Categories
Octopus

Octopus Tudor Pelagos Black Homage Watch Review

Octopus Tudor Pelagos Wrist Shot

Have you heard about Octopus watch? I did not know this micro brand before, there are too many niche watch brands in China, some I have tried and are very nice, some I still want to buy even my Chinese homage watches collection is already very huge. The development of Chinese watch industry is rapid, especially these niche brands in recent years, although most of them copied the Swiss watches designs, they do offer many cheap options for us who love watches. The Octopus, like the Steeldive, Proxima and San Martin, makes outstanding diving-style homage watches, perhaps these four brands are operated by one team, one thing I am very sure that they are made and assembled in a city of Guangdong, perhaps in Dongguan, I know there are many factories in Guangdong that make watch parts. The Octopus watch I will review today is a Tudor Pelagos homage, I bought the black one, the watch company also offers blue model.

The watch has a case that is fully brushed, it has a diameter of 39mm, not very thick, only 11.4mm, including the crystal. My friend bought it for me from Taobao.com in China, it is said to be made with Titanium, but I found it seems not Titanium but stainless steel when I received it three days ago, I am a little disappointed. Well, perhaps they offer two versions, I found the Titanium model has a higher price. The bezel has a black insert with white lume markers, the black bezel insert is indeed ceramic made like they said, that’s good, and the lume is very strong, the bezel and dial have the same blue lume light in the dark. The screw-in crown has a Octopus sculpture on the face.

Octopus Tudor Pelagos Crown

The black dial is completely an immitation of the dial of Tudor Pelagos, the wide hands and big square hour markers are classic designs on Tudor Pelagos, these two elements use wide and big design to enhance readability and also can be applied with enough lume material to offer a stronger lume light in the dark. The middle letter “O” in the word “OCTOPUS” is changed to brand’s logo, while I think the German word “KRAKEN” is no needed. By the way, the white minute markers are on an oblique inner bezel, this enhances the three-dimensional effect of the entire dial.

Octopus Tudor Pelagos Bracelet

The Octopus Pelagos homage is equipped with a PT5000 automatic movement, while a better SW200 movement is also offered, I chose the cheaper PT5000, it is enough use for me, I won’t choose a Swiss movement for a Chinese homage watch, not worth it, but I will choose a Swiss movement for a replica Rolex, haha. With this PT5000, now the watch gains 5 seconds per day, well, this accuracy is acceptable til now.

Octopus Tudor Pelagos Case Back
Octopus Pelagos Lume
Categories
San Martin

San Martin Explorer Tiffany Blue Homage Review

San Martin Tiffany Blue

The watches made by San Martin are selling very well, San Martin has also accumulated a high reputation among watch fans, everybody knows the solid quality of their watches and unique box, it is really a good custom-made brand coming from China. I made a research online and found San Martin is more popular among so many custom-made watch brands, San Martin is one of my most favorite Chinese watches, perhaps it is not as famous as other big traditional Chinese brands like Sea-gull, but the homages from San Martin seem to be more welcomed among watch fans.

San Martin Blue Dial

The watch is full stainless steel made, it is a homage of the old Rolex Explorer watch, but with a Tiffany blue dial, which looks like the style of modern Oyster Perpetual. Besides the Tiffany blue dial, the watch also has a black dial option.

San Martin Tiffany Blue Wrist Shot

The case is made with solid 316L stainless steel, its diameter is about 36mm, I think it is a little small for men, while a very suitable size for ladies, the case thickness is 11.3mm, including the crystal. The case is brushed, while the sides and bezel are polished. Seeing from the sides, the case has a beautiful arched shape to make sure it can fit your wrist more comfortably. The crown has “SAN MARTIN” carving inside a hexagon.

San Martin Bracelet Logo

The dial is the soul of this watch, many people like the tiffany blue color, the SAN MARTIN shield logo at 12 o’clock is three-dimensional, take a close look at the logo, it is delicately completed in a sanded background. All hour markers, including the numbers 3, 6 and 9, are applied with white luminous material, so are hour hand and minute hand, they will emit a strong blue lume light in dark conditions. The dial has some similarity to that of Rolex Explorer, the 3-6-9 dial design is an iconic feature, the central hands have a solid axis, many women choose this watch due to its Tiffany blue dial, while you can also buy a black dial version for your boyfriend. By the way, the dial is under protection of a domed sapphire crystal.

San Martin Dial Lume

The watch is powered by a PT5000 automatic movement, I did not hear this movement before, but it is said that PT5000 is cloned from ETA 2824. The movement beats at 28,800VPH, it has 25 jewels and 38-hour power reserve. The movement is manufactured in China, by H.K. Precision Technology. San Martin also offers a SW200 automatic movement option for this watch, yes, I admit that SW200 is better, but the cost is also very higher. By the way, I have had this watch for almost three weeks, the watch is about 18 seconds faster each day, it is ok for me.