San Martin 6200 BB58 Retro V2. New for 2023! The Best Budget Diver Just Got Better! Matte Ceramic!
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- watchdives.com...
When I first launched this channel back in August 2022 I had no idea that quite a few Chinese homage watches could punch well above their weight, but I knew that a fair few could not punch their way out of a wet paper bag!!
The San Martin 6200 BB58 Retro SN004 has always been exceptional though.
When I first got it in for review I was shocked ( in a good way) at the quality given its price point. The San Martin 6200 BB58 Retro SN004 V1 was beast.
Link to my original V1video:
• The Best Small Dive Wa...
Roll forward one year and WatchDives in collaboration with San Martin have produced an upgraded San Martin 6200 BB58 Retro SN004.
Welcome to the San Martin 6200 BB58 Retro SN004 V2!
This watch has already captured the imagination of many but this new 2023 version will no doubt attract many more followers given its price point of only $219.
The San Martin 6200 BB58 Retro SN004 V2 in 2023 has a redesigned bezel, more in keeping with the true aesthetic of the watch it homages. It also has the upgrade everyone wanted...a matte ceramic bezel insert!
It makes a huge difference. The lume seems brighter...and it was excellent before, but it also has the new "On The Fly" adjustable clasp"
What's not to like?
You can get yours at WatchDives in Black with Gilt or in Blue with White accents.
The following is an affiliate link. purchasing via this link will not cost you any extra but you will be helping to support the channel going forward. Thank you for your support :)
watchdives.com...
Just got my copy today, and I am blown away - I agree with everything you say in your review ! This is a stunning watch and the matte ceramic bezel just makes the watch !! As a bonus, everyting lines up perfectly on my watch ! 🙂 I have a 20 cm wrist and had to remove just one link from the bracelet, after which I was able to adjust to a perfect fit with the on the fly adjustable clasp ! I must say - I cannot fault this watch ! Even the ghost date position of the NH35 caliber, I can easily look past ! Normally I prefer my watches with a date complication, which is why I would not fork out the hefty sum of money for the real Tudor - but at the very reasonable price of this San Martin/Watchdives version, I can live with the lack of a date in rotation with my other watches ! Thanks for the inspiration - your review was the direct reason for me ordering this particular version instead of the 41 mm version of San Martin (the 39mm diameter of the bezel of this watch is just right) !! Cheers - Peter
Hi Peter. I am so glad that you put your trust in my review. That is why I do it and I love to here great results such as this. Wear it in very good health. Seasons Greetings to You and Yours 🤗
@@johnswatchjoint ....... and to You and Yours as well, John ! :-)
Ahh the classic returns. We do need more matte inserts don't get me wrong I love a little bling but there's something about a nice matte insert that just aligns it more with the style of the watch.
I bought this watch about 3 months ago now and I just can't stop wearing it. I initially thought when I opened the box that I couldn't pull off a 39mm watch. The smallest I've ever felt comfortable with has been 41. I have to say. This thing is a beast. So well put together, a solid, well-built, beautiful piece that really should cost much much more. This is one I'll keep for a long time. Great review.
Thanks for that Mike. Glad you like it too :)
I agree with you, it is a huge upgrade. Yet I would even like it better if they ditched the metal ring between the bezel insert and the crystal and changed said crystal to a real box domed one. And of course sort the misalignment out, but as you say...what a difference a year makes. So let's hope for Version 3!
Yeah they almost completely nailed it but it's a brilliant upgrade :)
Agreed it would be better but the original has the same ring.
You should look at the new San Martin sn0138.. it's everything you've asked for
You need to subscribe . I did a San Martin Triple review a couple of weeks back and reviewed it there. Wore it for the last couple of days ;)
I've owned this exact watch for about a year (V1), and I adore it. It has the best bezel action in the biz, the lume is fantastic, and due to the short lug-to lug, it wears smaller than the 39mm bezel would imply. The one thing mine lacked was the new SM on-the-fly adjustable clasp, which makes this one almost perfect. Simply put, it's a great watch at a great price. Thanks for brining it to us, John. Oh, and I'm digging the matte bezel!
Hi Dayne. Glad you're still rocking the V1. It is a cool watch. The matte bezel insert really changes it up :)
Just ordered the SN0138-G (BB54) 37mm case for my 6¾" wrist, not my first SM, can't wait for it to arrive 👌🏻
Nice one ;)
Just purchased one after watching your video, cant wait to get my hands on it too. thanks for your wonderful review :)
Glad I could help!
Received mine yesterday and I am so very happy I waited for the V2! It is practically perfect and at this reasonable asking price I think you’d be hard pressed to find a better value. The high quality finishing astonishes me and I cannot stop looking at it. Great review!
Great to hear...wear it in good health my friend :)
The watch just arrived, the color match between the bezel and dial is almost perfect. Lume lasts all night. For the price I paid I cannot ask for more. Highly recommended
Glad you like it 😊
I agree with you about the bezel. Makes it look much cleaner
It really changes it up :)
YES! John refrains from speaking while commenting on the sound of the dial bezel. TY
Ordered using your link. I have been waiting for San Martin to release the perfect version. This looks like it is it.
Thank you. You will love it :)
I bought the v1 that comes with the reddish brown faded leather dial. What a beautiful watch! My only niggle is the highly reflective ceramic insert which does not fit the retro style of the watch. The matt finish on this version looks so much better, I probably will get this one too in the next sale. Thanks for the review
Thanks for sharing!
Hey John,
Thanks so much for the great review.
The close ups are very well done and I can't wait to hold these watch in my hands.
My pleasure!
Colour coded chapter ring makes all the difference. Got the blue one coming soon and cant wait!!
Nice :)
Thanks for showing off this matte bezel Watchdives special edition San Martin, John. The matte black rehaut and dial, with the matte bezel, red triangle and BB style bezel edge are a nice combo.
It's 3yrs warranty via Watchdives, iirc.
I only said two because that's what it says on the official site ;)
@@johnswatchjoint Probably no effective difference if it's not needed/used aside from initial build quality issues, but the old 3yr offer was generous (in theory!).
Yeah Bensy. I had to be careful as other watches on their site say 3 years and I also thought that was the case but the listing specifically says 2 years :)
This is what I am waiting for matte + seiko movement, and keeping the oyster bracelet and not the rivet ones…plus the improve adjustable clasp… very nice.
Good to hear 😊
I'm fan of San Martin and I like this piece. I have some other snowflake hands watches and I was more drawn to the Mercedes hands and 369 dial of the Thorn watch so went with that one, but used a San Martin bracelet on it!
Wow! Best looking San Martin ever made imo
Great watch. Buy it mot for the "homage", but for its own merits.
The OG returns! Seems like a great watch got even better. Very nice!
I love it....now to adjust that bloody bezel insert! SM never used to have this issue but it seems par for the course now :/
Excellent watch and fantastic review.
V2 looks flawless with the MATT finish bezel insert... Nh35 are bombproof but you are right delete the ghost position with a NH38 ... ive the SN008G 40mm its my fav homage.. only own two san martins the SN008G AND SN012G white full lumed dial also flawless ...Great review showing what they should of done from day one MATT BEZEL INSERT...
:)
Fantastic review. I've been subscribed for a while now. I think we have similar tastes in watch designs - especially after watching many of your reviews.
In any event, with regards to this particular version...I recently ordered, and have received it. I still have both the original black gilt, and blue models. So, I'm able to offer some comparison that I hope may also be helpful.
1) You're right, the new version gives a much different look. The bezel inserts on the original are much more glossy, and the bezel grip (coin edge) on the new model has a more luxurious/refined look. The new bezel insert has been described as a "Matte black", but I have to say it's more than that. It's definitely a "Warmer" feel, as you mentioned. However, after wearing it a few days now, I wanted to add my insights. If I had to describe the insert color, I would call it an "Earthy black". In certain lights it has almost a flat grayish black hue, while in others, it's almost a chocolate brown tone. Either way, it much more matches and accentuates the tone of the dial. Looking at it earlier in the day, it almost had an earth grayish feel overall whereas now it almost has a deep black brown feel. Whatever- I really like it. It's definitely a different aesthetic and feel from the original. Both are great, but this new one I would rate better.
However, one interesting thing I just noticed on this model while sitting at the pub, that I haven't on my other two models is in low light the color match of the hands to indices is slightly different. The hands appear almost a glowing cream colored white, while all the indices appear a more yellowish neon in low light. Having said that, I actually like the contrast, and in most situations the hands blend perfectly with the color of indices.
2) Finally, the bracelet was always great. But that @$#%&ing on the fly adjustable clasp is a game changer. Honestly, it's one of the best adjustable clasps I've experienced.
My original SN004 came with the riveted bracelet, which was a PIA to adjust, but looks fantastic. I may order another adjustable clasp from SM to see if I can make it work on the riveted bracelet. I'll let you know...
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you for the review. I always enjoy hearing your perspective, and look forward to more. Kind regards from the other side of the Atlantic...
Hi glen and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Also thank you for your long term support 🙏. I really appreciate it!
This is my best watch, its perfect
It's perfect depending on your wrist size. The clasp adjustment doesn't quite cover a full link's worth of adjustment so there's a small percentage of people who can't dial in the correct size and I'm one of them. Ideally SM should make half-links available as a separate orderable item just for the oyster style bracelet. I had to solve the issue by switching over to the jubilee (bought separately). The benefit there is the jubilee links are so small they are all like half-links, so I can get a perfectly sized bracelet with jubilee, but not with oyster style unfortunately. I'll need to do some wrist curls in the gym to bulk it fit.
@@thegorn my wrist size is 6.2 inch so is hard to find good divers like this one that fit juat right
It looks fantastic and great to get your thoughts on the V2
Thanks!
What a handsome watch! You're right, feels much more like a tool watch, and a fine value. Thanks, John!
My pleasure Thomas :)
Great review ! I was sizing mine and watching this.. Sadly, the pins were hell tough to pull out after using the included pin pusher. I gave up..
Likely bring them to a watch seller to size them.. 😅
Just the usual pin tool and plastic hammer on a plastic block. Easy easy. I never use those pin pushers.
Merci pour cette excellente revue, une version avec date serait parfaite pour moi
The NH-38 isn't even a thought to me. NH-35 makes me look at the dial to see where the date is located. Seeing none I think "ghost date" and move on. 😄
Why so many people care for it? You just pull the crown all the way and calibrate the time. Why would you care for the ghost date?
I got the black and blue version V1 some time ago and I love them both. I reckon the black version on a sale it’s a must, that bezel insert looks exquisitely made. Great review as always John, lovely to have you back again too! 😊
Hi there and glad to be back. I had both as well and kept the black one for a while but the glossy ceramic just didn't sit right...this one changes the look dramatically! :)
I just got the blue one in (present for my son), and I have to say, it's very nice! I have the V1 black dial, and I don't like the glossy bezel. The new version looks great, and that new adjustable clasp is excellent. I will likely get one of these for myself some day soon too.
What a great pressie for your son!
How did my cat end up in this video🤔.....he must have a twin😊
Great review I just had to buy one !
Haha. Nice one ;)
I will buy this watch. I really wanted the matte bezel. I wish it had a date complexion but that’s just me
Nice 👍
Picked this beautiful watch up just this week. My only other watches are a Christopher Ward and a Shinola. It’s not CW quality , but it beats Shinola and it also blows my previous Seiko diver (sold) out of the water. Surprised at how WD-SM pulled this off.
Thanks for commenting. It is a nice piece 😊
Ordered! Great review
Hope you enjoy it!
Great review John. I own the previous version of this watch in blue, and definitely like the improvements made resulting in this new V2 which I may buy in the featured color. Just a lovely watch mate. Thank you for sharing.
No problem my friend 😉
@@johnswatchjoint 👍🙌
Man san martin does watch case really well im gonna have to get one
Best I've seen from them for a while 😄
Great one, maybe except for the blue AR.
Great review, nice watch, but the snowflake hand puts me off Tudor homages.
I think the snowflake hour hand looks a bit out of place when there are circular lum plots like on a BB58, but on a pelagos style of dial where the lum plots are squares or rectangles, then the snowflake hands are *chef's kiss*
Thank you for your great review John! I just got mine a few days ago and did not regret it. I'm seriously considering getting the blue version too. Would you happen to know if it has a matte dial that goes well with the matte blue ceramic insert? cheers
Hi there. For me personally it doesn't work in that colour as they don't match that well. :(
The watch is awesome! I was ready to pull the trigger but the blue ar absolutely ruins it for me unfortunately:(. Just why on black watch? I will never understand.
You hardly notice it
@@johnswatchjoint Thank you for the reply. Sorry for the rant.
No worries...it seems watch reviewing makes you a target!
@@johnswatchjoint I have four San Martins bought in the last month: three Tudor Ranger homages (SN0107).... will give away two.... and the Tudor Pepsi GMT homage (SN0109). For all four watches, you can't see an AR tint at all which I absolutely love. There is definitely AR coating applied as the clarity is great, so I am very surprised this one you reviewed has an AR coating blue tint. If you've seen the watch models I have, then does this watch you've reviewed compare to the San Martins I have, in terms of AR tint? Just like @superdad4324, a blue AR tint is a deal breaker. It has to be optical grade or I won't buy it. Not a rant - just a fact I'm sharing. Thanks.
EDIT1: On second viewing, it seems you are showing the watch with a computer monitor just out of view? Monitors give off a lot of blue light, so what we think might be the AR tint might actually be the monitor color temperature and blue light. Look at the blue light on top of the case at 8:01. I suggest that in future reviews, it would be beneficial to turn that monitor off, or calibrate it to a neutral color temperature matching room lighting, and/or getting a blue-light filter installed on your monitor.
EDIT2: Ah I saw a bit of a blue tint on the outdoor wrist rolls around the 11:40 mark. Not sure if that's blue AR tint or just the color temp of the different light source. Would be good to know.
...I took that into consideration. Even outdoors in the shade at the end there is the slightest tint
I also don’t have any misalignment of the bezel luckily
Wow thank you for the review sir. Definitely a future purchase for me. I’d like to see a comparison video San Martin BB58 vs Cronos BB54 detail, value, sizing and your recommendation when it arrives :)
I ordered the Thorn version and I also ordered the “Maikes” leather strap with the yellowish natural thick leather for it.
San Martin has 2 versions of Bb58, one is 38mm and the other is 40mm. If you see 6200 in the name thats 38mm.
Are they actually officially collaborating or isn’t it just watch dives custom make them with the parts and from the normal 004?
How would I know?
With the better font and maybe a vintage text type or something for the logo and the text below and it will be just perfect! Someone know if they offer dial customization? Thank you!
Not as far as I know..have you asked?
If i sell my 6200 50s Rolex homage, i would gladly buy this version. EDIT: i cant find the link for this model on aliexpress ?
It's below the video in the description but it is not available on AliExpress yet...just Watchdives.
@@johnswatchjoint for some reason another new watch of San Martin 113-w2 is also hidden from general populus. A lovely Omega homage.
Not hidden just on Watchdives!
Hey mate, SM bb58 is crackin... another one caught my attention is corgeut bb58 the red bezel patina , any chance you could review it?
Hi there. I have no more plans to review BB58, BB54 homages as I have covered a fair few this last few months.
Thanks for this review, very helpful now that the Ali 11/11 sale is coming. Do you know if the blue version V2 comes with the new matte bezel insert?
Hi sorry I am out of the house just now and would have to do a Google search. It may save time if you Google yourself. Go to Watchdives and type in the product there. :)
....update managed to get online with 4G....Yes blue version has matte bezel :)!
@@johnswatchjoint thank you so much for your help and interest! 🙌🏼
Thanks John 😊
Hey buddy. Hope you are well. Have a great weekend :)
Thanks for the quality review
The bezel is like gray or the same color as the Tudor?
It's not grey.
@@johnswatchjoint thanks brother
So it’s black like original BB58?
Not quite. It's a tone rather than a colour. I can't put my finger on. It works though .
@@johnswatchjoint thank you so much
If it’s not gray I’m ok with that 😊
Because the dial is almost black
I don’t want to have a watch with different bezel color compare to the dial
As a Seiko fanboy slightly misaligned bezels are not a big issue with me (I solved it in the end going for variations of the Alpinist 😂) but I do find ghost date positions irritating. Shame they do this with so much attention to general finishing elsewhere. They've recently released some nice GADA more original style watches but again no dates with NH35. Pity.
The misaligned bezels are how you know its a genuine Seiko.
🥱🥱
Why is it listed as a 40 mm on Ali Express and also on their official site?
It's not. There are two versions ;)
Sn008 version is 40mm, Sn004 (limited edition) is 38mm.
Hey John how is this watch serving you? Do you still love it after a few months? I’ve had my eye on this and I’m wondering what you think after some months
For someone with a small wrist looking for that Diver / Gada it's a no brainer. It's a very comfortable watch to wear and attracts a lot of attention. For me it's a watch I kept a bit longer before moving it on...I have to as I just cannot afford to keep all of my watches as I usually have 20 watches either to be reviewed, coming in or listed to go on sale. It's one of the drawbacks of the hobby. My personal collection is around 6. This was one I kept for a while as I did love it :)
@@johnswatchjoint Sounds great, thanks for that! I find myself reviewing your video every now and then to remember how it wears, looks great!
Thanks for watching and remember to subscribe ☺️
@@johnswatchjoint I already am!
Thanks for this!
My pleasure!
Great review, John 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
SN0138 or SN004 V2? Which one is better?
That's down to the eye of the beholder. Both are good watches and you have to decide which one you lean towards.
I’ve got this exact V2 as well but my Lume is green?
It is C3 and is green with that hint of blue as it came in from strong sunlight
Stupendo
I'm really looking forward to buying this watch, but I'm worried that a 38mm diver won't sit well on my 7.6inch wrist. Any thoughts on this?
Sorry but only you can answer that. I have a 6.75 inch wrist so I cannot comment.
My genuine Tudor 58 doesn’t even lume up that much! Another great video. I’d love to get my hands on one side by side with my BlackBay. It looks fantastic quality.
It is rather good :)
Are the links screw in ?
Yes as can be seen in the video
Pourriez-vous me donner une idée de la précision de cette montre, merci.
Each Seiko Nh35 performs within specific tolerances. They are usually around the plus / minus 8 seconds per day mark. That is a working average for me :)
I loved San Martin watches and still have many in my collection. However I purchased the matt ceramic version of the 6200 in blue and when I received it the watch was very different to the product picture. The bezel is a blue/purple and the dial is blue/green. The two colours clash and it looks awful.
Worse is that that San Martin asked me to return it to China recorded/tracked delivery (even though they despatched it from their UK warehouse) and after I sent it they said they wouldn’t refund me any of the postage costs as mismatched colours doesn’t qualify in the ‘quality range’. I’ve paid £24 of my own money to return a £165 watch to a different country it was dispatched from, not to mention the transaction fee’s etc.
It’s a shame, as it means I won’t buy from SM again. My advice, avoid SM blue watches, they don’t get the colour right and they are a nightmare to deal with for returns. Really disappointed with the customer service.
Sorry to hear that but you should just have exercised your free return option.
@@johnswatchjoint unfortunately I’d bought it from the official San Martin website
That is not good. I would always advocate going via AliExpretand buying from a store with free returns. Your only option now is compensation via PayPal or get your bank to do a chargeback.
It looks awesome but I prefer it with the glossy bezel like the one I own.
Each to their own :)
@@johnswatchjoint I wouldn't have a preference if they only had one version available. They both are awesome!
Im watching this while wearing the blue v2. This black v2 looks amazing. Do you know if they will make a new version of the 004 milsub? :)
Sorry. I have no idea as I am not privy to inside info ;)
I'm wearing my v2 004 milsub and it's a real looker. The brushing is so amazing. And the match between the brushing on the lugs and on the bracelet matches almost perfectly, just like on this one. Injust wish it had the new adjust on the fly clasp.
I reviewed the version. Very nice piece but wore a little too flat with its long lug to lug on my skinny wrist. Excellent quality as you say 👍
Agreed.@@LymanPhillips
They have made the milsub in V2 ... I have both v1 and v2 and will be selling my v1
I thought mine was version 4
It is confusing. You have the sn004 whereas this is he special edition 6200 BB58 sn004 retro in 38mm not 40 mm
@@johnswatchjoint but the original sn004 wasn't 40mm but the same size as this watch you have on the video. They have never changed the case itself.
What can I say? There are two different versions. This is the Watchdives San Martin Colab and is the new 2023 version with the Matte bezel insert, new coin edge bezel and upgraded on the fly clasp. The Lume also seems far more potent.
@@unwokeneuropean3590 OP who talks about version 4 is almost certainly talking about the San Martin SN008 on the AliExpress store which is at version 4 and is 40mm. What John reviewed here is the "Watchdives x San Martin" colab of the SN004 which is only up to version 2 and is 38mm.
@@johnswatchjoint mine is sn004-g special edition with the glossy bezel which isnperfect because I have a 6.2inch wrist
Hey what is your wrist size
It's in the video. 6.75 inches :)
@@johnswatchjoint sorry. I was not focused while wathcing. I guess it will be too large for my 6.25 inch wrist :/
I wouldn't think so. It has a very amenable lug to lug :)
Got the blue and tad disappointed. The bracelet feels extremely cheap to the point I immediately replaced it. It feels kinda too small and think 40mm is the bare minimum for a diver. The bezel action is also very poor for a SM watch
Ehhh............... what did I do wrong, since you apparently deleted my, in fact very positive, comment that I made last night, John ?? 🤔
Hi Peter. I have not deleted any comments. I am out of action with a bad back just now. I will check the sin bin and see if the bots put it in there :)
Hi Peter I have just checked and there is nothing in there.... Did you hit send?
It seems the problem comes if I try to add something to my comment after uploading - It comes back with an error message, and if I dont annull the attempt it just vanishes. Maybe a problem with my connection. Anyway - glad to hear there was not problem.
No worries Peter :)
Hmmm you got the old, old packaging 😅
Highly doubt this is a new version
You did not watch or listen to the intro. As it is a Watchdives/ San Martin collaboration this is the packaging they always use. So it IS the new 2023 version. No slander please. I put a lot of effort and free time into these videos and do not merit such throw away comments :(
@@johnswatchjoint Very true
I just can't stand their logo! Ruins the watch for me. Looks like the logo for a teens first garage band or something!
I get what you are saying...so did I until I actually got some of their watches. The value for money and quality make up for it...especially when they get the bezel aligned properly 😆
@@johnswatchjoint I hear you but I think I’ll keep my fingers crossed for proxima, seestern, Thorn or somebody with better branding to do a black bay 54 homage with a matte bezel!
I'm with you on that 💯
@@thezeroconditional2287 check out the Cronos 37mm BB54 vintage diver. For me, it is aesthetically the most accurate BB54 homage you can get, plus the PT5000 movement keeps better time than the NH35 and of course a cool brand and logo.