Choose the San Martin SN0012-GB if you want a steel bracelet watch with documented coating claims for the case, bracelet and clasp. Choose the Militado ML27 if you prefer a smaller dress watch on leather and are comfortable with a case-only treatment claim. The two watches serve different needs, even though both sit below $400 at the listed prices checked on October 8, 2026.
If you are shopping for an affordable scratch-resistant watch, the useful starting point is which components receive the treatment. A coated case does not establish the treatment of the buckle or bracelet. This comparison uses published specifications; it is not a hands-on scratch test or a promise that either watch will remain unmarked.
Which parts are treated?
| Component or claim | Militado ML27 | San Martin SN0012-GB |
|---|---|---|
| Case | Additional hardening treatment listed by Watchdives; Militado describes a protective anti-scratch coating | 316L steel with a claimed 1200HV hardening coating |
| Bracelet | Not supplied; leather strap | Five-link steel bracelet explicitly listed with 1200HV coating |
| Clasp or buckle | Treatment unspecified | OTF adjustable clasp explicitly listed with 1200HV coating |
| Published process detail | No named process or hardness value found | The linked model specification describes the case coating as electroplated |
| Comparable test method | Not specified in the inspected listing | Not specified in the inspected listing |
These entries describe the scope of the claims, rather than a measured durability ranking. San Martin's crown and caseback are described separately, without individual treatment statements, so this guide does not label every component treated. Both watches list sapphire front crystals; that is separate from their metal-surface treatment.
Source details: SN0012-GB model specification and Militado's ML27 specification.
Militado ML27: compact proportions on leather
The ML27 Navy Blue & White is listed at $99.99. Its 36mm case has a 44mm lug-to-lug length and 9.5mm listed thickness. It uses a Seagull ST1701 automatic movement with manual winding, a small-seconds display and a leather strap.
This is the option to consider when compact dress styling, a mechanical movement and a lower purchase price matter more than a treated steel bracelet. If bracelet or clasp scratches are your main concern, its case claim does not answer that requirement. Militado publishes no hardness value or named coating process in the inspected product text, so a numerical comparison with the San Martin would be unsupported.
For other compact dress choices, see our dress watches under $200 guide.
San Martin SN0012-GB: documented case, bracelet and clasp coating
The SN0012-GB Matte Black is listed at $359.10. Its 40mm case, 48.5mm lug-to-lug length and 12.3mm listed thickness make it the larger choice. The ST2130 automatic movement and dive-watch styling also give it a different character from the ML27.
Its broader documented coverage makes it the more relevant shortlist entry when you specifically want treatment on the bracelet and clasp as well as the case. The clasp also provides on-the-fly adjustment. That recommendation concerns specification coverage and fit; it does not establish how this coating will perform against another brand over years of wear.
Current variants and listed prices
All configurations below were available when checked on October 8, 2026. Prices are in USD for the watch; confirm availability, shipping and any applicable charges for your destination before ordering.
- SN0012-GB, $359.10: Matte Black.
- SN0012-GB, $380.80 each: White-Full Dial Lume and Orange-Full Dial Lume.
- ML27, $99.99 each: Mint Green, Grey Dial, Navy Blue & White, Black & Teal and White.
How do they compare with Traska and Sinn?
Traska's Commuter specification describes proprietary case hardening to almost 1200HV and says its bracelet receives the same process. The inspected page does not identify the process chemistry or separately itemize clasp treatment. Traska remains a relevant comparison for buyers wanting a compact, non-diver watch on a bracelet.
Sinn's 2025/2026 catalogue explains that TEGIMENT hardens the material's surface rather than adding a coating. Its 856 example also shows why component scope matters: the catalogue identifies a TEGIMENT case and bracelet configuration but expressly excludes the caseback from TEGIMENT. Check the exact bracelet and clasp configuration before buying.
The linked SN0012-GB specification describes an electroplated coating; Traska calls its process proprietary; Sinn explains a surface-hardening treatment. Similar hardness numerals do not establish equivalent test conditions, scratch resistance or service life. None of the inspected sources provides a shared head-to-head test for these watches.
Style and function still decide whether an alternative works for you. The 40mm SN0012-GB is a diver, while the 36mm ML27 comes on leather. Neither is an exact substitute for a buyer requiring a roughly 38mm non-diver on a treated bracelet, and neither supplies a GMT function.
Which should you choose?
- Choose the ML27 for compact dress styling on leather, a lower listed price and a documented case-treatment claim.
- Choose the SN0012-GB when documented treatment on the case, bracelet and clasp is central to your purchase and its larger diver format suits you.
- Keep comparing if you require a specific process, verified long-term comparative testing or a different size and style. Ask for the missing evidence before paying for a claim that matters to you.
For the broader material questions, our guide to checking surface-treatment claims explains which details to look for. Here, the buying decision starts with the complete watch and the parts you actually want treated.
