Are Chinese Watches Challenging Swiss? - San Martin SN0148 Review

All right guys, so it's been a while since I've checked out a watch from San Martin, that's because the previous one I reviewed I said was possibly peak San Martin, but spoiler, I think this one takes it to a whole other level again. So the question I'm posing with this video is, why buy Swiss when you can get a Chinese watch this good? So this is the review of the San Martin SN0148. So as we all know, the prices of San Martin watches keep going up, but they aren't always what they appear to be on the listings though. So the current listed price of this is £329, $440, €380. But don't click off just yet, because that isn't the actual price you're going to pay. So the price listed is the one that includes tariffs for guys in the US, but that's before you include all the discounts and coupons that you can actually apply to it. So the price will come down to £293, $392 and €338. But again, it's not that simple, at least if you're in the UK like I am. So the actual checkout price goes down to £244. So suffice to say, it is pretty complicated and confusing. This is why I don't normally include prices for AliExpress watches in the reviews. So hopefully that all did make sense. If not, just check the link in description and then you can see exactly what it's going to be for you. The discount codes and coupons should apply automatically, but just check in the actual basket or on the checkout page, so you can see what price you will actually end up paying. So now all that's out of the way, let's talk about this dial, because that is the first thing that jumps out. So it's a textured, sunburst, gradient, enamel dial. But before we get into more detail on that, first of all, let's go over the dimensions. So we've got a diameter of 40mm, thickness of 11.3mm, lug width of 20mm. Then the all important lug to lug, it's coming at a 49.2mm. Then when it comes to the weight, on this supplied bracelet, with all the links included, it's coming at 151g, and then size for my 7-inch wrist, it's coming at about 144g. So let's take a closer look at this, starting with the clasp, because there is some really nice stuff going on here. Some slightly different stuff that you might have seen before as well. So we've got the branding on the buckle there, with the Sam Martin hexagonal logo, then a nice polished chamfered edge on it, double pushers, milled clasp. Now this is where it gets a bit different, as we've got a new style on the fly adjustable clasp. So you can see we've got the plus and minus on there, so really easy to use. Just push that down, and then it'll slide back and forth really easily, and a good level of adjustment there as well. And then when it comes to the case back, that's nothing special, it's just a plain screw down case back. I would have liked to have seen them add something on there. But now getting on to the bracelet itself, and this is really nice. So it's a five link bracelet, but as you can see we've got polished chamfers on all of those different edges, so they play with the light really nicely. Otherwise it's a fully brushed bracelet, and because everything is polished chamfered edges on basically the whole watch, there's no sharp edges at all, and it wears really nicely, really comfortable. And then we've got screw links there as well. But now let's move on to the head of the watch, and start talking about that. So we've got that satin crown there again with that Sam Martin logo, and it's a fully brushed case, again just broken up with some nice polished chamfers, which really catch the light, as you can see in this outdoor shot. And you can probably also tell as well, we've actually got them on the top and on the bottom of the case. So again, as I said, no sharp edges anywhere on this watch. But now let's get on to that stunning dial, and show you that in a bit more detail, because there is quite a lot going on. So we've got applied indices and applied logo, and then that color match date window at the three o'clock. Personally I prefer them down to the six as you guys know, but it's nicely done. With that silver frame around it, matching the surrounds on the indices. Got nice proportions on all the hands as well, and they are a nice high polish, so when the light catches them, as well as that dial, it really does come alive. And the light also catches all of those polished chamfers on the bracelet and on the case. So again, it just looks fantastic I think. But now let's check whether we have actually got sapphire crystal on this or not, using the trusty Diamond Select 2. And yep, we have got sapphire crystal, as you'd probably expect at this kind of price. So now let's get on to the bezel and talk about that. So it's a 120 click ceramic bezel. Nice clicky action. No back play at all. Not too heavy, not too light. They've got it spot on. And then when it comes to the alignment, I think mine might be ever so slightly off to the left, but I'm talking very slightly. Not really noticeable, unless you're really looking for it. So when it comes to the movement, we've got the Miyota 9015. So if we unscrew the crown, pop it out to the first position, we can change that date. Then pop it out to the second position. Second hand stops, we've got hacking. And then obviously we can just change the time. And then pop it back in. Second hand will re-engage. Hand winding. All works well. And again, nice and grippy crown. Nice size, so it's easy to get back in. I do like these 9015 movements. The only slight issue I have is that you do get a little bit of rotor noise now and then, but I can deal with that. So now let's check out if the lume is up to San Martin's usual standards. So the lume we've got on here is not BGW-9, it's actually BGW-X1. So that's even better than BGW-9. And we've got plenty on there as well. So plenty on the hands, indices, and also that fully loomed bezel. And initially at least it's looking pretty consistent across all of them. No patchiness at all. But the question as always is, what is the longevity like? So let's speed this up now and find out. So to begin with, as you'd expect, there isn't a great deal of change. But as we keep going, you are going to notice that the bezel will fade slightly. The hands and indices don't actually fade all that much to be honest, which is always good to see if something is going to fade more than the other. Still no patchiness as well. Still got the lume on that second hand too. So as we've come to expect with San Martin, really impressive lume. It's going to last you all night, no problems at all. The BGW-X1 is doing its job. So hopefully by now you can see why I'm so enamored with this watch and why I think it is right up there with some of those Swiss brands, not just Michael brands now. The overall level of quality is just really impressive. But as good as it is, it isn't quite perfect. No watches. So now let's go over the pros and cons, show you what it's like on wrist, and then you can decide whether you want to pick one of these up or not. And here it is on my seven inch wrist. So I think it looks fantastic, as you've probably guessed by now. I really like this upgraded on the fly adjustable clasp, and also the fact that we've got that nice polished chamfer on the edge, and on the bracelet, and also the case. As I say, polished chamfers everywhere on this. So no sharp edges, but you still get that nice bit of light play with it. But otherwise it's a fully brushed watch, so you don't really need to worry about scratching too much. Not going to be any polished sections that are going to like scuff up really quickly and easily. So it wears nice and slim on wrist, with that Miyota 9015 movement that managed to keep the case thickness down. Although perhaps they could have had a little bit more curvature to the lugs. But when it comes to the dial, they've absolutely nailed that. There's a lot going on there, with it being enamel gradient textured sunburst dial. But I think it looks stunning myself. But do you agree? I'd like to see them come up with some more colours as well, because you've only really got green and blue. I think the black might be a little bit boring, but I'm sure they'll add more dial colours if this one sells well. Which I'm pretty sure it will do, despite that pretty high price for an AliExpress watch. But I think you've just got to reframe how you look at this. Yeah, it's being sold on AliExpress, but I'd say more it's either a micro brand, or just a normal non-AliExpress brand at this point. Especially when it comes to their original design watches. They're doing a lot more of them now, and as I keep saying, the quality overall is right up there. It's able to compete with Swiss watches in my opinion, and in some ways you could argue it even outdoes them. And it also does it for less money. So if you look at it like that, you could argue this is a bit of a bargain if anything. Yes, it doesn't have the heritage of some of those brands, but for me personally, that's not really an issue. I've never been the type of person who's been attracted to brands just because they have a name. I go for the quality of the product no matter what it is. I'm not into paying a premium just to have a certain name on something. And the quality on display here is right up there. And that can't always be said of the bigger brands. Sometimes I think they lean on the heritage far too much, and they've got far too complacent. But I'd love to know what you guys think down in the comments. The only thing that you could maybe argue is missing is a nice design on the case back. But realistically, how often are you going to be looking at that anyway? Especially when you've got a dial this good looking. And if you are interested in picking one of these up, don't forget to use that link down in the description. That is an affiliate link. It does help support the channel, but you don't pay any extra. And if you want to see the previous San Martin watch that I talked about at the start of this video, where I said it's peak San Martin, I'll leave a link to that at the end in case you haven't seen it. But they've definitely hit new heights with this one. When you think they can't get any better, they go and surprise you again. But that's it for this one, guys. Thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next one.