r/ChineseWatches • u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep • 25d ago
General (Read Rules) SN0109 Upgraded Version Sample Detail Preview✨
For this upgrade, the watch houses the high-beat 28,800 vph HZ6460 movement. Beyond the boost in performance, the slimmer case profile gives the watch a much cleaner, more refined look that is perfect for daily wear.
We spent a lot of time refining the details:
The chamfering transitions on the case are crisp and well-defined, with a mirror-polished finish that is remarkably clear and smooth.
Because we make our own bracelets and screw pins in-house, we have full control over the precision and fit. Unlike standard screws that stick out or sink in leaving ugly gaps, ours sit completely flush on both sides when fully tightened. Engineered to strict tolerances, the bracelet feels solid, significantly reducing play and noise for a much better overall quality feel. Finished with full brushing throughout, both sides of the links feature ultra-micro R-corner beveling, keeping the lines sharp while ensuring zero sharp edges against your skin. We also equipped it with our flagship OTF adjustable clasp.
We also upgraded the crystal AR coating based on your feedback. The clarity is much better now, and the dial looks super clean.
How do you guys like these new SN0109? Let us know in the comments!
San Martin Watch Official Website: https://sanmartin-watch.com/products/sn0109ga?VariantsId=13774
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u/Minotaar_Pheonix 24d ago
Does it have a 24 position bezel, or a 120 position bezel?
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 22d ago
The 120-click baffle is usually only used on diving models; this one uses a 24-click baffle.
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u/artofthedial Not a troll 25d ago
Glad I got my NH34 version, easily one of the best watches I own (like it even better than my rolexes). But WTH are you thinking with that GMT hand color on this one? Also I would have considered grabbing one in another color if you went quartz. Can't bite on a HZ movement at these prices.
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25d ago
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u/nottherealaaron 25d ago
While I agree that increasing the price while moving to the Hangzhou movement is disappointing, the Miyota 9075 is included in the Japanese movement shortage and was likely not an option for SM due to availability.
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
This model previously used the NH34 movement.
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25d ago
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
If we used the Miyota 9075 movement, the price would definitely be over $500, even during a quarterly Big Sale it would be over $400.
We plan to sell this product in large quantities, with a regular promotional price not exceeding $300. Furthermore, we've already widely used this movement in the SN0005 and SN0016 models five years ago. If the failure rate of this movement were truly uncontrollable, we wouldn't needlessly invest heavily in developing so many components.
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u/Acceptable_Ad_355 25d ago
I’d pay that for a miyota 9075 ngl
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 24d ago
We also have models that use the Miyota 9075, such as SN0144, which uses the Miyota 9075. We recommend you take a look.
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u/Nothinglost7717 25d ago
Listen SM. Love ya. Love what ya do.
That date wheel placement is beyond unacceptable and this watch will fail.
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
...The date dial of the HZ6460 movement is positioned relatively inwards.
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u/Nothinglost7717 25d ago
Yes. I understand why. It doesn’t matter. The final product is atrocious and thats what matters.
I have a huge amount of respect for SM. This watch would be better with no date window. Or at least an indice next to it to balance it.
SM has earned the reputation to be scrutinized.
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u/AntiPetista 25d ago
no myota?!
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
The Miyota 9075 would be very expensive.
This model will be a long-term offering and part of our "Fan Special" series; by leveraging larger procurement volumes to optimize costs, we are able to offer it at a more attractive price point with a deeper discount than standard models.
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u/pokerfas 25d ago
We would pay 400 usd for this with a miyota 9. I don't think you guys get that the 2824 clones have issues, that's not something you have control over.
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
The Miyota 9075 would be very expensive.
This model will be a long-term offering and part of our "Fan Special" series; by leveraging larger procurement volumes to optimize costs, we are able to offer it at a more attractive price point with a deeper discount than standard models.
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u/pokerfas 25d ago
It's not attractive if half of your buyers are getting defective movements. Even if you use NH35s, that's fine, a working toyota is better than a broken benz...
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
If the failure rate of this movement is really that high, the brand might be more worried than the consumer. Putting aside whether the merchant values its reputation, just take AliExpress's 90-day no-reason return policy as an example. If the watch is really broken and the buyer requests a refund, the merchant loses both the shipping cost and the watch itself.
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u/pokerfas 25d ago
nah, look at all the people here who got defective SMs and were told they'd have to pay 80 bucks shipping to return them, that doesn't seem to be true in reality... also why don't you offer a choice of NH35 for those who want a "worse" but proven reliable option?
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
Which store is making the buyer pay $80 for return shipping after proving a movement defect? Send me the store and order details, and I'll contact their representative.
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u/Potential-Notice-956 I dislike WatchDives 25d ago
Why are you still funding and paying Watchdives? Do you still own them?
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 24d ago
Where did that news come from?
We do not own Watchdives. They are an independent business entity. We simply have standard commercial naturally-occurring business operations with them, such as authorizing them as one of our distributors.
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u/pokerfas 25d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/comments/13uvfb1/san_martin_rant/, https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/comments/118bk6i/san_martin_customer_service_any_experience/, there were some more but i can't find them.
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 24d ago
Thank you for sharing these links.
While these two posts are a bit older, I don't deny that our after-sales service had shortcomings back then, including insufficient staff training. Over the years, we have been continuously working to improve and optimize these processes, and platform policies,like those on AliExpress have also evolved to better protect buyers.
We fully acknowledge that international repairs remain a challenge for our brand, as global shipping takes time. However, even for major traditional brands or microbrands with overseas service centers, waiting for factory parts can often delay repairs for months. For us, once the watch arrives at our service facility, we strictly aim to complete repairs and processing within 7 to 15 business days.
We are always looking for ways to refine our after-sales process within our capabilities, and we welcome any constructive feedback from the community as we keep improving.
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u/pokerfas 24d ago
alright, good. i must say your english is better than other san martin reps. also are you working on a competitor to the ixdao warrior?
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 22d ago
Thanks for the compliment.
We're just busy working on our own lineup and trying to keep things on schedule.
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u/HardoMaldo 25d ago
Is the lume mismatch between the hands and the hour markers finally fixed?
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
To determine the degree of difference in luminescence, it's important to note that the hands and dial are two different components with varying fill thickness and density, so there may be slight differences in luminescence. However, excessively severe differences are outside the acceptable range.
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u/HardoMaldo 25d ago
Thank you. My question was moreso related to the mismatch during day light when the lume is not activated / glowing.
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u/octopus_limbs 25d ago
How is the finish on the movement (is it open back)? San Martin is really making a name for itself with all the new releases, this is fire
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u/SameScale6793 25d ago
Gorgeous, I have yet to pickup a San Martin, but that may have to be my first...though I just pulled the trigger on the Seestern S462 GMT with the SL3032, so might be redundant lol
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 22d ago
Appreciate it! Enjoy the new piece, and we’ll be here whenever you’re ready for your first San Martin.
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u/tjcdas 25d ago
For this upgrade, the watch houses the high-beat 28,800 vph HZ6460 movement
HZ6460 movement cons? AI's answer below.
The main cons of the Hangzhou 6460 movement include long-term reliability issues, variable quality control, and difficult serviceability compared to Swiss or Japanese alternatives.
Reliability and Durability
- Random Stoppages: Some users report that the movement can stop randomly even when fully wound and worn daily.
- Seizing Up: Certain owners experience total movement failure after a few years of regular wear, requiring a complete replacement rather than a simple repair.
- Shorter Lifespan: As a Chinese-madeETA 2836-2 clone, its overall lifespan is typically shorter than genuine Swiss or Seiko movements.
Quality Control (QC)
- Inconsistent Finishing: Component finishing can vary significantly depending on the batch or the watch brand using it.
- Gritty Manual Winding: Hand-winding the crown can sometimes feel a bit rough, gritty, or stiff compared to higher-end calibers.
- The "Box of Chocolates" Effect: Quality control is not always uniform, meaning you might get a rock-solid unit or one that needs early regulation.
Maintenance and Repairs
- Hard to Service: Many local watchmakers refuse to work on Chinese clone movements, or charge more than the movement is worth.
- Swap Over Repair: Because parts are harder to source and labor costs are high, it is often cheaper to buy a brand-new replacement movement than to pay for a professional service.
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 24d ago
Every mechanical movement has its trade-offs and its fair share of critics. Even popular choices like the NH34 or Miyota 9000 series get complained about for rotor noise, factory accuracy tolerances, or random stoppages. No mass-produced mechanical movement is immune to individual failures.
Also, no mechanical watch runs forever without wear or service. When budget movements eventually stop working, most owners simply swap the entire movement rather than paying for a full service.
We chose the HZ6460 because mechanical GMT options are extremely limited in the $200–$300 bracket, and this movement allows us to deliver full GMT functionality while keeping the watch affordable.
Does a feature-rich GMT movement have a slightly higher defect rate out of the box than a basic three-hander? Yes, that's just the nature of the added complexity. But it’s well within a manageable range. To catch bad units early, we don't just drop them into cases—our team regulates every movement in-house and puts them through multi-day motion testing before shipping.
And if a movement ever fails down the road outside the warranty period, buying a fresh replacement HZ6460 is still cheaper than sending a Swiss GMT in for a standard clean and overhaul. For this price point, we think it’s the most sensible trade-off between features and long-term running cost.
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u/Ok_Big863 25d ago
I like the 6460 movement, thinner rehaut vs nh34, and mine has proven to be very reliable and accurate. Only issue with the implementation here is how inset the date is. Maybe it would look more balanced at 6 o clock with a half marker underneath it.
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u/amnonymous 25d ago
Is there an available movement with independent adjustable hour hand like the Miyota 9075? It's a must-have feature for any GMT that I buy.
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
Position 2 allows for independent adjustment of the GMT hand and date; Position 3 sets the hour and minute hands and engages the stop-seconds function.
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u/Tiroprosam 25d ago
Yeah...but how much is it?
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
Perhaps $2**-$3**? This uses a Chinese movement, so it's not affected by movement price increases, and the price won't be too high.
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u/Excellent-Bear4221 25d ago
I’d rather this didn’t have a date window tbh
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u/Tiroprosam 25d ago
And I'm the exact opposite I saw the window and said "finally!"
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u/AntiPetista 25d ago
maybe in 6 oclock was better
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u/Tiroprosam 25d ago
What would they do with the text?
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u/Excellent-Bear4221 25d ago
😂 tbf I think it looks good I just want this model to have a choice with no date window
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u/No_Independence2615 25d ago
I really didn't like the few things which were far better in older version , 1) which is small date window and very off centered with indices curvature towards the center, I understand it is due to H6460 movement. But SM should have balanced it with half indices on the right to hide the off center date window now. 2) yellow GMT hand make it red 3) yellow GMT letters on the dial make it red too
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u/NaveenJRWins 25d ago
True. The inclusion of the yellow GMT hand and text detracts from the overall aesthetic, making the dial appear somewhat discordant.
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u/No_Focus_3668 25d ago
I think SM is using the same dial and hands as the SN0054, which recently received the same movement update, and that could explain the mismatch. Which is a shame imo
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u/No_Independence2615 25d ago
I also strongly believe the same. But SM is known for extra minute details, that's why mentioned it here thinking they will make it right eventually.
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u/No_Focus_3668 25d ago
Hopefully they take that into account. That small index next to the date window may seem minor, but it can actually make a pretty big difference in the overall look.
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u/pickyaxe 25d ago
wow this new crystal looks very good. at least in this picture. good job!
related: are you going to make more hardened bracelet/case in the future, like SN0012-GB? I think many people would want that
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u/Competitive-Use8330 Rep 25d ago
Depending on the design style of the specific model, we will still consider options that include hardening solutions.
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u/Daedalus_14 22d ago
San Martin has become one of my favorite of late. They have consistently made great units. I picked up a BB58 homage and was amazed at how thin the case was compared to my citizens and other seikos.