big leagues. Sure, the quality is up there, but deep down, you know it’ll never actually be the Grand Seiko it so desperately wants to be.
And let's talk about that logo-it’s trying so hard to look premium, but it's a little too busy for its own good. The same could be said for the dial, which has the aesthetic appeal of a really good knockoff Rolex you’d find on Canal Street.
In short, the SN0144-G-X is like the kid who shows up to school in his dad’s oversized suit: he's put in the effort to look grown-up, but at the end of the day, he’s still faking it.
Guess SM just can’t win…
The most anti-impressive dial I've seen over $10. Truth.
Very nice watch and great review as always. IMHO $350 for chinese brand is little too expensive. :/
@@kocourPB they are currently $250-ish....at least from what some users are saying
@@EscapeWheel Thats nice. But for me it is more like psychological block. I wouldn't pay more than 100-120 dollars for chinese brand. But I already own 3 pieces (1x SM, 2xWD). ;)
@@kocourPBtell the harsh truth😓
@@kocourPB why? A good watch is a good watch, regardless of where its made.
@@kocourPBSo you just feel better mentally by paying an extra amount of money to a middle guy/brand. Because at the end most watches or their components are made in China. Including Swiss brands. We just go directly to the source
I'm not feeling it.
If the requirement is to be under 1k, a Seiko SPB227J1 runs in circles around this one.
It looks like it's missing a rotating bezel.
give them some time...I'm sure SM will come up with a diver in a similar style.
@@EscapeWheel Do you agree though? The flat, brushed bezel catches the eyes. It's worse than the dress-kx and the blackbay 36. Those watches always looked bezel-less to me.
@wastedaga1n oh, no, I think it looks good. I agree on the DressKX,though
Thanks a lot 👍