SAN MARTIN Launch A Microbrand!

"I want them to succeed"
Be careful what you wish for.

Chinese governments' goal: world power, economic and military dominance, total policing and surveillance, acquisition of any business, technologically advancements and exporting totalitarianism.
Anyway, for a watch I would prefer a name in Chinese traditional characters, maybe in a brushstroke style.

I like the idea but as far as this watch is concerned…..no. Just no! Please go back to r&d and slap everyone that had anything to do with the design of this watch! Try again!

I'd like to know what you think about the new Airfix watch collaborate

Its funny but most people who slag s.m off have never handled one!! Says alot about that type of person dont you think.!?

From the website: The word "JIANGHUN" is derived from the pronunciation of the Chinese character. It symbolizes the spirit of craftsmanship.

I like it. But it will all depend on pricing and staying on Ali. I understand the making of a new brand, but great quality for great price is what made San Martin a succes. They humiliate many Swiss brands, but...if pricing starts to look the same....even Me, super SM fan, would prefer other brands.

All I would say is San Martin gives us the Tudors we want, years before Tudor does.....

Their first drop is awful tho

Can call Martin San :P

Ehm, no.

sorry, but it's utter shite.

I have the SN 0106-G3 and I really enjoy it. It's not a clone of anything and it's well made. If they make an attractive watch, I'd consider it no matter the name. This one is ugly.

Woof! Ugly.

Well... the bashing of the microbrand comes from the guy that wanted to make his own microbrand trying to sell the most generic, overpriced watch in zilon colors and failed miserably. I hated SM for making design stolen watches. But they came so far now and got my respect. And this one is a great step forward. Finaly the name.... I was waiting for Chinese brand to carry the origin of the watch with pride. Finaly a Chinese brand that does that. Bravo SM and good luck in the future.

I go to chinese watches for well made homages/copys to iconic designs. I could car less about other chinese watches, especially when theyre this ugly lol

A factory owned brand can't be a microbrand by definition

Not feelin the love for this one.

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Oh San Martin.....I do wonder about their decision makers.

The issue people have with AliExpress brands and watches is that they are a supermajority homages...and not even homages they are "clomages". Which is to say the design is so close to the original you have to play where's Waldo to spot the differences that keep the brand from being sued or accused of creating fakes or replicas. So I understand why many people are uncomfortable with these watches to be honest.

But it's obvious some of these watches are well made and are building a reputation for the build quality and value they present. And I think San Martin has really in some ways been the flag bearer of making some people reconsider what AliExpress brands can offer. I have been one who has been advocating for more original designs from San Martin for some time because obviously they know how to build a watch and I would love to see them move beyond "clomages" which would help their legitimacy. But honestly I've been critical of their original designs simply because I rarely find them appealing.

The idea of them creating a true micro sub brand for original designs at first glance sounds brilliant BUT yeah I'm not sure they are going about it in the best way. This doesn't sound as promising as I had hoped.

Yes that branding.... likely to be an issue. And although I understand them wanting to honor their Chinese heritage, it's ironic they didn't consider that an issue when they built their reputation under the "San Martin" brand. Obviously they thought a more Western name would be wise at some point in time. I do think maybe using initials or just a good brand design logo could help.

Secondly much like their other "original" designs, first impressions of this watches design, kinda not good. I'm sure it's well built because that's what San Martin does right. But yeah design doesn't be their forte. Their best original designs are their most simplistic ones...which although not exciting are at least not offensive. But whenever they seem to truly try to be original....I feel like they often over do it. And create something that simply isn't attractive. Hopefully this first attempt is something they can learn from and not necessarily a sign of things to come. But not a great initial impression to be honest.

Some alternative naming suggestions for that watch are: "Ho Lee Fook" and "Sum Ting Wong"

This design is not for me. Also, I think they should go with JH on the dial and their name on the watchback. With the politics of the world as they are right now, pushing a Chinese name isn't going to help them much.

This is a great idea for SM, but part of the reason we pay extra for micro brands when SM generally has better finishing and build is the customer service.

San Martin customer service absolutely sucks, so I'll be hesitant.

Kinda ugly

Ooooff! Do not like the design at all.

I don't even like the design, but Bravo San Martin! Keep at it. We all saw what they have been doing with GMTs so it's always a trial and error process

I for one appreciate this direction, I actually left this comment on your San Martin video 10 days ago;

"Would love to see a company like San Martin go that extra step and inject some personality into branding and their otherwise fantastic watches. If they would would embrace that fact they're Chinese rather than try to disguise themselves as some European sounding brand like "San Martin" I think they'd appeal to a wider audience. Think of all the awesome Chinese heritage, culture and folklore they could draw from"

Having said that, that watch is disgusting 🤢

Not off to a great start

It's mind boggling that they can't come up with a good original design.

The onion crown's a bit of a distraction in every other respect not a bad watch.

Same old bs , just hommage everything thats run out of copyright

Would Escapement and Watch be one of those channels? Just seen a SM/seiko comparison video.

See if you can pick up a herman miller aeron chair in size C on the second hand market. Maybe 300 quid.

That’s very unique looking, I like it, not enough to buy it but I like it

flipping horrible 👎

LOL... April fools? Oh wait, it's May already. 🤣Absolutely hideous. 👹

Unfortunately, i wont buy a watch that i cant read or pronounce.

Its so ugly.

Welcome to the multipolar world. What they're doing is called Chineses-ness, Lucky Gold Star didn't sound particularly distinctive at first, nor did Hyundai. Xiaomei or Huawei dont particularly roll off the tongue right now and have no idea if I ve even wrtitten correctly, but we ll get used to it. Whatever that name San Martin have just launched is, will soon be eating Tissot's lunch and up from there.

I understand why they want to use a Chinese name. They should embrace their culture and rich history. The 2024 Chinese New Year watches were a great success for example. However, they must be careful with the designs. If I were them, I would search very hard for a great designer or artist with notoriety, not necessarily in the domain of watches, to create a small range of themed models.

All that talking for 20 seconds of showing the watch... 😴

They will never ever be considered a micro brand. Ever!

Maybe they are just targeting the Chinese market? I think it's awesome they are paying homage to their Chinese roots in the name, but you'd reckon they would have learnt a thing or two by now about what makes a good watch design through all of the copies they've made over the years. That thing is fugly as! 😂

Yep that name is terrible and sounds cheap and would put me off for sure. I have been interested in a San Martin watch lately. But my favourite mb currently is Aragon great build great quality of materials and no movement and if you time it right a great litterly it would be rude and wrong not too 😉 😊 I have just got a great deal on a armour piece.

WD40 should sort your chair, a simpler bezel should sort the watch!

I absolutely love San Martin watches but so far I have not been a fan of their original designs. This watch is no different. Maybe one day they will make an original design I like.

Soul of a crafts man, that’s what Jiang Hun means, well, you’re a native speaker with considerable verbiage than I, come up with a more concise translation?! 😂

Ugly watch and the logo and the name are a missed opportunity

It looks like a puck, or another word that sounds similar…

better they copy 🙂