My Seestern clasp is easy to use and I have no backplay with the bezel. I chose the Seestern over the SM because: 1. It has the date, 2. The lug2lug size, 3. The applied indices and 4. The movement. I'm very pleased with it and actually prefer it on the supplied elasticated canvas strap.

excellent review! keep them coming!!

Super helpful comparison! Both these watches executed some things better than the other. It’s a tough call, but I’d personally give the edge to Seestern because of the incredible value.

I have the black and gold version as I thought this would go with more clothes and styles etc...The blue and gold is also stunning am sure. I can't believe how well this watch is made. All the edges are so smooth, the bezel and sapphire are seemless (almost too perfect if you want something slightly rugged but I have G-Shocks for that!). It is so smart and elegant and marries beauty with function. My bracelet/adjustment is perfect due to the glidelock (6.5inch wrists). I feel it's presence but don't feel weighed down. I even slept with this on my wrist last night and it didn't bother me (normally I use G-Shock 5610u or F105W as ultra light)...The crown is on the small side but I think this makes the watch more elegant, less tool like, which, alongside the sunburst dial, applied indexes and gold accents fits very well with a more dressy diver. I would totally recommend this watch to anyone who wants a smart diver of reasonable proportions for a smaller wrist (not a small watch though, for those of you with bigger wrists), with a noticeable dial and very good quality craftsmanship. I had comments from people at work straight away. I know it's not an original design of course but I am a nurse and don't have thousands to spend on watches. I am also waiting for a delivery of the Reverie diver in grey/silver (more like double the price of the Seestern), which I think will also be amazing apart from the bracelet apparently where the glidelock only work half of the way (?) due to too few links being able to fit into the clasp when tightening the bracelet. Sorry long comment but I have spent years searching for a diver you can actually wear comfortably on a small wrist and that doesn't cost huge amounts of money. Voila!

I just picked up this Seestern for $100 and am utterly blown away by the quality. Those indices are beautiful and my clasp is a breeze to adjust.

Thanks for the great comparison. I think the Seestern takes this comparison all day long; although, I have a SM with their new on the fly clasp, and it’s a game changer. Also apparently this exact design was used by numerous brands back in the 60’s. Thanks again!

Excellent review. I bought the Seestern via your affiliate link. Thanks !

Good comparison vid very informative.great work 😊

Great review, thanks. I had already ordered the Seestern when I saw this, and glad I did. My clasp works fine, and don't mind the smaller crown. Wears great on a 6 and 3/4 inch wrist. Very impressed.

thorough. appreciate the work u put in doing the vid

Very good and interesting comparison! I would choose the Seestern because it's more similar to the SeaQ imo, and the price. I'm a big fan of the SeaQ in rose gold with the rubber strap. I would love that Seestern making the same one. Thanks for this great comparison, James.

I went with the Seestern, but it was definitely a tough decision. I prefer the crystal, crown size, and beads of rice bracelet on the San Martin, but I really like the applied indices and the quick adjust clasp on the Seestern. If the Seestern had a 7mm+ crown, it would be perfect! Great review as always

I have been eyeing the Seestern recently but didn’t pull the trigger. Glad I didn’t because the San Martin pleases me more after your review. Thanks!!

Both gorgeous watches. If i could have the Seestern dial and gilt elements in the san Martin casei would be a very happy man

Just got the latest version of the Seestern in blue/gold , it is beautiful, very well put together and not at all blingy , which I was a bit concerned about. The clasp is now exactly the same as the SAN Martin with the same ratchet mechanism and 2 screws on the side ( same clasp different branding) and works very well . There is no back play in the bezel which is perfectly aligned and it has the larger crown . The fully lumed bezel is a bonus and gives a fantastic show when the lights go out. Clearly Seestern/ Sugess take on board criticism quickly and make modifications ,if possible , promptly. Thank you for the review and saving me £100 on what looks like the better watch.

Great comparison! I'm definitely gravitating towards the Seestern, but I really wish they could have slimmed down that midcase. The applied indexes, that dynamic dial, and the shorter lug to lug with the proper female endlinks really put it over the top! I wasn't sure I'd like the gold, but after seeing your blue version, and Steve's black, I really think those are the two colors to go for.

comeonnn....seestern seaq v2 with bor & box sapphire. great comparison review btw bro ! keep up the good work

Seestern all day long. I have a couple of San Martins so I am a fan, but I have a Steeldive which I also like and I believe those are made in the same factory. The show is in the dial with the Sea-Q and Seestern have made that their priority while staying ahead of that San Martin as far as case shape is concerned too. Maaybe I will purchase. The price is right. I am glad Sea-Q homages are being produced now!

Nice review. Both watches have their drawbacks. Clasp of the Seestern and absence of applied indecies on the San Martin/ Will be waiting for ver II o the San Martin. but liked your video.

Great comparison, and, as always, fair, professional and unbiased!

Seestern all the way mate. In black and gilt for me. Ok, and maybe with a beads of rice bracelet... LOL Thanks for the comparison James, realy helpful mate, cheers.

Can we get the Seestern dial with the San Martin case?

I am considering the Black and Gilt Seestern in the next Ali Express sale - the applied indeces are a critical difference here . I prefer its overall sizing and the fact that is has a date complication. I also like that it doesn't have any gold links on the bracelet. The value for money is superior too. I would happily pay a little extra for a beads of rice bracelet - I still think it would wear well on the Seestern. I like the drilled lugs on the San Martin though. Was there much of a difference in the quality of the steel finishing?

This is a close call, I’d lean towards the SeeStern

Ps just found the San Martin clasp as used by Seestern on my version on Ali express for around £50 delivered inc uk tax. Puts the value for money into perspective .

Really like the gold tones on the seestern, that's what would take it for me. Do wish the crown was a bit more substantial though. It does look slightly out of place.

I picked up the Seestern during the recent Aliexpress sale. Liking it so far, but I found some of the bracelet screws almost impossible to remove. They were stuck in very tight. The level of fit and finishing is okay--solid but not as good as say a Seiko or Citizen. I agree the on-the-fly clasp adjustment is a bit finicky and the mechanism feels a bit cheap. And I wish the crown were a bit bigger. But overall still a very good value.

Nice comparison review. Tough choice...Seestern, I just can't get past the undersized crown however

I would love to know if these bracelets are interchangeable. I would like to see the seestern on a beads of rice!

I would go for the Seestern, but I'm waiting for V2 or V3 with their beautiful wave case back and larger crown with sea star logo.

If it had a solid back to shave off some millimeters from the thickness, I think the Seestern would be a solid winner despite its shortcomings. As it is, it's a bit close.

Tempted to get seestern with gold trim. But concerned the gold will wear off??

I have a soft spot for Seestern but this Seestern just does it for me. San Martin is no slouch when it comes to their watches but I'd rather have the Seestern. Both are great watches though. My rwo cents. Cheers!

I rate both brands, but in this case the SM is the better watch

Gray comparison I'm still stuck between one or the other. There are pros and cons to both of them I wish the seestern had a larger crown, 12mm or thinner and a no date option

The Seestern package overall is best and the much lower price makes it a clear winner for me. I've never been convinced that SM finish is all some make it to be in any case. My shillometer sometimes drifts into the red. I'll put one in my basket and price watch.

seestern knocked it right out of the park with this one

Seestern from the front. SM from the sides.

I'd take the nh35 over the pt5000, even with the lower hz. In addition, the Seestern has applied indices vs printed... and all for a substantial cost savings.

Hmmm, the SM has weird dimensions for a "small" watch. Really nicely made though, like one would expect. But I'd go Seestern for the more reliable movement and applied indices.

Version 2 out on Seestern. Now has larger crown 😊

I've just ordered a black and gold Seestern. I didn't know about the SM, but I wouldn't have picked it over the Seestern anyway, primarily because of the printed dial versus the applied markers, they really lift the Seestern.

I cannot resist the black and gold of the Seestern , despite the inferior clasp and bracelet. A hundred quid difference is not nothing .

I think the Seestern has the better proportions compared to the San Martin. I quite like how the date window is integrated and I prefer the applied numerals. Well I'm never a fan of the two-tone look and I think the gilted crown on the Seestern cheapens the look a little. But fortunately they offer regular stainless steel versions. Besides I don't have a lot of confidence in the PT5000 movements.

In my view, the Seestern 435 is a closer homage to the SeaQ, with the dial dimensions and applied indices, lack of drilled out lugs, and domed crystal (which differs from the Seestern 434v2). The 435 also comes with the SeaGull ST2130-B movement, as opposed to the Seestern 434v2 with its SI NH35A. The 435 does have a unique/signed crown...which deviates as a homage from the SeaQ's uniformly-cylindrical and signed crown. I went for the Seestern 435 S.S. in blue for about $200, delivered. Great deal, considering the specs on this AliExpress watch.

I wish they did the Seestern in black with fauxtina indices and bezel, if they did I would buy it and wear it on a tropical strap.

See stern dial and San Martin bracelet, and while we’re wishing, add a Tandorio price and I’m in.

The Douglas/Wolbrook predates the SeaQ ;)

I like the look of the Seestern better EXCEPT for the gold crown and gold edge to the bezel - is there an option without that??? Crown size would also be better larger like the San Martin. Movement could go both ways ... some prefer the reliability and ease of servicing a NH35 others prefer the more premium feel of the PT5000.

The shallower dial and box crystal lends the SM a more premium look and more closely resembles the original. The printed indices mess it all up, though.

Great comparison, James. I prefer the Seestern, which I actually own. I only wish it had come with beads of rice, but no big deal as I can swap. Believe it or not I also prefer the NH35. As for the clasp on the Seestern, mine seems to operate a little easier than yours. Thank you again James for sharing your thoughts.

I think they're both too small for my 8.5 inch wrist but will probably take a chance witt the seastern. I just love how it looks. Hope it wont look too small on me!!

Both have pros & cons.Id rather have the nh35,and the dial seems better with no distortion on the S434 & better lume and fit(for me)I like the SM Bracelet,clasp and drilled lugs better though.So,I’d call them about even,depending on what you prefer.

I like Seestern...but also am worried that the plating part of the watch will wear out..😅

I voted with my wallet and purchased the Seestern in blue. I don’t think the San Martin is worth the premium, especially since the PT5000 comes with a ghost date and the indices are printed. After watching your video, I checked my watch and I don’t have any problems with the clasp or the bezel. So, I guess there is a bit of room for improvement when it comes to consistency at Seestern.

San Martin with Seestern dial and movement would hit all the boxes. SM case looks very similar to 62mas IMHO.

In your opinion whats the largest wrist size each could fit?

TBH id have an NH movement over a PT5000 every time (cheaper to service/replace, more refined, less issues) - and the £100 difference is a hard sell for a watch so similar. The clasp being the only 'win' for the SM is not worth the extra cost. Infact even at the same price I would be more tempted by the Seestern. Thanks for sharing your thoughts - love the comparison videos.

Seestern!

The San Martin has better dimensions, better aesthetics, and a nicer bracelet, however I have had a few bad experiences with the PT5000. Ummm

Is this the v1 or v2 model? Apparently the v2 has a bigger crown. Thanks for the review. I'm probably going to pull the trigger on the Seestern with the blue+gilt. When I get it in, I'll experiment to see if the "Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Bader- 39mm" bracelet will fit on it... I love to experiment like that.

Great comparison. Shame the seestern didn’t go for beads of rice though the bracelet still looks great. The price is mind blowing!! With regards to the OTF adjustment clasps, I think your seestern just needs breaking in and will get smoother. Your short nails don’t help either lol. I bought the Pelagos homage from San Martin and I don’t like the fact it operates in the opposite direction and isn’t as nice to use even though it’s better engineered. I just preferred the seestern/sugess clasps

Seestern all day every day. But it does have flaws. A bigger crown Better action on the clasp Beads of rice bracelet would've elevated it to a new level For me the magor flaw is the size, i have a larger wrist and would've preferred 40+mm. Anyways well done seestern, sometimes they miss but getting better..

Neither for me, as they are! But if SS used the NH 38 and the SM bracelet then that would be a winner....🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚

The Seestern bezel didn't look aligned to me.

El Seestern es mucho más bonito. 👌

❤

I think the San Martin looks a bit odd and disproportionate, a heavily shrunk SeaQ-like dial in a 62mas like case? 90 click bezels are also a no-no.

The seagull version of the Seestern wears much much better

Seestern, not fan of BoR SM bracelet

wtf is a 90 click bezel even for?

Why are you whispering what are you afraid of

I never buy a Seestern watch again... the QC is bad and the Support is not present 👎 No recommendation!

I could never wear a watch with a ridiculous, nonsensical name like: Seestern, Berny, Rdunae, Tandorio. So, easily San Martin.