A ‘homage’ to a discontinued Rolex model from the 1950s, the San Martin SN004-G I reviewed back in 2022 completely reframed my perspective of what you can expect from a budget watch.
While the design is nothing extraordinary (it’s pretty much a copy after all), the case finishing is absolutely mind-blowing; as was also true of the other two San Martin’s I looked at. I haven’t seen finishing this capable since the $1000+ Ginault Ocean Rover, which was ironically another Rolex clone! The polishing is exquisite, and it makes this watch feel far more premium than the low price suggests.
You may not be able to fully trust the lofty 200m water resistance rating (as I doubt Chinese brands like San Martin go through the proper ISO vetting process), but the rear feels extremely secure on this model. Additionally, the bracelet is just phenomenal, putting big brands like Seiko to shame!
While it’s not my favorite or most worn watch due to the unoriginal design, I cannot deny the value offered by the little-known San Martin SN004-G. You’ll have to shop on AliExpress to get this one, but boy, is it worth trying! Since reviewing this model, they’ve apparently added further upgrades!
San Martin SN004-G Specifications:
38mm diameter
13mm thickness (including domed crystal)
Seiko automatic movement
Sapphire crystal
Stainless steel case
200m water resistance rating
