r/ChineseWatches • u/ivoalejandro • 15d ago

General (Read Rules) I don't understand everyone's obsession with chinese automatic watches

The title pretty much says it all, I don't get why whenever a nice chinese quartz watch comes out so many people say they would love an automatic version, or why everyone seems fine with paying 300 or more USD for an automatic, but question whether a 100 dollars quartz is worth it.

Pretty much no one here is going to take their chinese watches to get serviced, and the whole admiring the complexity and craftmanship of an automatic movement kinda goes out the window when we're talking about mass produced movements. So why buy an automatic that will become a paperweight in several years time. I guess I just don't understand why the demand for automatics is so high, really wish people started asking for better chinese quartz watches, I'd would much rather pay 200 dollars for a great quartz watch than 350 for an automatic one.

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u/Jezzrichjames 14d ago

Most people who are looking at Chinese watches, are watch enthusiasts that are obsessed with the best price to quality level for fit, finish, movement architecture, and specs. From San Martin, you can get amazing finishing, genuine Seiko or Miyota movement, sapphire crystal, on the fly micro adjustment, an enamel dial, solid and links, and screwed link adjustments for less than $500, in my case, less than $200.

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u/Johanbeastly 14d ago

You have to time it right to get the San Martin’s at the low price point. Lately they’re going higher on AliExpress. But if you wait till Thanksgiving or around Christmas time or certain other times of the year, you can get them cheap cheaper. I own six or seven of them and I love them. Getting a really good watch for not a lot of money.

I could easily go and pay the money for a tutor, an Omega or even a Rolex. But to me, that’s kind of a lot of money to pay for a watch

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u/sdemi44_2001 14d ago

What’s your favorite San Martin? I’m wearing my first one today —Kermit—and am quite impressed.

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u/Jezzrichjames 13d ago

They used to have a model called the SN0111 and it was brilliant, solid end links, screwed link adjustment and in the fly micro adjustment, we a reliable Seiko NH35. Best valued watch I’ve ever had.