Thorn SHY036. Have We Found The Best Pelagos 39 Alternative?
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- *Update...since putting together this video the watch is now also available with the Sellita SW200 movement for an extra premium.
During the course of 2023, I spend a lot of money on AliExpress trying to find the Best Pelagos 39 Homage.
I even did a comparison of 3 of the best Tudor Pelagos 39 homages from
Seestern, Sam Martin and Octopus Kraken. As if that wasn't enough I even got in the IXDAO Pelagos 39 Homage to make it an even 4!
Well it seems that Thorn have now entered the ring with their alternative Tudor Pelagos 39: The Thorn SHY036.
The Seestern Pelagos 39 was my favourite but the Thorn SHY036 has me re-thinking that!
But what do you think? leave me your thoughts in the comments.
You can buy this watch via the AliExpress affiliate link below.
Of course you will not pay any extra but you will be helping to support the channel going forward. Thanks for your support :)
s.click.aliexp...
or here depending on stock
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Fantastic review! The bracelet is pure genius and I love the amount of details in this. Thorn have improved a lot for sure.
So glad you enjoyed it.
The best bracelet adjustment system that I have seen, it must have costed Thorn quite a bit more. It shows that Thorn does not cut corners on the components for this watch.
They are inoriving rapidly :)
Full marks for braving the elements to give us some daylight shots. Presumably, Molly said "Sod that, I'm staying by the fire".
... On her back snoring behind me on the cabin sofa!
I’m not sure why I felt I needed a Pelagius homage but the need happened at the time the Thorn came out. I’m still waiting for mine but as the thorn bb58 has been such a good watch I can’t wait for this one. Spec wise it’s perfect.
Great stuff. I'm sure you will be happy with it :)
What, do you think, about the viewing angles on the thorn BB58,?
Top marks for that bracelet adjustment system. I hope it gains traction quickly and proves to be problem free during the longer term.
Was going to get this during the sale since it was at a great price and thorn have had a pretty good track record with their watches but I can’t get over the “Exploration Road” text. Unfortunately a dealbreaker
For me I decided not a dealbreaker but sat on the fence for a few days thinking about it because of that.
It’s a pretty innocuous thing to put on the face. It’s hard to read anyway. Didn’t break any deals for me.
Yeah, I did a double take after seeing that. When will they learn. Still worth considering due to low price
Exploration Road in this wide font affects otherwise great lettering symmetry. Thorn, just remove it!
I like it. Has the best rehaute shallowness of all. Would buy it if they came out with a FXD version.
Here is hoping!
Omg the pt5000 version is currently £130 in the winter sale. I’ve contacted the seller to see if they can increase the price to £135 to avoid UK tax, other sellers have done this for me before because at the asking price of £130 UK tax takes it up to £156, so increasing the price to £135 actually saves UK buyers another £20.
Don't you have to pay the tax anyway once the watch arrives in the UK.
I bought the Watch dives / San Martin collaboration Titanium in Green and am thoroughly impressed with it. But I have to admit that this Thorn is a lovely looking watch. I agree, that Blue is stunning. Great review as always ! Keep em coming.
Thanks Paul. I really appreciate that :)
I bought the SW200 version for $290 on BF. I received it on Monday, and I'm very satisfied. It's my second Thorn. I also recommend their vintage 3/6/9 Sub.
Nice. Well done and glad you are happy.
Another quality review of a good looking watch 👍 I was close to pulling the trigger on this in the recent sale but ended up going for the black San Martin in titanium. The dial and bezel of the Thorn look nice although a matt finish would have been more appropriate for a Pelagos homage
Cracking looking watch, the black and white one is stunning.
Loks like a good one, especially for the price! Definitely the best blue of the bunch, and it looks like it has pretty good AR! You made me shiver with those outdoor shots! 😂
Haha... Sorry Dan did you not see my goosebumps? Bloody freezing :/)
@@johnswatchjoint It is here too, but I usually wear something called a coat when I go outside! 😂😉
Nah T - shirt and shorts here ma loon :)
That's a sharp looking watch. Very well executed homage imo. I think this watch would look great on a Stainless steel mesh bracelet as well.
Totally agree
Got the 39 mm version - love it. Hope they release a 42 mm version too.
Wish I would have gotten my husband this watch for Xmas too now 😢. Great review, your accent is just a pleasure to listen to! 😊 hope your channel nothing but success, and that your kindness and intelligence is rewarded with more subscribers
Wow.. Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching :)
Great video in the garden 😎 . That blue dial and bezel look a much nicer and deeper blue than Tudor use. I am also impressed by the tool free bracelet adjustment. Good to see you back 👍
Cheers my friend.. Unlike the chap who wants me to move on to review Baltany, Merkur, Escapement Time etc. Has he actually watched the channel.? Does my head in grrrr!
@@johnswatchjoint I see what you mean. I subscribe to quite a few channels (sometimes just to help them out when they only have a few hundred subs 👍) and often the watches covered aren't my cup of tea. The best channels 😉 I always watch whatever the watch is, because the content is always interesting (and they have a cute cat). I think the best way to make good content is for the reviewer to review watches that interest them, if a watch bores you, it will definitely bore us.
Yeah. It is a difficult one. Usually the outsider choices fall flat!
it has the best dial markers out of all the p39 homages but everything else falls short. I still think the Octopus is the best homage for the P39 in term of finishing, bracelet, bezel and dial text. I just wished they would update with true lume cast markers.
A great looking watch, I too love the blue, the lume is good too!
It's a wee beauty! :)
Liked the blue that much i decided to get all 3.Paid a total of £122 each delivered to the uk.Paid separately to avoid import & excise taxes
Nice one 🤗
After watching you're review i ordered this watch in grey (still waiting 4 it 2 arrive),i find you're analysis honest and fair, will let you know what I think about the watch when it arrives, keep up the good work.
Thank you for reaching out. I am sure you will love the watch :)
@@johnswatchjoint Anytime my Brother,Love and Peace..
To you also 🤗
@@johnswatchjoint Ive had this watch about a week the shipping to the u.k was about 2 weeks,it arrived in excellent condition,Thorn has once again delivered a masterpiece,the movement {PT5000} is running very well,the Sapphire Crystal is amazing and the lume is out of this world,and all this in a Titanium Watch, with 3 links removed its only 93grams,the link removable system is a game changer....
Thank you for the excellent review John, your videos are more and more amazing.
This part was superb 3:33
Thank you... I managed not to shake with the cold haha... It was frigid !
I ordered the blue and black ones! They are both absolutely stunning!
1st! Great vid John, Thanks
That was quick haha!
I've never cared what sound the bezel makes to be honest as long as it lines up. Nice watch.
Ditto. Never turn them.
Hi John! I am from tropical country singapore..
To show watch in -7degrees outdoor, you got us hooked ! ❤ The bracelet sizing system is very cool.. will need a bit of oil the prevent internal rust in long run..
Good watch brand to put in shopping bag..
Thank you.
Beautiful watch and splendid review as always! I just ordered the black version a few days ago on AliExpress.
Nice. You'll love it 😉
Just ordered mine in B/W. Thank you for your work, keep it going.
That's the plan 🙏
Outstanding review as always John, thank you. I like it, overall fantastic watch. Im however, a little concerned withe the bracelet's spring loaded mechanism links. Not sure how it will hold over time. I almost rather have good old fashioned pins or screws. Thank you for sharing mate 👍
I had a good fiddle with it and you will never have it come apert as two pins have to disengage, fold out to 90 degrees then the force has to move in the opposite direction. Not gonna happen as far as I can tell :)
@johnswatchjoint Thank you for your feedback John. Sounds good, feel better now 😊
No probs :)
I've had this bracelet on my Addiesdive Explorer for over a year now, with no problems at all. It's the easiest and best system I have ever come across. No collars to lose or pins to bend, and no screws to work loose. Once you have used this system you'll wonder why all bracelets aren't made this way! Hope that helps to put your mind at rest.
Nice one Dave... Thanks for that :)
I ordered this exact watch and it should arrive before the weekend. In the meantime, the other watch that I ordered, a Seestern S435, arrived yesterday. This is another terrific AliEx watch (for only US$200) and I will be hard pressed to decide which one I will favor more.
The S435 comes with the SeaGull ST2130 high beat rate movement, comparable to the PT5000 and SW200. Fit/finish are exceptional...bezel alignment, applied indices alignment, bezel action, movement accuracy...all of it is spot on with this Seestern watch.
Some claim this S435 is a homage of the Glashutte Sea Q. Not quite. The Glashutte Original SeaQ is arguably a homage of the "Le Forban Securite Mer" that had been originally introduced in 1966 for the French Navy, a few years prior to the vintage East German (GDR) produced Glashutte (GUB) diver from that era.
Therefore, the SeaQ is also, technically, a homage...and the Seestern S434/435 is either a homage or a homage of a homage.
Thanks for the education. I love how my subscribers are so in the know :)
Great review John and take your time as I certainly appreciate the effort you put in. Probably the homage watch that has been on my wish list for the longest but for some reason I keep removing it from my basket in each sale. However, really loving the blue dial version of the Thorn. Completely agree with you regarding the unnecessary / bizarre text that seems to slip into a number of Aliexpress watches and it kind of bugs me.
Hi Richard. It is something we just have to put up with but this watch in this colour is just too good to ignore I think :)
Nice review as always John. That blue is stunning. I have the seestern in black (now on a fabric strap) making it a bit more sporty. I like the look of this blue one so maybe as a more dressy watch (save changing straps?) One for the beach one for the restaurant possibly. Keep up the good work 👍
I love your rationale... My wife just shakes her head at my buying excuses! Haha :)
I've had the same one for a week and it's superb!
Good to hear!
I've been trying to decide which one to get. This one is it, great review. 👍
Glad I could help
I enjoyed the brief cityscape at 3:35. And of course the review itself, as always. 🙂
Thx :)
I have to get my hands on a Thorn. They seemed to be sliding into a slot left empty by San Martin going upscale (which im glad SM is doing). Thanks for the great review and braving the -7° temp to get us an outside shot!
Aye... It's a wee bit braw!
Very nice. I love that dial and the choice of movement, plus many other things you mentioned. Why the glossy bezel insert?? It seems like all the Pelagos homage watches drop the ball on something, like San Martin going with an NH35 instead of PT5000/Sellita.
I would buy it for that bracelet alone, pure genius!
It's pretty neat!
That’s the best looking Pelagos homage I’ve seen, in fact looks wise I prefer it to the original.
That sunburst dial and perfect colouration is amazing.
You’re going to bankrupt me John 🫣
Sorry my friend :)
What an innovative bracelet resizing system, I wonder if that will hold up after a longer period of time. Only time will tell I guess. 😄
That bracelet adjustment looks great. I've recently got the Thorn SHY029. The watch is excellent, bezel lines up and movement has been working flawlessly, but I simply can't remove the screws to adjust the bracelet. It's a shame it doesn't have this bracelet. It looks great on another strap, so all good.
Great review as usual 👍
That is a shame. Did you complain and get a discount because you should?
After a couple of hours of trying I found an easy way. Have someone hold a screw driver firmly on a table with the tip pointing up. Rest the bottom screw of the bracelet link on it. You hold the bracelet and turn the top screw. Good luck!
Nice review. I have just bought the SM Titanium version which is about to arrive (?!) The dial on this watch is great but I agree that the text is excessive and that alone would put me off it! The bracelet adjustment and lume look great though.
I wonder if that bracelet adjustment is a new idea. I have to say, it’s quite brilliant.
Be great for a one watch family🤣
I had seen something about it a while back but it is cool.
Thank God they didn't stick a bullet on the back. Will be interesting to see a comparison with the San Martin one.
That tooless bracelet is genius! Can you try to put this bracelet on other Pelagos homages that you have to see if it'll fit?
Sorry but I no longer have any except the bronze IXDAO version.... One in... ONE OUT :)
Looks Nice! But Exploration Road is quite an odd thing to have on a dive watch. Thanks for the review!
Yip, very very impressed👌 looks like i’m be ordering myself a completely unnecessary and excessive new watch!!!!! Now the difficult decision--colour. Absolutely love the blue, must be going through a blue stage, the recent cestrians were both blue, also love the faux patina lume version, but fear that I might quickly tire of it because I am not entirely convinced about the faux looks???
Ah, first world problems!!!!😂
Haha indeed!
The color looks good too, like a deep navy. Often it's sorta washed out blue or borderline purple 😊
Nice! Thanks John
Any time!
Agree the blue colour is amazing. I'll add to wishlist 😊
Great review again,I’m not sure if the bracelet is a gimmick or pure genius . Please update us if you keep it a while
Will do!
Hi John, I just got one of these directly from Thorn and the bezel has alot of movement (like its going to fall off and not mounted securely). How is yours? Sent video to Thorn who say that's the nature of the materials etc etc. Bascially saying too bad so sad. I'm not happy!!! BTW I have three other Thorns and all good. Happy to hear others views. Cheers Tim
Hi Tim. Sorry to hear about that. It is definitely not normal. I was pleasantly surprised by the bezel action and I have lots of others who agree. I always advocate going via AliExpress as you have extra protection. Tell them in no uncertain terms you want to return it as it IS faulty. If you paid by PayPal and they play funny buggers...open a dispute and use your back and forth communication as proof that Thorn are acting in bad faith.
@@johnswatchjoint Does yours have any up and down movement at all? Thorn say as titanium this is normal - I think that is pure XXXXX
I no longer have that watch as I have to move them on to pay for other review pieces. Yes. On a titanium diver with a bezel the tolerances are not as tight because titanium turns less freely... BUT it is usually marginal. Just enough to allow the bezel not to grind as it were. Not loosy goosey!
This is on my wish list.Thorn are great watches but unsigned crowns are boring small gripe. Great Review John!
Aah but in this case the chamfered edge runs aroundthe top and bottom so the polished crown works in the centre of a figure of 8 :)
That blue color is amazing 🔥
It is gorgeous ;)
@@johnswatchjoint Missed the sale but got it today for 140 pounds 😁
Well worth it. Well done...enjoy 😊
And you have a new subscriber 😊@@johnswatchjoint
Welcome aboard sir 😉
Hi John. This bracelet is awesome!! But, what about the resistance of the spring over time with humidity? Nice watch.👋🇨🇵
No issues... As you can see in order to remove one link 2 links have to open and it would be difficult to have it open with force one way then have a force in the opposite direction happen at the same time :)
That's a good looking watch.
Thank you for doing this
Been wearing it for a little bit now. Nice watch wel made, but Iwould prefer a 42mm and I think a matt bezel. if you a tip on a nice 42mm please let me now!
a very thin line accenting the edges of rhe hands and rhe indices would really make them jump , imagine the line in blue but silver and black would do well too
This looks very good . I think it should be a bit more matte or flat blue. Seems like it has too much shine on bexel and face.
When it comes to copies, I don't a watch mind taking "inspiration", but the snowflake hands are just too on the nose. I see that Aliexpress sells replacement hands for the PT5000 though, I'd probably swap them. The PT5000, like the Eta it's based on, is best hand-wound just enough to get it running. The hand-winding mechanism's design puts too much torque on the cogs, and it's fragile. But that 8-ticks per second sweep, and the accuracy they're capable of, is amazing.
Great review !!!
Thank you! Cheers!
Hi John! Always enjoy your watch reviews. I have a question, though not watch related at all, what is the music you use during the videos? Really nice jazzy sound.
All of my music is sourced from Epidemic Sound :)
Hey John, fantastic review! Quick question…how does the lume on this Thorn compare to the Seestern? Thanks much and keep up the great work!
The Seestern was the best of the bunch but this has great lume and certainly comes close :)
looks amazing
It's a wee beauty 🤗
Hoping a V2 will come out. That crown needs to be a bit bigger. Wider, not thicker, I mean
No V2 . Crown operates perfectly.
Looks like blue is sold out. I am deciding if I am going to wait until it comes back or get a Proxima with a purple Venom dial (wish they had abyss blue in pt5000), or get a Tandorio 37mm 3kx013 in Pepsi
Check around some stores still have blue.
Got the gunmetal gray one myself. I have to wait for it to arrive now so I'll report back. I got mine for $150 shipped with tax included.
Nice one. Well done 👍
And unfortunately it was sent back because it would hang up on the ghost date when it would try to function. Once every 24 hours the watch would just stop.
Great review, was thinking of going for this one...but what is the text "exploration road " supposed to mean !, am I missing something ? spoilt it for me.
It's something they like to put on their dials. Asian market likes it :/
Review one of the LHD models and/or a PT5000 model….
I have reviewed a few Pt5000 models. No real sense to review a leftie as I have reviewed others :)
Thanks John 👍
Are these dimensions the same as the real watch ? I'm thinking i might get a Black Bay or Pelagos
The real one wears differently. I wouldn't base a purchase on an homage. Best to try the real deal first and then make your decision :)
@@johnswatchjoint Thanks 🙏
I'll have to drive a few hours to Detroit but probably the best. I was hoping this was very similar so i could wear it awhile & get a feeling for the size & overall looks. I'm looking at a used one.
It's something you can never quite pin down and explain. Every watch you wear will feel different in balance, weight, comfort and to try and explain it from homage to homage is difficult enough 😆
I was excited because I thought it was 36mm. Why name it SHY036 for a 39mm watch??
They make many watches and their model numbers are sequential. Nothing to do with the size of the watch :)
This is a well made and good looking watch. But...when I'm in the market for a Pelagos homage I wouldn't want anything so shiny...
Aye... The buts are back!
Wonder how the black one would look like
A nice watch and a great price, But why could they not make the bezel with the matt/ brushing effect now that would be a bargain and in the basket.
I love the matte effect too but the dial is just too beautiful to waste it with that. They have used artistic licence and I love it in this case just because the colour is not of the normal pallette :)
@@johnswatchjoint It looks nice, I just so prefer a brushed bezel , but with the Sw200 for that price, wow. Currently wearing in my Octopus kraken 39mm pellie with PT5000. which I am loving. Thanks for the vids you did on the comparison.
Thx. I had to do this one as it is now a very valid frontrunner :)
Maybe they can make a nh35 with date window version it could be slightly cheaper too
bu saatlere tarih penceresi gitmez ayrıca bu saati başka bir marka yapsa en az 350 dolardan satardı,çok kaliteli bir saat
@@recepivedik606 bence de biraz dizaynını bozuyor ama fonksiyonellik katıyor. çinli markalar ucuza çok kaliteli saatler yapıyor ama bu model 150 euro altına düşmüyor nh35li yapsınlar da biz de alalım diye demiştim
Shy36 used to be my dating profile name back in the day…lol
Haha... Too much information 😉
This watch wich colour good
Io mi sono comprato il thorn marinemaster 200 molto buono
🤗
Shouldn't it have a date window to mimic the tudor
I guess they are not going for the full copy. The copier must have run out of ink prior to last production ;)
Was hoping to get mine for bluewatchmonday/Christmas but didn’t so I will have to lift a photo and pretend your wrist is mine! 😂😂😂.
Haha. Merry Christmas regardless :)
Still. Your choice. Thorn or Seestern?
Both are very good but I would opt for the Seestern as I have gotten Seestern watches wet before and they have never let me down 😉
@@johnswatchjoint Thanks for the answer. But everything is important to me. Quality of workmanship, finishing, I really love a good lume. For the beach-Casio😉Based on the totality of all factors. Still who?
Seestern
These watches challenge the mind and logic when it comes to buying and expensive marquee brand…. Any of these watches will give good service for years😃👍🇬🇧
I certainly hope so :)
Where did you get it from.ive ordered and paid for one from thorns website and haven't heard a thing,have I been conned
Didn't you purchase it from the link I provided on AliExpress?
@@johnswatchjoint no
I never buy direct. If you have not received an email confirmation but have had payment taken then raise a claim. I take it you paid via PayPal? Remember at this time of year deliveries can take up to three weeks but you should have a confirmation email with a tracking number.
@@johnswatchjoint no I paid on my debit card,I had better contact the bank,I think I've been scammed, not used to these overseas online purchases
Best to use PayPal and go via AliExpress. You have protection with both. In 18 months I have never lost out and it is better dealing with Ali than both eBay and Amazon. Do not believe the negative hype.
Is there a SS nh35 pelagos version on Ali?
There are lots. Just have a good search and you'll find a few. Have a look at my pelagos homage shootout on two parts from last year too :)
@johnswatchjoint want a stainless steel version of this as grade 2 titanium are scratch prone.. couldn't find a SS pelagos on your channel nor Ali express mate
I'm afraid you didn't look very hard . Have done it on my channel and there are ss versions in nh35 on AliExpress?!?
Hoe are the viewing angles, are the distorted like the Thorn BB58 hommage?
No. Excellent.
Very nice. Does anyone do a 42mm version?
San Martin.
Not sure how I would have missed it, don't suppose you know the model code?
.. Not off the top of my head no as there are 2 or 3 different versions. Just search San Martin Pelagos 42 :)
I want to pull the trigger badly on these homages - but "claimed water resistance" appeals to all the wrong parts of my Asperger's. I can't wear it if it's an engineering fake. I can't trust the manufacturers...yet. Can you pull resources to conduct filmed, independent pressure testing? I need a hero (hahaha).
Unfortunately I don't have the equipment to do that and it costs a lot of money. I review what I see. You could of course do it yourself :)
@@johnswatchjoint Ah yes but there is a channel that performs these very tests! I believe they did a Chronos test relatively recently on behalf of another youtube reviewer. Food for thought. It would be a good way to check and drive case quality while keeping prices low due to manufacturer competition. If not, i'll build, buy, test, and publish myself - though that will be a slow and painful accumulation of resources and equipment. I can't be the only dude that wants to know...the market is there.
There you go . Go for it. I already spend £1000 plus on watches every month so you doing this on your own would be great 😃
If they removed the Thorn from the dial and removed the ghost position, they would get my money right away. But as of now, I don't feel ready to look at an otherwise beautiful dial with a brand name on that makes me giggle every time. What is it with Chinese watch manufacturers and their inability to come up with decent brand names?
I agree on the ghost position but can't see anything wrong with the brand name!?!
@@johnswatchjoint It might just be me, but I always get a picture of Chris Hemsworth with a blond wig in my head every time I see a Thorn dial 😅
....err that's on you buddy 😂
🤔 polished titanium?
Yes. Difficult to accomplish but they have executed it very well. They also did this atop the lugs of their A10 :)
Are the indives printed or applied?
Applied
In reality the bracelet and case looks brownish not silver. Right?!
No? The silver has a darker tone but not brown.
@@johnswatchjoint Strange. Most Titanium Grade 2 watches looks brownish.
Sorry...I have to say I have seen a lot and would not describe them as that ? ;) we obviously see them differently but hey I am in my fifties now 😆
😉
Insopportabile la corona sterile ma, me ne farò una ragione quando lo avrò al polso..
£221 for a this Titanium watch in blue with an SW200.. I am off to hide my wallet, otherwise I could be in trouble.......
Uh oh.. Just survive till Christmas haha!
I might be alone but I'd prefer if you moved away from the copy cat "homages" over to focusing on the more interesting Ali watches from Merkur, Baltany, Mysterious Code, Escapement time etc if I'm being honest. I lost all my Grá for Chinese copy-print jobbies at juncture of my watch collecting career tbh.
Erm... Merkur... Check, Baltany check, Escapement Time check non Chinese watch reviews check. Valid criticism I will accept but not when you clearly have not watched my content of late
:(
@@johnswatchjoint I’ve been watching all of your videos of late, I’ve notifications turned on for you. I’m just suggesting you index in on the more obscure original designs and less on Tudor copies. I mentioned those because you’ve already covered em and those videos are my favourite videos of yours. It’s not even criticism, merely a suggestion.
Buddy. I work very hard on content and everyone has been asking for this. It is the new valid contender and should be covered. I get it both ways when I opt to be different. When I opt for merkur or Seagull or even Baltany the views tank. I have to be selective on what I do and as I said constructive criticism is welcome. I still don't think I am being unreasonable in my reply... Assuming I am allowed to reply in this flipping crazy world we live in. No offence meant just a heart felt response and I do appreciate you watching :)
@@johnswatchjoint absolutely! Do whatever is best for your channel and your audience, it’s your channel not mine sure, sorry for diverting your attention away from more useful things. 👍
No apologies required :) My subscribers are my most important things and they are like my family. Some of my more active commenters will actively argue with me sometimes because I am not always right but then it also works the other way so never feel you cannot comment. I am honest and will never do anyone an injustice. I do appreciate knowing how you feel. All the best John :)