My latest acquisition San Martin 62MAS Homage

[CarloDWC]

It is a known fact that the San Martin company is churning out nicely made watches. Most of them might be homages but they are certainly nice watches no matter what they look like. Not only they are well put together and well finished, they also have what it feels like quality materials used and great lume. I had a couple already and I just received another one from a trade, this is the 62MAS version with the dark grey dial and no logo. It still has writing on the dial which I think is a nice touch. I had two other such watches and while each one was very nice and well made, this one surpasses both of the other ones. It is a feel perception, while holding, touching, handling the watch I can feel just nice edges and good tactile. Same for the moving parts, bezel and crown, smooth and well working. No uncertainties or roughness, at least on this watch that I currently have.

The bracelet is great too but a bit too heavy for this model in my opinion. The links could have been slimmer, 2/3 or even half the thickness and it would have worked just fine with the slim looking case. This is not a heavy and thick tool watch, more a refined and elegant one in my opinion. The lume paint is light green almost cream color, it is not one of the usual fake vintage but it seems to me much nicer and "real". It has a Seiko Automatic movement that hacks and hand winds, I guess it's the NH35 model similar to the one used in the new Seiko divers, Turtles, etc.

The sapphire crystal is awesomely domed, but in a vintage way, it keeps the center of the watch clean and readable while distorting the edge of the dial between the markers and the case. I don't mind and in fact I kind of like it. Hard to take pictures though, the reflections from the curvatures abounds and it is a PITA. At least for me and my limited skills.

It is about 40mm in diameter so it is not too large, it has nicely shaped and sizeable lugs though that in my opinion makes it wearable for larger wrists like mine. To each their own of course but If I had to summarize in a couple of words what I think about it, I could say that "I am very impressed".

Here are a few pics:

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[manitoujoe]

Nice write up and pics!

I find it strange that many of these watches were popular because they were affordables at the time, but now they are so luxury due to nostalgia.

Glad to see someone doing these at a normal price point. Thanks, buddy!


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[CarloDWC]

Hey my friend, it seems that most companies have increased their prices and especially for those models that could be popular raised them so much to make them luxury items. I don't usually do homages but I like this as a watch in its own right, meaning it is well made and nice quality. Good size and weight.

Here are a few more pics.

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[AtomicTom]

Yeah, man oh man, what a fantastic look at, along with summary of this looker sir !
First off, just your pictures are remarkable, and look so perfect it's not even funny
Carlo. You would almost swear they were renderings at times with the way
the watch is reflecting the light. Just the crystal, and dial look flawless, and you
want to spend all day long just diving into the details. It's stunning ! ..But it's the
same exact thing with the skin diver case with it's hypnotic finishes, and angles.

You really do come to the conclusion that the watch honestly couldn't be any nicer,
and seems to really be on par with anything else out there. Yup, definitely is one
to be impressed with ! The lume alone is worth the price of admission right?!!

Holy cowza Carlo, thanks so much for the great review, and HUGE congrats too !!!

[HapaHapa]

Nice pick up, Carlo. I agree with that slim profile a chunky bracelet is out of place.

[CarloDWC]

Thank you Tom, it seems like you are just as excited as I am or even more...

The lume is really bright on this and long lasting. On par with the Sumo and close to the MM300... They did a really great job with that.

[martyloveswatches]

I like the sterile dial look. All of these hommages (san martin, heimdallr, steeldive) are really offering quite a lot for the money

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[kempoman]

I always wonder if San Martin is a case manufacturer for Seiko and others?

[jeckyll]

I always wonder if San Martin is a case manufacturer for Seiko and others?

I thought seiko did everything in house.

[mattcantwin]

Congrats, looks great and nice strap choice.

[snootydog]

That's a cool looking watch Carlo and a brand I've not heard of before.
Just had a look on their website, found one I like a lot and compared prices with the original, wow, I know where I'll be buying a Marinemaster from

[CarloDWC]

Thank you guys.

I am not sure if San Martin makes cases for Seiko but I am sure Seiko source parts from other companies, Singapore, Malaysia to name a couple of locations where they have factories.

I have had a few watches from different such companies like Hemdaillr, Steel Dive, Ticino, they certainly are nice, the two watches I had from San Martin were a little above in quality and looks. Each one had awesome lume too. The MM300 homage always intrigued me but I never had a chance to get one. But I read great things about it.

I might get another one of these...

[AtomicTom]

Thank you Tom, it seems like you are just as excited as I am or even more...

The lume is really bright on this and long lasting. On par with the Sumo and close to the MM300... They did a really great job with that.

Don't mention it Carlo ! It really is some kind of watch, and is proven
so by you comparing it to those Seikos lume wise. Actually looks electrified !
Think it's astonishing sir, and that actually goes for the whole watch once again.

Unbelievably nice find, and pick-up. Enjoy !!!

[kempoman]

I always wonder if San Martin is a case manufacturer for Seiko and others?

I thought seiko did everything in house.

I read from other Seiko forums they are outsourced even high end Prospex series. I am pretty sure the lower end like SKX or Seiko 5 are Asian made cases and movements many decades ago.
May be others can shed the light.

[BBK357]

This looks fantastic. I’d love to try one of these.


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[toxicavenger]

I always wonder if San Martin is a case manufacturer for Seiko and others?

if they were I do not believe they would be allowed to sell the case independently.

[kempoman]

I always wonder if San Martin is a case manufacturer for Seiko and others?

if they were I do not believe they would be allowed to sell the case independently.

I would guess they used to be but not anymore now. Givent he impression San Martin cases near 1:1 copy to Seiko, Oris etc. I would further guess they could even possible own the cases blueprint.
I look forward to some others review on San Martin and Seiko cases 1:1 differences, if any.

[Steve O.]

Nice looking watch. I was interested in a San Martin SKX homage yesterday, but turns out the case back was beat to shit. I don't understand why guys don't take care of new watches. For instance, when changing straps, take the time to tape off the freakin' lugs instead of leaving marks and scratches everywhere. Also, if you're going to open the case, maybe use a correct opener that won't slip. Maybe crazy, but these are pet peeves of mine, and I've passed on many otherwise nice watches because of them.

[CarloDWC]

Nice looking watch. I was interested in a San Martin SKX homage yesterday, but turns out the case back was beat to shit. I don't understand why guys don't take care of new watches. For instance, when changing straps, take the time to tape off the freakin' lugs instead of leaving marks and scratches everywhere. Also, if you're going to open the case, maybe use a correct opener that won't slip. Maybe crazy, but these are pet peeves of mine, and I've passed on many otherwise nice watches because of them.

Yes, some people certainly are more careless then others. I found out that one of the reason for some of the "mistakes" in working on watches is due to poor eyesight. I made a few mistakes myself damaging hands or other parts and I did it only because I could not see clearly the area I was working on. Same for changing the straps, people can't see or focus properly on the small area and the tool goes all over the place. I actually got and have been using some cheap magnifying goggles that totally handle the problem for me. Now I can focus my old eyes and be more certain to not slip or scratch unwanted parts. It might not be 100% but it certainly helped 85% of my work...

[Steve O.]

Nice looking watch. I was interested in a San Martin SKX homage yesterday, but turns out the case back was beat to shit. I don't understand why guys don't take care of new watches. For instance, when changing straps, take the time to tape off the freakin' lugs instead of leaving marks and scratches everywhere. Also, if you're going to open the case, maybe use a correct opener that won't slip. Maybe crazy, but these are pet peeves of mine, and I've passed on many otherwise nice watches because of them.

Yes, some people certainly are more careless then others. I found out that one of the reason for some of the "mistakes" in working on watches is due to poor eyesight. I made a few mistakes myself damaging hands or other parts and I did it only because I could not see clearly the area I was working on. Same for changing the straps, people can't see or focus properly on the small area and the tool goes all over the place. I actually got and have been using some cheap magnifying goggles that totally handle the problem for me. Now I can focus my old eyes and be more certain to not slip or scratch unwanted parts. It might not be 100% but it certainly helped 85% of my work...

I'm in the same boat. That's why I use strong reading glasses and/or watchmaker's goggles with magnification. Helps tons.

[CarloDWC]

Nice looking watch. I was interested in a San Martin SKX homage yesterday, but turns out the case back was beat to shit. I don't understand why guys don't take care of new watches. For instance, when changing straps, take the time to tape off the freakin' lugs instead of leaving marks and scratches everywhere. Also, if you're going to open the case, maybe use a correct opener that won't slip. Maybe crazy, but these are pet peeves of mine, and I've passed on many otherwise nice watches because of them.

Yes, some people certainly are more careless then others. I found out that one of the reason for some of the "mistakes" in working on watches is due to poor eyesight. I made a few mistakes myself damaging hands or other parts and I did it only because I could not see clearly the area I was working on. Same for changing the straps, people can't see or focus properly on the small area and the tool goes all over the place. I actually got and have been using some cheap magnifying goggles that totally handle the problem for me. Now I can focus my old eyes and be more certain to not slip or scratch unwanted parts. It might not be 100% but it certainly helped 85% of my work...

I'm in the same boat. That's why I use strong reading glasses and/or watchmaker's goggles with magnification. Helps tons.

The worse was that I did not realize it until I actually tried using them... after that it was like Night and day difference...