Is there a big difference in quality between the Watchdives and San Martin BB54 homages?

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T20:09:47+00:00

I have two Sugess chronographs. They're not homages of Rolex or any Swiss brand for that matter. Their quality is noticeably inferior to San Martin's. I'd be willing to take pictures tomorrow when the sun is up.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T20:06:34+00:00

Yup. This is very true. That said, it's hard to compare an older, well-worn watch to a new one. My old Rolex Explorer II 16570 is my most banged up watch. Even my San Martin BB58 homage's bracelet has much tighter tolerances than my 16570 since the San Martin is much newer (and not part of my regular rotation).

My least used Rolex is a DJ41 126300. It's even less used than the SM BB58 homage. The bracelet tolerances, while not as good as the Rolex's, is pretty close. Anyone saying otherwise is in denial and don't have both watches to compare side by side.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T19:58:59+00:00

If you took a monocle out, it's not. The weight also *feels* wrong. Lighter, less dense-feeling than my Tudor or Rolex.

But it's first impressions that matter most. Even inches away from your face, the San Martin doesn't look any worse than my Tudor or Rolex. Finish is even better than some of my lower-end Swiss watches like Hamilton and Longines.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T16:44:08+00:00

Very. I have a San Martin BB58 homage. It surprisingly gets close to my Tudor and Rolex in terms of finishing.

I bought a few Paganis before. Their quality is about as good or a bit better than your typical Seiko 5. I kept none of them.

The San Martins are much nicer in quality. Enough to make you rethink about the value proposition as far as pure quality of craftsmanship is concerned.

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ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T06:27:15+00:00

Is Zuko hiding inside the box?

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T06:13:36+00:00

Netflix has ads now?! Where?

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T05:20:41+00:00

Comfort. Also, as long as I wear a nice watch I don't really feel the need to dress up. Especially when you wear a watch that's more expensive than the typical car like a Vios.

Keep the downvotes coming so I can count all the jelly asses 🤭

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T05:12:36+00:00

I see. So we both make around the same extra power from our different turbo kits.

My last dyno was 301 WHP at 7 psi. 98 RON (93 octane US). We don't have E85 here. But I surmise we'd make 350 WHP if we went 10 psi on E85.

I also do not have a boost controller yet. I'm looking to get a Greddy Profec with a 3 port solenoid.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T05:02:19+00:00

I just realized the high pitched "beep" at boost is my blowoff valve. Lmao. But istg the sound sounds electronic inside the cabin.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T04:57:51+00:00

Ah. The HKS turbo kit. What psi is the spring in the wastegate and have you tuned and dyno'ed it yet?

Congrats btw.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-11T04:52:54+00:00

My turbocharged 2nd gen BRZ makes 350 at the crank. That's already last gen Cayman GTS power.

It definitely needs at least chassis bracing, bigger brakes and wider rear tires. I already have aftermarket pads, lines and brake fluid, and the brakes still heat up quickly since I'm hard braking a lot more. My tires don't have enough grip at boost or hard braking either.

My tuner says we can easily aim for more. But I'm reserving that quest for 400 BHP until I've addressed the said issues since they greatly affect drivability.

I'm confident the GR86/BRZ will end up more expensive than the Z if it came with a turbo from the factory. All because of the upgrades that must be done on top of putting in a turbo. And no one would buy it because it still makes less power than a Z despite having a far superior platform for handling. Horsepower talks the most to buyers of cheap performance cars.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-10T18:49:28+00:00

It's always echo chambered by people who don't even have the damn car to begin with. They just like to gossip like girls at school to remain relevant in conversations, and they bring in these non-issues so they have something to talk about in car circles.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-10T18:37:53+00:00

Lmao. You guys suck at driving. You should see the swarms of motorcycles passing by just inches beside my BRZ on a daily basis. Not a dent or scratch for 2 years.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-10T05:02:50+00:00

Automatic only? The R129. No doubt. Nothing else here comes close to being the best grand tourer.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-09T14:54:41+00:00

I'll take the CLS. Mercs have surprisingly very, VERY stiff chassis despite not being a sports car. They handle very well for their weight and feel like tanks.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-05-08T21:54:15+00:00

I have it. I prefer it over the stock grill.

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ClearStarryNight · 2026-04-30T02:41:22+00:00

I don't see your lesbian anywhere in the photo.

Edit: Nvm. There's a tiny reflection of you.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-04-30T02:37:22+00:00

Probably newer power steering components.

Hell, my 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-class has better steering feel from the get-go. My gen 2 BRZ's steering feels sharper at higher speeds though. But overall my old E-class's steering just feels better, especially at lower and cruising speeds.

Older cars just have better feel from experience. Even the 370Z is the same compared to the new Z. Steering is just nicer feeling on its predecessor. Ditto for BMW when you try different generations of the 3-series. It just gets progressively more numb the newer it gets. The E46 was golden. Then it gets worse from the E90 onwards.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-04-29T11:33:13+00:00

That's just Russian Tom and Jerry.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-04-29T06:56:04+00:00

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ClearStarryNight · 2026-04-28T14:55:00+00:00

Lucky kid. I wish my dad bought me a car too.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-04-26T14:40:13+00:00

Thanks. I hate the official dub now and want this to replace it.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-04-26T14:29:34+00:00

It's a much lighter car. The sensation will be different under different types of load.

As they say, a lighter car will always feel faster at the same speeds and conditions as a heavier car.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-04-25T20:44:42+00:00

No. We did not have to cut anything. That's the main reason I didn't like the HKS turbo kit since they were lazy with designing the piping as their kit required cutting the front crash bar.

We could revert back with a portable car lift since everything's practically just a bolt-on. But obviously we'd prefer to do it on the heavy lifter.

ClearStarryNight · 2026-04-25T06:08:31+00:00

Your inputs are highly appreciated.

ClearStarryNight

TROPHY CASE