Rolex Build Quality v Cronos Baltany & San Martin Who Does It Best?
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- Rolex, probably the best known Swiss brand, would have you believe their watches are built to an unparalleled standard so my Rolex Submariner should have no problems putting a Cronos, Baltany and San Martin in their place when it comes to finishing and build quality.
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Gary
I Like Watches
Rolex fanboy here. I agree. I personally own about 7 newer Rolex watches. My most recent purchase is a Pepsi GMT. The hour hand is misaligned. It’s about 6 minutes short the hour. For example, at 12:06 the hour hand sits aligned with the 12 o’clock marker. I have also noticed a rough edge on the inside of the hour hand stem where it has received loom.
If you look for imperfections, you’ll find them for sure.
Great feedback. When they churn out well over a million a year, that’s understandable.
@@thegorn I was going to throw that into my comment my friend but to be honest I couldn't be arsed to type anymore.
Nothing is perfect even on a $5-15K swiss watch, because it's made by humans after all.
@@jimmyhuang8730is this the excuse people give for paying 5 digits on a steel watch with misaligned hands these days? Lol
Yes but if you are gonna expect a premium for you’re quality then you better put out a quality product
Nice to see sword hands rather than the ubiquitous Mercedes ones on this new SM. I prefer it when homages are less of an exact facsimile of their original counterpart.
Even better when they upgrade the original design, example SM BB Homage with waffle dial..
Except that it IS an exact copy. Not of the traditional submariner, but of the Milsub reference 5517
Agreed. I think sword hands are sexy.
That San Martin is quite frankly exceptional…
I own a San Martin GMT and a Submariner, the Rolex is in a different class. That said it’s not 40 times better but then part of that justification is that it will increase in value “if” you pick the right model.
My favourite type of video. Collecting the tears of the Rolex Fanboys
And you..feeling good with yourself that you’re not losing anything even though you can’t afford a rolex 😂😂
i am just here to see non stop bickering of Rolex fanboys and haters @@Android_MT1983
Fangirls too like that annoying watch youtuber Britt Pearce
@@Android_MT1983The question is why would you want to shell out on a Rolex if it is objectively not as good as a watch at a tenth of the price. (Yes I accept that the mechanisms are different, but it would be a bold statement to assert that the Rolex one is ten times better than the Seiko one).
And yes, I have a Rolex. And a San Martin. And a Seiko. 😂
@@Miclantechupi I don't buy a watch for the specs or quality-price ratio. I purchase a watch based on company history/what they're trying to do, if I like it, it's not a rebranded copy and if can comfortably afford it. I'm not a rolex fanboy but can't understand why people say they are not worth it and then buy a rebranded copy of a rolex. At the same time, I don't understand why people purchase a rolex just for the sake of having one to impress others. If you're not willing to spend that much on a watch (which is understandable), purchase something else with it's original-ish design
.
Best in depth comparison of fit and finish I've ever seen. Bravo! You don't always get what you pay for. You can get much more for remarkably less!
Great video! The bottom line is, for us budget/affordable watch collectors, there has never been a better time to be in the hobby. If luxury watch collectors think we're stupid and delusional than so be it. I'm having a great time and I love my collection.
Absolutely. It’s also really fun to wear these amazing pieces (my San martins) and not care about stuff happening, getting robbed. And you look down and they are a sight to behold.
I could not agree more with you and the more we see this the more you will see people justify their 25,000 purchases. The watches we can buy today for $250 are phenomenal. I'm 65 years old right now and even 40 years ago I was not out to try to impress anyone. I'm not out to portray anyone on movies or television. And I am perfectly happy with myself and my own skin therefore I'm happy with a Saint Martin watch that looks better than any Rolex you can make. You can talk about history you can talk about horology you can talk about whatever you want but it's still a piece of metal on my wrist that's telling the time that's giving me the quality that I want.
@bigriceburner I'm 63 and you and I sound exactly alike. The first time I saw a Rolex Submariner was in 1984, I was 23 years old at the time. Was I aware of Rolex, yes but vaguely. I had never seen one, nobody I knew owned one but yes I was aware of the brand. But I absolutely fell in love with the look of the watch, it had nothing to do with the name on the dial. The Submariner was my favorite watch then and it is still my favorite watch today but again, it is because of the way the watch looks not the name on the dial. So all these years later when I discovered these Chinese homage watches and discovered how unbelievably well made they were, I started buying them. I absolutely love them and feel like a genius because of all the money I'm saving. 😃😃
@@sinjinadams2862 submariner is my favorite style watch as well. Have you checked out the WatchDives Wd5512? I was extremely impressed with the quality and finishing. It's my everyday watch and I love it.
@@sinjinadams2862 Submariner is my favorite style watch as well. Have you seen WatchDives wd5512 sub homage? I'm extremely impressed with the quality and finishing. It's my new favorite sub homage.
San Martin really showing it’s value.
I held a San Martin sub in one hand and a gen rolex expII in the other a year or so ago, the similarity in quality was phenomenal. Rolex simps wouldn't have it though, and accused me of being dumb and not knowing what I was looking at, like telling the quality of a watch was a special secret gift. Videos like this justify my thoughts at the time, thanks Gary.
It depends on what “better” means. There are things other than “build quality”
A Rolex is a MUCH better store of value
@@kabal911 I have no intention of storing my wealth in a watch, I just want to enjoy wearing it, and the way the market is you'd only break even, much the same as the San Martin
@@shanephillips8735 and that's your prerogative and is completely valid 👍
Calling people simps, and they calling you dumb is not constructive at all though 🤷♂️
I personal enjoy my explorer 2 16570 and my San Martins BB pro and BB 57
@@kabal911 absolutely, had I not been accused of being dumb I wouldn't be calling anybody anything, but those snobs do exist. There are plenty of people that enjoy Rolex without any of the other nonsense and that is perfectly fine :)
San Martin don't produce every single material and component in house
There is no doubt, having owned a baltany, that it is best value for money any day...
I love my Baltany. Unfortunately the rotor became detached about a month into owning it. I was able to fix that myself. I should say that it was the Seagull ST1701 movement that failed so this is not necessarily on Baltany. This of course is just one watch out of thousands.
Great watches , and good quality .
That San Martin is absolutely gorgeous. I need to get myself one pronto. I have a sea dweller but I find myself wearing my Zelos Aurora more.
Great video again. Love these macro comparisons 👌👌
Cool video! Great to see them side by side. My top two favorite watch finishes in my collection are San Martin, and my Citizen promaster
Love these videos! Keep them coming!! Maybe one day you'll be able to use your macro lens to make an episode focused entirely on polishing by comparing San Martin, Grand Seiko, Rolex with a few high end independent brands if you can get your hands on them. I think brushing and borders have been figured out and a good portion of the industry will catch up to this level in 5 years or so. But polishing is the tricky bit, and there are certainly levels to that game. It would be so awesome to se the likes of Moritz Grossman, Lang & Heyne, Romain Gauthier , Laurent Ferrier of Greubel Forsey under your macro lens. Very interesting, thanks!
Thanks so much, Gary! this is DELICIUOS stuff!
I found that very interesting. The comparability across wide ranging price points.
Thanks.
This is fun. Really glad you included the Rolex for comparison. Thank you and Cheers!
Rolexs are hand assembled the same as the other 3 watches here. At 1M+ watches a year, all components are machined by CNC. Think about it, that's 3000 Rolex per day! The San Martin is exceptional, but I'm guessing the Rolex movement is superior. But give San Martin another 5-10 years, and they'll be ahead.
I think at this point, it’s clear that the likes of SM and Cronos have watches that rival the finishing on Rolex. Now that doesn’t mean Rolex aren’t great watches, and that I wouldn’t get one if I had the money. But for me, it just means I get to wear a watch that has similar finishing to that of a luxury Swiss brand whereas even five years ago, it was Seiko or nothing. Thanks as always! Looking forward to the full comparisons!
love these comparison videos
If you buy for you the opinions of others rarely carry any weight. Not sure why dislike turns into hate, I don’t dislike any watch they are all of equal value to me it’s just some cost more. Only you can decide if something is worth your money
I’m very impressed with the Sam Martin!
I love these comparison videos you do showing the differences (or lack thereof) in the finishing. My conclusion is that after you pay up to $300, you don't get much better finishing for your extra money!
Great video 👍. I would be happy to own any of those watches.
As an owner of the SN0111 - its in another league compared to even other San Martins
Have you got the regular sn0111 or this date model. There r 2 on ali at different prices and the dearer one looks like this . Cheers
Rolex owner here. It’s unbelievable how good the quality of those micro brands is. I guess Rolex will be moving towards gold watches and give the steel market to Tudor.
It will be hard to justify even higher prices for a stainless steel watch, when micro brands come up with this kind of quality.
Well done Gary. Excellent ❤
Love this type of video, great job
Great video…as always. Still can’t get over the quality of the San Martin! I have owned several and am impressed each time.
I like this kind of videos you make, you are very objective in judging.. whatever brand..👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks, really beautiful footage - a lot of work went into that. How long does it take to film the macro?
Cheers
When I review a watch I spend about 3 hours taking the pictures of that one watch…
those shots are impressive
After your previous comments that sn0111 does look tempting! Go for the standard black or this version..👌
Thank you, like always very interesting to see the comparison and maybe some day you really do a long video with more points to be compared, I would appreciate that a lot👍 For me those videos are much more interesting then the common demonstration of the hundredth NH34 GMT or NH35 diver.....
When are you comparing the San Martin sub (their new low price one) to the Submariner? Thx again and keep up the good work
You should have a look at the tissot seastar 2000 big watch but personally one of my favorites for sheer beauty the dial is something special
I got a cronos date just homage. It is amazing and flawless. I would love to see a side by side video with a Rolex datejust
I also got a cronos datejust homage and was able to try on a real datejust. I used to think cronos bezel was superb, but Rolex was on another level. However to me, Rolex only looks good far away or when other people look at it. Getting up close and wearing one feels so meh... that's why I ended up not buying it and I've been a Rolex fanboy for a good decade.
That looks absolutely gorgeous.
my favorites are SAN MARTIN and WATCHDIVES
Yes! I love my WD5512 sub homage from WatchDives
Love the in sync second hands
What a fun video to start the day to.
I've mentioned it before, but San Martin has one final step to master in their finishing. As you pointed out the actual finishing is really excellent, but they still have a physical sharpness to them on the edges. The edges of the case and especially many of the bracelet links feel quite sharp against the skin. That's sometimes true on the clasps, etc., as well. If they can find a way to soften those edges while maintaining their overall finishing, they'd be completely top notch.
I am not a Rolex fan. I do own a SM SN0121G (Pelagos) and will say for $$ it is a good value but overall 6/10 in quality and wearability. For sure not outstanding as all the paid for videos make them out to be. Tons of sharp edges that I filed down to make it wearable as well as an average movement. It did scratch the itch though.
Awesome vid!!!
Very interesting indeed.
I love this style of video.
To think Rolex is anywhere on par with San Martin or Baltany when it comes to finishing is just being delusional. SM and Baltany are just in a different league of their own 🙌
Huh
True,they are all machine made, just that San Martin and cronos try harder and Rolex falls back on branding
@@Andrew-yy2yehand finished.
@@jimmyhuang8730 hand finished? Which Rolex? Not a chance.under micro Rolex finishing is not good.
They are brilliant at marketing brilliant, but the actual finishing is pretty normal.also zero finishing on the movement, that's why they have closed casebacks
Their movements are finished, haven't you seen any restoration videos?
Great vid Gary. I think the Rolex polishing is the shocker for me. Those ripples in the polishing. For that sort of money there’s no excuse.
I could not agree more there is no excuse however there is this. Think of the feeling that the owner will get when they own something so exclusive like a Rolex. That Will trump all the imperfections in the peace because they will think of Steve McQueen and all of these famous people that they want to emulate. Quality goes out the window at some point.
The Roll x is Iconic, however The quality and the price of others are just superb. Era of attack of the clone begin :)
I'm convinced that I should have a San Martin, when I find one that's not copy of something else (or completely hideous like the last in house design I saw) and it'll be worth opting for the best movement. One thing thats not mentioned in these videos is that the cosmetic finish is a small part of the story. The Rolex movement is superior in every respect mine is the only one I have experience of but the performance is amazing. There is almost no hysteresis in the system, I take it off and after a few days it stops. It doesn't matter how long its off the wrist when I pick it up it's going again, just correct the time and of you go, never needs a wind. Last time I tested it it was +1second after a week.
they have made several original design GMT and 3 hander
When you look closely you’ll realise that, unlike Pagani Designs, quite a lot of San Martins are true homages rather than “clomages”. The inspiration is obvious, but they change enough (improve enough) to allow it to stand alone as its own thing.
There is absolutely no denying that the movement in a Rolex watch is better than anything in your typical Chinese watch. The question is, do you really do anything in your average life that requires anything that accurate? Are you a Navy Seal, a British Secret Agent, a World famous explorer. If not and you're just sitting on your butt all day, do you really need it. A lot of these higher end watches offer Swiss made Sellita SW200 movements. Does a Rolex movement justify spending $10,000 more than a San Martin with a Sellta movement?!
Worth $14.8K more? Probably not for most people even watch enthusiasts.
@@sinjinadams2862 for accuracy just use your phone or buy a Quartz or Casio Bluetooth or Mband6. Why spend $15K on a watch for accuracy? Lmao..
Hope you compare a bunch of san martins at a macro level, so we can see which ones are best/worst finished.
If you take into consideration what you said about the QC of the Rolex, and I didn't know anything about watches, I don't think I would choose the Rolex as the best of the four choices. Given the choice, I would choose the Cronos out of the four as it just looks incredible........
That SM is amazing. I love their finishing in genersl, but this looks next level. I was admirinf the brushinh kn the SM I'm wearing today. I love how the brushing on the endlinks matches the brushing on the lugs. Its their milsub homage eith the sword hands. Vrest bang for buck.
Great video. I have a few Baltany’s that I really like. No San Martin yet, but soon enough I’m sure. Not sure I’ll ever get a Rolex, let alone a new one. Really enjoyable to see them go head to head
Watchdives have some great watches too.
I’ve been looking at them! I only discovered them a few weeks ago. I want the NTTD homage
Are Rolex watches actually hand made or is it that majority of the watch is hand assembled? I know it is a little pedantic but I recall reading somewhere that a lot of the parts are mass produced on a production line which is why they are not compared with the more high end horological timepieces.
Can you do a grand seiko macro comparison?
Very interesting and good to know however, the Rolex does take the lead, by some margin, on movements. Good review.
I like all of them watches, can't wait to get hold of more watches to review on my channel.
What's the model.of this san martin? Great review!
SN0111
No links to the watches?
Can u share also the watches link
I am looking to get the 36mm Baltany you have there
San Martin fan here….ive got 3….maybe 4 after this
Watchdives have some great watches too
I'd still get a Rolex if I had the disposable income ... That said i'd get it for the name not the value for money or it being 'better' than other watches. Heck in my opinion even Rolex's sister brand Tudor offers Rolex quality at less cost.
Your photography 👍 👍 👍
Keep these videos coming 👏. Nothing better than seeing Rolex get exposed and brought back down to reality after the way they acted the past 4 years. No other content creators touch this topic. It’s nonstop praise and fanboying over the brand.
I'm sure a lot of people are saying I'd like to see a this or a that. I'm curious about Proxima. Mine looks great with the naked eye.
I love all my 5 San Martin's. My one lonely Cronos, is great too.
Cronos is the sleeper here, I have a few, they are excellent! And can be found much cheaper than SM. SM are the chinese benchmark though, I have their microbrand Jianghun War Drum which is of excellent quality in finish, just next level really - the design is not for everyone though.
Not sure Im convinced your Rolex is genuine... Joking!! Haha Thanks for this video. Very interesting and appreciate the work gone into it! The unfortunate thing is, people will always go straight to brand names and wont even care about the quality and wont even believe us if we told them. Sad world we live in... so snobby and pretentious! All good though, Ill enjoy my more affordable high quality nice watches! =)
Shame they couldn't get the brushing right on the Baltany so to match the case with the bracelet.
The lugs of the Submariner and that St Martin side by side made the differences very obvious already - without any macro. Copying is always easier than coming up with your own design. The Chinese are just getting better at copying, but even a very good copy is still just a copy.
I think Watchfinder made a good video about the differences between a £500, a £5000, and a £50000 watch and how far you can zoom in until there is no more detail or finishing - or you start seeing imperfections. Remember that Rolex is not haute horlogerie.
White gold is much softer material vs stainless steel. So definitely is easier for mistake. However value is much higher. :)
It’s hard to compare.
SAN MARTIN the ceramic bezel comes apart "glued" after a while.....
Why anyone crawls to an AD to divest themselves of ten or twenty grand for the issues they have has always been an oddity, but to each their own. That San Martin is a winner! Outstanding comparison.
I think that a watch that is made of stainless steel is not a luxury watch. I think that this submariner is a watch that is made by a company that makes luxury watches. I also think that the price is set by the demand and is not a representation of its value. I'm therefore not surprised at all by these results. Love these videos, appreciate the effort u put into producing content!
Wearing a San Martin SN0107-G1 2023 V2 Ranger, very nice watch, only bad..., the bracelet was way too short and it is very very difficult to order extra links. In the end an other owner with thin wrists gave me his extra link.. I have an average Dutch 9 inch wrist. I'm not a Hobbit San Martin..
More vids like this please
i'm probably saying what others have already said but we're comparing machine made watches and as the industrial process improves, the Rolex (and other Swiss watches) advantagem decreases to the point of being indistinguishable...
Rolex could also make a crown in precious metal, perhaps in platinum, to put on the dial.. instead of the usual cheap print.. it costs more than 10,000 euros..
"Hand made"? Rolex is about as far from hand made as can be, on its "strong horology" class. A giant robot factory churns out 5000 pc/ hour, if annual >1 mil pc production is divided to Swiss working days. 🤔😉
I feel like San Martin is actually just a subsidiary of CLEAN or BP factory that puts out reps too
8:44 it was like this is all I heard throughout the whole video - excellent marketing. And thanks Gary for making a video about how Rolex is the best watch manufacturer in the world, period.
That's funny... that is not what he said at all. Bro you must be drinking Kool-Aid.
Please add a grand seiko into the mix!
No one with their eyes open is shocked China can turn out Rolex quality for a few hundred £/$/€.
Those buying top end (so called superclone) replica's have known this for years.
You show me someone repping AP or Patek movement finishing, or Omega movement quality, or Grand Seiko dial quality then I'll be impressed.
In fact Rolex movements are finished pretty impeccably too.
But their watches to look at? They're nothing outrageous.
I think this further proves that Rolex sees their primary customer, not as a watch enthusiast, but as a lot that values societal status. Every watch lover knows that Rolex comes with issues. I had the original 50th Anniversary sub and the chapter ring was no where close to being aligned. Those small details mean nothing to non watch people...they simply care that it says Rolex. The further I dive into this money pit of a hobby, the more brands I find that make better pieces than the big R.
I wish you could do this with Seestern vs Doxa homage
Easier said than done. He needs a Doxa first!
How does San Martin do it so flawlessly? I really don't understand. I'd love to see a video on what they're doing differently in their factory or with their tech that make them almost completely perfect.
Pride? Better business model? Honest pricing?
I wish you could put in a Tudor bb58 in these comparisons . The finishing on the hour hands of the San Martin is way higher than a Tudor for sure lol !
Easier said than done. He needs a Tudor first. Do you have one he can borrow?
Has Rolex never made any modernisation of their manufacturing process?
That triangle indice, round edged, clumpy lum applied to it. It looks imprecise, as in made to the best possible, but at an older time.
How to make friends and enemies in just one short video? way to go
"that Rolex is fake" 😅. Sorry mate, I had to parody that guy, because I've heard the same thing so many times when I compared my GMT Master 2 and Sub to Ali Express watches!
Great comparison video as usual 👍
lol…happens all too often
@@ilikewatches people are just really anal when faced with the truth. The funny thing it's that most of the time these comments come from people who don't own or haven't checked up a Rolex from up close
Your views on "value for money" please: for example, comparative prices/length of warranty/high or low grade materials. After all, I ASSUME the Rolex is many times more expensive than the Baltany...but why ?
What everyone forgets is that San Martin made that watch because the original one exist and it is a design people like, they copy the designs and finishes, they just try to make it “better”, I guess they are good copiers, if it wasn’t for the original they would not have made what they have made using the finishes they use and people would probably not know who San Martin is.
Rolexes are hand-made??? 🤔 The only way that’s possible is if the machines used to stamp out the parts that go into the 1.2 million produced each year are Hansmädchen machines 😆😂🤣
Link for that San Martin Pearl water ghost submariner please
I think the only place the Rolex stood out against Baltany and San Martin was the hour hand. The Rolex hour hand was just a bit tidier around the periphery. Otherwise the San Martin had it beat on all fronts and the Baltany had it beat on most fronts. Great comparison!
IM SUPPRISED THAT YOU DONT HAVE A "TISSEL" In Your Line Up.
A (MARINE DIVER 200M WATCH) 28,800-vph 90S5 Miyota series Caliber movement
Tissel are dreadful quality
I’m not sure how “hand made” Rolexes are considering they pump out over 1.2 million of them a year… they have a very sophisticated robotic manufacturing system
I really do struggle with the value for money with luxury watches. Hand made is all well and good but is it the most efficient way of producing a product 🤔
Rolex watches are mass produced in a factory. The company won't reveal exactly how they do it, other than stating that humans operate the machines and do the final assembly, in the same way luxury cars and motorcycles like MG or a Norton are made. You can bet that Rolex produce their watches in the most cost-effective way possible and that if they could get away with having robots assemble them, without shattering the illusion that they maintain the horological traditions of the past, then they would.
Why dun u include a Grand Seiko in the comparison?
do please tell san martin to cover up their rehaut with some good chapter ring if they can’t reduce that wide ass rehaut, or engrave it like rolex’s.
the wide rehaut makes it looks cheap no matter how good the other part’s finishes.
i know Nh series got tall handstacks but its a matter of a goodcover ups ( seiko skx007 did it right with their nice chapter ring )