Have I Found The Best Watch on AliExpress? San Martin SN0136-G Review
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- čas přidán 4. 01. 2024
- Its been a wee while but I am back.
Everybody asks the question ...
"What is the Best Watch You can Buy On AliExpress?"
It is a difficult one to answer straight out but having handled hundreds of watches and many dozens from AliExpress, I have a pretty good eye for what is special.
The San Martin SN0136-G GMT Diver is extra special. If you can get it at around the £200 to £220 it is giving you the specs, functionality and finishing seldom seen on a watches costing more than double that figure!
So is the San martin SN0136-G the best watch, the Best GMT, The best Dive-Style Watch or the just perfect GADA watch?
Link:
San Martin GMT Diver SN0136-G
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFm...
Please remember that prices in the video do not take into account your VAT and your local taxes.
For info.
Always check that your wristsize is suitable. This watch will fit 7.5 inch wrist max. Ask for extra links if in doubt.
Check out the review and let me know your views in the comments.
Remember, this is my opinion and everyone is allowed an opinion so please be respectful to me and to others in the comments.
The link provided above is an AliExpress affiliate link. Purchasing via this link will not cost you any more but you will be helping to support the channel going forward. Thank you for your support.
Quite often there is some detail on San Martin watch that doesn't work for me, be it a colour that doesn't match the rest or too strong faux patina - none of that is present here, this watch is just stunning, nigh on perfect!
Hi Alexander. Now this is a watch we can agree on ! For me to get the perfect fit on an SM never happens. For me to get an SM with its bezel aligned never happens. For me to get a dial on a SM that isn't in someway compromised never happens...except on this one. That H style bracelet makes a difference for the clasp too. I believe the adjustability is better. It is the best SM I have handled. There are other watches that come close but the sizing here nails it also :)
@@johnswatchjoint It's the same for me. More than once I was disappointed by San Martin for the reasons you mentioned. This is why I don't buy San Martin watches for the time being.
Longines has really been killing it design-wise these past couple of years.
There are definitely "conquest" vibes there for sure 😊
Yeah, about 90%
The green and gold colorway definitely gives a feel of the green and gold Alpinist ... a colorway I don't have yet but do enjoy.
Very nice - looking watch. Unfortunately I have absolutely no use for a GMT and I REALLY dislike the San Martin logo on their dials. Looks like that spare watch pillow will have to remain unused for a while longer. 😉
All the best with your medical results, John.
Superb watch. Wear it in good health (and I mean that!).
Many thanks my friend. You never think that thing will happen to you...and then someone says It could be ....trying to keep chipper :)
Why is the seconds hand red and GMT the same as the other ones?
I think they made a mistake there.
On the other colours they changed it. Here it blends really well and there is no legibility issue :)
I have recently picked up a few San Martin watches. I am impressed. This one is a really nice blending of a nontraditional green with gilt. The black bezel really makes the color pop. Well done on the review and best wishes for putting any health worries behind you!
Another great video & good looking watch. Wishing you all the best of health. Stay well my friend.
Fantastic review John! This is an absolute stunner with great proportions. Thanks for the dimensions on links. I love that these H-links are relatively short so we can finally get a good fit with the OTF clasp - something the longer oyster-style links really struggle with. Love it. Hope your back is getting better and your health issues get sorted mate. Cheers, Gorny.
Thanks mate :)
Great review of a beautiful watch 👍. I can see why you like it, but I still prefer my sn0116 on the beads of rice bracelet. Good luck with your results 🤞
Great review of a stunning looking watch! I really like the green dial and San Martin has done another great job on the bracelet and case finishing. I'm not totally sold on the inclusion of the GMT hand. I really hope your test results are ok 🙏
Thank you 😊
Hi John and
1. Happy new year
2. Get well soon
3. That really is a gorgeous and excellent watch. I agree with you and other comments, this watch seems to be just about perfect in every way. Went onto my wishlist for the upcoming sale.
Hiya buddy. Happy New Year to you too and thx 🙏
Thank you for doing this review. I'm very excited by this one. I think I'm gonna have to add this to the collection. I hope your health concerns turn out alright :)
No problem. It's a stunner. I am mending well :)
Fantastic review of a cracking watch John. And the color combo is 🔥🔥🔥 Good one 👍
Glad you enjoyed it my friend ☺️
Excellent quality finish and the color scheme is beautiful. I preferred applied logo at 12 rather than printed. Great job San Martin!
Love that color! I'm more of a fan of blue dials but that green is beautiful, it reminds me of the green that Longines uses on their Zulu Time. Yeah it's the show!
Hope everything goes well with the health issues. Thanks for the review. I agree…this is definitely one of the best watches on Ali.
Love the look of the dial and handset, just not a fan of Submariner style cases. And why does everything need to be a GMT these days? Good luck on the health front John. You have a lot of support from this community.
Thanks Dave 🙏
It sucks waiting for test results, but usually the truth of things is not so bad as our worst fears. I hope you get good news. As for the watch: I'm not into GMTs & wouldn't buy it, but it does look nice.
Very good choice John! Just love the green and gold! Incidentally the colors of my country's rugby team- the Springboks😊
Good luck with the results John. Hope all is Good Buddy!
Thanks Anton. Really stressed just now :/
John, you picked the right colour there! Stunning dial. Really like the way it's a gmt without shouting about it. Might be my favourite AE watch at the minute. Wonder how it would compare quality wise to a Seiko at twice the price... Most importantly though i hope your health improves. All the best.
Thanks Mark. Glad you like it :)
best wishes for you John, I hope you receive no bad news and enjoy great health
Thanks Ernesto 🙂
Hoping for good news John regarding your tests. My partner has been in pain for 6 months and has two minor surgeries planned for the start of this year so I know how hard it is for someone to do anything when in pain. I do like a green and gold watch but will try to resist temptation until later on this year. Good review as always.
Wow! The ultimate travellers diver! I'm impressed!
Very similar to the Longines Hydroconquest GMT. I hope you feel better soon.
Yes!!!! I'm so happy this is your favorite as this is the one I'm looking to buy in the next sale
Nice one :)
@johnswatchjoint heck, yeah :)
Thanks for confirming my feelings.
Also, I'm praying for you, brother. Be well, and I hope you're going to be okay.
Thank you :)
Wow. Thats a looker of a watch. I love it in all 3 colors. When's the next sale? This is on my short list - although I'm not really in the market for another dive style watch.
There is a sale of sorts in the next few days.
I was going to comment on the watch but now I just hope you’re results come good. All the best.
Much appreciated!
What I see is the Spirit Zulu if it had been a diver instead of a pilot.
Also brings to mind the new GMT HydroConquest. Kind of a lot, now that I look again.
As you said, it's a good-looking watch.
There is a lot of the conquest but not seeing the spirit in this one :)
Love the green! Thinking this will be my first watch of 2024 now. 😁🍻
Good choice!
I’ve got the SN019-G running PT5000 and wish it had the OTF clasp. I like this so much I may flip the SN019 which I’ve only worn 3 times for this in the green. Another good video, thanks. If you want to swap let me know 😊
One of the best things you can do in the watch hobby is to flip the watches you don't wear. For me I have a watch box of 12 pillows as a hard purchasing limit (so I don't lose my head). So anyways I was staring at my full collection of 12 this week and I wasn't happy. So I rearranged the pillows several different ways - based on brand; style, bracelet type; dial color - you name it. But no matter how I rearranged them I wasn't satisfied.
Anyways the epiphany came when I removed the only two pieces I basically never wear. All of a sudden everything felt great and I felt this great feeling of both joy and relief. Marie Kondo was right - if it doesn't "spark joy" you have to move it on Mark. I watch dozens of SOTC vids on CZcams, and when people say they downsize and then feel so much better, it's not actually the smaller size of the collection that makes the difference - it's moving on the pieces that give them unease.
Great review video! I purchased the same watch and color-way during the 11/11 sale. I have a 7.25/7.5 in wrist. Perfect fit. If you have a 7.5 or larger wrist you WILL need extra links. Every aspect of my watch is well executed. I love the color. Enjoy the fitment, finish and interaction of and with the watch. Good purchase 👍🏻
Thanks Jason
I have a 7.5 exactly, you think I would need links?
Yes. I always advise you look at the video description for the little extra bits of info you might need :)
Hi John! Thank you for a great review. Can you tell me if this piece has any sharp edges? Im afraid that the bezel has cutting edges like other SM watches.
No. This watch has excellent finishing 🙂
That watch is straight fire, very 1970s colours. Gorgeous!
Love the green on this. I bought a Pagani Hulk back in the day but that green was much too bright for me so had to be sold on, I’ve been scared of purchasing green dials ever since. This gives me Seiko Alpinist 017 vibes (a grail watch that i regretfully missed out on)
That's interesting because I bought two Steeldive SD1953's (submariner homage) - one green sunburst, one blue sunburst. The green dial is terrible as it reflects light in harsh bright white streaks which affects readability. The blue is totally different and just has much less reflectivity and the difference between light and dark is much less and is very readable at all times. You'd think they'd be essentially the same bar the color difference, but they play with the light completely differently where the green one becomes unreadable but the blue is fine. Needless to say I flipped the green one and kept the blue.
This looks great in that colour John.i have similar colour way on one of my seiko chronographs green is slightly darker though 👍
Very nice!
Absolutely love that green sunburst dial, San Martin have come a long way in a short time, I might just be having to get myself one......another Aliexpress sale coming up this week
Sounds like a good excuse to nab one :)
I’m not sure why my comments seem to disappear from your channel from time to time. Anyway. Great watch. Great review. Looking forward to more great San Martin watches and your reviews of them. Get well soon!
Hi Albert. I have noticed that both you and Bensy seem to get isolated for approval from time to time. When that happens I of course approve your comments. The bots pick the strangest comments to isolate. So don't think I am deleting your comments buddy:)
@@johnswatchjoint It’s all good. I promise I’m not saying anything remotely inappropriate. And I know it is CZcams and not you. Good thing I tend to watch your videos more than once.
One thing I have discovered is that if you have a lot of comments getting flagged for review, YT can suspect it as being spam and it can be deleted for a deemed policy violation !?! Hopefully that is not the case but I will try and get a hold of a human, if possible to get to the bottom of it. It is as annoying to me as it must be to you. Sorry Albert :)
Stay safe and get better soon!
I hope you got favorable results on your tests my friend!
As soon as the Miyota traveller 9075 was announced I put myself firmly on that team so for me the NH34 is a no. That aside if it were just a three hander I'd be fully on board with your verdict. Good luck with your health issue.
Another top video John. The bezel looks very Omega. The colour is nice, I have a little problem with the hands, being a diver the hands could be a little bigger. Our opinions are as you say, very subjective. I just bought the Steeldive 1957 at half the price of the San Martin and I am very happy with it. For me, the 1957 is probably the best I have seen on Alie...I hope and pray that the medical results go your way.
Hi Kenneth. I appreciate your informed opinion. Thanks for your concern :)
All the best to you John, lovely looking watch but I'm another in the "don't need a GMT" camp, so I just wouldn't buy one, only three handers for me, cheers and fingers crossed for you.
They should do an NH35 version of this with Oris Aquis style bezel inserts, and colours. The Cherry Red dial would be awesome.
This in blue looks so good. What do you like better…this gmt or the Seestern GMT that you just gave away? Thanks
Personally....and that is subjective , I believe the San Martin is the best watch available on AliExpress but only in green..the other colours do not work well. The Seestern is beautiful but with only two micro adjusts on the clasp it may not fit everyone on the bracelet.
Love gmt’s, this watch looks great, prefer 42 for bigger wrist than u but I understand if they did that, everyone would complain to big. Bezel sounds good but prefer bi directional in keeping with genuine gmt and lastly I like bezel numbered 1 to 12 which when I travel a lot is far more useful than jumps of divers tens. It’s S spectacular dress watch in many ways…will keep an eye on sales. Thanks
I think this one is San Martin's best daily wearer and I love this colourway. I think their SN0129 grand Seiko homage is their best overall watch but it's a bit bling for an everyday piece.
It does look nice but it is rather dressy and the polished centre links did not go down well for most on first impressions. Thanks for sharing ☺️
What a beauty! I really like the green color, the gold details and how the GMT hand is done in a modest way, which fits this watch very good. It is ar real pity that the San Martin watches are almost 150 pounds more expensive here (Netherlands)
I don't understand why you would pay £150 more. That equates to 75% tax!
@@johnswatchjoint Using your link and with the bracelet it comes to 371,38 euros and I don,t think it is tax. San Martin asks higher prices here and i am not willing to pay what they ask.
Have you checked your settings in AliExpress as in currency and country selection. I had an issue happen before where my default settings had changed and they had me down as Argentinian instead of UK. I have other Dutch buyers who do not experience that! You can also try another store or maybe by the same watch via Watchdives. They are excellent to deal with :)
I tried the link ( Dutch too ) and it showed 311 Euro, but when i click on buy it shows some discounts which makes the price 252 Euro.
Lovely watch and I'm tempted but I'm a little watched out for the time being. I wear green all the time so this would go with pretty much everything.
I hope you don't get bad news and all the best to you regardless. Not a good way to start a new year.
I love your cat by the way. 🐈
Thank you kindly. She is giving me plenty of hugs 🤗
Also, I’ll be praying for your health concerns. Stay strong 😊
Ohhhhhh….this one has some magic….i may need to own this!
My wrist begins at 7.25 and tapers increasingly larger toward my forearm. At the wrist bone it is 7.5 inches. The watch fit me perfectly utilizing all extensions in the clasp. When my wrist swelled I no longer had a comfortable fit. If I were you, I would request at least one extra link. The bracelet and clasp are worth the effort.
Good advice.
Sorry to hear about your
health issues. Hope your test results are OK. If it's any help you clearly have lots of well wishers around - including me. 😊
Thanks buddy. Much appreciated ☺️
I really do love the look of this watch. I am just not into GMT's. For me, the extra hand spoiles the aesthetics of a watch. I am probably in the minority here as they appear to be very popular. Each to their own, though.
Yep. You are entitled to your opinion here my friend. Thanks for watching :)
If San Martin decides to make a version 2 of this watch, they should consider moving the date window to 6 and perhaps use sword hands for better legibility.
Cracking watch John, although that colourway is just too “blingy” for my tastes, the blue or black however👍.
Hopefully you don’t have too long to wait for the results, and when they come its as positive as one can hope
Stay well pal
Cheers Alistair 🙏
Nice 👌🏻.. does this one exist without gmt function?
No :(
This might be my first san martin 😮😊
It's the most complete San Martin I have handled. Most have a niggle or two but this is just awesome
I don’t know if the best but top 3 maybe and the competitors are … other SM as well 😂 or Sugess.
I’m close to picking one 🧐
For me it's the only SM that hasn't had some QC , size problem or uninspired dial. There are other brands that come close but this size is just perfect for most too :)
Interesting, taste that is; this watch doesn't tickle my fancy in the least (the screw pins do, lol) .The SN0054-G-C, however, does especially as I got it for $185 during the last big sale.
Thanks for watching. Everyone has their own tastes. I will just keep bringing you options so you can browse at your leisure :)
Hope for good news. Best wishes John!
Thanks bud .
So this is basically a Longines Hydroconquest GMT homage. Looks good.
There are definite cues but have a close look :)
Yeah. Best colour I've seen. 😊
I think so too!
@@johnswatchjoint I never liked green until I got my Panerai style 500m steeldive.
Then I got my 1901 bronze steeldive 1000m.
Both are my favorite watch things.
Different green but like no other watch I seen.
Yeah. That's is a wonderful watch.
If it were bronze id not eat to buy.
I didn't eat much til I got my sea ghost bronze. Great wave dial. All lumed. Even bought a extra dial.
Nuts this hobby gets.
Perhaps I missed it but is the bezel color brown or black?
Black
Oh my word I'm actually first
Beautiful watch, I would buy a non- gmt with no date (nh38) if they want to make one for me!
Is it better than the sn121t? And the sn004 v2?
In my opinion yes...in this colourway. :)
@@johnswatchjoint I agree, the green color is stunning. Thanks. I got the seiko alpinist in green, I might not need this one. 😌 🤷
Nice looking watch. One thing I don’t understand with San Martin though is why they make their bracelet links so thick.
In this case the tool -like bracelet balances out the head of the watch beautifully. I am really surprised at how good this watch is...in this colourway anyway...as SM have been very good but not great for me in the past. This watch is excellent.
@@johnswatchjoint I fully agree with you, this watch in this color way is absolutely beautiful. And, this bracelet, with the micro adjust, and the overall design, is in my opinion, their best yet. I really like it. I just wish they made the links just a bit thinner.
I’m probably splitting hairs.
P.S. I really like their beads of rice bracelets they are putting on their original design watches as well, although I know those are kind of polarizing as well.
I actually don't mind beads of rice bracelets. I am thinking of adding the Baltic Hermetique to my collection and would choose that option :)
@@johnswatchjoint I had to google the Baltic. That’s a beauty!
My next purchase will be a GMT and I’m probably going to go the the Glycine Airman but I must admit, the San Martin SNO 116 with beads of rice has me second guessing just a little bit! 😂
This watch you just reviewed is as well. I love that green!
It is amazing. I am glad I opted for that as I saw The Watchers review of the black one and it just looks ordinary. The green colour makes it with this one :)
Longines Conquest GMT homage. A lot of reviewers don't mention this.
It is kinda but there are a lot of differences. A lot of reviewers don't mention the watch being homaged for fear of having their channel deleted. Unfortunately YT don't know themselves that Homages are legal and are not actually f*ke watches :(
@@johnswatchjoint I understand. It's normal for these brands to make a few changes though. You hardly find homages that are 1:1 copies unless they're for a vintage model that will never be made again. They have to differentiate the model through those small changes to avoid the scrutiny.
30 seconds is not my experience with these GMT movements. In real life they are between 7 and 12 seconds. I have had FOUR now.
The Miyota movements I have come across if they are regulated well can be accurate but in my experience, I have 3 micros with the 9015 inside are about the same as nh35s. The most accurate movement I have encountered in budget watches is the Miyota 8203 in the Promaster line. I still own one but have had many to within 2 to 3 secs per day. The newer hacking 8204 is less accurate and is comparable to the nh35. I have not had experience with the Miyota true GMT.
Very snozzy! Size is ace.
Longines Hydroconquest GMT homage?
In a fashion but a lot of differences :)
Face looks very like a Orient Kamatsu (which is no bad thing).
Hope it is good news, John.
Nice but it looks like they put the GMT and seconds hands the wrong way round. I would expect the red to be the GMT.
In hand there is no mistaking the hands. The red top on the seconds hand actually makes legibility better :)
@@johnswatchjoint Yeah just my GMTs are all red handed. Once you are used to it...
I thought exactly the same as you when I first saw it run but if the red triangle was stationary it just wouldn't work with the colour scheme. They have actually been quite clever and it just works. This is the first SM that has delivered on potential...and boy has it!
When are you going to review the San Martin SN0129?
Thanks for asking. No plans to.
@@johnswatchjoint Any particular reason or are you just not interested in doing it?
Cost and the reaction to polished centre links. Most don't like it. I tried selling the Baltany Explorer after my review and it took 2 months to sell as polished centre links killed it. I have to pick and choose sometimes in order to keep review costs down too :)
Yes but is it better than the orient kamasu? We need a comparison
The Kamasu doesn't come close. Sorry. I have owned many Orients over the years and they just don't compare in terms of quality of finish nor quality in the bracelet, clasp department.
There is no more excuse for any brand that doesn't offer an on-the-fly adjustable bracelet.
Any genuine on line platform to purchase san martin ..?
This is a genuine platform. The link provided is to the San Martin Official Store on AliExpress. I have used them multiple times and you have added protection both via the platform and with PayPal by using them for payment.
Ok, not bad ..
Amazon has it for $369.90
Is that the price on AliExpress?
? The price is in the video! Roughly £220 or $279 with applied coupons so Amazon is $90 more expensive.
Hello!
I think San Martin are making a mistake with such a bright logo on many dials, as it is in the same position, and same size, and just as prominent as the hour hand snow flake on my BB58 lookalike (SN008C) - this green model has a more muted gold logo and ok.
The logo here is just the way it should be. Present but not in your face as it normally is. They have got so much right with this one.
@@johnswatchjoint I think he means this one is fine but for the blue and black dials - the white printed logo screams too loud. I have a SM Ranger homage SN0107-G4 with gloss black dial and gilt indices like this and the gold logo at 12 (like the watch reviewed) is great. But I had another SN0107 with a printed white logo and I found that it was too bright and distracting and also is the same color as the lume on the hands, and anyway I flipped that one.
I think San Martin could improve by ditching the white-printed logo for a more subtle silver-grey paint, or using the applied silver logo (which I like but I know some don't). The gold printed logo is fine, as is a black printed logo on a light or white dial.
Yeah I see what he is saying and I agree. The gold here is just perfect. I really don't like the logo at all, printed or applied but on this watch it subtly blends in somehow :)
Beautiful watch…. With stuff like this available why buy a premium brand?
...you have really hit the nail on the head. The quality, the versatility and the value in this piece beggars belief!
Hvave no need for a GMT, but surely count my very best wishes on your health issues John. Regards
Thank you :)
Very seiko alpenist
Similar sort of colourway but a completely different style of watch :)
Beautiful watch but for that price I would spend my money on other classic brand
Let me know what classic brand would get you that spec for £217. Pretty rare I would think 🤔
@@johnswatchjoint just a few : a vintage skx007, a Seiko Chrono , a Tissot Prx quartz , a Citizen Promaster , let me know and if I browse a little I can give you a long list buddy
Sapphire crystal and Seiko NH34, ceramic bezel insert otf adjustable clasp, solid end links....where?
Watch porn! Green, gold, gorgeous, beautifully machined. Yet another watch you'r making me desire John. Good luck with your health wishing you the very best. No.1 AliExpress watch reviewer by a mile! 😍
Thank you buddy. So many concerned comments. Just waiting to see what the results are. Scared s**tless 🫢
If San Martin drop in the Miyota 9075 they will ship watches by the truck load. Not interested at all on an office GMT
It's good to have choice but personally I think traveller GMT is a fad fuelled 100% by Rolex envy, and people who haven't used both in practice. I remember myself 3 years ago thinking "true GMT or death!". Besides realising that the term "true GMT" is for idiots, I've realised after using both types, that "traveller GMT" is only better for for like 1% of people who regularly travel between time zones (pilots, flight attendants, international sports stars, multinational CEOs), or which I am none of these things, and that caller GMT is far better for me and for the other 99% of people. This is because after they go flat, when setting the watch after recharging, caller has 2 benefits (1) quick-set date, and (2) GMT hand never needs to be touched as it's coupled to the standard 12-hour handset.
A traveller GMT is a PITA to set date as you (1) have to spin the hour hand round and around and do two full rotations just to move one day, and (2) set the GMT hand and time hands separately every time. Like I said with a caller GMT, once you set the time, the GMT hand takes care of itself, which is so much easier.