Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, AffordableThing may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t change what we recommend.
What is the 62MAS, and why is it homaged so often?
In 1965, Seiko released Japan’s first purpose-built dive watch, reference 6217-8000, known to collectors as the 62MAS. It predates Seiko’s later, more famous divers (the 6105 “Captain Willard” and 6309 “Turtle” among them) and set the template much of Seiko’s dive-watch design still follows: a compact cushion case, a simple black dial with applied indices, and a plain bezel. Seiko itself has released several modern reinterpretations of the design (including SPB143 and PADI-branded versions), and its compact proportions and clean design have made it one of the most consistently homaged vintage divers among Chinese watch brands.
Which brands make a 62MAS homage
| Brand | What we found |
|---|---|
| San Martin | The brand most consistently named by forum commenters as the finishing leader in this specific design, across several V1-V4 versions and variants (including a Kanagawa surfing-wave dial). Sold through an “Official” store listing on AliExpress. |
| Seestern (also spelled Seastern) | Praised in multiple hands-on YouTube reviews as an especially strong, compact (38mm) 62MAS homage with a domed sapphire crystal and good lume, and directly compared to San Martin’s by name in a Reddit brand-comparison thread. We could not find a Seestern-branded listing with real review data in AliExpress’s own product feed to verify and recommend directly — left out rather than guessed at. |
| Steeldive | Mentioned by a commenter in a San Martin 62MAS review thread as a 62MAS option they’d also tried (“it was a good…”, comment cut off in the source), but we could not find a Steeldive 62MAS listing with review evidence in AliExpress’s product feed either. See our dedicated Steeldive brand guide for what we could verify about the brand generally. |
| Parnsrpe | A lesser-known, lower-priced brand also making a 62MAS-styled watch; the one listing we verified has a meaningfully lower rating and far fewer reviews than the San Martin option. Treat as a budget gamble, not a finishing-tier pick. |
A Reddit thread comparing brands for this exact design found San Martin’s version rated higher than a Seestern listing at the time it was posted (4.9 vs. 4.7), while also noting San Martin costs roughly 60% more — a reasonable illustration of the price/rating trade-off between the two, though we’re citing that thread’s own figures, not independently re-measuring them.
Two 62MAS homages with review evidence
San Martin vs. a budget alternative
We searched AliExpress’s own product feed for 62MAS-branded listings from San Martin, Seestern, Steeldive and others. Most candidates beyond these two had either gone out of stock, or had too few reviews (0-3) to trust. Rather than pad the page with thin evidence, we’re presenting the two genuinely verifiable options: San Martin’s finishing-tier pick, and a much cheaper alternative with honestly weaker ratings.
Best for
Buyers who want the finishing tier forum commenters rate highest among 62MAS homages, in the modern, slightly larger 41mm size.
Why it is here
4.5 rating from 29 reviews in AliExpress’s data when checked. Sapphire crystal and an NH35 automatic movement, sold under San Martin’s own official store listing.
Watch-outs
At roughly $296, this is the premium end of the category, well above the Parnsrpe budget option below; San Martin’s own “V3” 40mm version of this same design has gone in and out of stock repeatedly, so check current availability for your preferred size.
Best for
Buyers who want a 62MAS-styled diver at a fraction of San Martin’s price, and are comfortable with a lesser-known brand.
Why it is here
At roughly $75, it undercuts San Martin’s price by about $220, with a ceramic bezel and NH35A movement on paper.
Watch-outs
3.7 rating from only 12 reviews in AliExpress’s data — both the rating and the sample size are meaningfully weaker than the San Martin pick above. Read the 1-3 star reviews specifically before ordering. At 45mm it’s also noticeably larger than the historical 62MAS’s compact proportions.
Prices, ratings and review counts come from AliExpress data through our product feed and change. Several other 62MAS listings we found (including San Martin’s own 40mm “V3” Kanagawa dial version) had gone out of stock between our research and publishing — if you want that specific dial, search San Martin’s store directly for current availability. We haven’t personally tested either watch.
San Martin vs. the budget option: how to choose
| If you care most about… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| Finishing quality and forum reputation | San Martin — repeatedly named the finishing leader in this specific design. |
| Price above all else | Parnsrpe — roughly a quarter of San Martin’s price, but with a meaningfully lower rating and a much thinner review sample. |
| Staying close to the original 62MAS’s compact proportions | Neither listing here is small; San Martin’s is 41mm and Parnsrpe’s is 45mm, both larger than Seiko’s original ~38mm case. If size matters most, this may be a reason to look at a smaller reference like Seestern’s 38mm (praised in reviews, but not independently verifiable through our product feed). |
| A specific dial variant (surfing-wave, date, GMT) | Search San Martin’s own AliExpress store directly — several variants exist but go in and out of stock. |
What buyers and reviewers report
- San Martin’s finishing is repeatedly singled out in forum discussion as the strongest in this specific design, consistent with San Martin’s reputation across the wider homage-watch category. See our fuller homage-watch brand comparison for how it stacks up outside the 62MAS specifically.
- Seestern’s 62MAS gets consistently enthusiastic hands-on reviews (“the perfect homage,” per one YouTube reviewer) for its compact 38mm case, domed sapphire crystal and lume, at a lower price than San Martin — though we’re relaying that sentiment from outside sources, not from AliExpress review data, since we couldn’t verify a Seestern listing directly.
- Most 62MAS homages use the Seiko NH35 automatic movement, the same widely-used, serviceable movement found across most of the affordable homage-watch category.
How to pick a 62MAS homage
- Decide how close to the original 38mm case size you want to stay. Most AliExpress 62MAS homages, including both picks above, run larger (41-45mm) than Seiko’s original.
- Check the movement — NH35 is standard across the category and is a reasonable, serviceable automatic.
- Read recent reviews for your exact variant and size, not just the listing’s overall rating.
- Check the store separately from the brand name. How to judge a seller.
- Compare the total cost, including shipping and any import charges. What to expect in your country.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want to stay close to the original’s compact ~38mm case — neither verified pick here is that small.
- You want San Martin’s specific Kanagawa surfing-wave dial or a date/GMT variant — check San Martin’s own store directly, since specific variants go in and out of stock.
- You want the absolute widest brand selection compared side by side — see our multi-brand homage watch guide instead.
Before you buy a 62MAS homage
- ☐ I’ve decided how important staying close to the original ~38mm case size is to me.
- ☐ I know the movement (NH35 in most models) and I’m comfortable with it.
- ☐ I’ve read recent reviews for my exact variant, not just the overall listing rating.
- ☐ If considering the budget Parnsrpe option, I’ve specifically read its 1-3 star reviews.
- ☐ I’ve checked the store’s rating, feedback count and age separately from the brand name.
- ☐ I’ve compared the total cost, including shipping and any import charges.
Ready to shop?
If one of the two watches above suits you, check its current price on AliExpress. Otherwise, search AliExpress for other 62MAS listings and run the same checks, and compare with our fuller homage-watch guide if you want more brands.
Where to go next
- Best affordable homage watches on AliExpress
- Best San Martin watches on AliExpress
- Steeldive watches on AliExpress: buy or skip?
- AliExpress trusted sellers: the seven checks that matter
Frequently asked questions
What is a 62MAS homage watch?
It’s a watch that borrows the design of Seiko’s 1965 ref. 6217-8000, Japan’s first dive watch (known to collectors as the 62MAS), sold under a different brand’s own name rather than Seiko’s.
Which brand makes the best 62MAS homage?
Forum commenters most consistently rate San Martin’s finishing highest in this specific design. Seestern’s 62MAS is also praised in hands-on reviews for its compact size and value, though we couldn’t verify a Seestern listing with real review data on AliExpress to recommend directly.
Is the Parnsrpe 62MAS worth buying?
It’s roughly a quarter of San Martin’s price, but its 3.7 rating from only 12 reviews is meaningfully weaker evidence. Treat it as a budget gamble, and read its critical reviews specifically before ordering.
How big is a 62MAS homage compared to the original?
Seiko’s original 62MAS was a compact watch by modern standards, roughly 38mm. Most AliExpress homages, including both watches on this page, run larger, at 41-45mm.
What movement do 62MAS homages use?
Most, including both picks here, use the Seiko NH35, a widely-used, serviceable automatic movement common across the affordable homage-watch category generally.
The bottom line
San Martin’s 62MAS is the finishing-tier pick forum commenters consistently point to, at a real price premium. The Parnsrpe alternative is far cheaper but comes with a meaningfully weaker rating and a thin review sample — read its critical reviews before you decide it’s worth the gamble. If the original’s compact ~38mm size matters to you, neither verified pick here matches it; Seestern’s smaller case is praised elsewhere but wasn’t independently verifiable through AliExpress’s own product data at the time we checked.
Check current prices on AliExpress →
Sources
- Seiko: Prospex 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation (62MAS history)
- WatchProSite: Seiko 62MAS Ref. 6217-8000 Dive Watch History
- Reddit r/ChineseWatches: Which 62MAS homage would you go with? (San Martin vs Seestern rating/price comparison)
- Reddit r/ChineseWatches: Which is the best Seiko 62mas homage on AliExpress?
- Reddit r/ChineseWatches: [Review] San Martin 62MAS Homage v3
- WatchUSeek: Quality comparison of Pagani, Addiesdive, Steeldive, San Martin and other brands
- AliExpress: Buyer Protection
Prices, ratings and availability change, and some variants go in and out of stock. Verify the store and exact variant before you pay.
