Hey guys, here is my long overdue review of the San Martin Willard homage. This was a great buy from Reddit but is it one I'll be holding onto long term. Thanks for the support on the videos and channels guys, I truly appreciate it all.
I've only just realised that "San" means "three" in Chinese. And Martin can be translated to "horse". I only know this because (believe it or not) my 2 year old son learned how to count in French, Spanish and German in 8 days. So I decided to push him harder and teach him Japanese a couple of nights ago too, trouble is I had to teach myself it before I could teach him. It turns out that counting in Japanese is actually really simple, and my son had it nailed down within 24 hours. "San" means 3 in Japanese, so as soon as I saw that it made me think of this brand immediately as I've always found the name weird for a far East brand. I knew the San Martin brand weren't Japanese so I checked what 3 was in Chinese and it turns out Japan and China share the word "San" for 3. Pointless rambling I know 😂.
I am, especially when I got it a the price I did. The bezel is for timing dives, you rotate it before going under and when the hands align with what you have set that means your dive is up. Not so much needed with modern digital ones but this style predates those.
They can't settle on a logo. I'm not keen on the name to start with but things can grow on you as long as they settle on an identity and decent logo and stick with it.
It's definitely a nice one for sure and I don't mind the logo, it's way nicer than the cursive writing and I actually like it a little more than the hex too
Good review mate with excellent macro footage. It's an impressive watch. In this case I see no point in getting one of the overpriced Seiko reissues. I only disagree in one point: I think the white date wheel is exactly right for this watch. The indices are greenish white and a white date wheel is the best you can do to balance the dial out.
Thank you and yeah they are very expensive for sure. That's fair enough mate, you all know by now how I feel about date windows anyways 🤣. But just a personal preference. Appreciate the support mate
I don't think the date looks good on this. On the Seiko the indices are white, so the the date wheel matches. The indices on this one are greenish white, so don't match the date wheel. Speaking in the Seiko, I own it. I paid £1000. Yeah, I know it's overpriced but I can afford it and I know the copies will never satisfy me.
this is nearly double the price of the steeldive? which I have so not for me at this price why would I buy it great review but for me poor value compared to my steeldive
Yeah that's right, I think what you're paying for is the finishing, build and probably the name now. But yeah it's hard to justify when there is the steeldive but without having them both side by side it'll be hard to really see if it's worth the extra. Thanks for watching
Hey guys, here is my long overdue review of the San Martin Willard homage. This was a great buy from Reddit but is it one I'll be holding onto long term. Thanks for the support on the videos and channels guys, I truly appreciate it all.
I will say thanks for adding the AUD figure as well appreciated..
You're welcome mate, just thought it'd help out.
I've only just realised that "San" means "three" in Chinese. And Martin can be translated to "horse".
I only know this because (believe it or not) my 2 year old son learned how to count in French, Spanish and German in 8 days. So I decided to push him harder and teach him Japanese a couple of nights ago too, trouble is I had to teach myself it before I could teach him. It turns out that counting in Japanese is actually really simple, and my son had it nailed down within 24 hours. "San" means 3 in Japanese, so as soon as I saw that it made me think of this brand immediately as I've always found the name weird for a far East brand. I knew the San Martin brand weren't Japanese so I checked what 3 was in Chinese and it turns out Japan and China share the word "San" for 3.
Pointless rambling I know 😂.
That's definitely an unusual one for sure and that's really impressive, I can barely count in English 😅🤣
That explains sanPan for three masted boat I imagine.
This looks amazing mate, love the green aswell
Cheers mate and it's really good, not perfect but still great. Thanks for watching
Great looking watch. I do like these homages of the Willard. Shame about the crown. Otherwise looks great. San Martin does do a good watch.
Agreed mate, this is probably the best overall I've had from AliExpress. Appreciate you watching.
Another really nice homage from San Martin! Great stuff :)
It definitely is mate and thanks for the comment and for watching. Much appreciated
looks very well finished, not bought a san martin before but that would be my choice 😎
It really is well done, equally as good as some more expensive stuff
San Martin has my respect, even though they are a homage specialized brand, their efforts are commendable. Awesome review mate!
Cheers mate and they're definitely some of the best made on AliExpress.
I have the same watch. This is perfect in ALL details.
Awesome review mate definitely SM nailed the captain look I'll probably will get this one since the real one is crazy expensive
Cheers mate and yeah they did, it's really good, especially the build and finishing.
Agree with all your comments such as calendar wheel, logo.
The best 1:1 captain willard homage is made by retangular rdunae, and can be purchased on aliexpress
Might have to see about grabbing one. Thanks for the suggestion
Looks like you're very pleased with this watch :)
BTW I got a question but always forgotten to ask: what is the rotating bazel for?
Timing dives mate 👍
I am, especially when I got it a the price I did. The bezel is for timing dives, you rotate it before going under and when the hands align with what you have set that means your dive is up. Not so much needed with modern digital ones but this style predates those.
@@WesWatchRoom oh okay thanks :)
Overall nice homage. Well made. The SM logo with the letters connected at the bottom- ehhh😕
They can't settle on a logo. I'm not keen on the name to start with but things can grow on you as long as they settle on an identity and decent logo and stick with it.
It's definitely a nice one for sure and I don't mind the logo, it's way nicer than the cursive writing and I actually like it a little more than the hex too
Great video! I suppose the question is why is this watch £80 more expensive than the Steeldive and Tandoori variants of the Captain Willard?
Thank you and actually, speaking of, keep an eye out on the channel. Your answer may arrive sooner than you think
@@WesWatchRoom Thanks! I look forward to what I presume is going to be a side by side comparison video?
@@ryokan9120 it will, part of my ongoing series.
Good review mate with excellent macro footage. It's an impressive watch. In this case I see no point in getting one of the overpriced Seiko reissues. I only disagree in one point: I think the white date wheel is exactly right for this watch. The indices are greenish white and a white date wheel is the best you can do to balance the dial out.
Thank you and yeah they are very expensive for sure. That's fair enough mate, you all know by now how I feel about date windows anyways 🤣. But just a personal preference. Appreciate the support mate
I don't think the date looks good on this. On the Seiko the indices are white, so the the date wheel matches. The indices on this one are greenish white, so don't match the date wheel.
Speaking in the Seiko, I own it. I paid £1000. Yeah, I know it's overpriced but I can afford it and I know the copies will never satisfy me.
@Frank Dux mate, if I could afford a willard reissue I'd get one, but not there yet.
putting aside the branding and logo, which would you choose between steeldive 1970 and the san martin willard?
Funny you should ask that, keep an eye out on the channel, you may get your answer really soon.
@@WesWatchRoom im waiting!
@@WesWatchRoom can u compare to the tandoorio as well
this is nearly double the price of the steeldive? which I have so not for me at this price why would I buy it great review but for me poor value compared to my steeldive
Yeah that's right, I think what you're paying for is the finishing, build and probably the name now. But yeah it's hard to justify when there is the steeldive but without having them both side by side it'll be hard to really see if it's worth the extra. Thanks for watching